Layla Riley-Hill Poet Free verse

She had straightened her hair

She had straightened her hair,
She had to seem more ‘presentable’
No longer were her curls, wild and free,
Now tamed by expected conformity

She was the only black girl in the room,
The atmosphere suffocated by others judgement,
They whisper and laugh -
Yet she still remains professional 

She has no other option,
She gives a polite, strained smile
She has to keep calm, 
She can’t give a reaction

She doesn’t have the privilege,
To defend herself without any issues,
She patiently waits, her eyes on the clock
Waiting for the moment prove herself for the job

Now it is her turn - she enters the room,
She sits down, then smiles at the interviewer,
She is qualified, miles ahead of the other participants,
Despite her being the most qualified, she won’t be considered

She did extremely well,
Not one stutter,
She was impressive,
But they already had a ‘diversity’ hire

A secret rule,
Is one black person,
Just so HR can’t accuse of racism,
As soon as she leaves, her resume is ripped up

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