Back in the day
our parents told us
believe, have faith,
be strong, do not lie.

To move our selves
beyond the already
rigid boundaries set
to keep us safe.

Afro-American children,
be still and quiet
in the presence of
big angry men

in big white hoods
and robes worn
to intimidate us,
hide their identities

from press, parents
and their children.
Who knows why adults
do what they do.

 

Janet Cormier is a painter, writes prose and poetry, and performs comedy. Janet prefers different and original over pretty. She loves collecting stuff, but cleaning not so much. Janet also talks to strangers. A lot. Her column appears weekly on Oddball Magazine.