Moonlight

There are little black boys afraid to show their true colors.

by Shajuana Henry

There are little black boys afraid to show their true colors.

Scared that someone will make out the rainbow

and beat them ‘til they’re black-and-blue.

For these boys, it is only safe to come out under the moonlight.

For these boys, it is not just a phase.

They look blue,

and feel blue,

and hate blue.

These boys are always on the run.

Escaping the trauma, but never escaping the closet

When this hurt

hits

from all angles

It becomes impossible to think straight.

Although they never thought straight

They’ve curved like a crescent

Their essence, iridescent

They could never be just one of the boys

Unless they played pretend and blended in

even when their light still bends within.