I'Ll Never Be a Cool Black Guy

I don't have bling I don't rap, play blues or sing I'll never be a cool black guy My strut is weak My cred roams far yonder Miles away from the street I'll never be a cool black guy The booty I shake The moves that I make Won't qualify for Soul Train's sake I'll never be a cool black guy The name my mother assigned Won't force Grandmaster Flash to resign I'll never be a cool black guy The vocal lords which gospel brings Cannot pervade thy angel's wings I'll never be a cool black guy Cruising slow at sunset Love, joy, exaltation Politely asked to pull over Algorithms bleed into Indignant subjugation I'll never be a cool black guy When a simple arrest Leads to civil unrest Then comes the ripple, tsunami Of economic infest I'll never be a cool black guy My options broken, then severed Left to dangle without a net The asphalt calls No qualms or regret I'll never be a cool black guy And one leads to two And two leads to ten History's palindrome nightmare To invoke and offend Why can't our same bag of bones Simply care, soar, befriend I'll never be a cool black guy That diploma on the wall Smelting books, with brains and gall Will humanity's insanities Finally yield beauty Leading us to stand for all I'll never be a cool black guy. (5/22/17)