A good man (poem)
It’s been three days since you walked out that door
But I would swear it seems like three months
I was foolish and I realized it the next morning
When I woke up alone and lost without you
Because on the day you left I let my pride hide the truth
And not admit that I really didn’t want you to go
Knowing I would’ve actually fell to my knees crying
Holding onto your legs as though my life depended on it
They say an independent black woman would never put herself out like that
Never show that she has to beg a man to stay even if she was wrong
I say to hell with them because this woman has to fall from her own pedestal
I must show you that I’m not too proud to beg for a second chance
Ask you for your forgiveness and be in my life once again
I wouldn’t care if my girlfriends say I was weak
I’m acting like a puppy dog without its master
For they don’t know what type of man I let walk out of my life
They have no inclination as to how you made love to me
Taking me to heights unknown, to the wildest of imagination
The way you have me spelling your name as I reach my climax
And after, can do nothing but fall into a deep peaceful sleep
Maybe it was that time in the kitchen that has me so bewildered at this moment
When you came home late and I started an argument just because
And then you wouldn’t let me get another word in before you cornered me
Made me forget what I was mad about and the dinner burned
How you work from morning til night and sometimes on weekends
Making sure I wanted for nothing, I had everything I needed
See I put up this front for my girlfriends had them believing
That I had you whipped, sorrowful without me
They thought you couldn’t breathe had I not given you air
All this I did to make sure no one could look down at me for any reason
Forgetting where we started from and how we got to be where we are now
You being the man you are put up with all my changes and foolishness
I ignored you when you tried to tell me of my destructive path
So now that I see for myself I must break it down, and come back black
Ole skool style, and I’m sure you will understand
I know you’re a good man, a strong black brotha who never once
Forgot how to treat a sista, a Nubian queen in your eyes
Showing a sista that not all black men are dogs, still a few cats left
Now it is my time to show you a strong black sista who’s determined to keep her man
I pawned the diamond bracelets, diamond rings, gold chains and even the pearls
Their value is insignificant compared to what holds more worth to me
Went as far as to cut up the credit cards and cash in on the cd’s and bonds
Closed out the account that you faithfully deposited into every week
Sold those paintings that had no cultural meaning or purpose
I went out, got a second job and stopped by the dealership
Traded in the Bentley for that drop-top candy apple red Rolls Royce
You know the one with the peanut-butter leather and suede interior
With a wood grain steering wheel and twelve inch woolfers
It’s the same one you keep a picture of in your drawer next to the bed
Along with that homemade card I gave you after our first date
Baby I know this can’t make up for all the mistakes I’ve made
But I promise that from everyday here on, I will cherish your love
Never taking you for granted, a good man, my man.