My pain started even before I was born.
Over 500 years ago and maybe further back.
I grew up in the 80’s when the crack and cocaine epidemic,
was destroying black families and killing black babies.
Here we are now approaching 2016.
My pain is even more severe because
Tamir Rice.
Eric Garner.
Freddie Gray.
Sandra Bland.
Trayvon Martin.
And a list of others will not be bringing this year in with me.
My pain continues to run deep because everywhere I turn,
I see destruction of my black family.
When will the pain stop?
I have to be the change I want to see.
So shall I be.
But this black pain is a continuing storm.
In so many ways, shapes and forms.
Right now what I’ll do is release this black pain,
through the words in this poem.

….black pain