Things I Know

Dedicated to Flo and Ashley, two of my "Written Into Being" fellows who encouraged me to share this piece outside of our space. I appreciate you more than you know.

Things I know: 
Everything. 
like how to hide myself in a room full of people who look nothing like me
to camouflage the dialect of my grandmama
masking the cotton fields, dirt roads, and generations of women raised to take no shit. 
I know how to say yes, when I really mean, hell no, leave me alone. 
hollowing myself to hold the desires of others inside
letting them make a home in me. 
I know survival, familar as my next breath
cognizant of all emergency exits, loaded with plans A,B, and C. 
I know how to run. never letting anyone close to me. 
I crave intimacy, in theory. 
In truth, I'm broken. 
drowning in inferiority 
shrink more, speak less
afraid of what lies on the other side of conditions unknown.
I know how to detach to see the next sunrise. 
facing the reflection and finally accepting 
to know everything 
is to know nothing at all. 

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I’m grateful to be in a space where vulnerability is encouraged and supported. Through these sessions, I’ve gained more confidence in my voice, sharing my words, and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. Thank you to my Written Into Being family for always being open to my offerings and energy, and thank you, reader, for holding space for me in your day.

May these words carry you until next time,

Ty ♾️