Thanks to Myriad Editions for publishing Survival Tips in New Daughters of Africa (2019). Check out the Contents and Introduction to the book here. The latest version of the poem is below.
Survival Tips
When they start to shout at us
after saying come talk, trust us
this is a safe space,
tell us this is for our own damn
good little girls
little boys
but our guts
tell us this feels
bad
kicks and warns us
they are trying to ram
shame or guilt into our mouths
trying to hurt us
or stockholm-syndrome smiles,
sparkles in eyes, confuse and dazzle us
Think—
we have been here before
Think—
they are not our star gods,
Think—
they are not
our father
or mother
Think—
even if,
we are no longer children,
Think fast;
should we prise fingers from throat
of our opinion
run run run
or fight
this time
or
be still—
decide
to do
nothing
because
we trust
even though we don’t know we know…
Bibia be ye ye (everything will be alright)
– Twi saying.
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and
all manner of thing shall be well.
– Lady Julian of Norwich
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