Thomas Sayers Ellis

A FEW EXCUSES

It’s not my fault
I don’t know any.
I can’t tell them apart either.

I come from a very traditional family.
Diversity darkens.
It’s not my fault.

A Jones drives dad
and a Williams wheels mom.
I can’t tell them apart either.

The copyrights of culture.
Blacks acting white. Whites acting black.
It’s not my fault.

Class my ass.
He’s an elitist. She’s too militant.
I can’t tell them apart either.

There, “thatone,” he seems different.
It’s not my fault
he doesn’t know many.
Our children won’t be able to tell them apart, either.

—from Rattle #31, Summer 2009
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