Remembering

          the flesh

             of

          the flesh

             of

          the flesh

   that still was not mine

       I was property

         I was owned

    by a ruthless tyrant

           who had

     no regard for life

           period.

             And

       as I looked at

           my skin

             of

           my skin

             of

           my skin

             and

           my body

      curves of my hips

      How dare I notice!

        I am different

      I was in search of

        my femininity

         while still

        I discovered

           I liked

        my thick lips

       I saw beauty in

    the spread of my nose

    my coarse nappy hair

   I no longer straighten

       I'm not ashamed

        of my braids

        and my locks

   or my look el Naturale

         My makeup

      is no longer pink

       but a dark plum

with reddish and purple hues

         I'm in love

         I'm in love

         I'm in love

            with

       my Africaness!