Gray Purity

Sweet little duckling, white as snow

Admiring the others pure white feathers, but wondering

if there's more

Somewhere, outside of this pond

An anxious goodbye to the old days and a reluctant hello

to the new

New days, unexplored territory, unexpected pain

Now, little duckling, tainted with color

Swims from the flock in fear, onto dry land

Away from judgment, far from security

Searching for renewal, for love, acceptance and purity

Reminders of her color, reminders of her choices

Seeking renewed life despite the old

Feeling black among the white

In hope, finding the flock

Though shunned, outcast, and damaged

Finding purity in her shades of gray

by Dawn Kempton