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.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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Gupta Avatar
September 5, 2016 at 5:58 AM
Lovely similes dear poet ... 'Like bread comes from a bakery'... and 'It was like hanging onto a glacier/Afraid of frostbite and being swept by the tide ...' A very good poem ....
Mwangi Avatar
September 8, 2016 at 7:12 AM
THANK YOU am glad you liked it.
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