Tell Your Black Girl Daily

PC

A serenade for girls of African descent. You are beautiful, You are enough.

Tell your black girl daily
that.
that her eyes are
enchanting.
colors of the brown citrine. smoky quartz
hot expresso. charming beauty. that.

that her lips.
Her lips. perfectly curated
intricate.
with delicate defined edges. heart-shaped
dash shaped. all shape.
is stunning.

Tell your black girl. daily
that.
that her hair is
beautiful. magnificently kinked.
an institution. a college of
learning. a collage of the.
the tightest and loveliest curls. that.

that her skin.
Her skin. the la peregrina. rich. her skin.
a mix of the rarest
pink star. the cullinan.
koh-i-noor. opal. jadeite.
exotic. detailed. all shades of her.
is gorgeous.

Tell your black girl. daily
that.
that your serenades are true. that.
anything else is false. that.
she is second to none. that.
she’s got a good head on her shoulders. that.

that her voice.
Her voice. must not be cowed. not.
trimmed to suit. not.
lowered to fit. not.
raised to prove. just.
just flawlessly her, as she is. she.
she is enough.
and hey.
hey. tell your black boy too.


Jumoke Eniola Odepe
Paris.























Original Publication: Feb 13, 2020