Why

Why would we be created in a society where we are hated
Why would we be born into a society that leaves us forlorn
Why would we have been brought here when it was known we'd be made to shed tear after tear
Why is it that I am not accepted
Why is it that I am too familiar with how it feels to be rejected
Why are so many people staring at me
Why do I know that I'll never be accepted in this society
Why did I ever think that being thin would be the answer
Why did I ever think that being myself would do
Why did I ever try to even impress you
Why was I made with so many strikes against me
Why was I made when it was known that I'd cry enough to make a sea
Why have I known from an early age that I was born into a dark cave
Why did I know that I would have to be more than the ordinary brave
Why have I set my dreams so high when it seems I have been set up to die
Why did I have such a hard time looking in the mirror and seeing pure beauty
Why did I have such a hard time believing guys when they said I was a cutie
Why is my hair so unacceptable unless it has a trace from some other race
Why is it that I have to be so much better at what I do just to stay in the middle of the crowd
Why is it that I have to be so strong and so loud
Why is it that I have to try to conform if I want to be loved
Why do I feel as if I've been pushed and shoved aside
Why did I used to dream of being someone other than me
Why did I covet my friend's hair
Why did I feel as if I just wanted to take flight and disappear in the air
Why is it that I even cared
Why is it that I've come up with enough strength to dare to live
Why is it that even though I'm beat on every side I still have it in my heart to give
Why is it that even though I've been put down I have kept my head above water and refused to drown
Why do I have the audacity to dream
Why do I have the courage to defy everything that seems to be
Why have I endured and kept my head up for so long
Why is it that despite the war my heart still sings a lovely, lovely song
Why do I believe that in the end I'll be okay
Why do I know that nothing external will matter on judgement day

Tina Williams September 4, 2000