Validation

 By Rachel Sekyere & Sherrill Collins-Richardson

Validation explores an intimate love-hate relationship with self-love.

Rachel: Sometimes, I wonder about the temperature. Outside is easy, but it’s the weather inside here with you that’s so warm. I’m glad you were able to make it with all that’s been going on, especially with your mother being in the hospital. Also, I’m sorry for not replying to your calls. I could say that I was busy, but that’s not an excuse, it’s all a matter of priorities. Things have been awkward between us, but…. 

Sherrill: Words hurt and so does black and blue. Well, what did you think? Just saying you’re sorry would fix it, take the pain away, make everything ok? I can’t erase that image of you blocking my escape just to get in another blow with my conscience. Rihanna, Chris, Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket? Wow! Is that what you thought? Thought that would win you an Emmy, make me smile, love you more? Yesterday, I was your clipped winged butterfly, but today I’m…. 

Rachel: A perfect storm! Your words can no longer overcome and manipulate me. You say to just hear you out, to listen, but you decided to ignore my cries and sorrowful nights. You say that you love me, but love shouldn’t hurt, love shouldn’t feel this bad having me question who I am in the middle of the night! Who are you to do this to me? Why is it that I had to suffer? There’s a storm in a place that was supposed to be my tranquil. If I show the world what you did to me then I’m weak and a liar, but if you expose yourself then you’re just in touch with your feelings… 

Sherrill: That flow from warm to scorching hot. What happened to us? How did we get here? Society opened its vile mouth and….I can’t breathe, can’t think, can’t find my voice… 

Validating ME! By Rachel Sekyere

In every corner, I looked for validation
Because of all the differences that make up me
I guess me and my soul didn’t have much communication
Trying to change who I am
Been doing this since I can say my ABC’s
But I’ve learned to love who I am
And you better not forget!
I don’t need anyone putting that in danger
Because she’s the best thing to me yet
I
fell 
      in love
            with
                a stranger
Within our embrace we fell more and more
And there was always something new for us to adore
So we continued our journey to see what was in store
I can’t believe there were days where I wasn’t swooning over her
And hated the pieces that made up who I am personally
Oh, those days were so grim
Yes, but that was then
And now we’re in it for the win
And we will stay this way for eternity
She, her, we, Just loving me
Our days are now filled with bliss
Thank you Lord

Process

The authors produced this piece with free-flowing thoughts that shaped their own direction, to words that waited patiently ahead in the future to be written and heard in the present time. Rachel’s poem was the thread that tied the whole piece together.