They Are Just Like Us

Pretend to close your eyes while I shed my sun darkened skin

And see my heart beat under bruised and battered ribs.

Inside my head I carry the image of you on the shore,

An inksplat on God´s daily planner, fighting to drip off.

The truth cannot be told to our children, so I wait forever

Until they grow into versions of you, wistful, intelligent.

They fight to be free, to not have to conform, to live like you.

When society says no, they trace your footsteps in the sand

And walk into the water, the only weights their hearts,

Beating under bruised and battered ribs.