SKIN: NOUN1. Sensitive. DrySee Dove soap, Oil of Olay, shea butter.See middle school pimples plumping up the night before picture day.Always on the chin or nose.
2. Dark. See Slave. See Negro.See age 7. See yourselfplaying on the playgroundwhen a white girl says,you must eat a lot of chocolatesince your skin so brown.
HAIR: NOUN1. See assimilation.See smoke from the hot comb crocheting the air,burning a sacred incense.See your momma parting your hair, brining iron to nap,“Hold your ear baby,” she tells you.So she can press Africa out.When Black girls ask, “Is it real?” Say yes.When white girls ask, “Can I touch it?” Say no.
2. See natural. Reference Angela Davis,Dorothy Pitman Hughes.Comb yours out. Twist yours like black licorice,like the lynching ropeused on your ancestors’ necks.Let it hangfree.
HIPS: NOUN1. Reference Lucille Clifton and every other big girlwho knows how to work a Hula-Hoop.See Beyoncé. Dance like her in the mirror.Do not be afraid of all your powers.
2. You will not fit inmost places. Do notbend, squeeze, contort yourself.Be big, brown girl.Big wide smile.Big wild hair.Big wondrous hips.Brown girl, be.