I was searching through my notebook of “captured quotes” when I paused at one with striking relevance for today. It was by a person with a strange name: Warsan Shire. I decided I must know who this is. And then, a world of beautiful poems and prose-poetry writing opened up before me, and I followed, entranced.
I am sure many of my literate friends already know of her and will laugh at my slowness. Even being a bookdealer did not allow me her acquaintance.
From Wikipedia: “Warsan Shire is a British writer, poet, editor and teacher, who was born to Somali parents in Kenya. In 2013 she was awarded the inaugural Brunel University African Poetry Prize, chosen from a shortlist of six candidates out of a total 655 entries.” She has received many honors and awards, including young poet laureate of London in 2013. She is 31 years old and currently lives in L.A..
Her luscious poetry speaks to the immigrant experience and to the female experience.
Warsan Shire: “At the end of the day, it isn’t where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I’m going and never have been before.”
As soon as I can I am going to buy a copy of her book ” Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth.”
Here is the Warsan Shire poem I had copied into my notebook:
“later that night
I held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered
where does it hurt?
It answered
everywhere
everywhere
everywhere.”
Be sure to read her poem “Home.”
The Eclectic Reader 