They look at me, a beautiful alien
I am a forever mystery, an ethnic accessory
Almond, golden eyes
Slanted
Small
Chinky
Coin slots
Warm, caramel skin
I scrub hard
Maybe ivory can live
Next to the milk white of my bones
Exotic
Different
Capturing
Am I an endangered species?
Behind invisible bars
To peer into
My description bold with my name
They believe the only humans
Are identical to their experience
If I pluck my eyes out
Can you give me oceans to replace?
Even with a new pair
They can see
I am not like them
I can never be them
A forever mystery
Incased in my description
by Mia Amore Del Bando
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 featured in Flora Fiction, Poets Choice, Backwards Trajectory, and others. 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.