OldSoul says this poem is the result of his thoughts and feelings about the recent police shootings of Black men.

OldSoul in BlackLand ~ OldSoul has been writing poetry for half a century. His work is written in Spoken Word and should be read aloud, even to oneself. He says he's just beginning.

as a Black man
I wanted to believe
that Black men
could not would not
abuse mistreat rape
Black women
mothers daughters sisters
nieces aunts grandmothers
but in my life
I've learned that its happened to
more Black women
mothers daughters sisters
nieces aunts grandmothers
than we will ever admit to
in many of our families
by many of our relatives
Black women bear the scars

as a Black man
I wanted to believe
that white women
would not could not
lie about being raped
by Black men
who would then be
beaten burned alive lynched
have their genitals cut off
for souvenirs
but in my life
I've learned that its happened to
more Black men
than we can count
or put names to
fathers sons brothers
nephews uncles grandfathers
to many of our relatives
in many of our families
Black men bear the scars

as a Black man
I wanted to believe
that Black people
would not could not
crucify each other
for meritorious manumission
for shekels praise positions
from the murderers of
so many of our relatives
in many of our families
fathers mothers sisters brothers
sons daughters
uncles aunts nieces nephews
cousins once removed
but in my life
I've learned its happened
still happening to us
and our children will bear the scars

as a Black man
I still believe
that we can and will
reach hold and heal
each other
despite the rivers floods oceans
of hate we have to swim against
in spite of fighting to breathe
for food to feed our babies
for truth to nourish the souls of
so many of our relatives
in all of our families
mothers fathers daughters sons
brothers sisters uncles aunts
nephews nieces
and cousins who are moved
because in my life
I've learned its possible
if we will bare the scars.

--HLR 11/20/14--