a poetry series

they dropped you in a vat of cocoa the day you were born

submerged your head and blessed you

you came out glistening 

a milk chocolate mess of sweetness

your smile filled with calories 

they’d never regret ingesting

you were perfect

you still are. 

                                   – the birth of excellence 

my love for you was stolen

before it had a chance to blossom 

a bud wilting before its time 

in its place 

planted within my bones

a seed of hate that’d grow

its damage far worse than sticks

or stones. 

one day

you peeled me off

undid my stitches

and tore at my top layer

beneath it I was pink and raw

but my exposure brought no peace

i was no more beautiful to you naked

than I was clothed. 

– taught self-hatred 

when you were young 

they told you true beauty could

not be found in your likeness

you grew up believing that 

your hue was an acquired taste 

like oysters craved by the few

but my dear

your melanin may well be an aphrodisiac

but she was made to bring pleasure to

the masses. 

i am beautiful

say it again

my melanin in my superpower. 

there are scars that I bare 

from where you cut me

permanent lines from where you’d sewn 

‘i’m sorry’

two words I owe myself

‘i’m sorry’

two words I wish I didn’t have to know. 

one day you shall have a likeness

and with pride

cleanse new life in 

the very same cocoa 

you were taught to regret. 

      – to raise one with the love you should have had for yourself

*Sips Tea*

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