"Black Woman Tears"

These tears are not because of you;
they are for you...

for the unfair ways in which you strike
for the places inside yourself left unattended spilling out of holy mouth

for the bitter roots that blossom
in the crescendo of my pain
for all the ways and times that you extend to me your shame

for the words that sit in blood created when I do not speak
for all the times when I am strong because you're always weak.

these tears are not because of you; they are for
you...

Kisha Loving