Twenty Five
- Ty Smith
The Mississippi falling down my face,
I cry for versions of me who didn’t live to see a life this beautiful.
Small girl, doe-eyed.
Thank you for being strong.
Your strength got me here.
Energy can never be destroyed,
so all you were will forever exist.
You deserve honor in a space where you can thrive.
Twenty-Five is for you
in every incarnation.
I will bleed outside of the lines
and fill spaces with your spirit.
This day is the dawn of your moment in the sun.
Small girl, doe-eyed,
sing, dance, and laugh from the deepest part of your soul.
because for you,
twenty-five is redemption.
Ty Smith (She/They) is a Black, queer writer and artist in Savannah, Georgia where she writes poetry, fiction, and personal essays. As a native of rural Southwest Georgia, Ty uses the influence of her cultural ecosystem and southern upbringing as inspiration for her work. I write to connect my past teachings to my future visions. Often, the foundation of my writing comes from curiosity and discomfort. When I cannot articulate my feelings, I listen to what is beneath the surface and let the words serve as a bridge to lead me to the other side of the emotion. Then, that same bridge allows others to see what lives inside the interior of "Ty." As a dreamer, my writings are also a vehicle toward inner peace and healing. As I continue on my journey as a writer, I plan to share more about life in the rural south, to bring more recognition to the culture and lifestyle of my people, and to continue letting curiosity lead me to what yearns to be discovered. When readers discover my work, I want them to see my emotion and vulnerability as a writer and find the common thread that links us all. I want them to see themselves on the lines, for my work to wake up what may lay dormant inside them, and to feel inspired to act upon their curiosity to see where it leads.
SISTORIES PROMPT
Write in your journal or respond in the comment section below.
What has been a milestone age for you? Describe the significance of that age. What shifted?