Complexion Poem by Abraham Lawrence

Does my complexion offend you
Does it make you mad
does it make you sad
does it make you angry

does the complexity of my complexion perplex your comprehension
Does it neutralize your sympathy
does it eradicate your emotion
does it castrate your humanity

does it justify slavery
does it justify segregation
does it justify police brutality


again does my complexion offend you
because I can't change it
I can't get light enough for you
my crown can't get straight enough for you
my name can't get easy enough for you to say
my voice can't sound right enough for you to say


I am who I am
I am a descendant of slaves
I am a reflection of my parent
I am beauty
I am black