I walk under the emanating golden sun.
No matter where I stand, I try and have fun.
My brown skin glistens, gleams and glamours.
As I ignore the side-eyes, whispers and covert racist banners.
I am seen first as I stand out from the crowd.
Expectations & limits applied to what I am allowed.
But I stand tall, strong, determined, and free.
Even though I am reduced to the most hated debris.
Whether a whisper, a look or a news headline.
I proudly walk with my shining brown skin, my willingness, so fine.
You crudely say what you want.
Calling me: ‘upiddy’, ‘defensive’, ‘angry’ or an instrument that is ‘blunt’.
You thoughtlessly question my citizenship.
To you, it’s a game, a joke, a whip upon whip.
A perfect body is nothing but a myth.
While lies, ego & ignorance can never be a true gift.
Real beauty lies in acceptance which is not always easy.
It’s power, patience and grace never seizes to amaze me.
Like branches and roots, Brown fills the plain and seeks to connect.
Life’s most familial dots from hateful history to the present project.
Slowly but steadily, I walk with beats of patience within.
With valour, deep love and my glistening, gleaming, Brown skin.
