Black Woman

Don’t knock at my door, little child, 

I cannot let you in, 

You know not what a world this is 

Of cruelty and sin. 

Wait in the still eternity 

Until I come to you, 

The world is cruel, cruel, child, 

I cannot let you in! 

Don’t knock at my heart, little one, 

I cannot bear the pain 

Of turning deaf-ear to your call 

Time and time again! 

You do not know the monster men 

Inhabiting the earth, 

Be still, be still, my precious child, 

I must not give you birth!

Georgia Douglas Johnson