SWEET VICTORY

SWEET VICTORY

By Farah Lawal Harris, 2025

1.

I thought more calories would be the solution,

pad my midsection with ample, soft protection,

bust out of boxes of Coca-Cola silhouettes.

Beauty standards are not for anyone’s protection,

nor are smiles because you’re supposed to be polite.

It is a losing strategy to be polite.

2.

I thought being hard as nails would solve my problems,

give them hell before they can burn me was the plan;

train my hands to form into fists within seconds,

anticipate threats with hypervigilance, plan

escape routes and alternatives so I stay safe.

But to open one’s heart to love is never safe.

3.

So instead I chose to live on the wild side of life,

to embrace my body with generosity,

to stare in the mirror and point out what I like,

to rub and kiss my scars with generosity.

Overcoming trauma is sweet victory.

Indeed, simply existing is sweet victory.

—

Written for Day 13 of National Poetry Writing Month #napowrimo