Dark Skin Blues

Black is beautiful

The pigment of my people as explicitly seen 

Glistening on my skin under the glowing sun 

That printed the color deeper into my skin 

The shimmer attesting to my heritage 

Feeding my desire to break free 

To rip me apart from me 

To tear away the evidence of ugliness 

That was splashed all over my skin 

Tainted,dirty and black 

Exaggerated by mother's local simsim bathing oil 

Evidence to yet the ignorance of my people 

 Yesterday,that charming man said to me;

 "You are pretty for a dark-skinned girl" 

I was enthralled..... 

At least,someone paid me a pleasant hateful compliment 

Usually i am just that black girl 

Ugly to the core 

But that light skinned girl, Oh boy! 

The true definition of an African beauty 

Oh! I am African,alright? 

But my skin is a shade darker than hers 

The melanin of my skin is my shadow 

Lurking around me 

Haunting every inch of me 

My color needed healing 

Only I didn't know how 

And God wasn't helping either 

The thing is!! 

My dark-skinned brother was supposedly; 

An Adonis soaked in chocolate fudge 

But I was different.you see? 

Just like my black ancestral gods 

From the people of the not-promised land 

So I got bundled up in hatred 

My face was adorned in smiles 

But I secretly bred contempt 

My heart became envy's nest  

Poisoning me with bitterness 

Bottling me up in self loathing 

Till I flirted with my imperfections 

They drew me closer  

Teaching me to embrace me 

Revealing my beauteous color,culture,people and heritage 

That was hidden under stereotypical buffoonery 

It doesn’t matter what color I am

I am who I am

And I won’t let the clichéd whispers of society

Fade the beauty that overwhelms me

Author's Note

Colorism is one of those foul things that is common among black/African people.....the belief the dark sknned girls are not pretty...Oh,in my culture,sim sim oil is used to bath new born babies...it makes them smoother and they grow up with really soft skin but there is also that belief that it makes skin darker...nevertheless,its a beautiful culture

Reviews

[Érenn]

I can feel the frustration and hatred and to a certain extent the sadness for all the times this discrimination has taken place with not only you but I am sure countless others as well. Very raw, very powerful and very gut wrenching. I cannot even imagine what you go through, or I am lying to myself otherwise. The write is about snapping at these people, but the verses in the end though, are about the acceptance and taking pride for being yourself and loving yourself ^^ Thank you for sharing ^^

[Mary Helda]

Thank you darling,for reading and the great review:-)

[θεά]

Superlative writing! Way up there with feminist writing of Angelou, bel Hooks, Alice Walker and the likes. How true we are a fallen race for making skin color a criterion for difference. The 'Other' is a powerful category to segregate and to dominate, to subjugate and hegemonize. But till the lion learns to speak for itself, history will always be written from the perspective of the hunter and it is important to change that. To take the cudgels of retelling tbe past and present in one's own voice. Unabashedly. Unapologetically. Uninhibitedly. For that I say, you shine woman. You dare to shine. Beautiful piece of work, Mary. Just like yourself.

[alanwgraham]

Well done and very brave of you for tackling this very difficult topic. Of course there are many types of difference in appearance and behaviour that lead to prejudice but skin colour is one we cannot escape. Thanks again for your insight!
Alan

[Mary Helda]

thank you kind sir

[Nisreen]

A very impressive piece
your voice is so strong
and i agree with your message

so well done

[Mary Helda]

thank you so much :-)

[Wolf_Lord]

Wow... Your style has really improved in this one... I can find no fault, or at least no glaring ones...Lol. On the personal level I will tell you two things. One: You are absolutely stunning. This comes from a happily married man so I have no ulterior motive to tell you that. Second... short story. There was this African man (very dark skinned) who lived in my bldg and he was so interesting and had such an interesting life. Being a writer and the person I am, I wanted to hear his experiences. The problem was, I was considered white by him. Lol. I am at least 7 different nationalities that I know of, a true American mutt. He had been treated badly though by the white community and basically he was predigest against whites. Finally in frustration I shouted at him. "If God doesn't notice the difference between us; then why the hell should I?" He looked startled, and then laughed, and invited me in. We were to be friends for years until he finally passed away. I learned so much about culture and the things he had actually gone through that you only read about in the history books... But he had actually witnessed it. It was an eye opening experience. Anthony Wolf ,'', ^@@ ,'', and by the way... not only are you my friend; you were actually my first friend on this site.

[Mary Helda]

ohhhh hahahahaha,,you finally did win him over, i am sorry that he passed away
and thank you so much, it meant so much to me to hear that,i am grateful. it still bothers me why small things like race,color etcetera should matter. I am happy to know that i was your first friend here:-)

[Wolf_Lord]

Lol... My parents brought me up colorblind... My best frns were from all over the world, but that is how Albuquerque is. We call it the melting pot. This stood me in good stead when I was younger and I hitch-hiked across the USA. I lived in a 100 cities, and rural environments and fit in wherever I went. I deplore prejudice in any form and judge people entirely on their own merit. I am happy being this way. Anthony Wolf ,'', ^@@^ ,'',

[Mary Helda]

Wow,that's amazing...you are a wonderful person, its not everyday that I find someone like you,I wish everyone saw life in your point of view

[Wolf_Lord]

It would make everyone happier... Prejudice and Bigotry are just hate... Hate releases enzymes that are detrimental to your health. A lot of peoples sickness is related to this. I feel the same about religion. Everyone has the right to believe what they believe. There is a new trend starting of people who realize this. One day perhaps there will be a United Church where scholars from all religions can coexist and have access to each others knowledge. I hope to see that in my lifetime. So really, I am not unique... There are a lot of people who think as I do; it is just that there has been no official gathering of declaration. What is important, is that we teach the children. Perhaps there will come a day when race, color, religion will mean no more than the color of your eyes, or hair. I would love to see that day but doubt it will be in this lifetime. Anthony Wolf ,'', ^@@^ ,'',

[B. Boileau]

True beauty comes from within, and your message is sadly a common truth it seems everywhere to some degree. I could say I'm proud I've rised my sons as I was rised to be color blind, but proud would not be correct, as it should'nt be needed. A better dream would be as you put it... "We are one, We are united" perhaps, someday that dream will come true.

I enjoyed this free verse, you have a powerful pen. I wish you did'nt have this subject to write about.

[Mary Helda]

i wish i didnt have to write about it too but sadly some inhumane things just keep happening
thank you

[E G TEN]

Hello Miss Mary, a bold statement with pride, my daughter is in third grade, and she starts to asked
Me questions similar to the topic that you tackled in this wonderful piece. Most of the time I just tell
Her that no matter what you are beautiful to me, and you should never forget that, and then she
Just give me a big smile. This is an inspiring write which holds values and the truth. Thanks for
sharing EG.

[Mary Helda]

i am glad it inspired you. thank you so much..

[Coyote Poetry]

True beauty is what we do and say.
Till I flirted with my imperfections
They drew me closer
"Teaching me to embrace me
Revealing my beateous color,culture,people and heritage
That was hidden under stereotypical buffoonery
Whether dark,yellow,light,copper
We are one
We are a united people"
I agree with your above lines. We need to see a person and rate them by their deeds and actions. Not color of skin or religion. Thank you dear Poet for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Mary Helda]

thank you my dear friend

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome. A outstanding poem.

[Riley McKinney]

I am in awe at the your beautiful words. The last four stanzas were my favorite. Your control over words is enviable and I thank you for sharing this with us!

[Mary Helda]

thank you so much. you are so kind

[richieb]

Mary Helda, I feel the pain and frustration in your words. I can say a lot about this but the best way to put is I have learned to see Jesus in other people. I look into their eyes and see what truly does make us all the same. Understanding that we are all created by the same God breaks down all walls for me. Seeking a relationship with the Father and asking for His Wisdom allows me to see you as my beautiful sister. I am Blessed to have met you. Peace and Prayers, Richie B.

[Mary Helda]

I am blessed to have met you too. you are right, the love of God makes us see things in the best way possible. there is no better cure for humanity than that. thank you so much

[Krizito]

I don't believe in imperfections, I trust in ME. I don't believe in colours and neither trust hues..I love Beauty in all I can see.

[Mary Helda]

well my dear, i believe in imperfections. no one is perfect but i also "love beauty in all i can see"
thanks my friend