four gems from nayyirah waheed

if you show
someone the sun in your bones
and they reject you
you must remember.
they hurt themselves this very same way.

--- unable

///////////////////////////

if we must
both
be right.
we will
lose
each other.

---exile

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there
are
feelings.
you haven't felt yet.
give them time.
they are almost here.

---fresh

///////////////////////////

even if you are a small forest surviving off of
moon alone.
your light is extraordinary.

---reminder

variations on lostness

if someone
does not want me
it is not the end of the world.
but
if i do not want me.
the world is nothing but endings.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////

she asked
'you are in love
what does love look like'
to which i replied
'like everything i've ever lost
come back to me.'

- both by nayirrah waheed

two by nayyirah waheed

‘no’
might make them angry
but
it will make you free.
— if no one has ever told you, your freedom is more important than their anger.
*
and i said to my body. softly. ‘i want to be your friend.’ it took a long breath. and replied ‘i have been waiting my whole life for this.’
*