Small Town Racism

When the toad no longer defined himself
As the amphibian
But as the more popular frog
Trouble started in the pond.

When the guppies weren’t content
With the comparisons to flounder
They painted their scales sunset golden
To be the next take-home pets.

When the algae grew, so did the complaints
Of the mess and destruction
It renamed itself the lily pad
And soon enough it was in Monet’s masterpieces

When the little boy with darker skin
Ancestry celebrating the great spirit
Was abused, tormented and shamed
I heard a cheer, “well that’s one less trouble-maker.”