by Sharon Nyree Williams
Blaaaack Boy
Blaaaack Man
Blaaaack Child
Blaaaack Boy
Blaaaack Man
Blaaaack Child
You can push me away
But I'm here to love you
I watched you grow up
Yeah, I said some things that knocked you down
Made your head spin around
But don't play, it wasn't out of cruelty, malice or hostility
Take this and take that
Listen to what I say
Not harsh
Okay a little harsh
But allow it to manifest in your brain waves
In hopes of you allowing the knowledge to reign
I've been there
I provided for you beyond your means
I welcomed and believed in your dreams
I Hugged and kissed you
I Listened to your stories
We Cuddled and watched movies
You can push me away
But I'm here to love you
I didn't know how to feel at the time when I learned you had been conceived
Concerned about
Differed dreams
My heart had to process processing
The introduction of a new being
Role play
Wondered how you would be
Standing here
Mesmerized by your bronze skin
Your personality
Delicate Sensibility
Your Genuality equals Lovability
I didn't expect it
But I welcomed it
All the
Tiiiiimmmmeeee…
(Rhyme)
Unapologetic about
Wanting what's best for you
Black men are special
Challenges by a system
Hard living
Skin rejects permission
To be the king you are meant to be
Damn bruh
You're getting older
You're feeling grown
You want to make your own decisions
And that's great
Because you also have to make your own mistakes
Do what you've gotta do
Be in the zone
Live your life your way
Do You
But don't disrespect me
Trying to prove your fortitude
Understood
Love is unconditional
You don't have to be right next me
You don't have to talk to me
I can love you from afar
Depending on how deep the scar
I didn't expect it
But I welcomed it
All the
Tiiiiimmmmeeee…
Boy you can push me away
But I won't stop loving you
I don't have to talk to you
To believe in you
To believe in you
To believe in you
Blaaaack Boy
Sharon Nyree Williams
Sharon Nyree Williams is a storyteller and arts administrator. Sharon has been writing and developing her stories in Seattle, WA for 16 years. Sharon has performed throughout the United States and in Rwanda. Current projects include her solo show Dare to Claim the Sky and poetry plus storytelling album SHOOK. She is the Executive Director, Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas, Chair of the Historic Central Area Arts and Cultural District. She is a former Seattle Arts Commissioner and serves on LANGSTON Board of Directors. Sharon loves experiencing life through the artistry of storytelling and leadership. For more info about Sharon, www.sharonnwilliams.com, Instagram & Facebook @SharonNyreeWilliams; Clubhouse & Twitter @ambitiousSNW.
Featured image: Original photo attributed to Johnny Silvercloud under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 2.0). Altered version by Marti McKenna also under Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 2.0).
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Before you move on to the next story …
The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn’t have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!