Look Up

Walked in
feeling like the king I am
pants up
hair cut
snackish even
looking for a lil' something
to fill my gut
..til dinner

As I make my way
down the center aisle
I feel a disturbance in the force
and that familiar voice
in the back of my head
speak loud as it said:
LOOK UP

so I did

just to see
A pair of suspicious eyes
scopin' jockin'
watchin' me
as if I was a horse in a glue factory
Please

Ain't none of these dollar chips and expired cans
worth my freedom or self- respect
my age and nationality make me a prime suspect
since when did thief become synonomous with black?
since when did black become a wide target on my back?

We make eye contact
he tries to play the role of not concerned
all merchandise in my arms will be returned
to the dusty
to the overpriced
shelf for which it came

Im not playing this game

I flash a gentle smile
just to acknowledge the fact
that I was a man just as he
maybe even more so
and even though we were standing just a stone's throw away
it wouldn't take but a min for me to rush him
for treating me this way

but I smile again
and turn towards the door
making it the last time
I ever visit that store.