Tell Me Then Poem by Jessi Hardison

You talk me down,
Anything to catch a frown,
Know you got to me,
Add more turmoil to my sea.
You act like it's my fault
And on my wound, you sprinkle salt,
Pick at me, for who I am,
And say it's my turn to be the lamb.
Yet, I never did anything
It was those before me, so let me sing
My own song,
And prove you wrong.
You deserve the blame,
For your own shame.
I have a future, that doesn't make me bad,
So get the facts before you get mad.
I am not the same as you, and I don't want to be.
Soon I will be with others just like me,
You will be with others like you.
Tell me then, how much swag you've got
When you're trash and starting to rot.
Show me just how cool you are
When you're broke and it's my turn to be the star.
You're nothing underneath your bluff,
And I'll call you out, soon enough.
So I guess I shouldn't be surprised
When you judge me on my skin, hair, and eyes.