Today
An Affirmation Poem
Today I did more than just exist.
More than breathe and open my eyes to see the shadows from the sun.
Today I did more than the bare minimum,
I called my mama and told her to go shopping with no limit,
Told her to get a massage to let go of the pain of
scraping change at Footlocker:
working day and night so everything would be alright.
Today, my siblings asked when I’m coming home,
and I told them today.
Today, I took a picture of a mountain and remembered what I was capable of
and how God gave me the strength to conquer it.
Today, I will conquer it:
Fear, anxiety, racism, any ism, the world’s disdain for Black women,
cheap skates, and every doubt that’s ever crossed my mind.
Today, I will do the work.
Call myself out and accept accountability
for the lives I impact because
what is leadership without a check-in?
Today, imma post online because I know somebody needs the good news.
Today, I will ask for help because carrying all this alone isn’t worth it.
Today, imma tell somebody how much they mean to me.
Today, you are a light in my world, and it’s an honor to shine with you.
Today, I did so much more than exist,
and that’s more than I’ve ever done before.