Birthright

By Kago Boitshwarelo

I am the eldest daughter –
Not self-proclaimed,
But it is my birthright,

I carry more than just my name,
I carry pride,
I carry heritage and dignity,
A living loom for future generations,

I am the deputy mother,
I am my father’s echo in higher keys,
Draped in a coat of responsibility,

I am strength when things fall apart,
Resilience when the weight is heavy,
My voice, a reclamation of authority.

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Kago Boitshwarelo is a 23 year old nursing student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Poetry, for her, is more than just words. It is a reflection of her emotions, a mirror of how she sees herself, and a way she inspires herself to grow into who she is becoming. Most of the time, her poems are her way of releasing intense emotions she carries from within. Through sharing them, she hopes they reach someone who may be going through something similar so that they can see their emotions not as a weight, but as a source of inspiration, empowerment, and strength.