Nubian Queen
I have finally learnt to see
The true beauty
That lies within me
That as a child
I was never told
Or encouraged to see
I grew up in a place
Where there were few
Other faces that looked
The same colour as mine
That’s what made me
And my kin
So easy to identify
That’s the only thing
That separated ‘my kind’
At school
I was still alone
The only black face
Amongst my peers
I soon understood
Facing my enemies
Showed I had no fear
I learned
What I was taught
Science, English
Religion and Chemistry
But none of these
Sang praises
For people just like me
No teachers spoke
Of my history
Except from the days
Of capture and slavery
So how was I to learn
Of my ancestry?
To take it from ‘Roots’?
The enslaved ‘Kunta Kinte’?
From ‘Love thy neighbour’
And other racist tv?
For a black person
It was all negativity
Maybe
That’s why I stopped
Seeing my colour
And just saw
The person instead
Because that to me
Was far more important
In my head
If they were going to
Make a point
Of how they see me
Let it be for reasons
Other than the colour
Of my skin
For instance…
The way I dress
Or the entrance I make
For the way I speak
Or the company I keep
Because no matter
What my hue
There is white blood
Mixed in there too
So, my life may have gone
In different directions
Due to my folks
Wanting much more
And using their discretion
When choosing a
Suitable living location
They made the most
Of what they had
To give us opportunities
But it also meant
We didn’t get to feel
How bad being black
At that time
Could really be
And now I’ve grown
Into the person I be
Only just opening my eyes
To my real identity
I never gave credit
To the ‘black’ side of me
But, it is not just
The colour of my skin
It’s the blood and
It’s history of pain
That flows deep red
Through my veins
That gives me strength
And the power
To stand and be tall
That makes me bold
And wants to be heard
To speak my mind
And to write my words
It is an inherent part of me
Because I know deep down
That all ‘black’ women
Can still be Nubian Queens
Sharon Carter-Wray
(Weds 20th November 2019)