For My Nephew Jake

You wear your browness like a shield
to fend off the advances and retreats
of those who would steal your culture.

They take a lot
and call it little.
Caught red-handed, they call it nothing.

They claim they do not know
what they are doing
and wink to each other.

Do not let your guard down,
keep brandishing your browness,
be brave and bold and persevere.