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.