A Race Unfinished, Adrianna Salazar

by Andrianna Salazar '12

I lead a history through Southern wars, Through travels scarred and blemished, To resuscitate unlisted names, A race that wasn't finished. Each cousin looks on from behind With faces of Brown simplicity, As I inspect a nation's birth certificate For signs of authenticity. I cut off the hands of white real-estate reapers, Who evicted and then thought we'd forget, And I glue every one to my spine just to prove That my back sure as hell isn't wet.