I Am An African Woman

I am an African woman

unapologetically

if you pierce my veins

you will see me bleed

red — Black — gold and green

I am an African woman

misunderstood

I call me by my own name

you would be foolish

in daring not to do the same

I am an African woman

sisterhood

is the air that I breathe

when my time comes — bury me at sea

let the tears of my ancestors — wash over me