Happy Birthday, Warsan Shire, born 1 August 1988

Nine Quotes

I have my mother’s mouth and my father’s eyes; on my face they are still together.

Document the moments you feel most in love with yourself - what you’re wearing, who you’re around, what you’re doing. Recreate and repeat.

At the end of the day, it isn’t where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I’m going and never have been before.

My alone feels so good, I’ll only have you if you’re sweeter than my solitude.

His eyes were the same colour as the sea in a postcard someone sends you when they love you, but not enough to stay.

Don’t assume, ask. Be kind. Tell the truth. Don’t say anything you can’t stand behind fully. Have integrity. Tell people how you feel.

You are terrifying and strange and beautiful, someone not everyone knows how to love.

Perhaps, the problem is not the intensity of your love, but the quality of the people you are loving.

But sometimes your light attracts moths and your warmth attracts parasites. Protect your space and energy.

Shire is a Kenyan-born Somali poet and writer. In 2014 she was appointed the first Young Poet Laureate for London.

Photograph