I’m Afraid Of Being Black In America!!!

For the first time in my life, I’m afraid to be Black…
…everything about who I am is under fierce attack.

I’m worried that my Mother will have to see me in a Casket…
…body mutilated like Emmett Till: a tragedy that’s so drastic.

I’m afraid that one day I’ll be blown away…
…by a Police-Officer’s Gun and at any day.

I’m apprehensive that I’ll just be another Black-Man killed in the Streets…
…and that my murderers will get away with it, and continue walkin da Beats.

It’s more likely that I’ll be killed by Cops than by ISIS…
…we live in a World where we just want to deny this.

Everyone wants to pretend that equality is here…
…tell that to Black-Men who live in constant fear.

Whether we’re Gangster or Corporate, it don’t matter…
…cooperating makes Police draw their weapons faster.

Why must Society make Others feel…
…that I do nothing but rob and steal?

Why are the Police trained to automatically view me as a Criminal?
The Racism of the 60’s resurfaced from its historical subliminal.

What are we supposed to do; how do we fight back?
The load is too heavy: I feel that I’m about to snap.

Gareth Bryant/2016

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I’m the Balanced-Scale

The perfect combination of a Scholar & Street-Nigga…
…I bury my foes 6-feet under, without pulling a Trigger…

…Academics on Fleek…
…my ears to da Street…

…I could hit U like target-practice wit my 6-Shooter…
…but you’re not even worth my time I got 6-Shooters…

…Always in the Mosque…
…so my Soul is never lost…

…I’m just a simple Poet, and no I don’t do rap…
…got my corporate office, but I stay in da Trap…

…There’s Haters everywhere…
…using the Evil-Eye to stare…

…I hope Guidance keeps me controlled & centered…
…Knuckle-Game on-point, in case I ever gets tested…

…I’m never abandoned, because Allah’s always there…
…He keeps me safe from enemies and erasing my fear…

…I always strive for excellence and improvement…
…never a Follower I’m leading my own movement.

Gareth Bryant/2016

Recycled-Remission

I tell myself each day I breathe, “Fall back this is wack!!!”:
Stop living in the Past, you gotta just stop treading back.
Why continue to love one who don’t even love you back?

I keep reminding myself, “Just chill, and stay Trill”:
When Others are Fake, you just have to stay Real.
Don’t kill yourself pleasing People for their appeal.

However, I’m constantly pulled-back, into the grasp of Foolery.
I wanna be free of all negativity, but change is too new to me.
I wish my Heart thought like my Mind, to simply want Liberty.

People always want what they want outta you.
Once they’ve had their fill, you’re expendable.

It’s easy pretending to care for someone, when needing them.
After you’re where you wanna be, you then treat them terrible.

That’s just the way Life goes: back & forth between what feels good versus what’s good for us.
Constantly battling within, internally, deciding whether to do right or simply surrender to lust.

Sometimes the People we enjoy the most love us the least.
Just trying to keep us around, tied to that gold-plated leash.

But, just like their adornments, it’s only superficial.
Dig deeper & you’ll see they’re truly bitter & brittle.

Gareth Bryant/2015