My Curly Hair Defines Me

My curly hair defines me.

From it's roots

It's my roots, my truth, the way I see.

I don't hide. It's just me,

Taking shade under these Weeping Willow trees.

Mother, father, this and that, white and black,

My daughter. My son. Johnson.

Baldwin, Malcolm, The Great Marguerite Annie,

It's Maya Angelou to you.

Martin, Cecil, Medgar Evers, and Langston Hughes' music tunes,

Notes infused

The way I groove,

All instilled from youth,

Don't worry about the creams I use.

Certainly doesn't begin with Granny's tomb;

But further back,

"Is your magic strong enough to cross this water?"

She reaches out to Common.

Words that should be uncommon,

"All too common, we'd use this term;

You can take that content and pour it into Bavarian crystal, but it’s still poison."

Yeah, there's a little extra melanin in my skin,

Strands thick as vines, will be some time before my hair runs thin.

Some stiff as pines, you know, that needle-shaped leaf.

Unapologetic, tough, and raw,

My curly hair defines me.

Reviews

[Pete]

we are what we are despite people wanting to change us. this is quite good, i enjoyed it. i pretty much like everything about it. especially the honest thoughts. i like the style very much. "It's my roots, my truth, the way I see. I don't hide. It's just me," - great lines. all-in-all nice write!

[Ty]

Absolutely, "You don't have to change a thing, the world can change it's heart." Certainly appreciate the kind words!

[Nariko]

I like the message that this poem is conveying

[Victoriana]

I find it very strong and honest and soft at the same time as if you are very familiar and close with your identity and take pride in it by expressing it through "curly hair". I find this kind of writing very progressive, eye opening and beautiful. I also love it that you're telling your story as introducing yourself to the world with pride and almost educating the reader, rather than being aggressive or bitter or angry. Actually really nice work!

[Ty]

Absolutely too kind! I certainly appreciate your words. I believe in maintaining positivity and fostering a light hearted atmosphere, always.

[APOORVA]

thats a cute one
an intelligent one too
like it

[Ty]

Ha. I really appreciate that. One of those spare of the moment thoughts.