For the Coloured Culture

Birthed out of African soil

The savannah dust is in my skin 

He told me “there’s something else, not just melanin”

Orange sunsets in the south 

Won’t ever glow like my sisters 

A rich cocoa waterfall 

runs ferociously 

over our misters

Though my auntie’s cheeks 

shine like exotic ocean pearls

Her cousin lives and breathes 

with swarthy radiance and tight heavenly curls 

Heritage will tell you “They’re just mixed”

But we correct you, “One race”

Woven together by pains of a time passed 

More is revealed beyond the face 

You’re not going to tell me who I am

You need more than Wikipedia 

The internet don’t know my people 

And my lack of “blackness” doesn’t make me inferior

Oh 

You didn’t have to say it

I heard your thoughts with ease 

But let me tell you this

By the blending in my blood 

My family is increased 

To us

Family equals culture 

On our hearts, a burning brand 

We may fight with more than words 

But also dance close, hand in hand 

In us there is no lack 

During that painful time 

They said, “not enough white”

And in freedom, same rhyme, “not black” 

Now 

We will stand upon our western mountains 

And proclaim that we are whole! 

Rising up to be our own 

Rejoicing within ourselves alone

Many different things IN one 

Bearing strength AS one

Ray, x