Knitting Needles

I haven’t put pen to page for so long, to express my own unique voice for so long,

And now I feel like I’ve swallowed ten balls of cotton and the words I want to say are getting stuck in the fluff.

I have never liked my name, or felt a connection to my dark skin until this year,

I’m 24 and now I’m trying to claw back the memories of my mother telling me about all the black people in the world who had ever invented anything momentous,

Claw back the words of speakers during Black History Month talking about my people,

Re-read the children’s books with black characters and truly appreciate their presence.

I have always been strong.

Not to say I have never showed emotion, though I rarely did. But to say I am always sure of my thoughts and their worth.

I opalize honesty and always give mine freely and clearly. I can withstand any mental tremor with a pen or knitting needles in hand.