Sorry for being me
I'm sorry for being black
I'm sorry I ever cared
Every moment
Every smile
Was pity
Why be ashamed?
When I'm just me
Standards on standards to fit
Expectations to meet
People to please
Now I am ashamed
Ashamed that I could not fit and distort my true self for others
Eight years old, on a staircase, trying to scrape off my complexion
Maybe if I was not this way people would like me
Too light
Too dark
Things I cannot change I ought to be ashamed
To whitewashed,
Too woke
I should have never spoke
You leave me on a staircase, wondering where I went wrong
I'm sorry for being black, I'm sorry for being me
The expectations of a girl, a black one are so hard to meet
Too bright
Too shallow
It's not right
You should sink back, let the men do the talking
We are not the obedient children we used to be
Your boys are men and your girls are now women
Why do you still try to clip their wings,
I'm sorry for being black; I'm sorry for being me
An apology, is all this should be.
Copyright © Joyce Osaai | Year Posted 2025
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