They won’t let us
black boys in the woods
We might run too far
might get caught up in a tangle
might get somewhere no one can follow
We got bugaboos and injuns all kinda scary unknowns
Cabin life and familiar beatin’s be much better
Nowadays we don’t know why
But we know they don’t let us
black boys in the woods
Better kept safe without windows
We’re gon’ tunnel ’round under concrete
Officers can run their hands up and down my thighs
and love my brothers the same way
my cousins
my neighbors
my friends
Bridges might collapse
Roads might crumble
There’s no breathing
deep
the way fresh air requires
Big cats
Don’t know fir for Nike
catfish ’til it’s fried
Someone’s taken your land
Someone’s lengthened your legs
and shortened your reach
They won’t let us black boys
in the woods
We’ll refuse
to touch the soil again
-Njoli-
NoPaper 