Me

Not who I wanna be

Or who I used to be

Not who I wish to be

Hope to be

Or claim to be

Just me.

 

But then again who exactly am I?

 

The young black man you're afraid of because I grew up in Hunters Point, San Francisco?

A place where I could live down hill

And you live up the hill

Yet you're still willing to kill me due you being involved in a “gang” that’s centered around a street name? oh okay

 

Are you scared?

 

Going back to the day I got jumped. I did not call up my friends

to take matters into my own hands

because there is no celebration after a retaliation that’ll just cause a unwanted circulation can you…

Can you feel the frustration?

 

Are you afraid?

 

Because your system reads that the only records you have of me are for most tackles for my high school football team?

 

Or because in spite of difficulties and the burdens America bears on me I still graduated on time, continuing to infuse my mind with the knowledge that you once said my eye was blind to.

 

I see. Truths be told that’s the only thing that creates your fear of me.  

Because I have taken every stumble, trip or fall my life has thrown at me.

I’ve Listened to every gun shot, siren and cry

 

And yet, I'm still standing

The background of this picture that hangs above my door is painted with hate, violence, drugs and then some.

But the focus of the portrait is so much more

But Hey…

who am I?

Me

Not who I wanna be

Or who I used to be

Or who you try to make me be

 

I’m Just

me.

Mister Dee Carnell Simmons Jr.

that's ME