Message From An X Patriot

Message From An X Patriot
(The after-effect of 9/11)

By Trudi Perkins copyright © 2004

I have no outrage to spare, to share in
Your newfound sense
Of freedom.
My supply of anger is not depleted, my friend, but
It must be rationed.
So, I have no discourse to offer,
To ease the blinding pains of racism
Which you now feel, and
My heart bleeds for you, with you, but—“See”?
That’s all I can say.
Because I’ve lived with this racism every day.

Now someone has toppled tall buildings
And killed by the thousands.
They, the haters of America, so hardened by history and God
Bless us who live in America
'Cause there’s some payback coming, and it will cost
You, me and them.
It will come at the expense of my freedom and yours.

Still confused, my friend? Well let me break it down for you-
Your headwraps remind them of the other
Darkies, whose culture and people they defiled
Yet could not destroy.
Your skin, your hair, your tongue, your eyes,
You-
You represent the enemy which they created,
Yet cannot truly see.

So police stop you for no reason, while others
Cross streets when they see you coming.
They lump you together with criminals
By virtue of your skin, clothes and faith.
Try to injure your spirit with questions
The answers being that which they could never understand.
But hey, anything to protect the land.

You stand amazed
But we are not amused by the political rhetoric
That denies the underlying truths.
Lady Liberty went shopping the other day,
Bought herself a fine new blindfold…
Dense and strong, so the injustice of this land she no longer must behold.
Bigotry is free to again become this nation’s stronghold.

But what about Freedom and Rights? You say.
I saluted the flag and swore to uphold them just the other day.
Oh yeah?
For True?
Damn.
Welcome to my America.