In a child's world
     of genies and fairies,
the first of my three wishes
     was to be brown

White, not light, bright, or damn near
     white skin
green eyes,
"good" hair (I taught it to play dead yesterday)
These are the things you envy?
These are my nemeses

As a little girl, heads turned
     when I said, "Mommy"
and they do now
     when I say, "Sweetheart"

White men shake
     their fists
Black women shake
     their heads
at a nonexistent threat

Don't you know
I feel your pain?
I did not steal this man
     He chose me as his queen

Recognize me
let your eyes join mine
as you say
Sistah...
            Yaa Baako 1997