Sister, Sister
I pray for you
As you venture into
the world
The road ahead is
dangerous
Safe for neither boys
nor girls
When we look upon the
screens
Of laptops or TVs
We see disturbing
images
And hear the shrieks and
screams
We live in a world
that fears us
We’ve seen it night
and day
And when I see the stories
I bow my head and
pray
I pray for the
victims’ families
Of every tragedy
I pray for everyone
affected
That they may soon
find peace
We live in a world
that mocks us
Or envies our natural
looks
They want the perks
of being us
While not being
“thugs” or “crooks”
They’ll spend their
checks on hairstyles
On enhancements or
change their skin
But when it truly
hits the fan
They don’t want to be
our kin
We live in a world
that kills us
Systematically spills
our blood
It’s not always
intentional
But it always seems
to flood
Sometimes it flows
within the streets
Sometimes it’s in our
homes
Not even in a house
of God
Will they leave us
alone
They give us many
labels
They justify our
deaths
They do whatever they
feel is right
While we draw our
last breaths
They want to take
away your voice
Your features,
thoughts and dress
This world will do
many things
To put you to the
test
My words are divisive
– “us” and “them”
But listen to your
brother
For when the script
has been reversed
We are always seen as
“The Other”
I pray that neither
you nor I
Will ever have to see
A personal reminder
Of the strange fruit
in the trees
Sister, Sister
I pray for you
As you venture into the
world
The road ahead is
dangerous
Safe for neither boys
nor girls
I truly pray a day
will come
When we no longer
fear
And our anger, cries or
screams
Will not fall upon
deaf ears