i black

"when i born, i black
when i grow up, i black
when i go in sun, i black
when i scared, i black
when i sick, i black
and when i die, i still black
and you white fellow
when you born, you pink
when you grow up, you white
when you go in sun, you red
when you cold, you blue
when you scared, you yellow
when you sick, you green
and when you die, you grey
and you calling me colored?"

[written by an african boy & nominated for best poem by the united nations, 2006]