THE NEGRO DIGEST

THE NEGRO DIGEST
Mare Nostrum's waves I crossed alone
Speranza's shores, a new path's throne
Studied hard, degrees in hand
Italian tongue, my second skin's plan
Friends laughed, dreams aligned
But mirrors whispered, "They'll never be blind"

Cafés buzz, accents mix and play
I blend in, but eyes betray
Fear in smiles, caution in air
"You’re different..." a loaded dare
Prejudice's shadow, hard to shake
A Negro's place, they seem to make

Giorno e notte, I worked and rose
Amici italiani, warm as winter clothes
But whispers low, "You’re not quite one"
Skin like night, a line is drawn
Integration’s mask, a fragile thread
Am I Italian? They ask, "Where’s your bed?"

Digest the truth, no more disguise
In their gaze, a Negro’s compromise
No passport of worth, no test of soul
A color’s stain, the story is told
"You’re one of us..." lies in eyes
But truth is, they never realize.