When I think about myself

When I think about myself
I almost cried myself to sleep
My life has been one hell of a great big pain
A struggle of claws
A walk that crawled

Back in the days, the world of the 50's
Working for the whites in their houses
Slavering and slaying in the kitchen
For madam's children
Doing everything they ask for work's sake
Too poor to leave
Too poor to break

My parents never lived long enough to tell their tale
Although they were dumb, they never wanted to see me fail
A voice that spoke
A hand that wrote

My kids laugh at me until they choke
When I tell my tale
Although the tears I weep reveal my pain
I still cry until my heart breaks
When I think of myself