Coloring Book

They say never to judge a book by its cover

The contents inside are always worth exploring

Society's views creep in and imagination is shown the way out

We are all one big coloring book, you, see?

Take me, for example,

As a Black woman I know all to well of the different shades of brown that touch every flat and bumpy surface, every curve and twist, every flaw and piece of perfection

Expression is free; however, it might cost you a reader or two

Art floods my melanin body and grabs the attention of many

The colors are vibrant and each tell a different story of how I came to be

Dark spots linger on my cheeks from judging myself

My dark brown freckles huddle around my nose reminding me of my mother's father

Rudolf and I resemble eachother in the winter as my nose pops with red and a hint of pink

My chest is laced with black ink from an impulsive decision only an 18 -year -old could make

A green lion engulfs my forearm roaring like the proud Leo I am

Yellows, reds, blues, purples and the rest of the rainbow have found a home on my inviting light brown skin

There is a lot more space to color in and my story is far from finished

In the summer you can catch me transforming from light brown to caramel with a hint of a yellow undertone

By winter my color has retreated to a pale luminescent glow that only the moon could appreciate

My hair newly dyed luminous blonde and black roots with grey hair sprouting in the most random of spots

My toes are painted a light blue because the sky whispered to me that day

High school sports haunt my knees and legs as the light scars prove that meat was shown and dedication was required

My body is my temple and my very own coloring book

Open up to me and open me up

I promise I am more than my cover

I am worth the read

-J