My story mirrors the tragedies of Shakespeare, where characters face deep sorrow and turmoil, much like I’ve experienced. Despite the heartache and betrayal, there’s a resilience that shines through, similar to Shakespeare’s heroes who confront adversity with strength and introspection. Like them, I’ve found a way to reclaim my voice and power through writing and self-expression, turning my pain into a path towards renewal. It shows that even in the darkest moments, there’s a journey towards empowerment and hope, just like Shakespeare’s tales teach us.

I want to tell you that you never loved me. You are fooling yourself if you think you ever did. I don’t believe you know what it is to love someone else. When you love someone, you don’t hurt them to the point of destruction and death!

All those times I saved you from going to jail, I looked into your eyes every time the police would pull you over and place you in cuffs, and then I’d come to save you every time. Only for you to put me in the same chains that I never wanted you to wear. Nobody deserves jail except maybe serial killers and sex offenders.

Don’t you know I’m an African-American woman, dark-skinned, in a predominantly white, wealthy, small-minded town? They could ve killed me like they did Sandra Bland. That first night, I just knew by morning you’d come to your senses and drop the charges, but instead, you dug my grave deeper and deeper. What started as just one horrible weekend-my first horrible time in jail-turned into two years of endless torture. I felt like screaming, “Why doesn’t he just come and shoot me in the head and end this himself?” But you’re a narcissist who enjoys watching others suffer, and your mom has more balls than your dad, who’s your leading role model of a man.

So, you ain’t gonna really kill anyone.

Like my favorite Lil Boosie song, “Set It Off,” goes: “You scared to let it off, plus ya daddy wasn’t no dog, ya momma had more heart than ya daddy, b**** a**, he ain’t gon’ set nothin’ off, that’s who made you soft.”

Anyways, it was like you kidnapped me and locked me away in your small minded town, putting tape over my mouth. But don’t you know, I could never stop writing?

Writing has always been my therapy, my comfort since I can remember. The ibrary has always been my refuge. I think that must’ve started at 10 years old out of boredom, but you’ve evoked the poet in me because now I’m not mute anymore. I won’t allow you to take my voice. Megan Thee Stallion said it best, “Ain’t no little dick taking my voice.”

My pastor, Sarah Jakes Roberts, has revealed to me through many different revelations that while you may have bruised my heel, at the end of the day, I’m gonna crush the head of the serpent that’s trying to kill me!

My all-time favorite rapper, due to his prolific and vivid storytelling, is J. Cole.

When he raps, I can literally see every word in my head. His song “Can I Holla at You?” has a part that goes, “Heard you tryna talk, tell that punk don’t call don’t call me. You ain’t sh**, and I’m scared it rubbed off on me!” I digress.

So when you see me smile, hold your head upright, talk to me with humility and respect, be grateful & thankful God didn’t allow what’s inside of me to die.