The stark contrast of white
made of brilliant crystals
against the shiny black
of the wrought iron fence
brings to mind the striking
dichotomy of life’s journey
parallel to my very own
stretching out farther behind
with a shorter distance
forward
being finally alone within
my own skin, my own otherness
a life of contrasting colors
of realizing differences
of trying to fit into
a smaller space
of acceptance
yet in doing so, giving away
pieces of my ‘self’
until I am left wondering
what is left
as I now turn the page
of another chapter
to come facing the mirror
reflecting my own image
do I realize I am now alone
to accept my otherness
my differences
understanding the helix
of the genetics snake
is both the same path taken
of flesh and blood
but also parallel beside
others in my diverseness
is that which makes me unique
both repelling me from
yet pulling me to others
like that of the white crystals
of stark white snow snaking
around bushes, curving ’round
branches and clinging lightly
to the black wrought iron fence
there is a twisting and turning
only barely discernible inside
the double helix of
a strand of genetic DNA
telling me to be accepting
of my otherness even in needing
to be with others
© February 2019 Renee Espriu
Image Taken From Public Domain Pictures & Created As Art
reneejustturtleflight.com 