Who Is To Say Poem by Sunitria Couser

Who is to say
That i'm am not beautiful
That because i'm of a thicker nature
then the movie stars, models, and singers
that because a zero comes after a two
I'm not wanted or imagined beautiful

Who is to say
That because i smile each day
that i'm really happy in that way
Just look deeper inside
You'll see my problems arise
You'll see i cry inside

Who is to say
that because i'm po'r
(you see i can't even afford the extra O)
that i'm not worth the time of day
to save
from the rising waters of life

Who is to say
that because they hide
that rascism doesn't resides
in this country on this world
that each day i breath i'm slapped
with the reality of it all
that yes it still lives in their hearts

Who is to say
these things aren't the truth
that these evils still walk the streets
that because of who i am
what i say the color or sexual gender of mines
that the next homicide won't be mines
So i must make a choice to fight or to lay down and die
I must fight we must fight the evil that resides within