THE SQUATTER

Poetry
Written By Farah Lawal Harris

THE SQUATTER

By Farah Lawal Harris, 2024

A squatter lives in my shoulders

she tore down the drywall

and built boulders,

armor for words of judgement to pierce less

armor to present as fearless.

A squatter lives in my shoulders

I left my body for a few days

and she appeared.

Don’t she know I live here?

I tried and tried to use my keys.

Can you believe she called the police on me?

I didn’t know at the time

how to reclaim what is mine.

A squatter lives in my shoulders,

there are no longer boulders, but pebbles.

We coexist.

Some days, I kick the pebbles into flowing veins;

other days, I scuff my shoes and the pain remains.

Over tea, the squatter said

it all starts with me.

Farah Lawal Harris

Farah Lawal Harris is an artist and breast cancer survivor who inspires people to overcome obstacles and be well. Through vulnerable storytelling, writing, and theatre, Farah makes people feel less alone and more able to tap into their personal power to be their best, creative selves.

https://www.farahlawalharris.com
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