perilous waters

shackles and rape

ropes tied to trees alongside burning crosses, a modern crucifixion

a presumption of perpetual less than

of an all-encompassing inferiority

police guns and jail cells

natural selection manifested in the ability to survive in spite of

to thrive in spite of

my very existence proclaims royalty in my lineage

even when I felt like I was broken, I still stood upright

if a being is able to evolve beyond humanity, to traverse that sacred realm into divinity

she would undoubtedly be black