I paid in blood to be here.
I paid with a childhood littered
with bigger monsters than you.
I’ve been beaten into a silence
more times than I’ve been
embraced on this Earth.
You haven’t seen what I’ve seen.
My rock bottom went so deep
I’m pretty sure it was hell.
I spent a decade climbing out of it.
My hands blistered.
My feet swelled.
My mind said I can’t take it
anymore. I told my mind
You better get yourself together.
We came here for joy and
we are going to feel all of it.
I’ve been hunted, killed, and
walked back to earth.
I snapped the neck off
every beast that thought
it could and you want
to take my seat.
The one I built with the story
of my life. Honey, you won’t fit.
I juggle clowns like you.
I pick my teeth with fools like you
for fun. I have played and slept
and danced with bigger devils.
(Rupi Kaur)
