Blackface

A look into racial inequality

we grew up

with trying eyes

and matched our hands

with the bloodblack soil,

unearthing fields while

tapping for the oil

of equality.

we knew open

arms would greet us

but were too

fresh faced,

dipping our fingers

into coke bottles

and raising our cigarette

burns to the sky.

they tried to drown us

but there is oxygen

in this water

and we breathe in

so we can scream.