My Skin A Crime

Rob Peyton

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I chose to bare
A love of phrase
And sought a meaning
To make my place
To stamp me
Worthy
Of love
An occupation
To garner a wage
I looked for models
Along the streets
And dreamed respect
But I was shunned
Too ambitious
And called a fool
For dreaming
Of beauty
Of a place that could be mine
Where people nodded with respect
Instead of suspect
My skin
A crime.