If My Scars Could Talk . . .

This poem was inspired by Street Poets, the Youth Mentoring Connection and my need to free myself from the ties that still bind me.


If my scars could talk - they would say FUCK YOU

Fuck you for tellin' me that I'm not good enough
that I'll never amount to shit
and that I'm worthless like my drunk ass father

If my scars could talk - they would say Fuck you
Fuck you for coming into my room at night
treating me, your daughter, like your wife
shattering my innocence and trust in others

If my scars could talk - they would say Fuck YOU
Fuck YOU for callin' me Nigger, Spic, Half-Breed, African Bush Baby, Moulie, Loser
and not letting me be a part OF
simply because OF the color of my skin
the depth of my lips
the texture and size of my nappy ass hair

If my scars could talk - they would say STOP
Stop letting the past color your present

They would say HEAL ME
LOVE ME the way the LIGHT loves your skin
your lips, your hair, your soul

Let GO
Live freely
Love deeply

But they can't
So I will