Thoughts of a Black Woman

by Jalynn Hilton

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tell me how to be myself

this world is against me

everyone wants me to fail

tell me how to be comfortable

my skin is dark

they run in fear

tell me how to love

white is the standard

black is rare

why can’t we be equal?

why is there no justice?

why is there no peace?

if you want kill me now

police attack us

school systems don’t care

society calls me aggressive

i’m a danger to everyone

put me down underwater

leave me with my ancestors who jumped ship

they wanted a way out

i want a way out

baptize me in equality

make me your god

worship me

love me unconditionally

don’t have hatred for me

my skin is just as beautiful as yours

i want a life like yours