Grandfather,
they made you
bow your head
and not
look at them
because, they said,
you were unworthy
they made you
bend your back
to place burdens on it
no man should have to carry
and told you
to carry it
they made you
quiet the warrior
within you
and told you
to swallow
your pride
and bite
your tongue
And be a
‘good nigger’
And you did
because
you
were standing up
for
me
