Love of myself

Little brown-skinned girl

Promise in yourself
Little brown-skinned girl
Because no one else will
The road before you may seem rough
And times you will get weary
You are tough
Tougher than you ever know.

Desire more for yourself
Little brown-skinned girl
No one can believe in you enough
Your journey will lead you to many paths
But just know that all are not meant to be for you.

Stand tall against it all
Little brown-skinned girl
Times will come when you want to tell the world, 

"stop I'm getting off!" and it won't let you...

you hold on by a thread.
Stand firm and grip on tight for the ride.

The skin you are in is powerful
Little brown-skinned girl
Its smoothness embodies the strength
You possess. 

 People have feared its depths and have misunderstood its fullness.

 Don't be shy, embrace it whole.

Love for you.
Little brown-skinned girl
You are not perfect, you are human.
Mistakes will be made for you to birth new opportunities from.
Espouse all of your good and help it become your greatness.

These are words of advice
Little brown-skinned girl
For you to face this life with.

C. Arin Atkins

*Growing up in the South, there were was a phase of time where the skin I wore was not popular (lighter skin was preferred). Internally this caused a slight strife in my esteem, but I never let it plant a seed to allow it to grown. However I know of girls who did not know that Black is Beautiful. That the darker the berry the sweeter the juice. I hurt for them, for they know not their strength, nor the influence the color of their skin has on beauty. This poem was written so that no other little brown skinned girl will grow up not knowing her power and loving herself-no matter the skin she is in.Enjoy.

Peace, Life, Love