Don't Get The Wrong Idea

don’t get the wrong idea
when you read the words I write
and listen with attentive ears
to the words I speak

just because you saw me dancing in the street
and celebrating for days on end
when I heard that afros
black panther tee shirts
and berets are back in style
I have no plans to burn down your houses
your cathedrals
your temples
your mosques

if I happen to ask your daughter to a movie
or find the house at the end of your block
quite attractive
there’s no need to call in the national guard
sign petitions
or rush to the pharmacy for an immediate refill of tranquilizers

I am celebrating who I am
where I came from
thanking my God every day
that He chose me to be
black
and you
whatever you happen to be

in fact
I invite you to celebrate with me

and if you teach my children the catechism
the Torah
and the Quran

if you teach my children your holocausts and holy wars
I will gladly sit you down
and tell you all about how I came to be
why I say what I say
think like I think
feel like I feel
and we will finally understand each other

but until then
don't get the wrong idea