WARDLEY BARRY

I see brown wood and green leaves
red roses and pink periwinkles
I see yellow bees and spotted bugs
praying mantis and holy lizards
I see tall coconuts resting their heads
on white clouds — the sky is blue, the sea too

I see kind men and happy women
healthy children playing with their pets
I see young boys and girls dancing while
their bubus and tumbunas beat kundu drums
I see a sing sing and feel its native beauty
I hear laughter and taste its Melanesian goodness

until you plucked out my eyes and told me
it’s all black ’cause I’m not white.