For US Colored Girls

FOR US COLORED GIRLS

It was never about you, man.

It is all about us.

In the purple haze of life

We keep circling the mountain

‘cause we just don’t seem to get it

Same man, different pants

The usual stance

Secrets, shame

We accept the blame

For the weakness

Of the freak

Out of control

In vain attempts to be all controlling

The know-it-nothing

Whispering cruel words

Simmering rage

Yet we look the other way

Lest the truth require us to act

It’s a fact.

We continually straighten a crooked mirror

By smashing it to pieces

As though shards of reality

Could be destroyed in the process.

Or at least swept under a rug.

Owning the blame,

the shame,

As they try to rename

An act of violence they try to justify

When you’ve been overpowered

And you cry

Out for justice

No need that we “think like a man”

best use of “manology”

is liner for the birdcage.

I know why...

We should be enraged

With ourselves for buying into

Yet another scam

Hoping to find “him”

when you haven’t sought your self.

What are you afraid of,

Losing your broken legacy?

While drowning in spent silence

Of midnight tears

When his verbal slaps

Have scarred you beyond recognition?

You sacrifice your own to his altar

Just so he’d stay

Telling yourself it’s okay…

Yeah.

The truth will raise its head

No matter how oft you cover your ears

to its voice.

That’s your choice.

But know this:

You own a piece of this particular rock

whenever you choose your victimization

As a hollow victory

Over the dank smell of aloneness

even when he’s in the room.

Only change gon’ come

Is when it’s you.