I Am More Than My Curves

It has come to my attention that my curves have come to be a huge part of my identity. The boys and men identify me with them. This is something I find rather weird because I know and have seen women with much bigger curves. Without even going far, my mother is one of them, a very curvy woman this. But I didn't take much from her because I don a very petite frame (I'm a size 8/32 on the bottom and a 10/34 up top) compared to my other voluptuous black sisters.

I wonder if I would know the people I know if t wasn't for my curves. Would I be loved in the same way if it weren't for my curves? Would that guy that claimed to have wanted me so bad still have wanted me if I didn't have my curves? Would I walk with the same spring in my step if I didn't have my curves?
There is more to me than my curves! Why do you fail to see past my curves? Do I myself fail to see past my curves?

I saw this painting today as I was browsing on the net.

African Dancers by Upjohn

This painting reminded me of Jill Scott's poem 'Womanifesto':

Clearly I am not a fat ass

I am active brain

and lip smacking peach deep

sometimes too aggressive in its honesty

and heart sweet

that loves wholly and completely

whom it may choose

whom ever it may choose

I am not gonna lie and pacify

I am arms to hold

I am lips to speak

I am a motherfucking "G"

Strong legs that stroll off the 33 bus

or out of a money green Phantom comfortably

Knees that bend to pray

clean from Ajax washings

hair that is thick and soft

Thighs that be-twixt

an amazing all expense grand prize

I am eyes that sing

smile that brightens

touch that rings

and supplies euphoric release

I am a Grand Dame Queen Beast

I am warm

I am peace

From the roads of Botswana from 23rd Street

From the inside third eye

ever watching this wicked wicked system of things

I do see

I am friend to pen

and a lover of strong women

A Diamond to men

I am curious and interested like children

I welcome the wise to teach

appreciator of my culture

Thick not just from bone dense and eat

I have a rhythm in my ways

and a practice in my seek

and yes I do crave the rhythm of my space

with a man that rejoices in God's Grace

with faith I do hear to listen

two hands that fist

when forced pushes to shove

and your ego won't submit

I am gifted

I am all of this

and indeed the Shit

Clearly I am not just an ass





It's such a powerful poem. It speaks the very words of my own heart. Every woman is more than her curves. There are untold stories of war and peace, sadness and joy, cowardice and boldness, failures and triumphs behind every woman. We are all more than our curves.