Photo by Mwabonje
All jokes aside
You harm me
The stares are my judge and jury
The executioners made a “mistake”
Am I cursed?
My melanin sentenced me to a life suspicion?
A life of distrust in what is supposed to be in my best interest?
My safety?
Cures for man-made ills that label me strong enough to fight
But weak to fall under its euphoria
My love carries heavy
But the attraction I receive is only skin deep
They love us
But don’t ever wanna be us
I’m inherently skillful
Tough
Beautiful as they see
But knock out the lights, where could I be?
They will strip that away in a hot second the moment I refuse to turn on my own
If I’m held in such high regard for entertainment
Why am I followed in the streets?
The market?
And when my protectors label me a danger
Before resting me on the pavement
My loved ones and loved strangers sing in the streets
For my name to stay my name
Not a stat
They love us
But they don’t ever want to be us
The stares are my judge and jury
But will never label me guilty
I ride for my own
I’m not for making the sheltered comfortable
I was not sentenced to a life of suspicion
Distrust
Danger
The red that pumps through my heart
That’s the power I have
My skin keeps me humble
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