No One Is A Ray Of Sunlight Poem by Haruna Garba

Might be you haven't ever imagined
what the retina of a baboon props
when human face slips through iris on to it
and what human retina really forms
when they are face to face with the apes'

Might be you haven't ever imagined
what peacock's retina really registers
when it holds on to a chick's face
and what chickens boldly behold on to
when they stare at the peacock

Might be you haven't ever imagined
what the Blackman's retina makes out
when it stumbles on any Whiteman's face
and what Whiteman's retinas print
when they develop a film of nigger's face

Might be you haven't ever imagined
what the western retinas make copy of
when each Asian face sneaks on to them
and what the Asian eyes see
when they catch glimpse of a western face

Might be you haven't ever imagined
What the heathen sees
When he sees
a Buddhist,
a Jew,
a Christian
or a Moslem
and what These see of Each.

But then that is how nature builds-
adding spices to varieties.
Only the wares we, are difficult breeds,
seeing it bizarre what is not of our own.
Alas! Can't one let one be,
of course when the other lets him be?