COURAGE (Poem)
COURAGE
By Farah Lawal Harris, © 2023
‘Twas my
only choice
in the matter.
Born in
sweltering midsummer—
back when
neighborhood kids
knew crackheads
fondly
by name.
Born
not only
Black, but
dark, female,
first-generation
Nigerian. African.
Conventionally
unattractive
‘til I got thick
and niggas either
spoke up or
woke up.
What else
could I
possibly be?
Timid? Yes.
Afraid? No.
Daddy
prepared me
to go out
into the world
and make
my mark.
I do it
through art.
I do it
through survival
and breath
and fear.
Oh, yes,
both God
and Fear
live here.
Ain’t no courage
without fear,
my dear;
just like
there ain’t no
straight
without queer.
..But I’mma
leave that
right there.
It takes
courage
to be yourself
In a world
of assimilation
and assault
rifles.
And to hear:
“You’re so brave”
right after I just
describe pain.
I don’t want
to be brave
all the
damned time.
I desire
to be
well.
It takes
courage
to see yourself
in the mirror
and smile
at the same
choclification
the multitude
convinced you
was a flaw.
To be
grateful
for it all.
