Russet Skin

Russet Skin Figure clad in white Soul clothed in white Body soaked in wine Youth entrenched in mind Foreign name on paper A specimen of mystery Unseen splendor Timeless experience A living dictionary of life Your body, scarred by time Face disfigured by “love” Hands scarred by money Hair, grey from thoughts U have lived a millennia or two But your origins, Not a soul knows Some say, “Descendents of David” Others, “Remnants of Solomon” They have dug out graves Gone through caves Climbed up Kilimanjaro Even looked into the Nile Some look up to the stars & talk about, “The BIG BANG” But No! You are son of the soil, Daughter of the sand Mother earth breast fed you Father sun baked your identity Ostriches are raised for you Cattle Slaughtered For your honor. You are a black man Born of AFRIKA Blessed by the stars Cloned by the night Rise above your feet Be proud