brian shivers

If you haven’t been listening to their voices  before this moment, please, stop talking and begin listening. Suspend the incessant need  to have the last word, to always be right, to preserve power and privilege. In humility, and for the love  of all that is good, take a breath, be quiet, and listen. - bshivers

To all the women, and all the girls who one day will be, never doubt   your strength,   your courage,   your power to change the world. The universe is born everyday through   your imagination,   your determination,   your dreams,   your resilience. The weight of the world, the ceilings of glass, the small mindedness cannot   hold you down,   silence your voice,   steal your personhood,   stop your influence. You are stronger in your broken places, and everyone best take notice, because YOU ARE HERE!   -- bshivers

(a poem) The unnamed women have names       their mothers called them; have names       their children know;  have names       that children from other mothers       cherish in their hearts Names       which are spoken       in languages most will never learn.  The unnamed women  have names  They shape people.  They birth nations.  They are architects of history.  They are the first educators       of the geniuses among us.  They are       priestess,      prophetess,      minister,      shaman,      holy women.  The unnamed women have names.  When we speak of history; when we think of the brilliant minds       in our midst; when we explore ...

All day today, I have been thinking about all of the fierce amazing women who have lost a child as well as the unfathomably strong women who saw their dreams of one day giving birth unravel before their eyes. I am in awe of your courage, your heart, and your beauty. You are incredible. Thank you for being you this day and everyday.

(a poem) her name is      Rahab but they call her      a harlot      a prostitute           as if one can do that                alone           or                by choice they mock her      behind her back all in an attempt to strip her of her      humanity      narrative      dignity      identity      story      life yet, there she stands      in power in the pages of history an important      person a transformative      influence a woman a mother      of hope Rahab in a world that would rather      silence her           than hear her           ...