Revised 12.12.23
The people working inside here look hardly savage
Even though a paler woman sitting sunning outside said they were
Said so to the other two paler woman, all natives too
But with much more Mediterranean blood in them
He explains it to me, after telling the paler one in Arabic
That she shouldn’t be such a racist, in a way joking
I guess, as they, all three, smile and nod afterward
Although he doesn’t
His skin is colored in between the outside ones and the ones in here
He says, angry a bit, he having less of the Northern blood of the pale ones
Explaining Egyptian skin color gradations and prejudice against Nubians
The cool dark of the bar invites me in regardless of color
On this hot walk around an African town, not Cairo huge
Rural more, but not the smallness of a village either
This feels like I’m on some strange safari
What with these prejudiced attitudes
He points out to me
Over cold beers
With no animals
* * * * *
Happy #WriterTuesday. I hope you are well, wherever you may be. Today’s writing prompt is
shade
Use the #WritingPrompt to inspire a piece of writing, no matter how long, or about what subject you choose. Then post that piece on your page and link back to me, or simply leave it as a comment below. I would love to read it : )
Lanning Lee 