We Must Evolve

There was a young white boy in my train car today
Wearing rich fabrics with wealth to display
His father put him on, wishing him good travels
Never meeting my eye, lest society unravel
"Young Master," I asked, "What would you like?"
He looked into my eyes, said to call him Mike.
"Have a seat while I look," he said to me.
"No sir," I replied. "Best I stand, you see?"
Young boys like him, spoiled at best
They don't think I know that this is a test
But then something happened I didn't understand
He looked up at me with the wisdom of a man
"You can rest," he said, "and we'll ignore our exteriors.
I won't be a white boy. You won't be inferior."
I stood in that train car, declining to sit.
I stood in awe of a young man's wit.
I kept on my roll, lest society crumble.
But inside me surged hope from a young boy, so humble.

Inspired by Magpie Tales