The Black Boy's Prayer

After flourish Joshua.

Via the conduits of the scriptures, I affirm

           I will not wilt into a fallen flower of

Despair and that my steps will forever be

      Glossed with grace.

         I will wait,

Wait until I get serenaded by the lord’s light

And that for every tune my body plays,

There will be a symphony of melody

   To back it up

& that when you seek to find me, I shall

      Be like the trail of sweet nectar found

      In the underside of a lily that seeks

    For everything to water it.

I shall hoist a placard, placards of hope in the

   Universe & wait that it brings good tidings

    To the tip of my tongue that has endlessly

Roared to heaven for just a palette of grace. 

Dear Creator,

         Paint me . Paint me like an artist would

   On his best canvas and seek to create glory

From the skin of this black boy who refuses

          To be muffled in a silhouette of guilt.

Adonai, keep me like the finest

            Wine at the wedding in Canaan;

      And let the taste of My words be strong

   Enough to save My body from orchestrating

Into chaos

Keep me where the brunt of the sun is mild

      And cause not the wolves

In sheep’s clothing make fun of the one sin

      That easily besets me —

Being a random black boy who prays that nothing

   New dies inside of him tonight

©Amoye Favour.