Black Woman

I am every black woman who’s ever been loved.

I am every black woman who’s been serenaded by a guitar on a starry night.

I am every black woman who’s ever been betrayed by a selfish lover.

I am every black woman who’s given birth to loved children.

I am every black woman who’s had to work on fence lines to raise them too!

I am every black woman who’s hungered after truth!

I am every black woman who’s ever carted water buckets on yokes, to fill a forty-four-gallon drum, for drinkin’, washin’ and cookin’ purposes.

I am every black woman who’s had a son or husband jailed!

I am every black woman who’s had iron doors slammed shut, going to visit them too!

I am every black woman who’s struggled to raise a fine.

I am every black woman whose heart has been broken over the deaths of loved ones.

I am every black woman, who has survived this calamity we call life, in this now multicultural Australia.