💖 You don’t have to rise above anything

When all the misfits
Come together
and speak about feeling apart

When all of us
Say what is in our heart
We make truth
We make art

Even when
everything is gone
You feel weak
you carry on

You are courageous
You are strong
Speak out
Or don’t speak out

It is up to you
it’s your shout

You owe nobody
Your story
Your account
Your words
Your report

You know
You can share
or not share
what you survived

You’re amazing
You are enough
You are here
through all the fear
and all the doubt
all the pain
all the hell
when you thought
you’d never see
the other side
Realise
what you’ve achieved,
You’re alive

©GS

If you feel like an outsider, trust me, you are not alone. You belong.    You deserve to be heard. If you have been ostracised for speaking out, or told off because you didn’t- or how, or when you did,   I salute you- for still being here and keeping going as best you can.  You are immense. Nobody has the right to diminish you.  Survivors’ healing is impaired by the bullying we can experience when most of all we need support- You should expect to be listened to and treated with respect and care.  You don’t have to put up with being shouted at, mocked , doubted or harassed when you reach out.  Women and girls’ accounts and reports matter-   It’s time we demand our voice has equal place, in this system that has silenced us for so long. ©GS

Photos with thanks to Zukuri and Constance Keenan
“You don’t have to rise above anything” .. kind comment from activist and poet Musa Owkonga

#WhenalltheMisfits #BreakTHeSilence #GirlSurvivor #RapeSurvivor #MeToo #BelieveHer #NoMore