Safe As Houses Poem by Silence Dogood

My dad use to tell me that we were safe in our home.
That theres nothing to worry I would never be alone.
Of all the lies that would be his best.
Heart pounding inside my chest.

safe as houses

He always kept a light on so darkness wouldn't win.
Shading me from racism and differences in skin.
Bearing on the shoulders the weight of all our shame.
Worthless and nothing a token to my name.

safe as houses

He said we'd have a future that we would follow our dreams.
But our life was ripped apart torn away at the seams.
They snatched us from our beds brought us to a new place.
Where racism was natural and blacks were a disgrace.

safe as houses

All promises were broken as I was sold at a price.
Just a mere dollar was the cost for my life.
I was told to work hard or dinner wouldn't happen.
It was unlikely a stupid misshappen.

safe as houses

I slept in a bed that I couldn't call my own.
Eating and sleeping in a desolate home.
I was living a life that could never be mine.
Waiting for the moment when I'll get to shine.

safe as houses

I learned the true meaning of the word slave.
A black man just waiting for someone to save.
There wasn't a future for me anymore.
In this black against white war.

safe as houses

All dreams became nightmares unwilling to end.
I sat there and wondered if i'd see my dad again.
The man who once kept a light on for me.
I sat there and wondered when I'd be free.

safe as houses

I guess this is the life that I've been chosen to live.
A black man in a world still unwilling to give.
We've been fighting for freedom for our chosen rights.
We've done nothing wrong, were just not white.

safe as houses

I saw the future but it was already too late.
It would take a miracle to erase all the hate.
It's black against white it's never going to change.
Were both human beings and were all the same.

safe as houses

After a hard days work I lay in my bed.
Thinking maybe just maybe Im better off dead.
I could be with my family, my sister and dad.
Get back all the things I once had.

safe as houses

My dad use to be tell me that we were safe in our home.
He promised me that I'd never be alone.
He'd always keep a light on so darkness wouldn't win.
Shading me from discrimination against our skin.

safe as houses