JADA FORD

Thinking

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I think every time I choose to I love myself, 
I am making a political statement
To put lipstick on my lips is like graffiti on the White House—
but we all know what’s wrong with even a little color

I think every time white hands do not curl into a fist, 
            their child becomes twice as likely to cut the hands of
                        my own

I think every time I succeed,
                                I make one white woman mad
I do not hold up a poster when I step outside, but
they get angry when I hold up my head

I think every time I ask a man to love me, 
            I am asking him to love a hundred years of strength
            and they always look afraid

I think every time I write a poem,
                                I am surrendering
To put pen on paper is how I admit words might never be enough

I think every time a Black womanmanchildhuman dies,
                                                I die too—
When I go to my grave, it will not be for the first time.

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