Deatrice Benicia Williams aka "Nicia De'Lovely"
TARGETED
Like Pro-Black and darts
We are X marked the spot
The coon
The piccaninny
The nigger
We are bigger targets than the retailer
And they want us sold-out
Not as in auctioned; that aint what it’s about
They just want us gone
Annihilated…
Exterminated for no reason
They gun us down like it’s a constant Black man hunting season
Our streets are riddled with more bullets than the range
Our bodies the same
We’z free only of chains
But the oppression remains
Our protest has yet to cease
And with achy, tired, swollen feet
We’ll continue marching for years
Dehydrated and damp from the loss of our sweat, blood and tears
A dollar can’t heal these wounds
Fancy cover-ups can’t even touch this
Because we’re sick and tired of being besieged
We need to some therapeutic justice
The revolution doesn’t have to be televised
It’s a recurring struggle in our daily lives
We protest for justice; we fight to be free
We die of our color and susceptibility
Our young adult lifespan is less than that of our grand’s
We don’t die dignified
We’re murdered by the hands-of-man
We are treated worse than spoiled meat
While half of our people hardly earn enough to eat
We are disappearing like vanishing acts
By the dogs that attack us like black alley cats
I write and pray so that soon someday justice will exist
Until that day I’ll continue to pray
With faith, pen and fist
-Deatrice Benicia Williams
We are X marked the spot
The coon
The piccaninny
The nigger
We are bigger targets than the retailer
And they want us sold-out
Not as in auctioned; that aint what it’s about
They just want us gone
Annihilated…
Exterminated for no reason
They gun us down like it’s a constant Black man hunting season
Our streets are riddled with more bullets than the range
Our bodies the same
We’z free only of chains
But the oppression remains
Our protest has yet to cease
And with achy, tired, swollen feet
We’ll continue marching for years
Dehydrated and damp from the loss of our sweat, blood and tears
A dollar can’t heal these wounds
Fancy cover-ups can’t even touch this
Because we’re sick and tired of being besieged
We need to some therapeutic justice
The revolution doesn’t have to be televised
It’s a recurring struggle in our daily lives
We protest for justice; we fight to be free
We die of our color and susceptibility
Our young adult lifespan is less than that of our grand’s
We don’t die dignified
We’re murdered by the hands-of-man
We are treated worse than spoiled meat
While half of our people hardly earn enough to eat
We are disappearing like vanishing acts
By the dogs that attack us like black alley cats
I write and pray so that soon someday justice will exist
Until that day I’ll continue to pray
With faith, pen and fist
-Deatrice Benicia Williams
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BY GOD, I’M PREPARED
I saw the clouds forming
Felt the winds warning Realized the waves swell and naturally became scared. I smelt the harvest spoil Heard the lava boil Tasted fear on my tongue, but by GOD... I was prepared. I’ve witnessed mountains rise and statues relapse I’ve seen leaves die and trees collapse Experienced famine, floods, tornados and quakes Survived births, deaths, rewards and heartaches All of these things struck suddenly Like the rumbling of thunder and strike of lightening And I’d be a lie to claim never scared Each time I was anxious, but by GOD... I was prepared. When my lights were turned off leaving me without sight I had flashlights at hand to make it alright. When my job was terminated without consideration I began executing my plan with no hesitation. Because one thing I know without question or blame Expect the unexpected; nothing stays the same. So now when I recognize the signs shift Whether the change will be gradual or swift I don’t fret or run around feeling despaired I’m only human, but by GOD... I’m prepared. - Deatrice Benicia Williams |
Copyright © Deatrice Benicia Williams. All Rights Reserved. Printed works appear in publication with permission of author. |
It's TimeTired of being stuck in a place of omission
Need something real to heal this condition Find me a place where I can rest My bags of lonely and emptiness Got to find serenity and a peace of mind I mean Another piece of myself I need to find Feels like I’m running out of time Where family can’t help, they say friends will When they won’t and they don’t I seek a higher thrill Not dope, but hope Not the pill, but self will Got to find an oasis Pain and shame I must kill Learn to live each day like it’s my last Appreciating my present Honoring my past Recreating myself My essence is value Morals, Faith, Knowledge is virtue Done with existing, I’m trying to live Escaping from trials and tribulations Allowing only God to steer my concentration Self Love, Self Respect Self Esteem, Liberation The time is now for self-renovation I owe this to myself Self-Dedication If I love you, Shouldn’t I love me? Shouldn’t I be prospering significantly? Not a question But a logical statement Time to come alive And stop living latent Tired of always having to compromise Time for a revival, I need to revise This life is short, tomorrows no guarantee Time to release inhibitions And love me for me - Deatrice Benicia Williams |