Momma, I have a question....



If I had one wish in the world
I'd wish to go home
But where is it that I really belong?
I was taught my history was slavery
And my culture is watermelon but this cannot be
There's Ireland for Irish Mexico for Mexican
Europe for European but where is Blackland?
I was raised up in a dangerous hood
But there I can't find anything good
They put a liquor store on every street
But how does that help me on my feet?
Is my culture really gangs, drugs and ho's?
Or is this the path a lost one goes?
Does  nobody care to give us a way?
Why is it hard for us to find pay?
We know where salsa is originated and even square dance
But what is the origin of our first black dance?
They keep telling me to get out of my country yo,
But where does one go if my origin I don't know
They say I'm African then why don't they accept us back?
Why do they hate me because I'm Black?
And if I am African from which biome?
If I'm not a slave why can't I go home?
Why do Africans call us white?
And why do white call us black as night?
Why do Hispanics call us negro?
What is my true color, I don't know..
When I look at me I am brown
But that's not what they call me on the forms downtown
If human is truly my origins and race
Then why do they treat me like one from space?
Why do they run when I walk by?
Why do they not listen when I'm hurt and I cry?
Why do the police hunt us like deer?
Do they all just get a kick out of us living in fear?
Why don't the Arabs want me to marry their daughter?
It it seems like at school I'm the only one without a father
Is it true he was traded for food stamps?
Is child support a father's revamp?
If they kill black males most why did you call the police on Dad?
Why did he leave Momma when we're all he had?
If white people hate us why don't they send us away?
Why are we trapped here day after day?
Why are all the presidents white?
And for the one who looked brown we had to fight?
When I grow up do I be Snoop or Shug?
Who are they black millionaires and why don't they help the hood?
Maybe they can teach me right?
But then how can they if they think they're white?
Why do the rappers only teach me wrong?
Why is hard to find one good black song?
Why are they paid to tell me kill steal and fight,
Smoke weed, abuse women, get rich overnight?
Aren't these things against the law?
Wouldn't I be jailed if I did them all?
Why does the whole world think black is bad?
Why when I ask do people get mad?
Momma I don't like drugs is that what I'm spose to like?
Oh so that's what they call a stereotype?
Is it the same thing when they assume I went to jail?
Or that I can't read and in school I fail?
I'm asking these questions because I'm not sure
But if you got time I have a million more

About this poem

This poem is inspired by my life and my families life as a black person in America.

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Written on June 01, 2022

Submitted by lemetaayers on July 01, 2022

Modified on March 05, 2023

3:12 min read
53

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDDEAFFGGHHIIJJKKLLBBMMKKNNOOPPQQRRSTUUIIMMCFMMCCMMVWUUXYZZ1 2
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 2,708
Words 612
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 63

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1 Comment
  • ashleigh_b
    It was honestly a toss up between this poem and The Cost of War, because they are both such important messages. This poem hit me hard. Profound. Beautifully written with so beautiful vulnerable strength.
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"Momma, I have a question...." Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/133575/momma,-i-have-a-question....>.

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