To Be Loved in Full
“i don’t usually date darkskin girls but”
sends me into a frantic panic i long to sever the ties i have to my identity in one large snip a big chop or a heavy handed scrub with the sponge my Grandma used for deep rooted stains
just a buff and polish and i’ll be enough to love in full
to be loved in small pieces is
“you’re pretty for a darkskin girl”
only behind closed doors and subtweets my blackness is admired cherished and respected
in the light i am only cornrows, full lips, and ebonics to be juiced of all ‘desirable’ qualities by those who add the beverage to their morning routine with their flat tummy tea but what’s left? a woman in fear — crippled by both her identity and the loss of it?
“you’re dark af. you should be thankful i’m still here”
straight lace front wigs and foundation 2 shades 2 light give me a taste of the promised land a land of compliment without an asterisk
the next time i visit i’ll dig myself in the ground pat the dirt across my body maybe they won’t notice i’m not one of them and i’ll get to stay
_______________________
Nia Simone McLeod is a writer, content creator, and pop culture enthusiast from Richmond, Virginia. Follow her on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram for more dope digital content.
