For the Month of Black History

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My Black is versatile
Compiled of intelligence- street and smart.
I mastered the art of greeting the wiles of the ignorant ones with a painted smile
From a mouth that has a voice
The eyes that cast Vision
Some see, some don't
Some won't even listen
Meanwhile I glisten
And never let on that it's just nervous sweat on my brow.
But even if you catch on
I'm still worthwhile
My Black is unashamed

Appearance "wild" or "tamed"
Straight hair, permed, curls, or coils
Mousse, gel or coconut oil
HE made me well
And I don't have to tell you that my back is strong
My Black is strong

Whether my mouth be big or my patience be long
I belong!
I matter just how I am
My life deserves to be lived
Free from racism, free from the hate you give
I'm forgiven
Goal driven, surpassing the expectation striven
Masking to make it in the body I'm in
Big or thin, winter dark or summer light skin
My Black is beautiful

It's unusual that I could possibly be useful with my melanin
"Maybe she's enough... she'll do, for a Black girl"
My privilege as a minority will never come close to the rights given to "the most"
But I refuse to submit to the unjust ghost in this UnBlack world.
Black has endured too much to yield to opposition hurled.
I may swirl but I still fight
Because my Black is Beautiful and
My Black has a right!

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