by Chris Abani
Growing up, Emeka was albino.
How we feared his pink skin and red eyes.
How we loathed him.
To my shame, I never ate with him,
saying: I just ate,
And to my sister under my breath:
He disgusts me.
She never told on me, but made me wait
while she ate with him
— same plate, no utensils —
her eyes never leaving mine.
from SanctificumFind it in the library
Copyright 2010 Chris Abani
Used with the permission of The Permissions Company, Inc.
on behalf of Copper Canyon Press.