Flyye Sista - an ekphrastic poem

*Inspired by the above artwork (Ekphrasis)

Flyye Sista (Afro)

Check it - Flyye Sista is the name

While I've got your attention - check my mane

Review the hue of an African doo

Trace around my round mound of Blackness

Natural and proud since Jah begat this

Explore and adore the symmetry 

Embrace the grace surrounding my Nubian face

Marvel at my pride displayed on the outside

No need for steamed heat to make my tight coils retreat 

No desire for the chemical fire of lye or no-lye

No care to texturize my hair's natural flair

No weave to deceive

No shame of my mane

No denial of the pure elegance of my breed 

I'm Flyye as am and I dare to look like me

Reminding all who encounter thee

I am beautiful by design is where the Creator and I agree

The world scolded me, told me my hair follicle is diabolical

Said I needed to "run a hot comb across my dome"

Said I needed to "relax and perm to meet society's terms"

Said I needed a "new doo before the job interview"

Said I needed to "blonde it up" like Beyoncé to make a man look my way

Said I needed to "conform to the norms of the West"

Said, "It's what's best"

I replied, Yes

If you are of European descent or mentally bent

Conditioned by an assimilation tradition 

increasing my people's ignorance into perdition

Listen here

To be clear, I am my hair, unlike India.Arie

Because I too am Black, beautiful and bold, naturally

I too am well-rounded, a little rough around the edges, high and mighty

I am poised, regal, full-figured and thick 

I am dark and lovely

I'm Flyye as am and I dare to look like me

Reminding all who encounter thee

I am beautiful by design is where the Creator and I agree

As a matter of fact, get like me

Unshackled

Free...

Tara S. Gause

© 2010. 

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