I've left traces of melanin every place I've been

I've let dark pigments drip from my skin...

Painting the world with beauty again.

See I was trained to think this was my biggest fault

But I learned that I was wrong when I was thrown in the lions pit called the world

Society viciously biting at this African American girl

But they never realized that this skin compared to concrete could ricochet lead bullets that's spit from every mouth that wasn't my own

Darkest matter pretending to be invisible, but this color can never be gone.

Wishing that God used a clear color pencil when he colored my soul

But this soul ignites the flame of every African Amercian man

Burining colorful flames until my opinion of this shell could change.

I cannot relax!

 

Perception of a housewife is expected to be displayed

But I bleed with a minorities rage and refuse to be subjected to the same interpretation

Domestic subjugation will not be my destination

 

Faced drenched in war paint, concealing my insecurities

Just a little more foundation, to magnify my purity.

Accessorize with just a little too much jewelry

But I will not let this expectation make a fool of me.

 

 

But this skin of mine compares to caramel rain

A prepossessing downfall, in the best way.

A crooked smile stretched across my face.

Two chipped teeth and still won't get braces

Because all of my imperfections are amazing

And though I'm not perfect, I still go to my lyrical sanctuary to face them.

And still with all of this...

I remain flawless.