The Pain of a Black Woman by poet Naomi Johnson

For centuries the black woman has been demoralized

then defamed.

As well as watching her dignity being put to shame.

She observed over the years her children being scold

and sold.

Then witnessed the killing of her daughters and sons

as they were hung.

She underwent much agony that burdened her soul.

Yet she displayed the strength of gold that

keeps her mentally whole.

Even through years of being discredited, she has been

highly disgraced from others of the female race.

She took on a lot of burden throughout the years with

resentment of painful tears.

As she was forced to give birth in the cotton field,

then serve

her master in his home while she left her

children home alone.

Her love for Christ kept her intact, yet her soul

wanted to react because she was forced to raise the slave

owner’s child…pain of dislike continue to increase.

In spite of all that abuse, her self-determination

and darkness of emotional grief converted into light

of a virtuous woman’s internal peace.

Still, the black woman’s spirit runs free and her bravery

cannot be measured; which leaves her strength of

beauty a mystery.

Many ethnic groups try to explain the endurance of the

black woman’s pain.

She hides it with self-pride but deep in her heart

the hurt of injustice continues to reside silently.

She is a real treasure of life struggle that cannot be

denied.

Spiritual encouragement she possesses inside.