For Maya: a Tribute To Maya Angelou
Birthed by a stranger whom I’d never met
Held by a family that I had never seen
I could only imagine who I would become
Never could I foresee what I would be deemed
Never could I run and play like a normal child
Because I was not born to a familiar face
Hurt greeted me in the form of memories
So I had to confront hurt everyday
The search was on to find my beginnings
I had lost them in my end
I was told not to be proud of who I was
Because of the color of my skin
Who are you to tell me I’m beautiful
I will not accept that praise
I was born into a ring of fire
My confidence was set ablaze
No one there to filter my speech
So I often spoke alone
White and black only made sense to me
As I watched ink mate with paper in my home
I taught myself to listen vividly
To hear the caged bird sing
I heard the profoundness of her cry
And her praise for the little things
Someone told me I was great
And I believed half to wonderful
I had to simply correct that compliment
And remind them that I was phenomenal
I came to birth as I once was
But something felt different
Doctor told me only of one
But out came millions
Black and white greeted me again
As I hugged my paper and pen
I wanted all my children to feel my love
So I wrote it out and sent them my greatest hug
Don’t cry for my life, Don’t cry for me
I have lived……and still will my legacy
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