Chapter 15 Shit A Poem Dedicated to All Incarcerated Sisters

This poem is dedicated to all incarcerated sisters.

If you done shit in your life, recognize.

Apologize.

Then move forward and let it lie.

If you got shit in your life, analyze.

Then energize.

Move yourself forward and let it lie.

If they treat you like shit, strategize.

Mobilize to get them out of your life.

If he says you ain’t shit, then realize

He is speaking bullshit and lies.

Then reprioritize.

Know you deserve better than that:

Say your goodbyes.

I know you have it in you girl.

Rise.

I have seen other women come through these trials.

You will survive.

What doesn’t kill us makes us wise.

If they say you can’t do shit, then organize.

Don’t be surprised when you discover how strong you are inside.

The sky is the limit, so don’t compromise.

Don’t let them cut you down to size.

If you are feeling bad shit, then let yourself cry

Know that you are bigger than your shit,

keep your eyes on the prize.

If you think shit is more than you can bear, just hang on tight.

White knuckle it through until help can arrive.

I promise you shit will work out all right.

When you get a handle on shit, then memorize.

Repeat to yourself: I am too great to minimize.

My life means too much to jeopardize.

Shit cannot fuck with me now

’cause I am immunized.

Say: The worst shit was thrown at me and I am still alive.

Say: My shit is too powerful to be euthanized.

Say: By not being beaten down by shit, I have advertised

That the next time that shit happens I am desensitized.

Say: I am familiarized with your shit, so I can neutralize.

You have exercised your worst shit and I’m still standing by.

I can dust off that shit

and hold my head up high.

Say: I have seen it all now, so I am qualified.

Say: You will not catch me with that same shit twice.

Say: I have decided to live so I can testify

That there is no shit that can undermine.

When you have made it through shit, then inspire.

Don’t give shit back to other people, empathize.

Because you have been through shit, you have the power to advise.

Give all the help you can provide.

Know that coming through shit gives you the knowledge to guide.

Remember at the end of each tunnel there is a light.

Reach back and bring others alongside.

Know that you are a goddess in disguise

Suffering through shit brings you close to the divine.

Say: I embrace all of my shit because it is mine.

Come to terms with your shit and harmonize

Say: I’m not ashamed of the shit I have done, because it clarified.

Acknowledge the shit you have done but then let it fly

Say: I had to experience that shit to come through the fire.

Don’t go back to that shit, just let it expire.

If you are caught up in shit, then override.

If shit is bringing you down, then purify.

If you got too much shit, then simplify.

When you have dreams for the future, past shit don’t apply.

Remember out of cocoons come butterflies.

Visualize what you want, and then actualize.

Remember your true value cannot be priced

And don’t ever let shit demoralize

Because you are the shit girl—you can never be denied.