SKIN DEEP

"Chameleon Brown"

A poem by Lou Syquia 

(change change

like a chameleon do

from white to black

from brown to blue

just as to say;

that clothes are not the skin of the man

just as

skin is not the essence

shed that skin

 it ain't a part of you

change change 

like a chameleon do 

from brown to blue...)

  

 As I read this poem I began to take recognition of how I see myself not so much as externally but more

so internally. Even though I put some thinking into what I wear everyday and the way I like to look as well,

it's because it makes feel pretty and gives that extra confidence that I never used to have but that perceisily is

not the main factor that made me the person I am today. On the other hand, I haven't put much thought into

myself: the way I act around others, the way I perceive others, the way I kick myself in the butt for not trying

hard enough and the list can just go on. This americanized society has had a partial influence on me but never

enough to let loose to my true values, my culture, the way I am influenced by my family/customs but most

importantly make me loose my way. When I came to reading the poem a couple more times I realized that

the true you that you want others to see is not labeled by the way you dress and the way you coat yourself

with objects that are either permanent or temperory; it doesn't change who you are...yea the influences might

change your mind on the way you dress or look extrenally but internally you have kept your customs with

you, celebrated it and share it with others. There are those days that you wish you could belong to

something if only you had this or that but that's not what makes you YOU . The actions and the way you let

others get to know you on a certain personal level is what makes your identity and how you build from

it.