Kings of the Future

They say ‘o little beauty with your light light skin…

You didn’t grow up here and you don’t know where we’ve been

Don’t act like you know about living in sin

And don’t act like you know how it feels to start all over again

 

The sins of our fathers have lead us to this place

We do what we have to

These folks don’t let us live outside of disgrace

 

To that I respond with ardent compassion

‘You cannot judge me for making no noise..

You cannot judge me for my lack of hood thinking

And you cannot judge me for my absence in the penitentiary

I do not judge you for your lack of understanding

We grew up in different worlds, but we still want the same things

We want to be loved, we want to feel pleased,

We all want to fit in and rid ourselves of this disease

 

They think for a moment and continue with added certainty

‘o pretty young thing with your black white hair…

You know nothing about the hardships or what it was like there

You have no idea because your mama was white

You had what you needed and you didn’t have a hard life

 

I let them finish, before interrupting

It’s a sad, sad thing when you think others cannot feel something

In response to their words, I hold my head high

And this is what I say…

‘I know something about your hardships because I too love

And I too feel pain

I know a little of what it was like there because empathy is my friend

And I choose to pay attention

Just because I didn’t live it doesn’t mean that I am ignorant

Just because my mother gave me black white hair

And you see my light light skin

Doesn’t mean, under the surface, there’s nothing there

O dear brother, please don’t be so harsh

I want only to uplift you and guard your heart

 

They laugh in my face now while touching my cheek

Their eyes hold insulting pity

Along with blazes of indignity

‘Who is this girl with the light light skin and black white hair

Whose mother was white and has never lived there?

Who is this girl who grew up alright

And never had to fight?

 

Knowing their thoughts and knowing their minds,

I give them a smile with only my eyes

And this is what I say…

‘You cannot help where you’ve been

But you can help where you go

If you weren’t given a chance back then

Then let’s just start over and go with the flow

Don’t be a statistic,
Don’t be what they see

Choose to be more,

Hold my mind and go with me

O beautiful black prince

With your black black hair

Rise up to  the top and be a king

And your queen you will find there

Author's Note

This is a first draft I believe..it doesn't flow like I want it to but I started writing and just wrote until I thought I was done.

Reviews

[Thea]

That was actually wonderful even if it was just a first draft. The power that this poem possesses was absolutely provoking. It was great because you let it flow smoothly. I can feel the emotions throughout the lines. Thank you for this amazing poem. Keep writing. :)

[Sirius King]

this is a great first draft!...it tells a real story

i really like the ending

[Blank_fortunes]

Thats powerful you never know someones story what they have been through. I like the twist you put on it though showing how what you been through better prepares you for where you are going to be.

[Malcolmveli]

I like this poem because it tells a unique story that is very specific to you. I Like how you took time out to describe the hair that was passed down genetically through, and the way people can give you the side eye over something that is not that important.

Another aspect of the poem I liked is that it talks about how some people have this need to feel related to and if you don't have they same exact experience.

Deep poems I have a Mentor who was a male with a very similar story which I wasn't as sensitive to until I got older but any who I found this poem to be very inspiring and Uplifting to Black Men in a very unique way. Good piece.

[lovejulez03]

Thank you so much for taking time to read it :) It's one that I will be going over again and editing, as it was written in haste. I appreciate you stopping by! :)