Poetry Corner

Poetry corner

WHAT IF I AM A BLACK WOMAN?

    Is It A Disease?
    Well, If It Is,
    I Sure Hope It's Catching
    Because They Need To Pour It
    Into A Bottle,
    Label It, And Sprinkle It
    All Over The People
    Men And Women
    Who Ever Loved Or Cried,
    Worked Or Died
    For Any One Of Us

    So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
    Is It A Crime?
    Arrest Me !
    Because I'm Strong,
    But I'm Gentle
    I'm Smart, But I'm Learning,
    I'm Loving, But I'm Hateful
    And I Like To Work Because I Like To Eat
    And Feed And Clothe
    And House Me, Mine, And Yours
    And Everybody's,
    Like I've Been Doing For The Past 300 Years

    So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
    Is It Insane?
    Commit Me!
    Because I Want The Happiness,
    Not Tears; Truths, Not Lies;
    Pleasure Not Pain;
    Sunshine, Not Rain;
    A Man, Not A Child!

    So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
    Is It A Sin?
    Pray For Me!
    And Pray For You Too,
    If You Don't Like Women Of Color
    Because We Are... Midnight Black,
    Chestnut Brown, Honey Bronzed,
    Chocolate Covered, Cocoa Dipped,
    Big Lipped, Big Hipped, Big Breasted,
    And Beautiful All At The Same Time!

    So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
    Does It Bother
    You That Much
    Because I Want A Man Who Wants Me
    Loves Me And Trusts Me,
    Respects Me And Gives Me Everything
    Because I Give Him Everything Back, Plus!

    So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
    I've Got Rights,
    Same As You!
    I Have Worked For Them,
    Died For Them,
    Lied For Them,
    Played And Laid For Them,
    On Every Plantation From
    Alabama To Boston And Back!

    So...What If I Am A Black Woman? I Love Me,
    And I Want You To Love Me Too,
    But I Am, As I've Always Been,
    Near You,
    Close To You,
    Beside You,
    Strong, Giving, Loving,
    For Over 300 Years,
    Your Black Woman
    Love Me!

(Unknown poet)

Next poem: What's wrong with these children?

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