The Skin That I'm In: A Poem
As I began to study the Word I slowly evolved into a strong, confident, woman. This poem is a reflection of my celebration from childhood to adulthood. As stereotypes that were embedded since childhood began to fall away, I learned to appreciate all of creation through the flawless eyes of an Artist.
When the Artist set out to create, more than likely He didn't seek input, but created according to His desire. Have you ever wondered how we can appreciate the beauty and differences in animals; yet, some cannot appreciate the beauty and differences in others.
When I first wrote this poem many years ago I penned it "My Nappy Hair" but then I allowed one of my girlfriends to read it and she felt I was criticizing women for not embracing their natural beauty. I had to correct her and tell her the poem is not so much about "Nappy Hair," per say, but about me learning to love myself not through the flawed eyes of mankind but through the flawless eyes of a Creator. Consequently, the poem was renamed to "The Skin That I'm In."
My Nappy Hair.
I love my nappy hair
I love this glorious skin that I wear
My color is chocolate
Its blended so fine
I love my full lips and my round behind
And I really don't care what society has to say
I am beautiful, God made me this way
And to hate myself is a disgrace to Him
So I'll walk with pride in this skin that I am in
There is nothing about me that I would change
In the eyes of my Father, I am perfect in every way
Imagine if I did, God may look at me and say
"Who are you? You're not the child that I created"
His beautiful creations are pleasing to His eyes
God designed us all with His vision in mind
And because I was created for the glory of Him
I'll just walk with pride in this skin that I am in
So no, there is nothing about me that I would change
By the hands of my Father, I am perfect and tailor made
And, what society thinks, I really don't care
Now you know why I love
my nappy hair
Questions & Answers
© 2018 Dana Tate
Comments
AUTHORRinita Sen, what a pleasure to meet you. Thank you so much for reading my poem and, I appreciate your thoughtful words as well as your appreciation of the message I'm trying to send.
Dana this was a very deep topic expressed beautifully through your poem. The title itself drew me in, and the repetition of the title line in various stanzas, and the placement of it stresses firmly on the message you are trying to send. Loved this work.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Ioannis for your visit and kind words, and the link. Blessings
A Glorious Pray! I admire the simplicity and the power, at the same time, of your lines! I loved it! Thank you for sharing it.
Admiration!
Sean
PS: My Brother Manatita asked me to give you a link to our interviews. You'll find it here:
- AUTHOR
Manatita, I wish I could find the words to express how much it means to me that you appreciate my poem. I cannot, so I'll simply say, thank you.
I wanted to return. I feel your Spirit. It is so beautiful! What a marvellous Light!
Removing the shadows so we can dance with the stars, is a sublime masterpiece of Its creation. Glory be!
- AUTHOR
Manatita44. Thank you so much for appreciating my poem you are too kind. Yes, I must admit I do favor the rhyming poems and more with a lyrical or spoken word flow. It is always a pleasure to hear from you. God, bless.
Excellent piece! I believe you told me you liked the rhyming ones. Did you? Not bad at all! Of course the poem says a lot more than just rhyme. In that sense it's a bit like my freestyle.
An excellent work!
- AUTHOR
John Cuevas. Nice to meet you. I love your comment about not focusing on our own imperfections or others for that matter. But learning to love our flawed selves through the flawless eyes of God. John, you totally get it. Thank you for reading and leaving a nice comment.
Great poem, Ma'am Dana. I loved it. We should really love ourselves and focus on the positive things in life. We should just be the real, imperfect persons we are and not be concerned of the approval of others because in God's eyes, we are the most perfect creations.
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It has been awhile. I had computer problems and so forth, but I'm back to reading and writing. Yes, Mabel. When I wrote the poem and allowed others to read it they felt I was making a statement about not accepting ones natural beauty but the poem is just the opposite it's making a statement about the Creator and how He created us according to His desire. I think it's so beautiful that God created us according to what was beautiful in His eyes. And, that's a powerful statement on how beautiful we are individually. Thank you for reading and commenting.
- AUTHOR
Mark Tulin. Nice to meet you. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
Hey Dana:
What is going on? It has been a minute. Enjoyed the poem, it tells it like it is. Though unfortunate, diversity doesn't resonate with everyone, and you will have to conclude that you like the skin you are in.
nice poem. good message.
- AUTHOR
Dr Pran, you seemed to have summed up the whole purpose of the poem in just a few words. Remember when we were kids all we saw were our friends and nothing else mattered. Then we began to hear things that changed our point of view. You know the bible says unless you turn and become like little children you will not enter into the Kingdom of God. Matthew 18:3. It means to have a pure heart "innocence" What I found is some people have a need to feel superior and its actually the sin of pride. Thank you for reading and commenting.
It is a beautiful poem indeed as it has really touched me. I too believe that we all are perfect creations of the God but we can't see the perfection in others because our original child-like innocence and naturalness has been taken over by our ego.
Thanks Dana for sharing it.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Frank. I've been away for awhile but I totally intend to get caught up on all your stories.
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Thank you Chitrangada, I appreciate you for saying that.
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Eric, you are always too kind. Of course beauty from the inside always resonate on the outside. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
- AUTHOR
Elijah, I agree with you One Hundred Percent. It was very liberating for me when I began to seek the will of God, more than the will of man. Then my eyes opened to not just my beauty, but the beauty of all God's handiwork. Thank you for reading and commenting.
- AUTHOR
Thank you John. I wrote this poem almost eight years ago. I thought it was time to share it. I appreciate your comment.
Dana Tate.. just loved it..period!
This is so beautiful, inspirational and powerful!
This confidence should be there in girls and boys. Take pride in who you are, as created by the Almighty, and strive to be a good human being.
Thank You for sharing this wonderful poem!
"He does da best he kin. he does the nappy chin". We said this as elders demanded we not criticize boys who were late to puberty.
I would look real crosswise at someone who saw less than your beauty.
This just made me think for a second that as is in my home we may not have the same skin tone. Interesting.
What a way to show you are proud of who you are. I've discovered when one loves oneself as they are people love us as we are but when others can make us feel little ourselves they glory in knowing they have power over us. Stay strong, sister, and understanding will become yours.
What a wonderful poem, Dana, and really inspiring and empowering (as Shannon said). I totally love the subject and the flow.
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Shannarie, you are too kind. Thank you so very much for reading and appreciating my poem.
This is ....gosh, I don't have a word for it right now. It's there on the tip of my tongue, yet I can't quite find the right one. Empowering....inspiring...synonyms along those line. . .As I read it, I could picture the woman you describe standing before an audience reciting that poem. And I thought of Maya Angelou.
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