'Nubian' Poem by Lisa Visor

So when asked if my love for my brothers of color had been stolen
I simply reply
There is but a thread of love
which bonds me to my brothers
Perhaps through the fabric of that simple thread
I will have found the strength to forgive
For they are my people and if I can not show an enemy to forgive
then I too am part of a mighty problem
and I hold barriers within my culture
a culture which would never survive among such revengeful hearts
I am bitter and I search deep for acknowledgement of my pain
only to resurface with nothing but compassion
My mind shutters with anger
seeking revenge from even the most innocent
But I am not weak enough to allow hate to take over
it is not within me