I can remember wishing I had lighter skin

Ashamed that my melanin didn’t fit in

Her

Ivory skin

Tulip lips

Seafoam eyes stared at me

My

Honey skin

Chocolate lips

Cinnamon eyes crinkled with a smile

Society often throws shade

Highlighting the lighter race

Women of color

Ashamed

Comparing their face

Their race

Their PLACE

 

Wisdom hit me

Just as quick as puberty

Beauty bloomed inside me

And I outgrew a childish view

 

Of Comparisons

To you

And you

And YOU

 

Her

In the mirror

She has just as much value

Don’t let the mass media brainwash you

 

He

The first time

A boy told me

Darkness

MY darkness

Was in fact

Beautiful

Those close to me

Helped me reach love

For my ethnicity

For my skin color

And confidence

Listen now

Outside influences work to shape

How we view ourselves

Trying to lower our wealth

 

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

YOU ARE WORTH IT

YOU DESERVE IT

In case you haven't heard

IT IS YOU

YOU SET THE STANDARD