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Ashley M. Jones (she/her/hers) reads her poem, “It Is Entirely Possible For A Black Girl To Be Loved.”
Ashley M. Jones:
https://twitter.com/ashberry813
https://instagram.com/cityofawoman
https://ashleymjonespoetry.com
You can get your copy of Ashley's new book, Reparations Now! https://www.hubcity.org/books/poetry/reparations-now
Brought to you by Complexly, The Poetry Foundation, and curators Charlotte Abotsi and Sarah Kay. Learn more: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/
11 issues of Poetry, subscribe today for $20: https://poetrymagazine.org/OursPoetica
Follow us elsewhere for the full Ours Poetica experience:
https://twitter.com/ourspoeticashow
https://instagram.com/ourspoeticashow
#poetry #ourspoetica #AshleyMJones
Ashley M. Jones:
https://twitter.com/ashberry813
https://instagram.com/cityofawoman
https://ashleymjonespoetry.com
You can get your copy of Ashley's new book, Reparations Now! https://www.hubcity.org/books/poetry/reparations-now
Brought to you by Complexly, The Poetry Foundation, and curators Charlotte Abotsi and Sarah Kay. Learn more: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/
11 issues of Poetry, subscribe today for $20: https://poetrymagazine.org/OursPoetica
Follow us elsewhere for the full Ours Poetica experience:
https://twitter.com/ourspoeticashow
https://instagram.com/ourspoeticashow
#poetry #ourspoetica #AshleyMJones
My name is Ashley M. Jones, and I'm reading "It Is Entirely Possible For A Black Girl To Be Loved." I wrote this poem to fight against the idea that Black women are unlovable, not tender, or somehow so exotic that loving them is an impossible adventure.
see me - Black as I am - and call me beautiful - no revolution necessary,
no brave needed,just loving me - it is not unusual to love me, - Black as I am
it is not because i'm so strong - so exotic - so 'walk on the wild side' - what side?
see my skin - it's not chocolate - or coffee - or caramel - it is inedible
it is nothing to see with colonizer's eyes - nothing to trap - with pity - or praise
nothing to bruise,to make purple with your power - my skin is soft like anything soft
it is a reflection of God - it is a heavenly mirror - don't you see that? you're there too—
Black as I am, I can shine anything back - even the sun - wants to cling to me
see me - Black as I am - and call me beautiful - no revolution necessary,
no brave needed,just loving me - it is not unusual to love me, - Black as I am
it is not because i'm so strong - so exotic - so 'walk on the wild side' - what side?
see my skin - it's not chocolate - or coffee - or caramel - it is inedible
it is nothing to see with colonizer's eyes - nothing to trap - with pity - or praise
nothing to bruise,to make purple with your power - my skin is soft like anything soft
it is a reflection of God - it is a heavenly mirror - don't you see that? you're there too—
Black as I am, I can shine anything back - even the sun - wants to cling to me