I dig you!
Like the impassioned hands of a gard’ner
surrendering to the earth.
I fuxs with you!
Like, the sugary, spicy blend of nutmeg and brown sugar in sweet potato pie
Like, the buttery noodles wrapped in a soulful
hug of perfectly blended cheeses
The first dishes to disappear at a Black family cookout.
We real cool!
Like the richly decadent flavor of the dark
chocolate ice cream
hugging the edge of your butterscotch-stained
plump lips.
Trust me baby.
Like how the agile circus performer
whose every movement embodies poetry,
trusts their trapeze to bring them safely to
the waiting arms of their partner.
Wholeheartedly & without fear
I luv you.
With every fiber in my earth-colored body.
With every deep breath,
every exhale,
& every sigh.
Don’t hurt nobody!
With your intellect,
so sharp you could cut down a room,
with one word.
With your beauty so fierce that you could
turn the most fearsome lion tamed.
With your strength,
sometimes loud and sometimes quiet.
Never aggressive but consistently strong.
Go on, wit’cho bad self!
Don’t let those who seek to destroy you
steal your light.
Let your essence shine through
your cocoa butter skin,
Blinding those who wish to diminish
& claim you as inhuman.
You go, girl!
Ambitious girl!
Beautiful girl!
Strong girl!
Black girl! •
