Black Rose

Artwork, “Black Rose,” by Donald “C-Note” Hooker

Unique and unexpected this black rose.
Its Essence is of a rock, the strength is within…
With the stiff fluffy it does not wither.
My black is beautiful, my black is tough.
Imagine it rising from the concrete?
Think of its scent?
Here, take a whiff,
the eloquent fragrance, it’s Heaven Sent!!!!
The possibilities are endless,
just visualize its song?
The month of February Marks Its Beginning.
You see, in the mind’s eye its resilience is encouraged by the spirit of Mother Nature…
Envision this complicated living, Thug the label I was giving but I didn’t want this.
Runaway slave because I refuse to be crammed in on a slave ship.
Abandoned and rejected like Jesus Christ,
not protected as an adolescent,
not loved by Society, but Still the Lord bless me,
because every time folks strut pass me:
they gawk in amazement because I’m #Mixedish…
Hope you realize you blessed?
The trials and tribulations of a ghetto kid.,
who once didn’t love his Black skin.
Still standing strong through many storms, fingerprint of God.
Nurtured by those with loving hands facilitating its growth–
re storing Justice and healing it’s wounded pedals.
Gorgeous black rose with the life blood of a million Souls Rising through its roots straight from the concrete.

By Darryl Burnside