The Psalm Review

Kiara Lee, PhD

When people want to steal your ideas, steal your soul and disguise it all in plain sight.

You’re so smart and you’re so brave 

But I’m threatened by you and 

I’m afraid 

I’m afraid of who you are and  

Who you’re gonna be 

Because I know deep down that you’re smarter than me 

And I know deep down that you work 10 times harder than me 

Bet you’ll never get farther than me 

But it’s not what you think 

Your ideas are bold and brazen 

I am intrigued 

I’m amazed and 

I want to pick your brain 

I can’t stand you but I love what you have to say 

But I can stand you enough to take your thoughts as my own 

Don’t tell nobody though because 

My privilege can’t afford for me to 

Have my cover blown 

But it’s not what you think 

Let’s face it 

Your work would sound so much better coming from me 

So would your achievements, your dreams and all those damn degrees

Shit I can’t say that 

I can’t say such things 

*That* wasn’t me 

Some words I just can’t afford 

But yours?

If I say your words I know they’d pay me more 

More than they’re paying you 

But it’s not what you think 

Exploit or be exploited 

Every dollar every cent 

Makes perfect sense 

To me

But you don’t know that 

That wool is thick over your eyes 

You don’t really see what you’re seeing 

Delusions, your vision, your dreams 

Pull up your boot straps

Keep dreaming and

Me?

I’ll just keep scheming 

While your eyes are wide shut 

I don’t give a fuck

But I care so much 

You don’t know what you’re seeing 

Keep dreaming 

Wake up 

Hey girl hey

Run girl run

Bet you’ll never get farther than me 

Miles apart 

You’ll never ever beat a 400 year head start 

Don’t tell nobody though 

My name is Kiara and I’m a writer, an assistant professor teaching writing and a communication consultant at my consultancy, The House of Psalm. I’m passionate about education and writing; I’m even more passionate about using writing to spark conversations on the lessons that aren’t in the textbook here at The Psalm Review. Much of my work is named after my beloved daughter, Psalm.

IG @kiaraleewrites @thehouseofpsalm