A Moment Please

When I gaze at the sun
I walked to the subway booth
for change for a dime.
and know that this great earth
Two adolescent girls stood there
alive with eagerness to know
is but a fragment from it thrown
all in their new found world
there was for them to know
in heat and flame a billion years ago,
they looked at me and brightly asked
"Are you Arabian?"
that when this world was lifeless
I smiled cautiously
- for one grows cautious -
shook my head.
as, a billion hence,
"Egyptian?"
It shall again be,
Again I smiled and shook my head
and walked away.
what moment is it that I am betrayed,
I've gone but seven paces now
oppressed, cast down,
and from behind comes swift the sneer
or warm with love or triumph?
"Or Nigger?"
A moment, please
What is it that to fury I am roused?
for still it takes a moment
What meaning for me
and now
in this homeless clan
I'll turn
the dupe of space
and smile
the toy of time?
and nod my head.

- Samuel Allen

Into starlight.