The Birthday Poem | Jasmine Hodges

I wasn’t going to be here
Darkness had its foot on my neck
I had planned it out more times than I can remember
There was no escape
No release, but then I realized
Every struggle, the abuse, every person that tried to hurt me
It is all bigger than me
They can’t kill me
My grandmother found out I had been molested by her son
And she said, “You have a wild imagination my dear”
If I could go back
I would look her dead in her eyes and tell her I can hear our ancestors crying
Begging for mercy
For the muzzle to be released
For the chains, no the noose to be loosened and broken from around their necks
I don’t want your pity
No oos and aas, no hugs or fake cries
I want you to do something
I want you to fight
Fight every single day to stay you
To stay beautifully true because if no one ever told you I love you
And you have a purpose that has yet to be fulfilled
And that is why trouble follows you
That is why your mind is under attack
Because the darkness sweetie
It does not want to see you win
To succeed or to let your people be free
We gotta keep fighting baby
Especially when it hurts
I know your heart is in the gutter, but we gotta do the work
Because we are the voice for our lineage and the trauma they still hold inside
And dares not to let it come out to see these clear blue skies
Be better for you
For her
For all those before you
Can’t you hear your ancestors screaming
Begging for you to make a change
To start a reaction, to rattle some chains
Start a spiritual revolution
Something like that of Sir Issac Newton but a little stronger
Breaking down these masters
They can’t have you either
We are healing
We are mighty
We are not going anywhere
So bring me that birthday cake
Cause I deserve it
And no I’m not tired I don’t need any sleep
I have two wishes to make
That we be made whole
And that we remain true
Peace of mind and devine
So when you feel like giving up
Turn your head to the left
And see her whipping him wild
And see him holding her neck
And see that child crying herself to sleep silently at night
And see them reaching for you
It’s not just for you
You gotta keep going
And going
And going
And never give up
And never give in
Because there is so much power that lies within
Be blessed
About Jasmine Hodges
Jasmine is a poet and an advocate for self-love. She aspires to motivate and inspire women to love themselves and pursue their dreams. She recently launched her first blog titled OshunRoyalty where her goal is to create a safe space for all women no matter the background and to foster sisterhood and community.
She can be found on the following platforms:
Youtube: Jasminesoulchild
Instagram: @jasminesoulchild
Twitter: oshun_royalty
Blog: OshunRoyalty