I Wear This Face With Pride Poem by belinda mrwebi

There is neither now Vaile nor mask suited for this face
No amount of dust can ever cover the radiance in these eyes.
There is now make-up for this skin type, for this beauty is infinite and
I bear no shame in the scars and rankles that tell a trail of my footsteps.

I wear this face with pride because my eyes have seen the truth of this life in its nakedness, and my ears have heard the screams silent to the ignorant.

I wear this face with bride because time and time again I have heard the cold voice of death calling and refused to answer before my time.
For I will not put this rod down till my crown is put back to its rightful place.

This skin alone tells you my story.

The story of women who walked before me and embodied the true definition of courage.
Woman whose hearts lived through the slavery of sexism and patriarchy.
This face carries the struggles of motherhood, prostitution, abuse and the untold stories of little girls trapped in the shattered hearts of young mothers.

Unclothed I walk with no shame for I want the world to see who my ancestors are.
I want them to see the features of strength, courage and pride passed on to me by my people.
I want them to see our shaded skin tone that connect us to this soil and tell our relation to the sun.
I wear this face with pride because I want them to know the hearts of a thousand who have fallen, the thousand who have risen and the multitude who were birthed from their triumph.

I wear this face with pride because of the women who walked away from abuse.
The maid who raised a magistrate
The daughter who had the courage to forgive her rapist
The slave who gave birth to a king.

I walk with my chin high so the world could see.
I gloat
I smile from the heart refusing to cover up

For this face mirrors both love and hope
Pain and sorrow
Victory and faith

I wear this face with pride, for this is a face of every woman who has ever lived.