Words On Skin

I never truly understood, the power within the color of my skin

I took it for granted

Never truly understanding the different hues of earthy browns, and subtle golds

Shades of pinks and peachy rose

I always lived with my skin, but never for it

Wishing I was any color fairer or brighter

Wishing I could scrub the pigment away,

Like how my ancestors used to wash off the dirt from a long summers day

I truly never understood the magic within the pigment of my skin

Nor the history hidden within

As if each layer, a reminder of my past

Of the honor it is to be different shades of brown and black

As a reminder of my mother's journey to America

And a reminder of the privilege and respect of my people

I never truly understood,

but now I do

I do see the beauty within the different shades and hues

~ The color of my skin