"Does he see you? Do you see me? Remember your center."

Written by A Dear Black Woman

Heads up: This affirmation contains content for grown folx.

“When you wrap your legs around him, lean into him, reveal, show up, rest on him, does he respond to you? Does he see you? Do you see me? Remember your center.”

My dearest,

I am so sorry you have to go through this. I am so sorry you feel lonely. I am sorry you cry in your bed. On the floor. I am sorry your work makes you distant. Different. I am sorry people suck sometimes. I wish I could hold you. I wish I could massage your back. Massage your feet. Rub your scalp. Make all the pain disappear with coconut oil and sweet almond oil. Fry you plantains and slice you avocados. I am sorry your world sees you as less than who you are.

I want you to have a colorful life. Sometimes life is a drag. Sometimes you will fill the space unnecessarily. You will crave things. Do not be afraid of your own cravings. Love them. Appreciate them. Be aware that too much of anything is not always a good thing. You might really enjoy sucking dick. The taste of soft, slow kisses. Does he enjoy you too? Do they see you? When you wrap your legs around him, lean into him, reveal, show up, rest on him, does he respond to you? Does he see you? Do you see me? Remember your center. Your womb. Your knowing. Remember that the truth does not always care how you feel. Truth just is. Do not be afraid of the truth. If you are afraid of the truth, then you are afraid of life. And I want you to have a colorful life.

Truthfully, you come from a long line of brave, colorful women. Paint your colors. Sing, kiss, dance, move your colors. Do not be afraid. They moved. So can you. They ran away. Ran to. They rescued. They escaped. They stayed. They built. They are building. Remember your mother, your grandmother, your aunties and uncles, your father and your grandfather and your great grandfather. Do not forget their names. Do not be sad for them all the time. I want you to walk in with them wherever you go. To imagine your sisters standing with you in the coldest rooms. Smile with them.

I am happy with you. You are in a league of your own. I want, I need you to make decisions towards creating a life of your own. You are Shondaland. You are Oprah. You are OWN. You are Winnie Mandela. And Miriam Makeba. And Maria Nyerere. You are Loyce Samson. You are my life. And I love you so much.