Happy Birthday, Warsan Shire, born 1 August 1988
Nine Quotes
- I have my mother’s mouth and my father’s eyes; on my face they are still together.
- Document the moments you feel most in love with yourself – what you’re wearing, who you’re around, what you’re doing. Recreate and repeat.
- 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.
- My alone feels so good, I’ll only have you if you’re sweeter than my solitude.
- His eyes were the same colour as the sea in a postcard someone sends you when they love you, but not enough to stay.
- 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.
- You are terrifying and strange and beautiful, someone not everyone knows how to love.
- Perhaps, the problem is not the intensity of your love, but the quality of the people you are loving.
- But sometimes your light attracts moths and your warmth attracts parasites. Protect your space and energy.
Shire is a Kenyan-born Somali poet and writer. In 2014 she was appointed the first Young Poet Laureate for London.
by Amanda Patterson for Writers Write
