We Will Keep Our Heads Up
Aren’t black necks beautiful?
The way they rebel against gravity—
staying up and resisting
as the world pulls our chins down.
Aren’t black necks beautiful?
The way they stand up like podiums,
platforms for our voices,
challenging the world.
I dare you to take away my son.
I dare you to take away my daughter.
I dare you to take away my happiness
I dare you to take away my peace
I dare you to take me,
but you will not win.
We will be alright.
Aren’t black necks beautiful?
The way our yells travel up our
throats bursting a song—
bursting a prayer to God.
In the beginning,
we were given dignity.
We will have it until the end.
So watch our black necks
stay high.
We are not the descendants of desperation--
stop looking for it in our DNA and birth certificates.
The beauty about black hope is that it can be contorted,
but it shall not be broken. Shall not. That is the word.
That is The Truth that has kept us here--
oxygenating our lungs with life with the strength and
courage to take the next breath.
We will keep our heads up.
