By LaKesha Smith
Ebony Expressions
Often people ask why I act the way I do.
One minute I am happy,
The next it appears as if I'm sad and blue.
People often want to judge me by the things I do,
And the way I act.
I just laugh at the ignorance and don't look back.
I realize I can only be me,
Goofy, loud, friendly, even flirty.
And no matter what happens in my life,
By being me, I am truly happy.
I've tried being someone else,
To hide behind a mask.
And when folks ask me, "Why?"
I say, "Don't even ask."
'Cause no matter what I say, or how I act,
And things that come to pass,
I still feel that I carry myself with the utmost class.
A lot of times I ask, "Why are people worried about me?"
Am I somebody they want to be?
Are they consumed with jealousy?
'Cause see, I am beautiful,
Inside and out.
And no matter what you silly people do,
You cannot take that away from me.
So what do I say to those busy-bodies
on the daily basis that I meet?
I simply reply, "You gotta be you, baby loves,
And I gots to be me."
And the f*ck if you like it,
Because through expressing me,
I am eternally happy with the woman I've grown to be.
LaKesha Smith is a junior majoring in criminology.
E-mail LaKesha