For Trayvon Martin

This is an older poem, but the third section in particular is relevant.

Suspicious Skin

I

My former girlfriend’s family joked

that her baby brother

with his Catalan complexion

and dark crown of curls

resembled every terror suspect

whose mug made

the evening news.

II

Ever since September Eleventh

every entrepreneur

of suspicious skin

assures his security

by wrapping his establishment

in Old Glory

and neon declarations

of God Bless America.

III

When I reported black ice

the receptionist

scrambled building security

to protect against

“black guys

in the parking lot.”