I'm Sorry

I'm sorry I'm not the man you want me to be,

but you see - I can only be me.

I'm not like any other, ordinary brotha'

Strong-willed, intelligent and skilled, like no other.

If your looking for a thug, to deal drugs on the block,

I'm sorry but your looking for the man that I'm not.

I'm sorry because sometimes I fall short,

I make mistakes, and sometimes plead guilty in God's court.

But the fact of the matter is I learn from my mistakes,

The ceilings I will shatter as I take my stake.

Success is not easy, but a challenge - so I work hard,

I'm sorry its not easy, and sometimes I'm sub-par.

I'm sorry for the fact that I share the curse,

Saggy jeans, and my hat turned back in reverse.

I can't be educated or a role-model - one day I'll fall,

I must sell drugs, have a child, and play basketball.

Dr. MLK shared his dream, but I'm still only a color,

Again, I am sorry that to you , I look like all the others.

I feel sorry for you, for your past and disgrace,

that you disdain my people, as we embrace our race.

Being bough and sold, hung from trees like its leaves,

once three-fifths a man and still you don't see.

I understand that many are to naive,

And I'm sorry for those that don't believe that I'll achieve.

I am NOT sorry for the man that I have become,

standing on my own two feet, inferior to none.

Humble yet ambitious - so much to attain,

God fearing but king of my own domain.

I am proud of my past and waiting to see what the future brings,

I repeat, I am not sorry of what I turned out to be.