A Tribute to the Strength of the Black Woman
CALL HER …
We’ve called her every disrespectful name under the sun …
The obligatory cute, good looking, pretty
Oh yes and begrudgingly we whisper under our breaths beautiful
There is so much more to her being sexy …
so wipe that salacious Cheshire cat grin from your face she’s not ground turkey
Furthermore,
we pay scant regard and stifle the real beauty
she has bursting inside
Call her sage … rosemary … rue … cinnamon
Because she heals us with her smile,
encouraging words
and thoughtful gestures
Call her Mujer Negro … Femme Noire … Donna di Colore … Nyeusi Manamke
The nations tried
but all agreed that one language could not suffice black woman
Call her ethereal …
her essence extremely delicate
and even rarer than manna
she’s probably not even of this world
Call her mahogany,
for the strength she exudes rivals that of the great Beowulf …
Call her ebony,
luminous,
effervescent,
chocolate, caramel, coffee,
honey brown sugar
I don’t ever know how you’ll describe this amazing creature …
but the world will know by what you choose to call her.
— Ravenne Reid
Jamaica Gleaner: February 7, 2016
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