black women are sweet
will have your baby
and not ask to marry you
will put jordans on a credit card
celebrate your birthday in
in her section 8 basement apartment
bail you out of jail with
cosmetology school tuition money
defend your habits
your lack of commitment
lie to the police
black women are sweet
come to jailhouse visitson buses
get her makeup together in the parking lot
put welfare money on your books
and deliver messages from your homeboys
tattoo you on her breast
then hear some other chick speak you name
and swallow that hurt
claim you on these streets
call you strong and beautiful
kiss you through industrial glass
and because black women are sweet
and patient
with sweet names like cinnamon
peaches honey and chocolate
and have watched so many brothas
hurry toward death
for you are her son and her lover
and often her burden
when her late window lit
is the only exit from infinite night
and the last inbound train
harbors assassins who chant your name
when you arrive frightened and fractured
thank god sistuhs see past game
and read eyes and stars
loitering cars
and fresh scars
