Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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A Brown-Skinned Boy. Rowan, my five-year-old grandson, is the result Of his father, of basically Caucasian-European stock, And of his mother, of Filipina-Russian-European stock. The Filipina part of his genome, Rendered a beautiful brown epidermis. When Rowan visits me on my 37 acre farm, His father ensures that he applies sunscreen. An older Rowan now has learned More about his family background. So when Pierre, his father, Said he needed to apply 'the stuff,' Rowan countered that of course, being brown, He needed less sunscreen than his father, Because he didn't burn like his white parent. He has become more aware and is actually proud, Thank goodness, for his lovely brown skin. Rowan was born into a very tolerant family; The question is how the 'other world' Will accept and treat him. We will all keep our fingers crossed. Frank Maurer 28 May 2026 1040 Hours.