Keeper of Yo Kin
- Ty Smith
A soft place to land.
cards on the table
no holdin’, no foldin’
energies felt across space and time
prayers on postcards
visions via voice memos
Waking up something inside me
leading me back to the holiest parts
connecting me back to my God.
Let us nurture the threads
as we weave a sacred story.
lineage, visual proof.
Blood is thicker than water,
but spirit transcends flesh.
We kin.
Kin like kindred
Souls reuniting.
Like purple kin to lavender
Keeper like protector
Sisters keeping sisters
Like B keeping T.
I cherish my sister
Cause they a keeper of me.
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.
Who are your kin? List their names. Remember, kin transcends flesh and blood.
What can/do you do to "keep", maintain, or build the intimacy of your relationships?