color me bad.
profile me as a ****
you’d rather frisk than hug.
paint me in red, white and rude
like the chalk around
black bodies bleeding
on prime time news.

my mama walked me to
the school bus too
y’know,
everyday.
she watched me play ball
in the park,
eyes glued to my every move
like i was the bald eagle;
like she knew
my days were numbered,
colored as i was.

she had big dreams for me too
y’know,
beyond these chalked lines.

she gave me crayons to write
and draw;
and big books of every hue
to read
and learn to fly
away from bigotry,
beyond the color line.

but you broke my wings
and my mama’s heart.

you colored me bad.
you profiled me as a ****
you’d rather shoot than hug.
you put a bullet through my head.
you painted me
red, white and dead.

ayo!

~P