Black women (and their words) have carried me.
Four of my favorite poems on womanhood.
Recently one of my friends posted a Facebook status that proclaimed Black women saved her life countless times. These words have stuck with me — especially now.
I feel compelled to share a general appreciation for the women in my life who have made me stronger — and who I hope that I have (or will at some point) in some capacity do the same for. This is for the friends that gave me advice that I did not want to hear when I absolutely most needed to hear it. I am sharing this an unofficial ode to Black women poets whose words have in some ways carried me.
On the Beauty of Friendship
“I cried so hard my teeth shook you swooped in bore me to solid ground”
— “Sistergirlfriend” by Zora Howard
On Self-Growth
“This is an elegy to all the things that we become before we’re done becoming women”
“It took me 7 years to go from that girl to this woman
7 years but ain’t God good and ain’t I great”— Alysia Harris, “This Woman”
On Motherhood (and Daughterhood)
“Mama, I might be God’s daughter and Jesus might save, but I’m still the girl you named and the woman you raised. And there is no one else to thank for that small victory.” — Alysia Harris, “Will Not Go Without”
“So let me be very clear. I wrote this poem with a very specific intent. I have a 13 year old daughter. It is important to me that I throw every part of my experience, whatever wisdom I’ve gleaned from that, every part of my backbone, toward her, to sustain her, to offer her language that lifts her up and keeps her up.” — Dominique Christina, “The Period Poem”
Who are you currently reading or listening to for self-care or growth?
