Understand To Be Understood
I get it
Because our skin color is different
You feel that we lack the ability to love the way you do
Now forgive me if you feel I am stepping out of line
By telling you that
Everything you think you know
Is incorrect
It is because of our skin color that we are able to love
Love so deeply
Love so deeply that we can forgive all the mistakes that your ancestors made
Love so much that we can teach our children to love
Regardless of the trials and tribulations that our mothers went through
You must have forgot that sex against a woman’s wishes
Unwanted kisses
Is not acceptance – its rape
I get it
You think that because there are still some fools running around with hoods on their heads
That I must succumb to every stereotype that you have given us as black folks
A stereotype that is only as incorrect as the term black
There’s no country called blacktopia that we hopped off the boat from
Our skin every shade of beautiful brown from mocha to a rich brown like the soil
Therefore, our history is rich
Our hearts pure
Our voices loud enough to sing through the whippings
Careful to always look at our scars to show us just how far we have come.
I get it
Because my skin is lighter than the tan of your hand that my oppressor
Yeah my oppressor
The same one who bore wounds against my mother’s back
Is not the same one, which laced your fathers back?
When Martin Luther had his dream, I highly doubt that segregation amongst our race
Based simply on the shade of brown is what he could foresee
How disappointed in us would he be?
Would he think that all the trouble, torture and lack of fame would all be in vain?
If he were light skin, would we even take the time to know his name?
I understand
That to be understood means more than yelling to get my point across
It is more than words, acronyms and syllables
Its paces walked, hands held and voices unanimously singing
For our journey to truly be understood and to understand ourselves
Is why we must be free at last
Poetry: Nightcap
Sing to me
Use your words to create a melody so sweet
That it drips from your lips like honey from the bees
Whisper your thoughts
Let them caress every inch of my body
Soft as silk
Be assertive
Don’t be shy
Take hold of me
Declare me yours
I’m drunk off your love
It’s the perfect nightcap
Whether I beg, plead, laugh or scream
There’s only one thing I want you to do…
Declare me yours
Take hold of me
Don’t be shy
Whisper your thoughts
Let them caress every inch of my body
Soft as silk
Sing to me
Use your words to create a melody so sweet
That it drips from your lips like honey from the bees
Until I drift off to sleep
Black History Month Poem: Past to Present
This was a poem I wrote for Black History Month in 2010.
Enjoy
xoxo
Elle
PAST TO PRESENT
They called us fools for dreaming
Said that we were aiming to high
Setting ourselves up for failure
They said
Making a mockery of our life
They hung us from trees
And set our homes ablaze
Cursed us and our God
Refused to call us by our names
We ran from the hose
And marched for our rights
And after decades of running we stopped and turned to face our fight
Walking hand in hand with Jesus
We no longer run to escape the frigid water
We break world records
Educate the world
After years and years of suffering we’ve taken our place of prominence in the world
Our dues have been paid
The foundation laid
To stand united as one people and face a bright future
While treading our own terrain
The Evolution of Love
From wishing for fairytale love to realising that real love is better than any fairytale could be.
From wishing I had a soldier to realising that with true love I don’t want a soldier any longer for I have the colonel.
From wishing for that perfect man to realising that with true love what others may view as imperfections I view as your uniqueness.
From wishing for prince to come rescue me to realising that I don’t need a prince for I have the king. We rule equally, side by side.
From wishing that we had forever to realising that we can make everyday feel like forever.
From wishing on a star for you to realising that you are my dreams and reality come true.
Sonnet of Fury
The more bleach she throws
Her fit of fury continues to grow
How dare he be unfaithful to her
Did he even think of the consequences that would occur?
A scoundrel a dirty filthy bastard
If she had her way she’d have him neutered
He took an oath and was supposed to stay true
Now it was time to bid him adieu
She empties the bleach and lights a match
And to think she’d once thought he was such a great catch
The flames get higher and fumes more intense
As she makes her way past the white picket fence
The dreams and future she’d once looked forward too
Have all gone to hell thanks to a transvestite hooker named Drew.