The Open Canvas [Poetry]

The Things They Say

Big lips , full lips
They teased you for having
Thin lips, no lips
They teased you because you're lacking

No hips, hip dips and smalls tits I see
Sometimes not regarded as ideal in a world that worships beauty.
Some give their nod of approval
While others offer their dismissal

You are too thin or not thin enough.

Wide hips, thick thighs and a little cussion around the waist
May meet the criteria of some because that's their personal taste
Well, you're too big, too heavy for me
You are not what I'd refer to as 'my cup of tea.'

Fake breast, enhanced hips and filler lips too
What other imperfections on my body can I undo?
Everyone pretty much looks the same nowadays
The 'perfect' body tends to get all the praise

Yet

All the fake assets, why did you get your body done?
I prefer natural looking bodies... really come on

You would look prettier if your hair was straight
The kinks we possess, they tend to discriminate

What's up with the weave and the wigs?

Don't you have hair on your head? Don't you love your natural hair?
The choice is mine to make so why do you care?

I wish my hair was thick enough, it's too thin
No matter what I do with my hair, I can never win

Zebra and cow has become my new name
Because of my skin condition you try to put me to shame
Asking questions 'does it wash off or is it contagious?'
Come on now it's called vitiligo so don't be ridiculous

I walk around and what always follow me is your blatant stare
On my head they see no trace of hair
Why don't you wear something to cover your head instead?
They think I am on the verge of becoming the walking dead

'I am so sorry,' others say, with what I would call pity in their eyes
Probably hoping it wouldn't be the last I see these clear blue skies
They think I have cancer but it's only alopecia
People tend to make assumptions and make it their truth

I am black but the melanin is totally absent from my skin
I am placed on fashion magazines so I guess I can call it a win-win
I am considered unique
But why can't we understand that beauty lies in diversity
So what is the desire to look and be the same we tend to seek?

You are too pale, too tan, too dark, call you mixed breed because you are biracial
In a world that carries various definition of beauty
No matter what, you will be judged or not be accepted by a few
Just be happy and embrace you because that is the best thing you can do

A/N: Love ❤