Midnight Lullabies

31 | Spectrum

• here's to Orlando because simple prayers will never be enough •

we've only ever known
black and white.

rules and regulations
we don't dare step out of the line.

we don't even dare to think
of other colors.

however, curiosity is inevitable
and our minds expand
our ideas reach beyond the skies;
our minds are now open.

we are magnets
taught to repel
when close to the same kind.
forced to attract
when close to the opposites.

we don't dare dab our brushes
on the other colors on the palettes.

we wonder
why every time we paint ourselves black or white
the color seems to fade
it simply refuses to stay.

when we discover the other colors
we dare to paint patches on our stubborn skin
and when it sticks,
we drench ourselves in its acceptance.

but we've only ever known
black and white.

so when others espy this
colorful oddness
or shall I say,
wrong and disgusting act of —
love?

when others espy this
they reject it's strangeness
or shall I say —
they fear it

those brave enough to face their fears
act upon it
we kill and murder
because we'd rather hold guns
than hold hands?

put away your stripes
take out your palette
and drench yourselves
in the rainbows of love
the spectrum of acceptance

grow out of your cages
grab a paintbrush
and paint over the dull, fading black and white

rip out the pages in your heart that spell hatred
and write a beautiful tale of love
because love will always give back.