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Poetry On Odyssey: Black Enigma

The following poem is about ridicule that some black people have received from others for their behavior or personality.

Nakita Kira Tsunami

Apr 24, 2019

Illinois State University

Lupita Nyong'o

Black

has many implications

Many definitions

It is a shade

It is a color

It is a descriptive word

That also defines a race

It is the word

used to described

changes

in pigmentation

person to person

It is a word

depict an image in one's mind

You say black

I think the night

That pitch blackness

Of a fresh night sky

Full of stars

Enveloped by moon light

You say black

I think about

That hidden spot

In everyone's soul

Holding precious secrets

And unknown sadness

I think

beautiful chocolate skin

That spreads across lands

Islands

Continents

I think of my people

But some of my people

Aren't seeing

What I'm seeing

They're minds

Are caught up

They see me

And don't see my dark skin

They see

White

White hair

White clothes

White talk

White tendencies

They don't see me

Or my blackness

Our blackness

They see my actions

My interests

My thoughts

But not as

Rather

They protest me

Meet me with quarrels

and quarries

of Why do you act white?

Why don't you act black?

hm...

I'm not sure

What they mean

I wake up every morning

And I see black staring back at me

I walk to class and can ONLY

See how different I am

From Everyone

I wish to feel a connection

With the those more like me

Instead I'm estranged from even them

My people

So I'm not Black

By their definition

So there's still a them

And there's a me

So I'll continue

roaming the campus

A Black Enigma

Belonging nowhere

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Poetry On Odyssey: Black Enigma

The following poem is about ridicule that some black people have received from others for their behavior or personality.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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