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