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Outright animosity
is too obvious- there are a dozen ways
to indicate she’s not welcome without saying
so explicitly. Two empty seats and the choice
of a neighbor of one color or the other
could be enough to make a statement;
impart a wound to last a lifetime.
An exclusive crowd can be so sophisticated.
But it’s prejudice nonetheless- a shunning
seemingly deniable after the girl leaves
their circle for want
of an unconditional friend.
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Inspired by The Weekend Wordsmith
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