It’s week 5 already of Poem Of The Week and this time we have Black Men Should Wear Colour by Jenny Mitchell who says, ‘It was written for my brother and all the black men who are judged and often hurt by ignorance and prejudice.’
Black Men Should Wear Colour
I mean an orange coat,
sunlight dripping down the sleeves.
A yellow shirt to clash with bright blue trousers –
taking inspiration from the most translucent sea.
Pink leather shoes. Fuchsias might be best
to contrast with brown skin.
Red socks should add some warmth,
so long as they’re the only flames to ever touch your feet.
A tie could be mistaken for a noose,
unless you choose a rainbow swirling on your chest.
It will help to show the heart
has all the colours in the world.
Walk down any street with head held high.
I will wave my colours back and we’ll both be safe.
This poem is published in Jenny’s debut collection, Her Lost Language (Indigo Dreams Publishing), and is joint winner of the Geoff Stevens Memorial Poetry Prize. More details available here: Jenny Mitchell - Indigo Dreams.