YOUTH

Mr. Africa Poetry Lounge!

Beloved, do not warn me
   Of birds too highly flown;
Your word is not enough for
       me--
   I must have my own.

I was young and did not know
   Anything could hurt me so.

I was gay, and failed to see
   What there was to torture me.

I may be destroyed, but I
Shall not let this life go by.

(No, no!-destroy these tales
   Of birds too highly flown.
Your word is not enough for
       me-
   I must have my own!)

Written by James Baldwin (1924-1987)

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