I am a proud

“brown girl, hyena loud-mouth, dirty jokes”

Sāmoan Woman.

My sacred brown skin is warmed by the sun

and comforted by the stars that guided my ancestors

My laugh pierces the stagnant air

wherever I go, bringing life to whatever hears it

This untamed, voluminous hair

soaks in every ounce of knowledge from

stories that are passed down through generations

I am a proud

“brown girl, hyena loud-mouth, dirty jokes”

Pasifika Woman.

This blood comes from a village with tradition

and I am one of the many daughters of Oceania

Our souls are powerful

like the Pacific Ocean currents

Our love erupts like a volcano

whose ashes spread far and wide

keeping our aiga close and grounded

I am a proud

“brown girl, hyena loud-mouth, dirty jokes”

Sāmoan Woman.

***

This poem was inspired by the comment, “But anyone else tired of this brown girl, hyena loud-mouth, dirty jokes, hahaha narrative?”

“My loud Sāmoan sisters are worthy. Every kind of Pasifika woman is worthy.” – Alexis Whiteis