Stadium of blue eyes surround me
The charm and pride of a peacock dancing
But something in their stare
Is malicious
Measure me up and shrink this existence
I dress myself in an idling gaze
My golden skin does not belong
Shines too bright
It is gaudy
To this albino forest
I do not belong
In this hurdle
Of thin women and angry men
Where are you from?
My mother’s womb
Why are you here?
I have to be
This no man’s land
Where there is only one palette
Of fascination
I cannot color within these constraints
Ivory to milk
Silver to Pearl
Eggshell to Ash
The comfort of this audience is limited
I drift to this new territory
Eager to leave
Because I cannot conceal
The sliver of my almond eyes
The bronze painted on me forever
I sink in this hole
The albino forest observes
That I can never be a part of something
I was not born in
Never to be welcomed in this albino forest
by Mia Amore
Mia Amore Del Bando (she/her) is a Mexican/Filipino writer, photographer, and creator. She was born and raised in Long Beach, California. Her writing and photography is featured in Flora Fiction, Poets Choice, Backwards Trajectory, and other publications. Her poetry book Fragments of a Woman’s Brain published by Nymeria Publishing debuts in 2024. She is a faithful friend, difficult daughter, and selfish lover.
