Dying in his skin
He is dying in his skin,
tired of running for his life in the white man’s imagination.
There’s a Target on his back and a price on his head
there’s a hand over his mouth they won’t think twice when he’s dead.
There’s no room in this America for the black boy to cry
left outside in the cold where storms go to calm, and butterflies go to die.
There’s a Target on his back with a price on his head
There’s a hand over his mouth they won’t think twice when he’s dead.
His blood the symbol of patriotism to the land, hold our boys behind bars for years so that they see a man on the stand,
He is a man
He is a black man
He is a man
he is Human.
There’s a Target on his back, with a price on his head,
Though the Great American sacrifice, they won’t think twice when he’s dead.
they won’t think twice when he’s dead.
They won’t think twice when he’s dead.
They won’t think twice when we’re dead.
Don’t be threatened by his presence be mad at me for I gave him that skin he is dying in
I am to blame he only is young and innocent
There’s a Target on my back but a price on his masculinity
there’s a hand over his mouth he can’t speak but I can’t breathe.
Protect my son from this America for I am dying in my skin
tired of worrying about our sons in the white man’s imagination
There is worry in my soul there are tears in my eyes cigarettes on my nightstand bibles by my bedside.
There’s no room in this America for the black mother to morn
After being ripped apart from her newborn
Run my little black child
run out of your skin
Run until your little feet land on joy and freedom
There are ancestors that stand behind you and a crown on your head
Keep that smile on your mouth and live in black boy magic instead.
Shadenia Davis is an Actress, playwright, Director, and self-published spoken word artist. Born in The Bronx, New York A protégé of Rev Rhonda McKlain-Nur and Tony award-winner George Faison–
Her powerful and thought-provoking pieces have been performed at a multitude of prestigious venues including The United Nations and The Apollo. Her poetry has been featured in NYFW, Detroit Black Film festival, and the 2019 Nike and LeBron Jame16 x HFR NTWRK. Her collection of poetry, song, and monologues are included in her book Child of The Ghetto available on Amazon/Shadeniasivad.com.
Infused with a love of hip hop combined with social justice, Shadenia’s profound performances, wordcraft, intense delivery, and depth of feeling and perception will leave you shaken, stirred, and wanting more. Social handles: Shadeniasivad.com IG @shadeniasivad