Brown is the colour of the earth,
It is the pigment of death.
Brown is the symbol of lack,
We wear it proudly on our backs.
Brown is the stench of despair,
It reeks from those worse for the wear.
Brown is not the opposite of fair,
It is the synonym of fear.
Brown is an absence of privilege,
It is being forbidden to dream of college.
Brown is willfully tempting death each time,
As we quench our thirst and bathe in grime.
Brown is having no hope for lunch,
Even when breakfast wasn’t much.
Brown is starting miles behind,
Almost having to compete blind.
Brown is the definition of suffering,
We were handicapped from the offing.
Brown is the colour of the earth,
It is the pigment of death.
—Some parts of this poem is true.