afri-CAN

It's amazing how we, Africans, act like we accept the thought of being alive merely to survive and follow the lead of other people, especially non-Africans. I believe that we're all equal.

Your skin's dark. But not your mind
Here...Come see yourself through my eyes. You're wonderfully designed.
Industrious men and beautiful women.
You're not just black. You're afri-CAN

You're a product of natural beauty and pure richness.
Why then, should poverty your lips confess?
Don't let them say you can't when you can.
You can, and not just 'can.' You afri-CAN

Strong willed. Hard working. You're a child of Africa.
Macho. Hour-glass shaped. You're more than you think you are.
You're meant for greatness if you can withstand that much pain.
You're meant to do it. Your meant to succeed. You Afri-CAN.

Scratch those who say you can't.
You're afri-CAN. Not africant.
It's from your mind that success or failure, you gain.
Say you can. Yes you. You afri-CAN

You afri-CAN make it!
You afri-CAN prove it!
You afri-CAN be whatever you want to.
Yes, you. You afri-CAN you.

You afri-CAN succeed
You afri-CAN get whatever you need
Look around. If he can-
Then we all can. We afri-CAN.

You afri-CAN get through school!
You afri-CAN be successful!
You afri-CAN get that job.
If you afri-CAN stop being a slob.

You afri-CAN get that chick.
You afri-CAN stop being socially pathetic.
You afri-CAN be the person you wish to see in the mirror.
Wipe out the can't from your face, so you afri-CAN see clearer.

Wake up! Stand on your two feet!
Make a name. You afri-CAN do it.
Quit following! Some can't tweet. Think original. Think you can.
Yes. Because you can. You freaking can. You afri-CAN.

Keep Smiling

Author's Note

You afri-CAN or ameri-CAN comment if you feel there's need. You're free to do that.

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hi Alexander, This poem is too long to convey the message. Often in poetry brevity tells the tale because you have to be succinct and choose your words carefully. If you are writing long poems or long stories they have to be smooth and slick to keep the reader interested. There are some gems in this piece such as 'You're a product of natural beauty and pure richness.
Why then, should poverty your lips confess?, I would radically reduce this poem and keep the essential message. It is a good theme.

[Alexander143]

It's really amazing how I did this... Sorry, I mean to say that this poem is two poems. I combined 'It's all in the mind' with 'afri-CAN.' That explains the length. I had to do it because I was at a stand up poetry show last night and the piece above is the one I was sharing.

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the positive feel of this poem. I tell all cultures. Learn your history and be proud of your heritage and where you came from. The world is small today. Race, color and belief are together. Still need to know who you are and stand strong in your life. No weakness in this poem. Kind of poetry I like to read. Thank you for the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Brandon S. Whitten]

Well written.

[Alexander143]

WOW!!! There's a time when you wish to say 'Thank you Brandon' but then you hold back for fear you might sound like some playback of whichever sort. But thinking again, there's only 26 letters in the alphabet... I wish we had more. I guess I'm saying Thanks Brandon... You're great.'

[Brandon S. Whitten]

Keep writing, you're a wise soul.

[Alexander143]

Well. I can't take all the pride. I don't deserve all of it. I mean, they say 'it takes two.'

[Brandon S. Whitten]

Takes two? Was this a collaboration?

[Alexander143]

It takes your great mind to figure out the greatness in my poem. Praise should be shared...

[Brandon S. Whitten]

God bless