I’m going to be Black and happy

African American and happy

Negro.

A woman of color—

Brown, full of melanin

a futuristic hero.

Same as a poet.

I’ll be that and happy.

I’ll bring myself joy,

put it on my lips

put it in arms reach

on the tip of my fingertips

this is my American Dream.

I am an American

born here, going to live and die here

happy

written in pride

written by poetic hands

hands that took a chance to make a statement,

to be something different,

to be bold,

to walk through fire

and enjoy every minute of it.

I am going to be Black, blessed,

Black, brilliant,

Black, bold

Black, brightly colored-coded combination,

Black will be the new color of the rainbow

warmly kissed by the sun.

Dipped in chocolate,

a heavenly, decadent treat

Any time the word Black, Colored, African American, Futuristic hero

same thing as a poet is used

I’ll be happy

I’ll see it as a gift,

A good thing,

not a curse,

not anything to despise

not anything that needs to

be explained.

It'll be understood

that what God made was beyond good—

I’m Black and Happy.

Photo by Anna Shvets