The person who puts it all on
Constantly on the edge, never knowing dusk to dawn
When you see them they’re planning a con
That plot, addictive too
How they lace their words with tricks
Putting spells on you so deep and sick
Don’t you dare go off script
They’ll find out more about you
Cutting into you
Then you’ll slip
Now you’ve got it
The desire they have
The need to know
Just how they tick
You’ll fight this feeling
But the drug is slick
You call it love
We know you’re an addict
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Why do you sound like that?
Like what?
Like you have 12 years of lashings on your back
I just use full sentences
You saying I’m not?
No.
Oh ok, you sound like a bot
Why are you so aggressive?
That sounds suggestive, you ignorant?
Not to this conversation
Where you from?
I’m from the suburbs
Where you from?
The biddy
Where?
Philly
Oh, I love the city, my family visits on the weekends
My city isn’t your city, you probably think you’re better
We’re still birds of a feather, my mom still spanked me
Took me to cookouts and made sure I knew Jodie and Yvette
Yeah but you aint hear the gunshots I bet
The sirens called to kill our own
Or know what it’s like to have a gang in your home
I bet all your family is free outside
My cousins got warrants and the police on their side
I’m yellin free him till he dies
I’m sorry that’s your truth
It’s not easy here though, none of the whites are friends
Just foe
You’re surrounded by our people
Not ostracized or seen as fecal
Yes, to the world but not to your neighbor
Clutched purses and pearls just because of my curls
The most I see is my culture is in THEIR favor
I’m one of the “good ones” “well spoken”
Their token for appreciation
Damn girl that’s crazy
Maybe I was hasty
I thought you were like the pasty
Taylor swift lovin with casserole in the oven
Just because you sound like them
My fault to the black sheep who’s scared in her den
Come around here more we’ll have fun now and then
I assumed as well
But you’re speaking in flavor
Grits, greens, sass, not flat
Your tongue rolls the way it should
Who cares if you’re from the “hood”
We both have our truths
It takes one conversation to be understood
Jeramie Hampton is a second-year Respiratory Care major. JH1044189@WCUpa.edu