The Pain – by Steve Reid
I cannot be a Man.
He takes you and I must let him.
Keep smiling for my master lest I am banished.
What’s worst?
Wanting to love you as an African man would, should? But can’t.
Sharing you with the scalded skin animal.
Or living, serving, these beast.
Where can I run?
Who can I run to?
Should I too be lustful towards our young maidens?
The values I remember from my land afar are counted as zero.
Oh the pain.
The tormenting pain.
My mind is slain.