I finally snatched the chance to shoot my shot and shot it with precision and purpose.
being friends first helped us. and although a “yes”, is not the answer . . . the door is n o t closed to further discussion.
the crush crushes, too. and loving me is important to her. losing me she doesn’t want to see.
I now know the gift of being held in high regard by someone who secretly crushed on me, too.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
AI Generated Image: A Black woman running down a busy street in hip-hugger short shorts, a black halter top, and black heels. The background is a blurry, busy street – much like most well-known cities’ “Downtown”.
Memory shifts from a dream state to a thinking state, and she speaks out loud to herself. “What the hell just happened?” It’s one thing to feel like you’ve been dreaming for the entire night, but it is a whole other situation when everything feels like a dream even when it shouldn’t. Her hands were shaking – the left hand first, then the right. Her husband is still sound asleep . . . unbeknownst to the conjured up drama his wife is experiencing. Crabby night air fills the room, and Memory longs to fade to black and never return to this space and time. Running away from her fears is a welcome reprieve, but what shoes should she wear?
awake at twilight fear rattling her shaken soul runaways come back
Pieces of Me by Maggie Watson. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I started reading this book directly after The Keeper of the Keyby Nicole Willson, and I read about fifteen pages then. I wanted to start fresh the next day without remnants of gothic horror on my brain, and this is what I did. I like to give the books I read my full attention. This occurrence was no different.
I will never understand the mind of an abuser. I will never know how someone can knowingly attempt to damage another. Maggie shares a bit of her experience through poetry inPieces of Me, and reading through some of the poems . . . I know it took courage to do so.
Here is the review I shared on Amazon and Goodreads for it:
“It Takes Courage To Free One’s Pain
And then share it with the world. That is exactly what Maggie Watson has done with her collection of poetry, Pieces of Me.
There are many poems within this collection I could highlight, and since I am old-school, I literally highlighted phrases and made comments/notes in the margins.
Reading one’s triumph over their abuser in the form of poetry is a testimonial experience. I felt as though I was watching the writer release her pain with every poem shared.
Starting off slow, a few of the poems in the first section didn’t hit me nearly as hard as the poems in the second and last section. But I most definitely felt something–it stirred up emotions within me I thought had been buried.
I commend the writer for being vulnerable enough to share with the world a traumatic life-event that didn’t ruin her outlook on how she lives, but instead gave her the strength to fully live.”
If it were up to me, the world would be rid of abusers in every form. A book of poems such as Pieces of Meshould not have to be written. Still, I am glad the writer/author shared her experience as a form of testimony and also included other instances not directly linked to her that so many people have experienced.
The world in which we live is a horrible place under the surface. But there is always a spark, a glimmer, a modicum of love and care waiting to spring forth. I believe Maggie wants that for everyone–love springing forth. And I also believe her writing will help facilitate that.
I will do a roundup post each Saturday (or Sunday if I run out of time!). So please be sure to participate before time runs out! I can’t wait to read your stories. 😀 I hope that you’ll be back for next week’s Six Word Story Prompt. Have fun! Thank you for participating. Until next week, folks!
P.S: If you have any doubts/suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The comments section is all yours! P.P.S: Use the tag 6WSP and don’t forget topingback to this post!
If you’ve got six words to contribute to this week’s theme for the prompt, head on over to Shweta’s page to add your creative child to the mix. I know this topic will more than likely birth/spark several discussions or bring out the most creative parts of ourselves. Have fun, folks!
AI Generated Image of a Black couple hugging & smiling on a green couch, wearing neutral colors, surrounded by soft lighting & candlelight. Created with Canva.
Kelsey’s parents,Kimya and Kazi, have given their lives to raising a beautiful, intelligent, God-fearing, encouraged-to-question, and free-thinking group of children. They are full of life, love, and determination. They don’t fear having hard discussions with their family, but this subject . . .wears them out.
Kimya was Kelsey’s birth mother, Leila’s best friend. Kelsey’s father, Kamal, was Kazi’s younger brother. When Leila found out she was pregnant, in true rejection form . . . Kamal broke up with her–denied the child–shunned Leila from that moment forward.
Kelsey was born. Leila asked Kimya and her boyfriend (at the time), Kazi to christen the baby as her godparents. They vowed to do whatever they could to care for Kelsey if needed.
Shortly after Kelsey was four months old, Leila took her life. Kamal, finding out the news two days later, took his. Kimya and Kazi stepped in: a best friend–a brother–godparents–parents.
Kelsey would be theirs. They would raise her as theirs. She would know true, unconditional, and undeniable love. And she has.
Below is the review I shared on Amazon and Goodreads:
“I Now Know Why I’m Resilient
And if you are a survivor of childhood trauma, maybe this book can help you understand why you can “bounce back,” and “endure” things even when you begin to believe there’s no way you can.
Reading What Happened To You? by Dr. Bruce D. Perry and the phenomenal Oprah Winfrey opened up a few windows to my heart and tapped into some areas that needed care and tenderness. I survived a whole heap of mess that could have been so much worse than it was, and I am glad it wasn’t.
Learning who we are and why we act the way we do starts with assessing what happened to us. What caused us to grow up with hardened hearts, lack of trust, unwillingness to love, fear of the unfamiliar, etc.?
This book dives into the many functions of the brain post-traumatic experiences and various methods geared toward healing and growth.
I love how both Dr. Perry and Oprah tag-team each scenario and offer their view of them and a way to move past the incidents and become somewhat whole again by learning how to regulate ourselves and gravitate toward safe spaces and environments.
If ever you feel as though you want to know more about why you continually hold on when you want to let go, reading this book is a great way to glean additional information about how you’re wired and why.
It is worth one’s time and attention, and you will certainly learn more about living through childhood trauma and how to maintain a positive outlook and a sustainable adulthood.”
Sometimes, we need a bit of guidance and a path we have not yet taken to show us who we are and why. This was “my yellow brick road.” Maybe you can benefit from it, too.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?
A Cornered Gurl 
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