Taye Diggs

Sitting on my stoop when I was five, not like Timmy or Johnny, or even Mark.
Though I wanted a name like theirs.

Chocolate me

When we’d play.
they’d say,
“Look where your skin begins!
It’s brown like dirt.
Does it hurt to wash off?”

Chocolate me

They often stared at my hair, why do you look scared?

It’s so poofy and big like a wig.
Not straight- don’t you hate to comb it ?”

Chocolate me

As they pointed at my nose, I froze.
“It’s so big and wide!
I tried to hide.

Chocolate me

I squirmed and wiggled
as they giggled at my teeth so white
“You can be our flashlight at night
Just smile and we’ll be alright.”

Chocolate me

When I came in from outside
I cried, “Why?I asked my moms,
“Why can’t l be more like Timmy or Johnny or Mark with straight hair and a different nose?
I suppose my teeth wouldn’t seem so bright if my skin were a bit more light…right?”

Chocolate me

And then my moms said,
Wait one minute, my sweet! Can’t you see?

You have skin like velvet fudge frosting mixed in a bowl.
(You can lick the spoon.)
Cotton candy hair soft to the touch of my fingertips or braided like rows of corn with a twist.
And your smile,” she says, makes me so happy, I could cry.
No amount of money could buy how it makes me feel, For real!
It’s perfect.”