By Kyra Oakland

An emotion that transcends mere words: anger, fury, hostility, and resentment that have etched themselves into the very fabric of my being. Call it what you want — it has dominated my mind for as long as I can remember.

It arises when provoked by disrespect. Instead of succumbing to sadness, my emotions transform into potent outrage, pulsating like a drum in my throat. In these moments, the little girl within me stands up for herself, the defender of her truth.

As a woman, I embrace strength and beauty, but these encounters cast a shadow of shame over my being. This nostalgic return to youthful tantrums becomes a plea for metamorphosis, reconstructing past vulnerability with present resilience and shaping a newfound identity molded by trauma and introspection.

This rage, once despised, becomes a conscious decision to liberate. With each exhale, I set it free, allowing it to permeate my words, choices, passions, and actions. An empowering act of self-expression.

Within this narrative, there exists an undeniable truth: a constant yearning to validate the little girl, connecting the divide between past struggles and present strength. Once faint, the echoes of validation now resonate with newfound power, a testament to the profound journey within my mind, heart, and soul.

Simply yours, Ky