they Say...I Say

By Mes Deux Cents



they say We are fast
fast and hot
hot and insatiable

they say We are the sum of Our body parts
breasts, legs, lips
body parts

they say We are objects
objects to be used
used until used up

they say We are less than
less than her
her who is blond

they say We are only for play
and to be played
played like a toy

they say Our names are plural
hoes and bitches
not the name Our mama's gave Us


I say We are all that ever was
We are the beginning
life wasn't before Us

I say We are Our thoughts
thoughts like solid steel
steel that bears Our weight

I say We are equal
equal too
Our loss is a tragedy

I say Our names are Ours alone
alone are Our names
Our name

I say We will find peace
peace as you wage war
war is your invention

I say love is Our shield
shield from the storm
a storm that's 500 years old

We are African women
women in America
and We know Our names

I say
and I is We
We say

Photo Credit: dorlis