BARE(embrace the flaws)

I was never told to love me

I grew up with spikes as skin

Hidden under the overlays of mascaras

Birthed with the idea that remixing my skin would buy acceptance

The green card I always needed

So I became caged bird

Confined in the bars of self-pretence

I tied my worth into acute brows and rainbow faces

I was unpleasant music

A noise in serenity

All I needed was a kiss blown from the lips of the inner me

But they were a mashup of contours and blushes

I felt that little drifting would guarantee trophy

I thought blending in would make me sell

And though it did in a bit…

I lost nature like missing period

Searched for inner peace like misplaced identity

And all I found was chaos constructed by pillars of peer pressure

But bare became teacher

Taught me that all I needed was faith

Faith to be me

Faith to walk on wind with pride as wings

So go tell them

That I am more tasteful than fine liquor

And I slay in pictures be it fashion or boudoir

Tell them I am ok with the digit of my figure

Be it 8 or 84

Tell them that I am music

Not the type they wanted me to be

But the type nature endorses

The type I feel safe in

My spikes are turned shades

And I flirt with my color

No need for shuffle cos I’ll put my skin on repeat

Dance to my heartbeat

And soon I'll make sales

Muse - Utiangbeshie Alawa

Photographer - Otome Onoge