I wrote this poem in March of 2023.

When I tell you Iβm a poet-
please take me seriously
donβt think Iβm some cute girl
who writes a few verses in her room
about how your kiss is a new kind of heaven
Poetry for me has a much deeper meaning,
poetry is how I bleed out all of my emotions
I hold within
When I tell you Iβm a poet-
please donβt laugh at me or mock me
donβt berate the simplicity of my words
I weave into verse
Itβs how I make sense of my explosion of thoughts
Itβs how I express what I canβt say out loud
When I tell you Iβm a poet-
donβt try to cure me of my poetic nature
and prey on my insecurities and try to kill
my dreams of making my art seen
I know how the odds are stacked against
someone like me
I donβt do it to make it to the mainstream-
I do it so other women like me
can be seen, can be inspired to dream
And finally when I tell you Iβm a poet-
Appreciate the artist in me,
make yourself a sanctuary to put my poetry in-
Iβm not asking for endless compliments or an ego boost
Iβm asking for a safe space in you to love
the poet I hold within













