A  Person of Color

As the complexion of the cheek
can announce one's state of health,
so should I feel in spirit weak, 
I must look into my deeper self.

A heart that's gray and soiled by sin
is restless through the night
And one that's red with anger burns within,
and has trouble knowing what is right.

And should it take the hew of jealousy in green
the jaundiced eye shall spoil the light of day.
And should we say a heart is black, we mean
it cannot see the sun or hope to find its way.

But deep the stain of scarlet red, 
like bloody rags of shameful sight,
only grace can erase sin's dread
and change sin's crimson to snowy white.

Ingimar DeRidder