Anthem

I am

I am me

And no one else is allowed to be me

They can’t see what I see

They can’t feel what I feel

And I am proud

Proud to be me

I am not arrogant

Because I know that I am not better than others

Just different

Unique

I think

I dream

I fear

I love

I hate

And I cry

And each feeling that I feel

Is mine alone

Things touch me

Like they touch no one else

And I touch others

As no one else can

What others feel toward me

Good or bad

Are their own feelings

And I will not let them change me

In any way

Because if they change me

I will be someone else

And not me

And me is all I want to be

For no one else is allowed to be me

And me is a fine thing to be.

-T. Michael Pender

-Anthem is featured in COLORS... In Black And White

Superman

Clark Kent left Metropolis

In a cloud of defeat and shame

The red cape has been retired

Its purpose ended, its meaning obsolete

All the heroes of my childhood days

Have faded into my childhood memories

Their cause exhausted

Their importance diminished

For as I draw dangerously close to manhood

I find I have new ideas

New ideals

New heroes

My Superman has slightly graying hair

And his skin of steel

Sags a little in the middle

He is not superhuman

But his strength and character

Make him so to me

For just as young boys

Dream of leaping tall buildings

And racing locomotives

I hope someday

To be just like my Dad.

-T. Michael Pender

-Superman is featured in COLORS... In Black And White

Wings

All my life I have known

That I am an angel

Chained to the world

Stranded without my wings

All my life I have searched

For the elusive spirit

Who possesses my own

Set of wings inside her heart

One day she will free me

As I know I can release her

With the pair of wings I keep

Inside my beating heart.

-T. Michael Pender

-Wings is featured in COLORS... In Black And White

Mahogany Satin

Stereotypes are dangerous creatures

Which I disbelieve on sight

I do not see society as one

Cold thing, but as

A collection of unique

Individual

Souls

I trust my experience

And find along the way

That stereotypes

Are not to be trusted

But . . .

A few of these stealth beasts have

Crossed the line of Proof, and

Have rested in my heart

Under a warm blanket

Of evidence:

The darker berries do have

The sweetest juices, and finding

That succulent warm center is so

Intoxicating

Once you go black

You never ever want

To go back

Because in ebony forests

Hide the brightest lights

And the warmest embraces

Don’t misunderstand me

Lighter structures are creations

Of God, and respect is due

But we must follow our bliss

And the Bliss that calls to

Me is behind midnight eyes

Darker thighs

And café au lait, cocoa, coffee

And sweet chocolate skin

Such miracles

Are not intimidated by Life

And do not suppress their fires

Passion is stoked without pause

In these natural furnaces

That cause me to yearn

The bad news is: When they fight

You best bring your armor

The good news is: Everything! Especially

When it is time for that Passion

To turn and surround your body

With heat and emotion

You never have to wonder what is

On your lady’s mind

When every thought is in her eyes

And on her tongue

If you are wrong

You will be informed

But if you are right

You will never be denied

And if you are really right

You will be allowed into Heaven

Where your name is cried out

Your fantasies are reborn

And lovely sweat beads out upon

God’s finest mahogany satin

No feline ever purred as the

Music you hear coming from

Satisfied sisters

And these songs

I refuse to walk away from

I never looked so good or felt

So fine

As when deep and bright hips

Fingers

And thighs intertwine

When interracial gels combine

And I am kissing those tender black lips . . .

All six . . .

Creating an array of color, forming

A singular sensual perfection

It’s safe to say that my prize

Can only be won

By richer tones

And bolder, barer hearts.

-T. Michael Pender

-Mahagony Satin is featured in COLORS... In Black And White

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