Denying the Obvious

By Sterling

I have never

seen a black man cry

Until

You

The tears roll down

your delicate

Melanin covered face

And moisturize your hands

As you cover it

Because you are embarrassed

You waste them

On white t-shirts

Or in the laps and arms of others

But I want to see them

With your

head up

As they trickle down your cheeks

There is so much beauty in you and your emotion

It is

Unfiltered

And

Unappreciated

But

I appreciate it

I am glad to have seen

A black man cry

It lets me know

That life

Hasn’t ripped everything out of you

Just

yet

Because your heart

Is still so full

With love

For you to cry about

Something

You’ve either

gained

Or lost

Empty rings

That no finger could fill

Empty promises

With repercussions that could kill

But with skin so soft

It reminded me of fine silk

And kisses so powerful

I was told that they could heal

I just might accept

All of the lies still

Because deep in the chambers of my heart

I believe this love is

Real

Sterling is a nursing student turned poet who fell in love with poetry while exploring her small lived time in journalism. Her work reflects her appreciation for both classical and contemporary poetry as she therapeutically purges her emotions about love, abuse, and her place as a black woman in society. IG: @s.a.w.literature