The tears you cry to control me
The privilege that comes
with your identity
or absence of melanin
is the same shade
as the tears you cry
to control me
the struggle you claim
to comprehend
fails to acknowledge
our experience
robbing us of
our space to heal
when you ask
if I need help
you are doing so
to absolve your guilt
of your ancestors
ask me instead
if you may begin to listen
to my stories
not from the written word
of those who claim to know it
better than those of us
who have lived it
but by delivering yourself
to the lion’s mouth