Dear Poetry

I use to be afraid to speak.

 All these emotions bursting out of my pores and yet my tongue stayed tucked

Stayed caressing my teeth, too afraid of my own thoughts yet my mind always spoke up

Spilled my dreams, my pain on lined pages, where I discovered my own blood

 Found that secret that I held captive chained up at the bottom of myself

 When my tongue was too heavy I found a girl made outta words

 Powerful

Observant

Enticing  

Tenacious

 Raging fire

Yearning for clarity

 She filled my lungs with air when hurt suffocated me

She was soft

Vulnerable

Declared that her tears didn’t make her weak; she spoke with blaze, unfazed about what others would think

Her bones painted with blue and black ink

 I always had her bonded by fear

 By agony

By circumstances I couldn’t quite understand yet

She never cared

She waited patiently. Letting me keep her hidden between the lines of my notebooks held me close to her chest

Equivalent to warmth from a mothers hug and security from a father’s protection

She held me up, even as I housed her in my body

Never introducing her to the people around me.

She loved me before I knew who she was

 Before I knew the meaning of self-love

 She, who cuddled me

 Never forgot my birthday

 She, who I celebrate every day but especially in April

The girl who takes my place on stage on slam and open mic days

The girl who grew into a women with me

I call her Vine

 I call her the poet

The hope

The dream

 The girl I see when I walk past mirrors

The strong one

The one I never gave enough credit

The one who fights backs when I’m weary

Never deserts me

 Refuse to allow anyone to put feet on my back

 Clearly  

 I don’t hide her anymore

 She fits perfectly in my chest

 She lives proudly in my voice, tongue no longer tucked. I love her.

 I love her like the sun loves my dark skin

I love her like I love my brown eyes

 I love her like I love my nappy hair

 I love her like I love my crooked teeth

 I love her like I love my thick lips

 My small button nose.

 I love her more than the air I breathe

I love her yes I love her

I love me