Brown Skinned Beauty
By Penelope, 17, Illinois
Love and kindness welcomed me
with wide-tooth combs and rosemary
Love and affection surrounded me
with sweet R&B and smells of honey
I climbed into the chair as if it was a gift
Surrounded by detanglers, my heritages’ sweet gift
Parting my hair with tender care
Washing my struggles and despair
Love and kindness poured into me
with cocoa butter skin and sweet iced tea
Love and affection guarded me
from the ignorance and anxiety
Cornrow smiles and a childs’ laughter
My hair is thick, just like my skin
4c hair is unique, I begin to prosper
I now believe I’m beautiful, out and within
This poem was inspired by my first experience getting my hair braided. The loving and kind nature of the hairstylist was fulfilling, and I’ve carried that with me ever since. From a young age, I’ve been told that my hair is unprofessional and “too thick”. That experience helped me embrace my heritage and love my natural 4c hair!
