Black
berry
original
picking out her clothes
carefully
cos dark may be lovely
but not the thing
not for sistas
brothas maybe
since we still tell ourselves
that dark and male means sex and basketball
Black
berry
sista
carrying a bucket
on her head
tryina balance herself
between a photographer's admiration
and what we tell her she's supposed to look like
Black
berry
just like my mama
under-appreciated
but waits her turn
cos lightskin is fly
but over-exposed
just like the people who set the standards
Black
berry
made history
again
this time for dating her own shade
cos good hair is relative
depending on tribe
while modern day pioneers are the ones who embrace the mirror
Remember that rhyme we used to climb?
What was it again?...
White is bright
Brown stick around
Yellow is the color
Black get back!
Black
and berry
looks silly
under a wig
But that's the price you pay
to be noticed.*
*From my next book, Throw.
1 comment:
I am digging this poem my sista (and brotha). From a backberry-dreadlock sista! Thank you for sharing it! Can't wait to read the book!
Strength, Courage and Wisdom! Angie (www.beadybeadstyle.etsy.com)
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