 And I was still the black girl by Asia Thomas. Confidence in my feet, I pushed through the door of my class. A rhythm in what I prepared to speak just knew what impressed. My courage outweighs intuition. Let me forget the skin in my chest. Forget that with speech, others react. In ways I cannot counteract with the poise of my vernacular. Pre-conceived responses and looks of terror on why I dare to challenge my breath to my own. Forgotten to think ahead to the limits previously set without my own knowing. Forgot about the miles my skin requires to climb and all the friends who will leave me behind. Lost sight of the lone road, people like me are forced upon. Just for all the stragglers to be cut off or cut themselves from the agony of climbing alone. A terror to navigate. The flight between accepted and rejected. Talk too much and receive scorn. Say few and they resent you. Not too much confidence yet they'll be timid. Black girl, get in line. Why you seem so rigid?