Crowns and Poetry

The Old Days

The things I would have said in the old days

The old days when a man was tied to chains,
killing his soul before taking his own last breath

The old days when a woman gave birth and never saw that face again

The old days when one cried and shook, whilst others slid tears and laughter

The old days when all this depended on your birth

Who you were born to

And what skin God chose to clothe you in.

My lips would have muttered words, but maybe I'd hesitate, because in the old days

I could have been put to death.

Ropes tied around my neck, hanging from a prosperous tree,

That I could never be.

Not forgotten, because when did I exist?

They would walk away, wipe and dust their hands

Just another stubborn animal getting their punishment

Make an example out of whatever you can.

The old days when a girl got molested on the street

But she wasn't the right color for sympathy.

And when a teenaged boy flirted,
And his face disfigured as a result.

But his skin was colored, and that deprived him of any youth and humanity

The old days where I could raise my voice,

Cry as loud as I can

Then a hand would wrap around my mouth

Handcuffs around my hands, locking me in

Making sure a word never left my lips again.

Then the old days when when you are desperately waiting for a change

And old would finally become old

And not the present

The old but new days that gives a men life for stealing a van

When you lose your life for defending yourself,

And for keeping your headlights off

The old but new days when you are a threat

Because your skin reminds them of the dark.

Maybe I could mutter a word,

And maybe a word could leave my lips

and ropes wouldn't tie around my neck.

Or even handcuffs around my hands.

But I'd drive myself insane,

Thinking maybe the old days would finally come to an end.