“Essentially, if our secrets are secrets because we are told to be ashamed, then we must share them. There is no shame in being sad or struggling or trying to heal. We are all desperate, depraved and sacred. We are all terrible and brillIant. I can list all the things that can make a girl want to escape her own body (re: patriarchy). But I’d rather list all the things that make me want to stay in my body, and adorn it like a home, rub oils into my skin, tell it how sorry I am for trying to leave, for trying to hurt it into submission” IfsWantTryingI CanHomeBodyGirlHurtSecretStruggleShareTerribleSkinsShameSacredSorryOilBrilliantListsHealDesperateAshamedPatriarchySubmissionDepravedBeing Sad Author:Warsan Shire
“Sad people have the gift of time, while the world dizzies everyone else; they remain stagnant, their bodies refusing to follow pace with the universe. With these kind of people everything aches for too long, everything moves without rush, wounds are always wet.” PeopleWorldKindLongBodyMovingTimeUniverseSadWoundsPaceWetAcheStagnantUnhappy PeopleMiserable PeopleGift Of Time Author:Warsan Shire
“I know a few things to be true. I do not know where I am going, where I have come from is disappearing, I am unwelcome and my beauty is not beauty here. My body is burning with the shame of not belonging, my body is longing.” KnowsBodyShameLongingDisappearBeing TrueBurningBelongingUnwelcomeNot Belonging Author:Warsan Shire
“Why do you live in your body like you will be given another? As if it were temporary. You starve it, you let anyone touch it, you berate it. Tell it that it should be completely different. You tug at your soft flesh, wish it thinner, wish it gone. You fall in love with those who praise the way it sighs under their hands, but who praises the way it holds up your weight, even when you are falling apart?” IfsWayShouldDifferentBodyHandsFallGivenWishGoneLike YouWeightPraiseFalling In LoveFleshYour BodyTemporarySighFalling Apart Author:Warsan Shire
“Make peace with your body, it's not manmade, there are no flaws, there are no mistakes.” BodyMistakeYour BodyFlawsMaking Peace Author:Warsan Shire
“Every mouth you’ve ever kissed was just practice. All the bodies you’ve ever undressed and ploughed in to were preparing you for me. I don’t mind tasting them in the memory of your mouth. Was it a long journey? Did it take you long to find me? You’re here now, welcome home.” MindLongHomeBodyMemoriesPracticeJourneyMouthsWelcomeComing HomePreparingFind MeTastingLong JourneyWelcome Home Author:Warsan Shire
