Glory

Glory - a poem by Nurain Janah

“Maybe I always wanted a white girl.”

I watch the rays of sunshine

dance on my brown skin

the one piece of me

I cannot erase.

No matter what mannerisms

speech

cloth

or culture I adopt.

“Where are you from?”

My own skin

a curse

that always betrays me.

Heart strings tug

wearing

for what life

might have been.

Fear battles truth.

Truth seeks glory.

Glory chases fear.

Glory finds me.

Me - Who am I?

I am joy.

I am passion.

I am fire.

I am the love of my life.

Come, feast

In all my glory —

Embrace my caramel skin

proof of my island ancestors.

Love my wild curls

a reminder of my stubborn

feminist mother.

Enunciate with reverence my name

Nur’ain

a gift from my parents

as the light of their eyes.

— Or do not come at all.

I remain, forever,

The love of my own life.