In search of my dear uncle
As happy as could be,
I went inside the restaurant
And the people stared at me.

Silence swept across the room
And me, I knew not why,
But those faces I will remember
Until the day I die.

I was only six years old
So how was I to know,
My uncle was in the basement
Which was a floor below.

Given my directions
I went about my way,
This was the beginning
Of a sun-filled cloudy day.

In the back of that old building
Just beyond the old screen door,
Was the greasy little kitchen
Down there on the basement floor.

Here is where I found my uncle
In this dingy little place,
His apron stained with food
Yet, a smile was on his face.

I could hear the sweet soul music
Playing on the radio,
I could smell all the aroma
What was cooking, I don't know.

I grabbed him and I held him tight
He noticed I was crying,
My little heart was broken
And I felt like I was dying.

He asked what was the matter
And I told him what took place,
He said don't you shed another tear
Then he wiped them from my face.

He then went on to tell me
Not a thing had I done wrong,
That a change was coming soon
And it wouldn't be too long.

I asked him why they scolded me
And said I couldn't come in,
He said, what they call a reason
Is the color of your skin.

At the time I did not comprehend
Exactly what he meant,
But inside of that old restaurant
Again, I never went.

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