A Black Monster with Human Emotions

They don’t see the tears behind my eyes, only the shadow I cast.
They don’t hear the break in my voice, only the weight of my footsteps.
To them, I am a threat before I am a thought.
A mask stitched by history, painted by fear.

But even monsters bleed.
Even monsters laugh.
Even monsters dream of being seen.

I am not the story told about me.
I am the emotion you refuse to feel.