I Remember

I Remember… By: Shaneika Cooper I remember a time when I used to smile A smile, so grand and beautiful that all believed it were something real A hope worth waiting for, or at least they believed so… I remember love, trust, and peace within myself, and self- worth until it was literally stolen from me Until my children were ripped from my womb and sold to foster parents that beat them and shamed them My worth shattered, thrown, pushed to the side and spat upon by that unforgiving force But like Jesus did, I fought Not with fists of steel, or minds filled with vengeance But with sense, soul, and spirit I fought and excepted the pain, the hurt, the torture And I became a warrior, a queen, and an heiress To the throne of salvation I fought and told my daughters to stop crying To stop worrying and to protect their pride, their heritage To cherish that fruit of essence placed inside of them to prosper Their minds, body, and existence, saved from confinement I told my sons to stand strong and walk with pride To be the brothas that they shall be I told them to laugh and carry on the name of my legacy My peace, my song, my faith And my children did… They fought with me, died with me, became statistics with me Wounded in battle, and losing the shield iron We were all warriors, and lost the war But I am the true, undying one I am Africa