Whys and Wonder

Teacher told and I wondered why
Their palms lighter than their bodies
What's the reason that underlies
Why don't we ask the elderlies

Could it be because of their hands
Aren't exposed much to the sun
Maybe we could understand
It's worth knowing in the long run

Folded hands, they pray secretly
As Father Christiano told me
First Doña says, hands must be clean
So masters' food won't get dirty

Sir Antuñes told, they were baked
And was hanged inside the chimney
To the smoke they were exposed
Hands were closed and remained tidy

The Black soaked first their palm and sole
As they were to take a bath
That morning, water is too cold
It's the water that bleached their hands

But my mother– who must be right.
About how black hands being light.
I started my story telling.
She could not stop laughing.

And she said.

God made blacks, cause they need to be.
They took their homes, and slaves to see.
He couldn't make, them all white.
Black complained and it can't be fine.

It shows men do only for men.
All done by hands that all the same.