Excuse Me

Author: Lexi Baysinger

Undergraduate Junior at Greenville College

3rd place Live Arts Contest | Undergrad Poetry

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“I love that you’re that kind of black person”
Excuse me?
“You just don’t take offence to my jokes, I love that about you.”
Excuse you.
“Can I touch your hair?”
Look at my face and dare to ask again.
“Come on, Mocha.”
Do you even hear yourself?
“Can I call you, Oreo?”
Do I look like a Nabisco?
“Do you want some hot sauce with that?”
Now you’re just being ridiculous.
I’m not black, not even African American.
I am biracial.
Mom practically glows at night,
Dad dark like the night sky, eyes and teeth like stars.
I exist in balance between the two
Tan lines and darker skin remind me
that I’m not just one race.
My name is Alexus Baysinger.
Do not define me by my color.
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Lexi is a student who has an amazing talent for poetry and fiction writing. She is majoring in English at Greenville College.
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