I am

I am what I am

which is not

black; pushing

against hundreds of years of

repression.

I am what I am

which is not

man; hiding

life-long fears of submission

in patriarchy.

I am what I am

which is not

chief; losing

the simple fact of my existence

in dominance.

I am what I am

which is not

flesh; trapped

in the charade of worship

of the body.

I am what I am

which is not

wife; stitched

to a dream of man, children,

motherhood.

I am what I am

which is not

citizen; crushed

between the unending pull of

politicians.

I am what I am

which is not

yours; content

to be shadow, cheer-leading your

life’s parade.