Women of My Color

By Wanda Coleman

i follow the curve of his penis

and go down

there is a peculiar light in which women

of my color are regarded by men

being on the bottom where pressures                                                       5

are greatest is least desirable

would be better to be dead i

sometimes think

there is a peculiar light in which women

of my race are regarded by black men                                                    10

as saints

as mothers

as sisters

as whores

but mostly as the enemy                                                                         15

it’s not our fault      we are victims

who have chosen to struggle and stay alive

there is a peculiar light in which women

of my race are regarded by white men

as exotic                                   20

as enemy

but mostly as whores

it’s enough to make me cry

but i don’t

following the curve of his penis                                                               25

i go down

will i ever see

the sun!   

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