by Maria Fulgham

Do you hear me?
I have that quiet voice
shouting identity to the world,
walking with rhythms from Africa
in my hips,
singing a heavenly gospel
from lips,
gleaming my mocha
flavored skin,
natural beauty on the outside,
love within,
kinky hair flowing,
attitude growing
into a powerful
jig I do with my neck.
Blasting the blues
from soul,
feeling tribal rings
on my toes,
ancestral dirt
under my feet,
I'm the forbidden fantasy,
a chocolate re-treat
but you just hear my rhythmic melody,
I want you to feel my soulful BEAT.