Written by Chaneen Saliee
They aren’t hard to reach,
is that society needs to re-teach, themselves. Reach deep deep within themselves
that will lead you to help a black mother in need,
Don’t come with mere performative allyship
And when we tell you we’re sick,
Because we’re losing our lives
When for the first times in our lives
We’re truly needed to be alive.
We’re truly seen with eyes of love,
They aren’t hard to reach
You so sure you care, officers?
My son hasn’t done any thing wrong,
Don’t shoot my baby, in front of his mum.
No please put down that gu… 😢
Because even when their baby’s grow up
The stress doesn’t leave.
Will my son survive the streets another day?
Will my daughter give birth and live to see another day?
They aren’t hard to reach,
They come to you in their sleep,
They’re screaming and shouting,
But you cannot hear them speak,
They may say to you, about their dreams,
It’s a straight jacket I’m in
If I fall now, I’ve got no hope
And well, is it even worth it
All I am to you is another BAME,
Tut, I mean another name, in a folder upon a shelf.
I’m pleading with you for a little bit of help.
And so you help - with the best that you have
Awareness with out action
The “I can’t relate,” “I’m uncomfortable,”
It hurts, to feel this way,
It’s black maternal mental health week,
I’m asking you, will you rise up with us and speak?
Chaneen Saliee for Black Maternal Mental Health Week - 2021
