Poetic Attack: ‘as you are | you are the prayer’ by Nayyirah Waheed

I am excited to open this series where we explore poetry coming from the African continent and the diaspora every Tuesday. I am honored to spotlight fresh new talent and share their background, inspiration, and work.

The perfect poem to start this new year and series is ‘as you are | you are the prayer‘ by writer, Nayyirah Waheed. Little is know about Waheed’s personal life but the impact of her work on a new generation of readers cannot be overstated.

She has been dubbed the ‘most famous poet on Instagram’ where she freely and frequently shares her work with a loyal following of over 455,000 people. Her style, often short, poignant, and without caps, covers topics from love and loss, to feminism and race.

Her work is often quoted by celebrities and activists around the world, and she has been featured in Vibe, Essence, W Magazine, Teen Vogue, The Guardian, and the New York Daily News. She has self-published two books, salt and nejma, all to critical acclaim.

Her poem, ‘as you are | you are the prayer’ is the perfect reminder of our inherent worthiness as we enter the new year. May it inspire you to self-love and care this new season.

‘as you are.’ says the universe.

‘after…’ you answer.

‘as you are.’ says the universe.

‘before…’ you answer.

‘as you are.’ says the universe.

‘when…’ you answer.

‘as you are.’ says the universe.

‘how…’ you answer.

‘as you are.’ says the universe.

‘why…’ you answer.

‘because

you are happening now.

right now.

right at this moment

and

your happening

is beautiful.

the thing that keeps me alive

and

brings me to my knees.

you don’t even know how breathtaking you

are.

as you are.’ says the universe through tears

 

Nayyirah Waheed’s “as you are | you are the prayer” published in her book Nejma

Want to share your poems? Please contact me at bboakye@f2fafrica.com