"Afro Slave's Dream", a Poem By Lillian Frederick

My melanin scares you 

My nappy hair intimidates you 

I am a threat to your life 

I know not of knowledge 

For my ethnicity depicts my intelligence 

My morals are that of a wild beast 

An image created by all but my being Is the reason for your hatred 

My demeanor risks your soul For no matter 

How innocent or 

How liable You will affiliate my spirit 

Amongst the fallacious 

Amongst the felonious 

With only the mere fact 

That skin color offends you 

And you wish to execute me for it. 

You are petrified by me 

You curl your mouth in sneer at my presence 

Yet the fear in your eyes is facetious 

The whips will crack against the negro

And the guns are filled with “nigger” 

Is this your way to hinder the black man?

You know that I built a nation with my bare hands So destroying a man wouldn't be arduous. How long until you lynch me? 

When will I be “too black to live”?

Why do you “own” me if you abhor me?

What scripture are you using to justify this?

When did God become vengeful?

Or are you relishing in my pain, massa?

- Lillian Frederick