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?