If I Were Beautiful

If I were beautiful

My hair would be silky straight and all the tingles would brush away

It would blow in the breeze like an amber wave of gain.

He’d run his fingers through it and say

I love you, and I’d whisper I love you too

 

If I were beautiful

My eyes would capture the clear blue sky

And he’d watch as the clouds swirled around in them

Like loaded stars

And he’d say I love you, and I’d whisper

I love you too.

 

If I were beautiful

My skin would be white as snow

Like a porcelain China doll

And he’d crease my arm and say

I love you, and I’d whisper

I love you too.

 

If I were beautiful

My stomach would be as flat as the surface I’ve written these words on

He’d put his arms around my narrow waist and say

I love you, and I’d whisper

I love you too.

If I were beautiful

My words would flow as sweet as honey

His ears would savor the sound of my voice, and he’d say

I love you, and I’d whisper

I love you too.

 

If I were beautiful

My lips would be plumped cherries

Tender and red

And he’d taste their sweet, beauty, and say

I love you, and I’d whisper

I love you too.

 

Disgusted with the image before me I hide in the tallest tower

Just beyond society’s eye

And sit in the shadow and wonder God Why

What happen to beautiful black me?

And he’d scream through my window

I love you

And though society has my mouth gaged

I scream I love you too.