The first-person speaker of the prose poem is a queer Black person addressing internalized racism within the gay community. Possessing an empathetic and gentle attitude, the narrator observes the self-destructive nature of holding oneself to white societal ideals. Rather than attacking the subject of the poem, the narrator acts as a guide, asking the reader to envision natural imagery like flowers and shadows to communicate difficult realities. Ultimately, the narrator recognizes their own inherent worth, declaring themselves to be entirely sufficient and beautiful.

The subject is a gay Black man engaged in online dating whose profile explicitly rejects other Black men as romantic prospects. He carries deeply ingrained internalized racism and homophobia, driving him to metaphorically seek out whiteness and reject the man he sees in the mirror. The text traces his self-hatred back to his youth, portraying him as a small child who dreamt of milk and Clorox bleach. He acts as the solitary focus of the poem's gentle critique and eventual encouragement.