I am more than my desire; more than even I aspire to be.
From my defiant crown to my skin of brown
I am magnificently Black and as nappy as I want to be.
My confidence is a malignant cancer on false ideas of self esteem
reminding wannabees of what they once were...
Gods, goddesses and kings,
protected by my crown
from even the blazing sun!
I once won the respect of Asians,
who now sell me hair in indoor flea markets
that prey on what I am told to believe I should be.
But, despite what they might perceive,
I am more than my hair.
Why can't they comprehend this?
I am more than my hair,
and I don't need extensions
Don't give me horse hair.
There is nothing synthetic about me.
I am human.
I feel, I love, I bleed,
I shout, I sing, I cuss,
I eat, I drink, I hurt, I cry,
I fuck, I think, I Love
I am more
than what this shallow
capitalistic world can bag and sell.
My nappiness descends from heaven above.
Human hair? Human Hair? From a real live Asian gal?
Why did you come in here to make me feel down
‘bout my nappy crown? Oh Lord, the despair!
Who done lied and told you we need to cover up our hair?
This Black girl finds no pride in hiding ‘neath a crown of fear!
Besides, I ain't seen no
bald headed Asian gals running around here.
You must be trying to sell me dead locks!
I don't fear my nappiness,
it is you
who fears my dread locks!
Jessica Holter
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-am-more-than-my-hair/
