by Shanice Ariel
Who Will Save The Children
Sun burns as the ashes peel off.
There is a heavy weight in our bodies as we have no voice.
They’re crying aloud for help, but tortured to silence.
Laying on the ground trying to grip the feeling of being lost.
All you can hear are thudding footsteps
They mock our culture, saying we don’t belong.
Why do you have the power?
Why are we shackled?
They wail in pain for a loved one to find them.
Faces of strangers who won’t do anything.
They close their eyes and embrace the lies.
Searching for help. PLEASE Surrender.
How did we get here?
Trapped and becoming numb, we are all burned at the stake for not having a paper.
Separated by the only thing called home.
A land full of disgust
We pray to God and hope we can make it to their arms.
Sometimes I have to remember how to breathe.
Is it freedom or death?
Breeding the vengeance.
I hope they are reborn from their scars, battle ready.
2.
Bullet proof soul, a song that plays on my shuffle daily.
Sage climbing through my lungs
cleansing the murky toxins that entered my sanctum.
A slow bullet entered my body
Almost ending my soul.
Holding tight my angels
Still I am not sheltered from grief,
my heartache, my loss, my body.
This war isn’t over
it’s placing fear in our hearts and nothing can be the same. Interchangeable muses work through the veins of our own demise. This divine power to become bullet proof will not diminish. –
Access
At some point where do I even stand
How do I even stand?
They ask how do you even do this?
You look at me and see a good woman who is too kind.
The advantages of being too kind is the switch
when you aren’t good anymore.
I want you to know, this ambition, this hustle, comes from a place you’ll NEVER want to know. Silenced for too long, fucked up for too long.
My heart has been broken since birth.
I don’t want you to feel bad.
It’s only because I was a nurturer by blood by mercy
Taking care of you was the only way to live or was it to die?
Good girl turned bad
back to good
then back to bad NOW what is she?
To remember ourselves home.
To belong to something.
I can never take away what you gave me, but this inner child needs some saving. When I say I can do this it’s because of the resurfacing of his stomach on mine, the survivor in me, the blood, the beat down of everyday, it is why I’m here today.
Oh the stories, the stories I’ve never told.
I do this because my voice wasn’t heard.
I didn’t allow myself to be heard.
But you do.
I will put my back on the floor to see you all stand.
That’s my word.
4.
Magic trickster heart
One minute there’s a time ticking bomb
Some days I can’t get up.
My aura fills with rose quartz and
palo santo.
I clear the air of my 3am struggles.
Waking up with dismissive actions I am not able to remember.
Blubbering guts intertwine with
composure of time.
What is it like to be free?
That hasn’t been determined.
5.
I keep trying to let go of parts of me that cradled me to darkness. With near death experiences and traumas arise through this pandemic. Finding every way to control the hurtful parts of me.
To breathe in and out.
My heart wants to change the world while my mind wants rest. I’m in between trying so hard to find this way to exist. For every occasion, I’m ready for anything to happen. Silent and loving, yet not awaken fully.
Opening up and learning to wipe the muck away.
I’m here, but I’m not anymore.
Love swindles in my face and I’ll keep the smile still.
There’s purpose through my spirit.
I cannot be defeated.
About the author
Shanice Ariel is a writer hailing from Queens, NYC. She believes firmly that all unheard voices matter which is why she founded Open Mic Renegades, a safe space for writers and the spoken word community throughout Greater New York City. Her writing dives deep into themes of self-love and healing from abuse. While her journey hasn’t been easy, this is just the beginning, and with her writing and through building community, she hopes to spread perseverance and inspire others to share their stories.
Follow her on IG @shaniceariel
Photos by: Elmer Quintero / @elmzqphotos
