Speak Up
I was never protected like I am now
I wear the armour of God
It turns bullets into ashes
Darkness into light
I no longer have to fight
He does it for me
My father in heaven has been hurting every time
I've cried at the injustice
How do you build trust
When you are an object of lust of an uncle
I had nowhere to hide
When I felt his fingers inside
The stench of his breath has shamed me
It's like a replay of a song for far too long
The minute I decided to talk about it amidst fear I broke free
But freedom often comes at a price
Life has not been playing nice
I see people tryna take shots at me
Let me say this in general
If a person changes in behaviour
If you have ever heard whispers of problems but never said a word
You are a part of the problem
When you call a person a liar or a hoe
You are re victimizing them
Forcing them to relive,
Re feel
A moment that they pray to God was never real
I choose to love any accuser still cause at least they've never had to feel
Never had to deal
Or experience the homicide of my adolescence
If you've ever had the courage to live past death I see you ,
I love you
Maybe you're asking how to go on
Start by changing the tune of the song
Pray,
Ask specifically for peace amidst the storm in your
Stay strong ,
Write it out
For no one but you to see
Cause ignoring it doesn't mean it didn't happen
Own it
Don't let anyone shame you
God's love covers you ten fold
This is how you build life after death
This is how you build from the bottom up
This is how you build in love
Reflection & Context
This spoken-word piece explores the journey from silence to voice, from fear to faith, and from being unprotected to finding safety in God. It reflects the reality that when someone has been wounded and unheard, speaking the truth can feel dangerous, as though every word might be met with attack or disbelief. Yet the poem also reveals a turning point: the discovery of spiritual protection, identity, and worth that does not depend on human approval.
Through the language of armor, light, and healing, the piece addresses the impact of hidden trauma, the cost of being misunderstood, and the deep need for compassion when someone finds the courage to tell their story. It challenges the culture of silence and blame, reminding us that dismissing or shaming those who speak out only deepens their wounds, while belief, care, and prayer help restore what was broken.
At its core, this poem is about rebuilding life after devastation. It speaks to resilience, the power of naming truth, and the role of faith in transforming pain into strength. It affirms that healing is possible, that love can replace fear, and that God’s covering brings peace, dignity, and the courage to keep living fully.
Reflection Prompt
Have there been moments in your life when speaking your truth felt unsafe or when silence seemed easier than being misunderstood?
What would it look like to trust that you are protected, believed, and loved as you continue to heal and rebuild in peace?
Original Performance
This piece was originally performed as part of the Lips & Poetry series, where spoken word meets lived experience. Watch the original recording below to hear the rhythm, breath, and emotion that first carried these words.