Oh, Say Can You See

A Black Girl’s Poetic Celebration

Photo by Janay Peters on Unsplash

Conflicted in my allegiance In respect to those who tilled this land Their wildest dreams realized in me Borne out of their sacrifices

My roots are in Jamaica Beloved land of my parents Who came to America To make a better life for me

How do I celebrate this day The refuge of my parents Immigrants who took a pledge Seeking liberty and freedom

The paradox of this Union Creates conflict in my soul Recalling the childhood days of joy Wearing my red, white, and blue

My mother’s barbecue ribs Paired with pickled potato salad Accented with chips and RC Cola A celebration of Black Americana

How do I celebrate thee today As others are denied freedom Stripped of their inalienable rights Told they don’t belong

I can no longer pretend in silence All is not well with America Suffering and forgotten citizens Lose their dignity and agency

While white masked men spew hate Marching confidently through my city As if stomping upon my neck Crushing bones of unity in my streets

For whom is this 4th of July How do I stand proudly Amongst the contradictions Under these beautiful, spacious skies

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