They say that appearances don't matter
That your heart is the window to your soul
But fairness creams and bleaching soaps
Are all I'm being sold
My innate brownness is a God given curse
The beauty of my ancestors torn away
I must be as pure and white as our colonizers
Their ideals here to stay
I wish I could say that I didn't care
That these narrow beauty standards didn't affect me
Even though they're extremely unfair
But not comparing yourself is rare
Sometimes I catch myself looking in the mirror
Wishing I was a little purer, fairer, clearer
Not dyed the same color as earthy soil
But then I remember
That my melanin is not out to hurt me
Society has turned a gift into a curse
My skin will survive the harsh rays of the sun
While yours peels and burns.
YOU ARE READING
querencia ~ poetry
Poetry"let the moon teach you the art of being a mysterious and beautiful woman" ~ alexandra vasiliu
