MY POEM by Nikki Giovanni.

I am 25 years old, black female poet
asking nigger can you kill
if they kill me it won’t stop the revolution.

I have been robbed it looked like
they knew that I was to be hit
they took my TV my two rings
my piece of African print and my two guns
if they take my life it won’t stop the revolution.

My phone is tapped my mail is opened
they’ve caused me to turn on all my friends
and all of my new lovers if I hate all black people
and all Negroes it won’t stop the revolution.

I’m afraid to tell my roommate where I’m going
and scared to tell people if I’m coming
if I sit here for the rest of my life
it won’t stop the revolution.

If I never write another poem of short story
if I flunk out of grad school if my car is reclaimed
and my record player won’t play
and if I never see a peaceful day or do a meaningful black thing
it won’t stop the revolution…

Copyright 1968, by Nikki Giovanni.

Reference:
Nikki Giovanni