Your Words are the Marrow Inside of my Bones

https://soundcloud.com/jeanette-hickman-poetry/sit-among-the-trees

There are some mornings that find me groggily rolling out of bed and stumbling to get ready, weary and worn down, frustrated about what my outward appearance portrays. The way my clothes cling uncomfortably. The lackluster hang of my hair. The vacant stare. I struggle with walking out the door a failure. It's a fight. I wage war with the internal battle of beauty defined. And sometimes there are mornings I allow myself to indulge in. Soft light seeping through window panes as a rested body stretches with the satisfaction of sleeping in. When I glance in the mirror I smile at the reflection. And I stay. I strike poses. I flip my hair. I study the curve of my lips and the color of my eyes. I count my freckles and flirt for fun. I wage war with the internal battle of beauty defined when I find myself beautiful.

Love is so much more than words. Love is a verb, an action, a response. Love is being present in the downs and celebrating the ups. Love is phone call crying sessions and encouragement. Love is stepping away from self and seeing someone else. Love looks like a surprise visit from 2,000 miles away for your opening show, and other times it is a big bouquet of flowers sent for your one year anniversary event. I am so dearly loved. My parents display that to me in so many ways. And that which is poured in will then be poured out, and the love continues. Love as if it is what you were created to do.

Real talk moment- Life as a single young woman with a desire to love and be loved is at times difficult. I look forward to future moments with a longing in my heart. But I am here, in this present place. And I am beautiful. So I am not going to wait till I have a man to be adored and romanced. #dateyourself

https://soundcloud.com/jeanette-hickman-poetry/beloved-spoken-word-by-jeanette-hickman