Audrey, 18, a student at Lynbrook High School in San Jose and editor-in chief of Vertigo, a literary magazine. reprinted from Yo! Youth Outlook Magazine, a project of the Pacific News Service www.youthoutlook.org

beginning
with the individual

You see
my defining feature-
molded by genetics
Through transparent skin
You assume
my weakness
my faults
You know
my kind.

Hated, that prolific, thriving stalk
imbibing its existence from
fear
the thought of me
hastens the pace of your step
eyes diverted, teeth clenched
when I draw near
separated by ignorance
reunited by faith

with the death of prejudice it ends