AM I TOO BROWN?
A dedication to Civianna Gallegos
Grandma, Am I too brown?
A little Navajo chicanita asked
sporting a contorted smile
her beautiful brown oval eyes
squinting in confusion
her face grimacing
lost in a delusion.
Grandma, should I hide behind a cloud?
or wear a white shroud
when the sun comes out?
No, my child,
You can never be too brown. You are
God’s beautiful creation.
You are a bronze sculpture
a radiant flower
growing en un jardin de la raza cosmica.
Sus raices are tied
to la tierra de su madre.
Mi’ja color brown is part of el arco iris,
closer to hermano sol.
You are the Fall
calling the snow to come down and visit.
You are as beautiful as the brown leaves
falling from the trees as summer ends.
You are the dusk giving permission
for the sun to go to sleep
watching springtime rain drops
fall silently during times of darkness
grieving intolerance
brought about by ignorance.
You will never be too brown.
You are part of a grand cosmology
a picture of innocence
now tainted with prejucio.
No mi’ja you can never be too brown.
Ramon del Castillo
Copyright 10-8-06
