Updated date:

Jul 9, 2019

The Skin That I'm In: A Poem

Author:

Dana Tate has been painting pictures with words from childhood. She has a passion for life and a heart for romance.

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."

I love my nappy hair

I love this glorious skin that I wear

My color is chocolate

It's 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

Comments

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on June 04, 2019:

Nithya,

Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. You explained the message of the poem perfectly.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on June 03, 2019:

A beautiful poem with a great message. We are perfect in the eyes of God, he made each one of us with love.

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on March 03, 2019:

Shannon,

You are too kind. Thank you for reading and appreciating my poem for the second time.

Shannon Henry from Texas on March 01, 2019:

I remember reading this the first time and being struck by the simple beauty of it. I had the same reaction this time. This poem belongs with the likes of Maya Angelou.

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on February 27, 2019:

Most certainly,

Maya Angelou is one of a kind and truly in a league of her own.

Thank you so much for appreaciating my poem Liam.

Blessings.

Fin from Barstow on February 26, 2019:

very nice. posititve self-image is great, fabulous. important.

i guess you've heard of phenomenally woman ??? by Angelou?

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on August 26, 2018:

Rinita 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.

Rinita Sen on August 25, 2018:

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.

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on August 13, 2018:

Thank you Ioannis for your visit and kind words, and the link. Blessings

Ioannis Arvanitis from Greece, Almyros on August 13, 2018:

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:

https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/A-Discuss...

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on July 21, 2018:

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.

manatita44 from london on July 21, 2018:

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!

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on June 26, 2018:

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.

manatita44 from london on June 26, 2018:

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!

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on June 25, 2018:

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.

Raycaptiosus from Philippines on June 24, 2018:

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.

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on June 24, 2018:

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.

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on June 24, 2018:

Mark Tulin. Nice to meet you. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.

mabelhenry from Harrisburlg, Pennsylvania on June 24, 2018:

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.

Mark Tulin from Ventura, California on June 23, 2018:

nice poem. good message.

Dana Tate (author) from LOS ANGELES on June 23, 2018:

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.

Dr Pran Rangan from Kanpur (UP), India on June 22, 2018:

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.