You tell me that my words
these words
black words

offend you
but perhaps they bring fear 
to a faulty comfort zone

and I will not waste time
wondering why
because poetry is. . . an experience

your words,
your existence, 
your experience

and why should mine
be any different

my words,
my existence,
my experience

just me
a black woman
and I thought I was free

just words
and I thought they were free

just writers
and I thought we were free

but apparently
we can't be

so long as it pains you 
to here me . . . read me

while I speak . . . and write
poetically

on being black
and being me

a black woman
and I thought I was free.