Albino

They stood apart from
me, stood in flocks
like pink flamingos
squawking exotically
they gnashed their delightful
black beaks in an
underlying benevolence I
did not understand, so
banished from the teeming din
sucking my thumb and staring
at my feet. and I balked
when you came my way, flashing
pink feathers and a grin --
a grimace to the lonely
a growl from a bird to me.
so all the beautiful birds
laughing on the sea
grew claws and teeth to scratch
and tear at the wall
of silence that kept them
from me. And you saw
in me the monster
that I saw in you
black eyes reflecting my fear
the invisible
hand stretched in longing.
but you walked away
before I conjured up
the courage to speak.
You walked away
and the flock crowded afar
once again
clashing pink against
my blood-less white skin.

- February 15, 1999