We say we don’t know

what to say around them / they / us / he / his / she / her / hers / they / them

none of our business

and when a black father offered love and support

we suddenly knew

our tongues awoke from the deepest slumber with ignorance

black people have become too assimilating

and you assimilate for whom’s benefit?

you tell yourself it is for you and you accept anyone because you and your people know

better than anyone right?

Harp on pain miseducation

when will you know there is no right way to be

for the white man to love you

and more importantly for you to love yourself

you haven’t given yourself permission

so why should others seek it from you?

Zaya is here to stay

you love her uniqueness too,

you just don’t know it yet.