The Words of a Little Black Country Girl
by
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Someone asked
Why “The Words of a Little
don’t you think that sounds demeaning?
So I told him,
maybe by representing who I really am,
I’ll change somebody’s thinking.
I don’t find any thing negative about
my southern roots. I like my accent,
my values, my style and palette for greasy foods.
I know that I am capable of more than
pregnancy and housekeeping.
Some little girl in some small town or big city
needs to know that she is not inferior to anyone.
And that she can grow up to be anything.
Even if no one around her has ever done so.
So what if she’s never known a lawyer,
she can still study to become one.
I want that misinformed individual
to know that intelligence is not based on race or geography.
And I want that city kid to realize that success
and prosperity are universal opportunities.
So maybe someone will see this title
and think that I’m being mean
and read it just to be nosey.
Or someone else will identify with it
and feel obligated to read.
In either case both individuals have an opportunity
To see the world through the eyes of someone else
and possibly learn something.
I am a little, black, country girl.
Beautiful, successful and growing.
So why should I be ashamed of anyone else knowing?
Please Stand
My brothers, my sisters,
Get up.
Arise.
Take those shackles off your feet
And wipe those tears from your eyes.
For with the sun comes the promise
That a new day shall arise.
Release the legacy of bondage,
Self-destruction,
And demise.
Hold on to the thought, “And Still I Rise.”
Lay down the sword of greed and shame.
Know that who you are
Is not defined by color nor name.
Be you Jaquan, John, Jhenequa or Jane.
It’s time to get up. It’s time to live sane.
Throw away the needles of hate.
Stand up and control your own fate.
Stop purchasing identities
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About the Book
Emerging poet and author Shayla Herndon makes her debut into the literary community with a soulful collection of poetry that openly examines the experiences of life, love and spiritual growth. Having spent more than half of her lifetime exploring and developing her passion for writing this collection documents the writer’s passage from a little girl to a young, black, beautiful, powerful woman and writer.
About the Author
Shayla MyCale Herndon, raised in
As a fifth grader, she discovered her desire to become a writer. And over the course of the next two decades, Shayla and her passion for writing have grown and she now focuses on establishing a career as a contributor to African American literature and culture.