I am more than my desire; more than even I aspire to be. <br />From my defiant crown to my skin of brown <br />I am magnificently Black and as nappy as I want to be. <br />My confidence is a malignant cancer on false ideas of self esteem <br />reminding wannabees of what they once were... <br /> <br />Gods, goddesses and kings, <br />protected by my crown <br />from even the blazing sun! <br />I once won the respect of Asians, <br />who now sell me hair in indoor flea markets <br />that prey on what I am told to believe I should be. <br />But, despite what they might perceive, <br />I am more than my hair. <br />Why can't they comprehend this? <br />I am more than my hair, <br />and I don't need extensions <br />Don't give me horse hair. <br /> <br />There is nothing synthetic about me. <br />I am human. <br />I feel, I love, I bleed, <br />I shout, I sing, I cuss, <br />I eat, I drink, I hurt, I cry, <br />I fuck, I think, I Love <br />I am more <br />than what this shallow <br />capitalistic world can bag and sell. <br />My nappiness descends from heaven above. <br /> <br />Human hair? Human Hair? From a real live Asian gal? <br />Why did you come in here to make me feel down <br />‘bout my nappy crown? Oh Lord, the despair! <br /> <br />Who done lied and told you we need to cover up our hair? <br />This Black girl finds no pride in hiding ‘neath a crown of fear! <br /> <br />Besides, I ain't seen no <br />bald headed Asian gals running around here. <br />You must be trying to sell me dead locks! <br /> <br />I don't fear my nappiness, <br />it is you <br />who fears my dread locks!<br /><br />Jessica Holter<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-am-more-than-my-hair/
