I position my camera in front of my face

I anticipate the picture I am about to take.

My skin is smooth and brown like the earths rich soil.

My eyes are big and wide, brown as a trees bark.

Full of excitement, adventure, life, hurt, and pain.

My nose is wide and spread,

Like freshly poured crepe batter into a hot pan.

Right below, my petite mouth is nestled.

Made of full, luscious lips,

Pinkish-brown gums,

And 32 pearly, white, perfectly nestled teeth.

My smile, oh my smile, is the highlight of my face.

It makes the sun envious, and

it makes the stars seem as dull as a cloudy sky.

My head is round, with a pointed chin.

Small, but full of knowledge.

My hair is short and nappy,

Not long and flowing like most.

But all of these things make me, me.

The determination in my eyes comes up from my soul.

My shining white smile is symbolic of my spirit.

My dark rich skin, glowing and sparkling in the sunlight.

My short nappy hair, a representation of my culture.

A way to embrace me, without a filter.  

My mouth on the other hand has a filter like no other.

I hold in my thoughts out of fear or being judged,

The fear of being laughed at, or humiliated.

My mind doesn't work like others.

I'm more adventurous, creative, and free-spirited.

I like talking about music and analyzing poems.

I'm curious about the stars, and what's beyond them.

My thoughts turn most away, but they intrigue a few.

Without a filter, my thoughts began to escape.

Piercing the silence like a needle to an ear.

Shouting and yelling for all to hear.

My words touch the soul, have meaning , and depth.

But with a filter none of this can be seen.