Warsan Shire

My alone feels so good, I'll only have you if you're sweeter than my solitude.

It's not my responsibility to be beautiful. I'm not alive for that purpose. My existence is not about how desirable you find me.

You want me to be a tragic backdrop so that you can appear to be illuminated, so that people can say ‘Wow, isn’t he so terribly brave to love a girl who is so obviously sad?’ You think I’ll be the dark sky so you can be the star? I’ll swallow you whole.

You are terrifying and strange and beautiful, someone not everyone knows how to love.

At the end of the day, it isn’t where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I’m going and never have been before.

With you, intimacy colours my voice.
even ‘hello’ sounds like ‘come here'.

Don't assume, ask. Be kind. Tell the truth. Don't say anything you can't stand behind fully. Have integrity. Tell people how you feel.