Ayei Ibiang
@ayeiibiang080407
1 year ago

SERMON FROM A BLACK PRIEST

How do you preach
the gospel of a "White Jesus" to a Black man?
How do you explain to him
that white and black are just harmless colours?
That it was never in God's intention
for his symbolisms
to put a war between brothers;
That racism is nothing but a needless competition
that leaves its winners with no honours;
That the podium
on which they stand wouldn't guarantee them any wreath,
nor win them any forge of medals

How do you tell him
that the slave trade was all but a lie?
That the colour of his skin was not the root cause of his crime?
That his forefathers
didn't work the mine and cotton fields to
live only to die?

How do you explain the term
"darkness"
without stealing glances at his skin?
How do you rephrase the
"...dark as scarlet",
without making his tone look like the sin?

How do you convince the Black man that all these analogies
weren't intentionally aimed at him?
That these illustrations shouldn't be taken to heart,
but should be puffed out of his lungs in order to
maintain his self-esteem

So how do you convince him
into believing that dirt isn't always black?
That the colour "white" can also be a stain
Yes! How would you
preach your sermon to him Father Clarke?



(Music interlude...)



How would he know the meaning of fairness
when you keep frowning at his shade?
Where lies the love that you've been preaching,
when your tongue cuts clean like a blade?
What is the essence of your message,
when every word you speak cascades?
When every letter soaks up ink
and this negro feels he's blackmailed


You preach to Blacks about forgiveness,
but the Whites
you won't of unity
You say we both are brothers
but we're strangers in community
You said that God's our Father
but we're left out of the family;
The black sheep for the slaughter,
you mob us in your hostility


If indeed we are all one,
why can't we two get to marry?
Why call harmless kids "mullatoes",
why do you call them a hybrid?
Why is there Black church minority
when the preacher is White?
Why is there White church majority
when the preacher ain't Black?


Why does God put on
white robes,
and why does darkness suggest evil?
Why do angels come
as light
and why does black speak of the devil?

Our esteem has now been lowered
- flying at half mast in the fields
They've been gunned down by your bullets,
all your railings caused the spills


We're too scared to fight for Justice
cos you've bribed her with a sword
We lay backstabbed in our closets
when we stand before the court

So what sermon are you preaching,
who are you trying to deceive?
Why do you keep playing the devil
just to ensnare little Eve?

What's the essence of this soutane
when a gun's hid in its sleeve?
What's the fate of Black believers
when they have you as their priest?




***



Written by: Ibiang, Ayei Okoi
Monday, 9th August, 2021.
5:44am
#Aï
#Nirclestories
#Poetry