To Those Who Are not Black Womyn

poem by Shakeisha SLZL Levene

Never assume a black woman’s hair is not hers

And never assume it isn’t

Don’t assume because when. You do you make an ass out of me and you

And an ass I don’t like to be

I like to be touched, loved, and given things

I like to sing

And be sung too

For all we’ve wrought and wrung to

All we’ve become and cum too

So that when you slum and bum through

The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Harlem

You can see beauty and life

Treat every black woman as if she is your wife

Or better

Sweat her like Gatorade

But give her space

And in spades she will give what you gave

And maybe replace you

And when she speaks do not restate

Her words

And call them yours

And when she goes on tours

Show up

Know she will always glow up

And when she glows you glow too

Give her room to grow

But either way she will

Watch out for what she spills

Because every thing she does she wills

And intends

And spend all your money and time on her

Try to withstand her allure

When she needs her time back

Cut her all the slack you have received

And more

Watch her as she walks out the door

And only chase her if she wants you to

Watch her flaunt

And flaunt her too

Because she is special

And she is true

Find your truth

And don’t take what's mine

Know that I am divine

And my spine is centered and aligned

Adorned with gold and flowers

Beware of my powers