David Clasky

“a lie
is
simply a lie.
it draws its strength from belief.
stop believing
in

what hurts you.

- power”
― Nayyirah Waheed, Salt

“you ask to touch my hair. or worse touch it without asking. this is not innocence. this is not ignorance. this is not curiosity. this is the very racist and subhuman belief that you have a right to me. – i will break your hand | do not ever touch me |every time you touch me. my ancestors place a curse on you”
― Nayyirah Waheed, salt.

“my whole life i have ate my tongue. ate my tongue. ate my tongue. i am so full of my tongue you would think speaking is easy. but it is not. – for we who keep our lives in our mouths”
― Nayyirah Waheed, salt.

“as you are.’ says the universe. ‘after…’ you answer. ‘as you are.’ says the universe. ‘before…’ you answer. ‘as you are.’ says the universe. ‘when…’ you answer. ‘as you are.’ says the universe. ‘how…’ you answer. ‘as you are.’ says the universe. ‘why…’ you answer. ‘because you are happening now. right now. right at this moment and your happening is beautiful. the thing that both keeps me alive and brings me to my knees. you don’t even know how breathtaking you are. as you are.’ says the universe through tears. — as you are | you are the prayer”
― Nayyirah Waheed, nejma