I didn’t know I was different
till I was thirty three
when I was hired to work
in a well known store
back in the early 90’s
because
my skin was lighter than everyones…
I was the token

Token…
What is that word…
A thing of affection?
or
a word of shame?
well
I felt shame
and hurt
and
disappointment…

Disappointment that I was so
naive
Disappointment that
in this day and age
tokens
still exist
and
most importantly
I wondered…
How LONG will they?

It doesn’t matter
what colour
the token is
or shape
it takes
what matters is
we should have
NO NEED
of tokens
except
ones of love…
or
to get on the bus or subway…

copyright 5/28/2011 catherine anne hayes