they take my kindness for weakness
they take my silence for speechless
they call my language slang when honestly it’s nothing but a saying.

if I stand up for myself I’m too defensive
But I’m the voice of every bloom
That had to grow through cold cement
You could never have power over me
I’ve already met everything trying to bury me.

My mouth becomes the main weapon
Not because I’m too loud
Or too wild
But because my words land so
profound
Shocked faces when I say
“ let me break it down “
You mastered calm fire
you mastered fake flames
but I mastered a calm flame
steady, real, and untamed.

We would never be the same
You could never walk in my shoes
For the things I saw
for things I said
You’ll try to break me
Yet
It carves me.
Shapes me.
And releases me.

-Tati