[Poetic Attack] Zimbabwean self-love poet Billy Chapata’s thoughts on love and healing

Billy Chapata is a Zimbabwean writer, author, and creative based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has joined the throngs of writers who have scored massive following on social media and use it to speak to hundreds of thousands of followers each day.

Chapata often speaks about self-care, self-love, and healing to a millennial generation desperate to connect with and be reminded of their self-worth. As the demands and pressures of the 21st century leave a void many are desperate to fill, poets like Chapata take to social media to intimately connect.

Chapata has published three poetry books: The Vibe Manual, Flawers, and Soul Honey & Soul Food.

Check out two of his untitled poems on the theme of love and healing below:

On Love

“a lover who doesn’t try to calm the oceans inside of you. a lover who knows how to swim in the waves you give off.

a lover that tries to understand your love language. a lover that never gets tongue tied when expressing their feelings for you.

a lover that never hides. a lover with passion you never have to question. a lover that always meets you halfway, regardless of the journey.”

On Healing

“I had to leave my old self behind, so that I could meet who I need to be.”

“you owe yourself the same love you gave old lovers, who couldn’t love you with the same intensity while your soul starved.”

“healing woman; who taught you that pain should be hidden? who taught you to label your scars with shame? unlearn what you learnt. your wounds deserve honesty. your wounds deserve air. you deserve peace.”

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