Art of Poetry Catawba Valley's Patricia Deaton reads the poem by Betty O'Hearn at the tour of Alexander County Library on July 13, 2019. The FOUND - Art of Community exhibit was curated by library board trustee chair, Miranda Burgin.
HOMES OF CRAYONS
by Betty O’Hearn
after The Neighborhood by Diane Podolsky
I grew up on a
street of colored homes.
Each had a
personality.
Inside the home was
special.
Mother taught us to
love on our neighbors.
Our neighbors were
all pale until I was sixteen.
The colors of the
homes outside were the same.
Inside the homes
became colorful.
Some of our
neighbors left.
They preferred only
pale neighbors.
Mother taught us
that God loved us all.
People were just
different ‘crayons’ .
My personal preference
is different colors.
My granddaughters
grew up among crayons
of brown,
black, yellow and white.
Love your neighbor
as thyself.
