This poem is constructed completely from words written in “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison.

They say beauty is a white rabbit, a peacock, a sleeping dog.

They say beauty is a blue-eyed, yellow-haired, pink-skinned doll.

They say beauty is Shirley Temple, Mary Jane, Greta Garbo, Ginger Rogers.

They say beauty is desirability.

They say beauty is laughter.

They even say a dandelion is beautiful.

They say beauty is order,

                              cleanliness,

                   praise.

They say beauty is something one can do, not simply something to behold.

They say beauty is given, not learned, bestowed, not earned.

They say ugliness is a reeking fish, a snake, an old dog.

They say ugliness is a little black girl.

They say ugliness is unique and aggressive.

They say ugliness is laughter.

They say ugliness is a weed.

They even say a dandelion is ugly.

They say ugliness is violence, 

hatred, 

              abuse.

They say ugliness is a cloak, given by some mysterious, all-knowing master.

They say ugliness is a secret, maybe even a shield.

But why must it be so black and white?