::06:14:08::

::: Another Lynching :::

My tears might look nice on
A rope strung like pearls placed
On the neck of a white woman.
My eyes aim low while
My heart strives for a high:
Puff, puff, puff…pass.

Although my other features
Are not really fit for a white
Woman, even those I love view
Me as other: not other…black
But other…not white, Cherokee
…not even
Anything (red, yellow, green)
between…
Just other.

My people fought for years
(Some are still fighting) for an
Individual’s ability to be
An individual collectively: I
Am like you, yet make no
Mistake that I am me.

Caught in a pickle to fit
In while maintaining my strong
Sense of self-preservation: please
Forgive me?
I apologize with sincerity. No,
I prefer not to wear the same
Clothes as my others. No,
I like this style. Not that one.
Sorry. That looks good on
You though. And her, her, her
Her, her…and…forgive me.
I digress.

My tears might look real nice
Strung up like pink pearls. I
Love pink (it makes me feel
Vibrant, alive…newborns cry,
Bright pink tongues visible for
Everyone to see). So, pink it is:
Pink pearls wrapped around my
Brown neck.

Written by: ~ Micky Sheena