my truth isn’t excuse nor ungrateful
the progeny of your fear
resonates as hateful
do not dispel my voice
to the void of your avoidance
for I have something to say
today
and each day forth
for how else shall I be free
if I am not allowed to be me
let my truth be
let my truth breath
let my truth beam
and I will shine in your eyes
appearing as more than I was
when you only viewed my lies
assuming much less
because the color of my flesh
What We Do with What We Have
thinking of the life of Chadwick Boseman
how he lived
even as he died
unexpectedly
to us all
but knowing
to himself and wife
he did everything full of life
while deep down
he was literally suffering
and dying inside
taking us all by surprise
we inherit, what we inherit
it’s up to us to deem it as a blessing
or a curse
the curse, is that which we bear
if we choose to see it as such
but the blessing is in that which we give
if we decide to give
even when you rather not
feeling you’ve equally lost and given enough
no, it’s not fair
but that’s not the debate
the debate is
what will you will yourself to become
day in and day out
despite opposition
and will it be passed on
living beyond you
White Water Rafting
white water don’t take me
white water don’t take me
I can’t swim!
help me, save me!
why did I have to go,
white water rafting
the crush was quick,
it rocked me swift
the lust was too powerful,
it turned me over, where does all that power go?
the ‘must’ was a rip current,
it grabbed hold of me in a manner quite urgent
the trust, was an uncontrollable element,
as I was clearly out of mine for the hell of it
the hope was ominous and mighty,
I gave in to it hopelessly and felt so tiny
the love had me in too deep and conquered me,
and so I drowned in a feeling felt uncommonly
because the desire was too enticing,
it never slowed like the fast waters rising
and I was unable to learn and overcome,
I moved to slow, to survive and so I sunk
Partisan Brawl
as partisans stall
we fall
but take your time
it’s not like we’re dying for change!
and so I wrote a nursery rhyme
in tribute to your lack of care and awareness of time
it goes like this!
partisan wall
partisan wall
you stall
while we fall
see saw, see saw!
yee haw, yee haw!
partisan wall
partisan wall
you stall
as we crawl
see saw, see saw!
yee haw, yee haw!
oh how fond I am,
this condition I’m sprawled
enthralled in the fun
by the cause of it all
and what a ride!
what a rush!
as time flies
you lose touch
oh, what a ride!
and, what a rush!
time passes by
and then we’re hushed
Sororities
black
badge of inferiority
white
badge of superiority
police
badge of authority
freedom
badgered by conformity
Under the Blanket
it’s a cold world
and that I’ve learned
I heard someone say
do not call it racism
call it poverty
then it sounds fixable
less people will empathize
they will be faulted for needing assistance
regarded as lazy and inept
it will appear economic
this is temporary
there is a solution to this
change your economic situation
by changing reality
so
get education
get a nice job
move family out of the ghetto
BUT
no matter where you move
no matter what degree you
no matter your neighborhood
you are STILL BLACK!
that is an UNCHANGEABLE fact
a truth-
your physiognomy
is your geography
is your reality-
and that is the first thing seen on you
the first truth you are known for
ethnocentricity
not your degree
job
nor neighborhood
so the problem is NOT economic
the label is NOT poverty
it is RACISM!
the only thing confusing is
your definition and understanding of
what racism is
and the rhetoric that hides it
call it discrimination
call it oppression
call it poverty
then it will seem as if resources will help you climb out
but not racism,
because it implies you are stuck,
do not call it racism!
because no one will admit to you that you are stuck
and they don’t want you to believe that you are
then there is no way to control a person with no options
or hope
yet what you suffer, is because the color of your skin..
my skin
and your denial
all of yours!
so the blanket drops
telling you to be, and stay, warm and comfortable