black history month #1: What if I am a Black Woman?

Is It A Disease?
Well, If It Is,
I Sure Hope It's Catching
Because They Need To Pour It
Into A Bottle,
Label It, And Sprinkle It
All Over The People
Men And Women
Who Ever Loved Or Cried,
Worked Or Died
For Any One Of Us

So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
Is It A Crime?
Arrest Me !
Because I'm Strong,
But I'm Gentle
I'm Smart, But I'm Learning,
I'm Loving, But I'm Hateful
And I Like To Work Because I Like To Eat
And Feed And Clothe
And House Me, Mine, And Yours
And Everybody's,
Like I've Been Doing For The Past 300 Years

So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
Is It Insane?
Commit Me!
Because I Want The Happiness,
Not Tears; Truths, Not Lies;
Pleasure Not Pain;
Sunshine, Not Rain;
A Man, Not A Child!

So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
Is It A Sin?
Pray For Me!
And Pray For You Too,
If You Don't Like Women Of Color
Because We Are... Midnight Black,
Chestnut Brown, Honey Bronzed,
Chocolate Covered, Cocoa Dipped,
Big Lipped, Big Hipped, Big Breasted,
And Beautiful All At The Same Time!

So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
Does It Bother
You That Much
Because I Want A Man Who Wants Me
Loves Me And Trusts Me,
Respects Me And Gives Me Everything
Because I Give Him Everything Back, Plus!

So...What If I Am A Black Woman?
I've Got Rights,
Same As You!
I Have Worked For Them,
Died For Them,
Lied For Them,
Played And Laid For Them,
On Every Plantation From
Alabama To Boston And Back!

So...What If I Am A Black Woman? I Love Me,
And I Want You To Love Me Too,
But I Am, As I've Always Been,
Near You,
Close To You,
Beside You,
Strong, Giving, Loving,
For Over 300 Years,
Your Black Woman
Love Me!
**Author Unknown**

painting: "the three graces" by anne weirich
I absolutely love it!