In This Skin Of Mine

Born of the sinful flesh of my father, while the holy blood of my mother pumps through these rugged veins
Take note that I am my fathers son but my mothers child
And all the while I struggle In this skin of mine
With its regal complexion and rough texture
Was being in this skin one of Gods sick gestures?
Ironically through my mothers religion I found the Bible, yet I also stumbled upon the cold depths of hell,
I ran away from redemption to play chess with the light-bearer
Strategic moves to regain the upper hand of some odd 22 years that had passed
And at last we reached a conclusion, there would be no victor just a Draw
I never knew my father and for all I knew he resembled the man I had played chess with
Once Siamese twins, now complete strangers, I bore a mark on my side to remind me of my origin,
Yet when I stumbled upon him…this man bore no mark, just a cold glare into my heart
I credit my Mother for raising me into a Man, but it was my Father that bestowed upon me that writ of passage before I uttered my first words
In my world he stood as Caesar, but taught me to be Brutus
When it came time for the Dictator’s demise…I couldn’t
My hands were fickle; unfit for the task…after all I Am a reflection of Him

In this Skin of Mine…

I walk the walk of my bestial ancestors, and speak the tongue of knowledge that rose from the African Basins,
Each step on the pavement into modernity, was a conviction of my weary soul
As I transcended into a Higher Class, bearing brandings of Movado and Louboutin
My life was as relevant as Sisyphus’s eternal task…
No matter how much I rise, my Bravado is severed, reminding me In this Skin of Mine…
…I am Black

In this Skin of Mine…

The choice between athleticism and intelligence was nothing more than a communal decision,
And at the age of 6 I was given my first toy…a basketball
365 days of the year was committed to playing the game
And at the age of 17 I could shoot, defend, and dunk
By 21, I found fame at the rim…
…I also found a NOOSE
In this Skin of Mine…