From when I was young they kept on staring

They stared until they couldn’t hold it,

Then they burst into laughter.

Young ones, even older.

They said I was too dark,

And I listened.

They said dark is ugly,

I still listened.

Dark sinned and insecure,

I became.

They broke my spirit

Because I was listening to their criticism.

Because I gave them a chance to critique.

If only I didn’t listen,

I’d be a different dark sinned woman,

Confident and unafraid.

Proud and happy to be me.

Not too dark and insecure.

Like they said I am.