Ebony

it's not your skin that makes you beautiful,

Although your skin is beautiful,

But rather your entire frame of mind

Even if you rewind back time

To when you were shackled, still you shined

Shined while chanting, still I rise

You are not a woman of color, or a girl with black skin

More accurately, you are an ebony goddess

A symbol of strength to be admired,

A symbol of sex to be desired

the way your hips sway with grace

Even if your natural hair doesn't touch your waist

No longer are you a caged bird that sings,

But rather a hawk that soars proudly or a songbird that sings loudly

Just hold my words true and never doubt me

Too often society says your skin is too dark,

They don't use you in maybelline ads and I can tell it hurts your heart

Like everyone fears the darkest nights yet praises summers day

Remember my ebony goddess,

The night sky looks the most beautiful, when it's a sky full of rain

You are beautiful, and you are black

It doesn't matter if your skin is as dark as the night sky,

Or as light as the caramel you buy

Be comfortable in your own skin,

Because your own skin is beautiful