Today I took some pictures of myself I was wearing grey shorts and a Matching sleeveless tee It said “New York Yankees” A grass-green bandana was on my head, And small silver hoops were in my ears And flat, wide nose They matched my silver rings and silver bracelets On one of said bracelets, the word “resilience” is engraved. Two silver chains around my neck complete the look – One of a palm tree, one of a symbol for gratitude. My jewelry tell their own story. I smiled with my crooked teeth Sunlight illuminating my melanin. My huge and muscular arms contrast With my large chest, and I’m okay with that. My feminine curves contrast with my defined jaw, and I’m okay with that. Stretch marks and faded self-harm scars For all the world to see, and I’m okay with that. I’m a home run hitter and I’m up to bat. Afterwards, my sister came in and called me pretty And that’s true, and I’m handsome and sexy too I’m a woman, and I like to dress and look like a man Because that’s what I wanna do. (And I’m okay with that.) I never even take pictures of myself Unless they are planned Unless others are in the shot with me Unless it is absolutely necessary This act was spontaneous and that’s defiance too Every day I resist and persist Daring to love and be me Unapologetically Everyone taught me to hate my queer, fat, masculine black body I refuse, I refuse, I refuse Everyday I’m living an existence of radical defiance My body and my nerve to love it Upsets my oppressors The personal is political, and my body certainly is A landscape of political warfare. As my dear mother, the great Lorde, would say. Today I took some pictures of myself It is rebellion in its finest And most fundamental It’s self-preservation and affirmation Which is denied to me throughout this nation. I’m gonna post them somewhere For the world to see Y’all are gonna see and recognize me I owe no one anything No comfort, no explanation, no conformity I have the nerve to love and be me Unapologetically
By Diamond Mark
