The First Impressions That Last For A Lifetime Poem by RIC BASTASA

you do not have the
x-ray eyes
to see my real
bones
wrapped by my
brown skin
all over
me, what you see
is my broken lip
my twisted nose
my strict eyes
square jaw
and they are all enough
you say
you know me now
and you do not like
the shape
of my shadow
the glow of my eyes
devilish,

you have not seen my anguish
you could have seen that
in the sea that raged
last night

it sank the boat
ten passengers are still missing

you listen first
how it was like that
why it happened

hear me
then strike, if you will,

i will not mind
the first impressions last
and for a lifetime
injustice reigns