THE MAN - THE BLACK MAN

I hope not to weep

in times of sorrow...

...but my tears betray the boldness of my eyes.

I am a man - a Black man

and I embrace pain

I am a man - a Black man

and I embrace sorrow.

I am a man - a Black man

endurance and strength sums up my natural definition

So,

when family fails,

when economic tumour befalls my pocket,

stealth in grave silence - when my broken woman tears strikes...

I hope not to weep!

I hope not to weep

in times of sorrows

but my tears betray my Black man's boldness.

From birth,

I'm beaten but

taught not to cry

for that feminises my masculinity.

So my liquid (tears) freezes

- becoming too solid, it bags my eye

but soon evaporates

for I must remain

a man - a Black man.

***

A goal getter

I am a Black man

I strive,

I struggle,

I hustle to break limits.

I am moulded by the arms

of the porter Himself 

Forged and smelt

like metals beaten

to shape to shine brightly 

The Black man is gold

and not cheaply sold! 

The Black man is bold

and not old to behold! 

The Black man is told

to uphold dignity and withstand tribulations as they unfold! 

The Black man is not cold

but whole to behold! 

The Black man is natural!

The Black man is you!

The Black man is me!

♡ ♡ ♡

Callistus I. Okonkwor