Shaneika Cooper Poet Bio

Soul Food

Soul Food
                                          By: Shaneika Cooper

It didn’t miss me, it came one hot day when mother nature woke me up
Two ham hocks on the side, one big plate of dressing sticking out in the back
Yeah, I got about three extra helpings when all the other girls got one

Mama laughing and telling me I was growing
While daddy stood in the shadows praying no one noticed
Boys would stare, thinking I’m older and one of those experienced ones
But I was a child, sweet and innocent, not ready for lust to come in

Clothes fit me tight, showing off the extra helpings
Kids teased me, cause I was a little “thick” around the middle
Constant assumptions of where it all came from cause mama was flat and 
shaped like a keg
Constant rumors and discrimination when I was the one hurting

I was the one ashamed of the extra baggage and didn’t know how to accept it
I was the victim….

But one day, an angel, a savior, walked into my life and told me to accept it
To love it, cause I was one of the lucky ones
To hold it, cherish it, and present it well

To come to the realization that this doesn’t define me, and will never define me 
because I’m the warrior
The true victor, the prizewinner
The beautiful heart and smile that will be rewarded someday with hope
And strength

Soul food.
It held me, made me
That cornbread, them collards, that macaroni

Can I have a second helping?

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment