Juneteenth
Woke up and ate some Black toast
Washed my face with some Black soap
Checked the calendar said 2020
and times still hard for us Black folks
No time for no fake friends
I am not your “safe” friend
If you was really doin’ yo work friend
Then you’d know that we ain’t really safe “friend”
No calls texts or emails
Don’t slide in my DMs
I won’t share your workload
I am not in work mode today
No
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and you can spoon-feed yo’ self today.
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and I ain’t doin’ no work today.
No time for no “both sides”
We don’t need yo “co-sign”
History is on our side
Y’all team lost
the south cries.
And the north too
Yes the north too
Y’all some wolves in sheep’s clothes too
If you’re wonderin’ if it’s you too
It is you too, and you too.
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and you can spoon-feed yo’ self today.
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and I ain’t doin’ no work today.
I really hope my people wake up late today.
Break bread with yo kinfolk
get a plate today.
Have enough left over for a “to-go” today.
Tell the fam Relando said hello today.
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and they can spoon-feed themselves today.
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and we ain’t doin’ no work today.
We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams.
Capable of amazing things.
Today is our day just to take a break.
To hold close our loved ones and celebrate.
Truth be told there’s still so much pain.
Slavery’s taken another name.
We still have to fight for our freedom day.
But right now let us pause and commemorate.
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and they can spoon-feed themselves today.
Cause it’s Juneteenth
Yes Juneteenth
and we ain’t doin’ no work today.
With all my love, Relando.
From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins-Jones
1 Response
[…] I published a poem in observance of Juneteenth over at Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian. […]