This week I would like to pay forward a request that came into my inbox asking me to take the time to read and honour the story of a person of colour.
I could think of no one better to ask then my beloved client, friend, colleague and beautiful human, Patrician Goulbourne.
Patricia has a unique and powerful voice, full of grace, and a gift of healing to share with the world.
Please enjoy this story in the artform of the Kasala.
One day I hope to invite you to hear her speak it aloud.
From my heart around the globe to yours.
Much love,
— Erin
I am The Question to The Answer
I am Curiosity-Teach
I am Warrior for Healing
I am Guardian-for-Nonjudgement
I am Keeper-of-the-Circle Made sacred by the stories
I am Liberate-Natural-Creativity
I am River collecting precious tears
Allowing them to crash against my banks as they flow away
I am Waterfall steadily streaming allowing HER to observe move towards take of the overflowing rush
and choose to pass through when ready the pain
I am SHE-Bringer-of-Wisdom SHE-Who-Filters to mitigate pain suffering crisis
I am the Baobab Tree LIFE demonstrated
Calling HER to safe space journey surrender innermost HER belonging
I am The Circle of HER
Brave Space created Brave Embrace cultivated and so I honor Sisters HER
I am Black
I am woman
I am African decent
I am strength defiance resilience survival
I am roots trunk leaves blossoms of my ancestors
I am their legacy standing tall firmly planted on this earth here and there surviving thriving
I am I belong and I take my rightful place
I am African Diaspora
I am ritual
I am colour of rhythm
I am taste of the drum
I am manifest of the embers of the molten magma of mother earth
I am language unspoken in a multitude of dialects simultaneously
The sacred stories of the heritage that connects and binds the women of World-tribe
From newborn to elders to unborn
I am the long awaited HER in the center of the Circle of HER
I am freedom healing enslaved African Heritage through embodiment and movement
I am colour of dance
the dance of the embers
I am friend mother grandmother teacher leader connector influencer inspirer healer founder pioneer ambassador of my heritage
I am whisper
No
I am silently loud boom of the ancient ones
I do the soul’s work
Reach more
Influence more
Free more
I am ritual I am legacy I am symbol I am strength of my heritage
I am the Story Of HER
I introduce Me Myself I am African -Jamaican – Canadian
Keeper of Womens stories past present future
I am Sacred Essence Storyteller
I am I Heal as I am guided to help others heal
I am Kasala animator
I am Sister-HER Patricia
Note, the Kasala is a genre of poetry of that is the celebration of life. Praise poetry of yourself and other. It is derived from an African oral ritual. It gains more strength, significance or power from being spoken aloud.
Blessings, Joy & Peace-filled Empowerment
Patricia Goulbourne
P.S. You’ve been asking me how to get your friends and loved ones the help I’ve been able to give you. We can do that. Contact me and we’ll talk details.
P.P.S. One of the kindest things you can do for me is to share my writing. If you enjoyed today’s Monday Musing and know someone else who would please forward it to a friend.
P.P.P.S. You can also follow me on Instagram, for real time updates, funnies and photos!
