What an image, I see the waves balanced upon each shoulder.
We recently had a Mufasa movie night too- I always feel SO much when siblings like Taka and Mufasa play. Guilt for my son- is he feeling ALONE as an only child? Joy for myself- I don't feel like I could equally love and cherish more than just the one at this time...
I loved your piece here and the shared humanity of emotions that surface when we watch Disney movies!
Thanks for dropping by my post. Yes, indeed, it's incredible how universal our human experience is, and in our case, what we've been taught and experienced about crying. I will count each cry with others as a victory for myself—being willing to be vulnerable—and for others—a chance to connect.
"a collection of hard moments and soft people met me like a wave." Love this line. My mantra this week: be like water. Allow space for our emotions to flow like water.
so beautiful and relatable! one of the best things I did was give myself a "year of crying" where instead of stifling my tears (happy/sad/angry/etc.) I let them flow. It was a soggy year for sure, but helped me find my balance again.
This poem is so rich - something I want to sink into like a warm bath. Thank you for sharing your experience and journey, and your poetic talent! You have a gift for impactful brevity, and that’s a real gift!!
So beautiful Jamal. Tears are important to shed, as they are literally a release for us, allowing us to let go of holding on so tightly. I also believed that my tears (emotions in general) were a burden to others. I am so grateful to have shed that belief. I can't hold back my tears anyway, they flow on their own.
That’s beautiful, Jamal. A lovely image of tender acceptance. Again, so proud to be your Auntie! I’m honored by the call-out. So glad my essay touched you; your kindness and generosity mean the world to me. Have a blessed Easter. Love from your Auntie Mary.🙏💕❤️🫶
Oh, that got me Jamal! Such a poignant image of a universal instinct. It made me think of how we overcrowd our internal worlds the more we bury those emotions that really belong in the external world. We are all dams on the verge of breaking because we neglect to consistently check in with ourselves, while carrying on outside as if everything was alright, as if an impending tsunami wasn’t on its way. No wonder the world has become accustomed to carrying on with life despite the gross injustices being perpetrated daily. The tolerance for cognitive dissonance started with how we learned to treat ourselves.
Thank you and this is powerful commentary Nida! 👏🏽
I really appreciate the connection you drew from the internal to the external world. Although I didn't consider that ramification, I think you're spot on.
"learned to carry oceans" ... this line. This line is so heavy, with resonance, for me.
Grateful my words were able to reach you Christina 🙏🏽
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I really needed this poem today!!
I appreciate that Soph and thank you for joining me on this poetic journey ❤️🙏🏽
Learned to carry Oceans...Jamal!!
What an image, I see the waves balanced upon each shoulder.
We recently had a Mufasa movie night too- I always feel SO much when siblings like Taka and Mufasa play. Guilt for my son- is he feeling ALONE as an only child? Joy for myself- I don't feel like I could equally love and cherish more than just the one at this time...
I loved your piece here and the shared humanity of emotions that surface when we watch Disney movies!
Thank you Kaylen!
I rewrote the piece after sending it out so I’m glad you got to check out the Mufasa anecdote.
I can’t speak to how your son might feel right now, but I believe there is nothing like having a parent who shows up meaningfully.
In that respect, he’s blessed 🫶🏽
🥹 💙
Thanks for dropping by my post. Yes, indeed, it's incredible how universal our human experience is, and in our case, what we've been taught and experienced about crying. I will count each cry with others as a victory for myself—being willing to be vulnerable—and for others—a chance to connect.
Very welcome Rachel!
And it really is amazing how unique, and yet similar, the human experience can be among us.
Very welcome and it really is! I’m grateful to see and be seen 🫶🏽
"a collection of hard moments and soft people met me like a wave." Love this line. My mantra this week: be like water. Allow space for our emotions to flow like water.
Thank you and an update at work has me appreciating this mantra more the second time reading it 🙏🏽
so beautiful and relatable! one of the best things I did was give myself a "year of crying" where instead of stifling my tears (happy/sad/angry/etc.) I let them flow. It was a soggy year for sure, but helped me find my balance again.
Thank you Niquelle! And that is a beautiful goal/way of being 😭
It’s amazing how clean we feel of anxiety and fear when we allow ourselves to bathe in our tears.
Hey Eunice! And truly!
Jamal, I love this poem! It is soft and real and needed. Thank you, thank you!
Thank you Ramya! 🙏🏽🥲
This poem is so rich - something I want to sink into like a warm bath. Thank you for sharing your experience and journey, and your poetic talent! You have a gift for impactful brevity, and that’s a real gift!!
Aaawww!!! I really appreciate this KHM!
As someone who loves simplicity, having the brevity of my words complimented feels especially sweet 🥰
Thank you Jamal. Your words are beautiful and perfectly timed
Very welcome ✊🏽
So beautiful Jamal. Tears are important to shed, as they are literally a release for us, allowing us to let go of holding on so tightly. I also believed that my tears (emotions in general) were a burden to others. I am so grateful to have shed that belief. I can't hold back my tears anyway, they flow on their own.
Thank you for the kinds words Janine! And the solidarity.
Reading this line, "let go of holding on so tightly," reminded me of how exhausting it was to keep everything in 😮💨
“But even the sea longs to spill onto soft sands”
That’s beautiful, Jamal. A lovely image of tender acceptance. Again, so proud to be your Auntie! I’m honored by the call-out. So glad my essay touched you; your kindness and generosity mean the world to me. Have a blessed Easter. Love from your Auntie Mary.🙏💕❤️🫶
Thank you and you are so welcome! The depth and brilliance of your words continues to inspire me to work at my craft.
Jamal 🙏💕💛
Ahhh that poem! So so so good. Your vulnerability is always a mirror for me. So good!
And thank you for including me, for seeing me, for sharing my art. ☀️
Thank you Diamonde and I'm grateful to be able to show some love to the deep and inspired work you're doing!
May we stay tender
enough to feel, to tear up.
Can cry and act up.
Yes, yes and yes!
“So I buried my softness
and learned to carry oceans”
Oh, that got me Jamal! Such a poignant image of a universal instinct. It made me think of how we overcrowd our internal worlds the more we bury those emotions that really belong in the external world. We are all dams on the verge of breaking because we neglect to consistently check in with ourselves, while carrying on outside as if everything was alright, as if an impending tsunami wasn’t on its way. No wonder the world has become accustomed to carrying on with life despite the gross injustices being perpetrated daily. The tolerance for cognitive dissonance started with how we learned to treat ourselves.
Thank you and this is powerful commentary Nida! 👏🏽
I really appreciate the connection you drew from the internal to the external world. Although I didn't consider that ramification, I think you're spot on.