Nayyirah Waheed: Three

‘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.’

*

If
the ocean
can calm itself,
so can you.
We
are both
salt water
mixed with
air.

*

Nayyirah Waheed: ism

‘i love myself.’
the
quietest.
simplest.
most
powerful.
revolution.
ever.