Maintaining A Space Between The Cracks of Black & White

                                                         By: A.X. Bueno 

Not fully in sight 

You almost fade into the background in a world that sees mainly black and white 

But you know in your heart that you're there too

You've got a color that's it's own unique hue 

It's not easy to see so there are those who make presumptions and dismiss it 

But you know what you are and to that you try and stay true 

Still there are presumptions and offhand remarks that hurt more than you can admit

Make you doubt and question and feel lesser than you actually are 

Some do it without even trying or acknowledging 

While others are a bit more callous as they pick at your sore spots and scars 

The language you still struggle with, what you look like, the way you act 

All that and maybe a few things more that are hard to handle when they come 

Sometimes right at you and sometimes from behind your back 

But things have gotten better you feel sure 

It took plenty of time and self improvement but you feel your place is mostly secure 

In the world that is and also where you are now 

You've carved out a place for yourself and in some ways you're not fully sure how 

You've had a lot of people test you and what you know yourself to be 

Some invalidated you but you're still here and still you despite what you couldn't make them see 

And it's become easier for others to grasp what your appearance doesn't make obvious

Which fills you with a bit of soul deep glee  

That said the space you've carved in between those perceptions of color wasn't done by you alone 

There are plenty of others who've helped you as you've grown 

But ultimately it's still your space made in defiance of those who persist

In spite of those who will deny the complex mix of colors out there in the world 

Something that should be clear just by realizing people like you exist