Excellent… & Black

Michelle Uviegahra 

As a child I remember the excellent stickers I received

When I saw one on my paper how joy came like flickers indeed

But with age stickers changed

Now awards with my name and…

“Black”

I have skill

I have talent

I have perseverance

I have a future

I am the black sheep

One that didn’t just bleep or peep

I jumped through the hoops while leaping the empty shafts

Ditches the white sheep didn’t have on their paths

Of course what should have impeded I transcended

Like a spectacle at a fair

Along arrived accolades, awards, and achievements

“Black”

I’m skilled

I’m talented,

I’ve persevered

I’ve made my future

But what of my fellow sheep that fight off the wolf by the woods?

Don’t they have a future?

But what of my fellow sheep that gather in their flock & are who keep stock?

Don’t they have a future?

But what of my fellow sheep that take care of their lamb through the night?

Don’t they have a future?

No, the owner says, another one dragged to the slaughter

Only in afterthought is there question of their potential, of their future

“Black”

It’s clear my inner fear

I must be excellent, be exceptional, be exemplar, to be black & have a future.