Our hair is not silent.
Not in history books.
Secret stories. Music stories. Family stories.
It speaks before we do.
Our hair remembers ships and drums,
heat, hands, crossings.
Growing like resistance,
It never asked permission.
Some see mess.
Some see a crown.
Have you never seen the Caribbean?
Nothing there grows small.
Everything reaches for the light.
The Caribbean is a small map of the world.
Africa, India, Europe, the Americas,
all meeting in one sea.
Many kingdoms.
Many textures.
Many roots.
One sun.
Let every curl take space
like a palm tree on the horizon.
No erase.
No disgrace.
For years it was styled
to fit frames and square offices,
but our hair was never made
for small spaces.
It was made for big tables.
For high ceilings.
For being heard.
For freedom.
Mangrove roots. Sea air.
Let it be tall.
Let it be wide.
Let it be.
Free my hair, Virginie Lentulus
More poetry stories
This poem celebrates the beauty and freedom of natural hair, inviting emancipation from imposed hair standards. An ode to boldness and self-affirmation, where every curl becomes a proud and radiant masterpiece.
Biarritz reveals itself through the elements: the roaring ocean, the whispering wind, the resonating rain. From dawn to dusk, this poem immerses you in the wild yet serene soul of the Basque coast. Between surfing, shifting light, and fleeting moments, let yourself be carried away by the magic of Biarritz, where every hour writes a new emotion.
Discover Aftermath, a sensual and vivid poem by Virginie Lentulus celebrating the beauty and complexity of Black skin.
Through rich imagery and intimate moments, it explores texture, warmth, and self-care rituals.
A powerful tribute to self-love and identity, inviting readers to embrace the vibrant layers of Black skin.
Photo : Camellia Menard
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