A Man's Silent Cry

August 27, 2015

A MAN'S SILENT CRY

Written by: Charlene Marie Rhodes

(For My Sons)

I can hear a man cry in the strength of his silence,

And feel his spirit die from the weight he tries to balance.

You'll never know His pain which sits in the depth of his eyes

The droop of his shoulders, the slow gait in his stride.

From the decisions, he makes daily for himself and for others

To the constant voice in his head, of the many lessons from his mother.

There comes a difficult time in his life he couldn't possibly plan,

Where he makes the transition from a boy to becoming a man.

It's painfully different this transition, for Blacks and for Whites,

If you're White you could possibly thrive, if you're Black you must fight.

Fight the people, places, and things that stifle all of your dreams

Because your skin color causes fear, intimidates, and makes others treat you mean

Not just other colors but your own color too

Deadly oppositions where we go and, whatever we do

All this prevents you from being who you truly are meant to be,

Cant be a doctor, nor a lawyer, not even a bank trustee

They say we are equal, Black skin color does not matter a bit

Except when we try to buy a house, car or when it comes to our credit

One thing to remember on this quest all your own,

I'll never stop loving you and you are never, ever alone.

Make eye contact with people, hold your head way up high,

Walk with purpose, speak with confidence and carry yourself with pride.

Black, White, Brown, Yellow yes color matters colored child,

So any part of your day when you feel that silent cry,

That begins with a slow, burning, fire inside

Remember my beautiful Colored Child, You will never truly fail,

As long as you always, always 'Try"