Ms. Dandelion Blackgirl
by Leah Suzensky
 

I never promised you a rose garden
and I am not a rose
not a posh and spoiled flower
raised in velvet soil pampered by a gardener's touch
I
am a dandelion
blossoming between cracks in pavement
I make ghetto gardens beautiful
where neglect has run rampant
petals like slivers of sunshine
young girls braid me in their hair
they know I
am glorious
organic gold
my crown is their crown
making queens out of girls with ashy knees
and gap-toothed grins
my children float on air like
warm snow in August
populating the globe with my essence
my face is world-renowned
In France they call me the tooth of the lion
dente de lion
finding ferociousness
in my jagged green leaves...
No, I am not your common
garden-variety rose
cut down and destroyed by every
Tom, Dick and Harry of a virus
coddled by particular human hands...
I am a dignified weed
from the garden of a princess
to tha projects
cut down by shears
torn up by the roots
trampled by the bottoms of soiled air-force ones
I grow again

I am the lion's tooth
I refuse to be conquered
I am a dandelion. 
 

Every year we celebrate black history
But to most of us it’s still a mystery

Please teach us how you had to fight
To eat in restaurants that was only for whites

Perhaps we would focus more on education
If we are taught about school segregation

Sometimes we read it in a history book
But perhaps you should share the journey you took

Everybody knows about Martin and civil rights
But teach us about the Tuskegee Airmen’s flights

Others have shared our history with you
Please give us something to look forward too

Please teach us who we really are
So our hero won’t be a negative rap star

Please teach us about our great black history
So it won’t become the great black mystery

Copyright 2004 by Tracy Bruce

There once was a man who eventually died inside
Went to an all male prison and could not hide
From the rapist who claimed that they really were straight
But to the fresh supple `meat` they showed their hate
Made them get down on their knees and begin to suck
Once hard they were bent over and proceeded to be fughed
Didn`t care if at their prime they resisted or was willing
For years in this surroundings I began to catch the feeling
To survive was to debase myself and gain a new life
Once outside I would change and not feel this sick strife
It didn`t work that way `cause feelings kept coming to me
Even though it was women I sexed I couldn`t shake being freaky
Couldn`t tell my family or friends though what happened on the inside
They would call me fag or queer and other names to deride
So I play it "straight" til I`m in my own world
Only need for more men no time for a woman nor girl

Brotha, I feel your pain but I have it bad too
Got my suit on so crisp taylored pin-striped blue
I`m married, got two kids, and a mortgage I must pay
How can I tell my dear spouse Uncle George made me this way
Told my wifee I`ll be back going out with the guys
If she knew what we did it would blind out her eyes
Women looking at her thinking she`s got something to envy
They just don`t know what I`m thinking when my boy`s all up in me
Can`t tell my parents who sacrificed sending me to the best school
How am I going to tell them I`m breaking their rule?

Yeah I`ve had girlfriends lot`s of them in the past
But what fun would they have sexing me knowing I like it in the azz?
Tellin` my heart I was high tellin` my conscious I was drunk
Can`t break it to myself that I`m really a punk
Sappin` out on the world and endangering my race
Could I really stand before a mirror again and look square in my face?
I have to play this sad roll so they won`t know about me
I`m your brother, uncle, son, lover, husband...could even be your daddy

When did the Pastor get off track?

When he realized his congregation had his back.

He used and abused the kindness of others.

Forsaking his duty to love one another.

Playing mind games with the people.

Keeping jealousy and chaos under the steeple.

Poem by: Pauline Criswell

A Whirlwind in the Church

They scream and shout but, but still have doubt.

They put yokes on our necks.

Waiting for what's going to happen next.

Asking for all our pay.

No appreciation at the end of the day.

People, people hear my cry.

Keep your hearts to the sky.

Study to show yourself approved.

Under the sun is nothing new.

When they get off track.

Make sure, you don't go back!

Bondage is not where you should be.

God's will is for us, is to be Free!