liezel graham

if you are going to use your own words

to speak about yourself, please

choose the softest ones that you can find.

make sure they are gentle, with room inside

where you can breathe.

words that give you space to move about in.

words that you might grow into.

and it’s ok if they don’t fit you, yet.

pick the ones that hang a little higher up on the tree.

words that make you stretch always smell like grace

and kindness—the ones that taste the sweetest.

if you are going to use your own words

to speak to yourself, please

remember to use all the words that you are hungry for

—the words that you have always wanted to hear.

use all the words that nobody ever gives you.

let me tell you a secret:

you are allowed to use any word that you want, claim

any word for yourself—you really are!

you may use words like lovely, and clever, kind, and

happy, wanted and valuable, and even the word beautiful.

you may stick them all over your life.

and do you know what else?

you are even allowed to string them together

—hang them around your own neck like a treasure

for everyone to see.

i love you, and

i am doing the best that i can, and

i am worthy of love.

you are allowed to own any word

that has ever been spoken by any tongue, human or angel.

this can be a dangerous thing to do, though.

so, are you ready?

choose well dear tender-hearted body.

be careful which ones you pick up to carry home

in your pocket.

and if you find words in your heart

that others have left there without your permission

—words that don’t fit you, words that force you

to keep your eyes to the ground

and not look?

words that smell like fear and shame?

you are allowed to throw them away, you are allowed

to forget them.

you do not have to keep every adjective

that follows you home.

they do not teach you this in school, or in church, or even

in the house where you are born

into your life.

over and over, you are allowed to say, no.

look for words that are ripe with hope, words

that feel warm in your hands.

rub them gently into your skin

until everything about you glows with love.

until your whole body is a song.

until your life shines with pure joy.

you may keep any word that you want.

you may throw away any word that you don’t want.

can you believe that?

but first, you have to choose.

© liezel graham 2021