From The Beginning Poem by Ellen Shaw

Brown skinned
Woman
that's me
born from the beginning
of humankind
A vessel of souls
of everything history
has shown us
Brown skinned
Woman
that's me
with the strength
of the Kings and Queens
empires built
and flourished
in my name
Brown Skinned
Woman that's me
blessed with the heart
of the oppressed,
with their blood
Pounding. Sustaining me
Sculpted from their struggles
Look at what they created
Brown skinned
Woman
that's me
born from the beginning
I am of the womb
I am the womb
of all of
humanity.