Little Colored Boys (Part I  Kamilah’s Prayer)

Lord,

I wish my boy could grow up to be

a king or an emperor or even President

even though I know he’s really gonna be born

with one arm tied behind his back

just because You happened to make him

a little darker than everybody else–

but that’s okay, Lord, ’cause I’m sure

that’s just part of Your plan but I still

just wanna ask You for a few little things

before he comes:

when he walks let him leave footprints

forty feet long and twenty feet wide so

this world will never forget where he’s

been or what he’s done and everybody’ll

know they’ll have to work ten times as

hard if they ever expect to fill

even half his shoes

and

when he talks let him speak as pure as

five angels and with the voice of ten prophets

so this world will always recognize and

respect the divinity that gives life and

power to all his words

and

when he acts let him move with the

wisdom of all those who came before him

and sacrificed to prepare this world for

his arrival and let the light of that wisdom

guide him as he adds to this world’s eternal

memory of our people’s greatness–

but I guess all that does seem like a bit much, Lord,

so if nothing else please just give him the

strength to fight the same demons that

chased his daddy away and stole the light

of love from his eyes because I guess

all I really want after all, Lord, is just for

You to help my boy make You proud

of having made him.

Amen.

CLICK HERE to listen to Little Colored Boys (Part I) Kamilah’s Prayer

The award-winning author of Songs In Search Of A Voice, his bestselling debut collection of poetry, Marcus Harris continues to make incredible waves throughout the literary world. Naturally gifted in communicating a range of issues via a variety of different voices, Marcus has become highly respected for his ability to relate universal truths that span the boundaries of race, color, creed, and gender and address the everyday lives interwoven throughout the global community. His writings have appeared in Essence Magazine, TimBookTu, Chickenbones, and numerous other literary & media outlets worldwide. In addition to being an author, Marcus is also an educator, mentor, community activist, and highly successful entrepreneur. As Founder & CEO of Urban Echoes Entertainment, he has fostered the creation of Apex Reviews, Ghostwriter Extraordinaire, and numerous other programs & organizations designed to enhance the talents of authors and other figures in the publishing industry. Forever vigilant of the impact of our individual actions on the world around us, Marcus lives by the mantra ‘Touch One, Reach A Thousand.’ His hope for us all is that we continue to uplift one another in this great ongoing struggle called Life.

Related Posts

• April is National Poetry Month–Mikaylah Simone, April 30
• April is National Poetry Month–Latorial Faison, April 29
• April is National Poetry Month–Vernon J. Davis, April 28
• April is National Month–Poet Charles Chatmon, April 27
• April is National Poetry Month–Alyce Wynn, April 26