What's up HBCU fam!
I got this from an awesome young writer, Olivia Brown who contacted me through my website. I'm looking forward to having her on my show. I thought it would be cool to share it here and see what the responses are. Sistah may step on some toes and egoes (mine included!) but hey..the name of the game is keeping it real. Real talk....Real People!
The Pain of Vain
I'm so self conscious, let me tell you how
This weave cost $500, this outfit a thou
These shoes cost an arm, the accessories a leg
Outside a round dime, inside a square peg
I dress to impress to mesh with the best
but my life is such a stress yes I'm such a pretty mess
If my credit card could talk it would scream in disdain
from being pushed to the max of trying to cover up my pain
Speaking of cover up, I buy Mac makeup by the cart
but somehow it still can't mask the scars that's on my heart
Unbalanced, unhealthy, unaware of my own worth
It's hard to love myself but I adore my Dior purse
And these Minolos keep me walking onto a road of despair
where fake people love me for my make-up, nails, and hair
And everything's intact from the outside looking in
but from within it's hard to tell where the pain begins and ends.
So this is my declaration
the pain of the vain
I'm so sorry for venting
they say the pretty can't complain
But only if you knew what really goes on
when you can't control anything and everything's wrong
and you can't tell anyone cuz it's the same ole' song
that everyone tells everyone so you feel you don't belong
when you just want to be loved
when you just want to be heard
when you don't care about looks
because inside you're just a nerd
and inside you're really hurt
and inside you wish you could
not have to think that you have to look good to feel good
This feeling is very real, I deal with it everyday
no matter how much I pay, it won't take it all away
One day, I'll love my inner-self with all my flaws & all
but right now I need a pick-me-up
I'll catch you at the mall.
[written by Olivia Brown]
Peace & God Bless,
Br. Jamaal