For My People

This is for the ones
that spend most 
days alone.
Sitting in the same room
with the same four walls.

For the ones 
who get insulted,
then ignored all other times. 
The ones who retreat 
into themselves, 
make a home inside their minds.

This is for the ones
forced to keep 
things to themselves.
Because you had no one,
or the “ones”,
made you feel that way.

You who got overlooked.
Since you were 
dark skin,
had glasses,
fat,
or just not “it”.

The ones that 
hated high school,
because it felt
like no escape.

This is for the ones
too “them”
for everyone else,
too much “you”
for yourself,
you just never fit in.

This is for the ones
who went through life 
in their own worlds,
the only place
you found shelter.
People always looked on,
never made you feel welcome.

This is for the ones
who wrote their pains 
down on paper.

Those who cut it 
in their skin,
or popped more than 
recommended.

Those who 
ate it at dinner.

The ones who 
drank it from a bottle,
or poured it 
in a glass.

Those of you
that used sex,
tried to block it
on your back.

For the ones 
who sat numb,
just wanting to die.

This is for the ones
who got this,
who lived this,
you shed a tear to.

This was me too,

I’ll own it.
Never played
at being perfect.

And I’m sorry 
that you felt this.

Stop thinking
you’re alone.
If you were,
there’d have
been no need,
to write y'all 
in this poem.

Stop thinking
so lowly.

Be you
without apology,
and the need
to defend.

Show the world
what’s real
while it 
fronts and pretends.

Stop changing
and chasing.

Let ‘em act
like you’re nothing,
while they’re
secretly hatin.

Stop cringing
at your past,
and love who
you’ve become.

Yeah, 
it may have been
a long road,
but just cherish
the result.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace