Envy

In my own community, the very streets run hot with envy

They look at me, peers and enemies alike

Looking like they always want to fight, out of spite

I sometimes wonder what they see when they look at me with envy

Is it my sexiness that offends, does my Blackness cause you dismay?

Are you mad because I choose to smile anyway

Does my skin tone upset you?

Because it highlights what you hate about you

It is the way that I speak, write and think?

Does my intellectual genius cause you to feel inadequate

Or maybe it’s my confidence; yes my humbleness that has you in a crunch?

Because I know that I am a Queen on this Earth

Does my wealth cause you horror?

 Don’t you take it mighty hard, that I have the entire world in my own backyard

I think it must be my spirituality that causes you to stir?

 That I have blessings wherever I seem to turn

Does my very presence and existence cause you pause?

How dare I even dream, I’m supposed to be broken, torn down by all of your hatefulness

No, it must be my perseverance, sheer determination that causes you to anger?

If you’re waiting on me to give up and give in, you will be waiting just past forever

The gifts I have been blessed with, my life’s tribulations have developed me into a strong, proud, successful, sexy Nubian Queen

Who causes the world to look at me with such envy