Not because of the carbon complexes that 
Stuck in my skin block out some rays 
And hide me in dark pictures or from sad days. 

Not because my nose is lots different from 
Your pointy one, my nostrils swim 
On my face, arms spreading at my every whim

Not because of my hair, so fine it weaves 
Itself into landscapes of rolling hills, 
Or tangos as tightly as two lovers' wills

Not because I'm different from you, and like him, 
Not because I'm not from where you are, where 
They don't look like me when I look everywhere. 

No. 

I matter because I breathe a breath not mine. 
I matter because of the will I have received
Which is mine, to drive this body so a-grieved
By the rain of darts that life piles on me. 

I matter because nobody tells me what to think 
Or whom to hate, carrying their lead in my heart
Like Newton's hair, to folly and the coroner's cart. 

No. 

I matter because once one so crazy bore a cross
That I may matter, no matter what I looked like. 
I matter because I can forgive and reach across. 

(c) nyonglema