Best Poems Written by Ashley Tate

Black and Unapologetic

I am not sorry for my brown skin , a magical mix of honey , gold , and the perfect hue of melanin 

 I am not sorry for my corrupted curls, and I will not "tame" them for society's cracked mirror of beauty .

I am not sorry for my lips , as full as the moon at the sky's darkest hour.
 
I am not sorry for my wide hips that stretch as far as the horizon .

I am not sorry for my loud opinions,  scratching fallacies like nails on a chalkboard .

I am not sorry for my attitude , my pride , the way I strut like the fine  Queen I know I am.

I am not sorry for myself or any sister of color loving and embracing their blackness , making you feel "uncomfortable" . 

I am not sorry for being a running bloodline of the black woman , rooting deep in this country and sprouting my fruitful orchards in your backyard .
 
I am not sorry for knowing my worth.

I am not sorry for sewing the tongue that has been ripped from my sista's and brotha's mouths  back into their place.

I am not sorry for demanding the respect I deserve.

I am not sorry for being happy and black

Angry and black 

Unapologetic and Black 

Fierce and Black

Fearless and Black 

I am not sorry for being your worst nightmare.

Copyright © Ashley Tate | Year Posted 2016