salt.

by Nayyirah Waheed

the hard season will split you through. do not worry. you will bleed water. do not worry. this is grief. your face will fall out and down your skin and there will be scorching. but do not worry. keep speaking the years from their hiding places. keep coughing up smoke from all the deaths you have died. keep the rage tender. because the soft season will come. it will come.

trust your work.

would you still want to travel to that country if you could not take a camera with you. – a question of appropriation

flower work is not easy. remaining soft in fire takes time.

i knew you. before i met you. i’ve known you my whole life. – nafsi

she asked ‘you are in love what does love look like’ to which i replied ‘like everything i’ve ever lost come back to me.’

there are feelings. you haven’t felt yet. give them time. they are almost here. – fresh

when you are struggling in your writing (art). it usually means you are hearing one thing. but writing (creating) another. – honest | risk

where you are. is not who you are. – circumstances

i am your friend. a soul for your soul. a place for your life. home. know this. sun or water. here or away. we are a lighthouse. we leave. and we stay. – lighthouse

what we hide and do not say turns into another mouth that only we know. – mouths

when i am afraid to speak is when i speak. that is when it is most important. – the freedom in fear

apologize to your body. maybe that’s where the healing begins. – starting

even if you are a small forest surviving off of moon alone. your light is extraordinary. – reminder

some people when they hear your story. contract. others upon hearing your story. expand. and this is how you know.

you are not a mistake. you are too many exquisite details to be a mistake.

you are a story. do not become a word. one word. because you want to be loved. love does not ask you to be nothing for something. – name

some words build houses in your throat. and they live there. content and on fire.

knowing your power is what creates humility. not knowing your power is what creates insecurity. – ego

you. are your own standard of beauty. – mirror work

make sure they have fallen in love with your spirit. first. your body. second. – the fragrance of your laughter

‘i love myself.’ the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution. ever. – ism

you are digging into my heart with both of your hands. who. what. are you looking for. i am right here. – trust

the thing you are most afraid to write. write that. – advice to young writers

you are a sea of light. open your eyes. see yourself.