I'Am Not My Hair

I saw that sneer heard the mockery It came straight from your heart Like bread comes from a bakery Your eyes said it all and though it hurt Stung for that minute second I choose to stay merry. When you threw words over my head Treating me like a zombie so simple minded I chose to watch you and pretend That I was floating and did not understand I saw you wink discreetly you thought At your friends and then into pearls of laughter erupt Turned me into a private joke that was not too private. I felt your cold hands caress my back And the blood in my veins chilled and froze I knew without knowing you and the devil are a pack Your words spoke pity but there was no warmth It was like hanging onto a glacier Afraid of frostbite and being swept by the tide. You said the paths I took were wrong You said my hair I was black and shaggy Why couldn't wear a weave You wondered why my skirts were long Why couldn't I wear trousers You wondered why my toes had no paint Why couldn't I just paint them gold You wondered why at my age I was still single Why couldn't I just get a sponsor Any other time I might have cried But I ' am older and wiser. I know my path is mine alone If it leads to tears I 'll wipe them away If it leads to pain I 'll handle it my way So I chose to smile and play possum I counted to ten to calm my raging heart Then I smiled at you and walked away I could hear your laughter follow But my strides were joyous and my smile bright And you thought me a fool But am older am wiser am stronger Love me hate me its changes me not With God walking beside me and holding me I 'll follow my own paths and I will prevail.