Au Naturale

This is me. 

No mouldable plastic in my eyes.

No makeup to cover what beauty is already there. 

This is me...au naturale....Bare.

Sometimes I don't see it straight away,

so I brush past it with a thin layer of perfection

manipulating my minds perceptions 

I feel better for a minute till I realise

a small alteration leads to what now seems like correction

to make that extra effort, is that considered deception?

Hair untouched. Carefree. No weave. 

I leave it out. Don't care. I'm free.

I've felt constrained by your society

So don't force on me

your companies policies. 

I've tried them all they never work

with tag lines politely telling me I need extra 'work'.

Lashes not long enough, not thick enough, not black enough?

How many more ways can you insult us?

I like my lips they don't need your 'plumping' lipgloss

I don't need to get the 'London look' 

I don't want to be Kate Moss. 

I aspire to be a strong woman of colour,

so I embrace the fact my hair has kinks

the fact I can never find the right colour match

because my heritage is mixed

is not what ranks top on my priorities list.

I will  be educated to the highest level

so I'm well prepared for the fight

and not just from books but from neighbourhoods

life lessons is my foundation tonight

I don't need lipstick

I'll walk without

because my lips stick to what they know

might get lippy on their own but

speak enough colour to entice you

that's luscious. that's attractive.

Lipstick could never do them justice. 

So before you start layering over what is already there

take the time to let yourself breathe in your own skin

you're so beautiful...au natural...bare.