Written piece
FUTURE MELANIN QUEEN
NISSA LINDSEY
Montserrat
About this piece
This poem is a heartfelt tribute from a mother to her daughter, celebrating the beauty and strength in embracing her black identity. It expresses encouragement, love, and pride in some of her natural features, such as her curly hair and black skin.
FUTURE MELANIN QUEEN
Acknowledgment
I would like to thank my daughter for inspiring me to write this piece. I often hear “Mummy, my hair needs to be combed so I can be pretty”. I wanted her to know that she is beautiful all day, every day.
I see on the television that we young Melanin Queens can’t go to school or get jobs because of how we look, our hair, the way we speak, but I want us to know we can embrace our identity. We were beautifully created.
It is the curls in your black hair,
You can wear your afro with no fear,
I love you, my future Melanin Queen
I love the reflection of your black skin
Look at it shimmer when you spin
Is that glitter?
My beautiful black daughter
Forever hold up your chin
You know I love you, my future Melanin Queen
Could it be the grace in your walk?
Or the accent when you talk?
Is that why they watch us like a hawk?
Take back your power
We cannot lose another hour
After all, you are a Melanin Queen
Embrace it with serenity
For you know the intensity
No worries, we got this mentally
We are now a documentary
With our melanin identity
I love you, queen
I love you, black queen
I love you, my future Melanin Queen
Reign on my Melanin Queen