Hello You! It surely is Summer, that Tortola heat is undeniable. So is your freedom and glow up. Oh it's showing! And they are noticing the difference in the swing, in your hugs and smile on your face. The temptation is roaring again loudly. But oh please hunny, that ain't for you. Not anymore.

Now They Want to Come Back

Now they want to come back—
now that the glow-up is loud,
now that your joy moves through rooms
before you even step in.

They see the face shining in the sun,
the nails cute and sharp with boundaries,
the BVI Festival excitement high in the air
a woman they no longer recognize.
The one who once cried in silence
now will dance in the village—
waistline loose, laughter louder.

Now they remember your light,
but forget they once dimmed it.
They see the pretty face and
the skin kissed golden by sun and lotion
and they ache—
but not for you.

They ache for control.
For access.
For the version of you
who hadn’t yet risen.

But baby,
You have risen like heat off the August road.
You going to wine slow, for you. 
You glow deep, from peace.
You are not hiding in shadows anymore—
You are the whole spotlight.

Now they want to come back,
but you are no longer there.
You’ve left go of the past
in sequins and truth.
You found a rhythm that doesn’t need anybody's approval.

Let them watch from behind the scenes
as you look to parade forward,
soft life loading,
joy unlocked,
power reclaimed.

Because this time—
You am the celebration.
And you don’t go back
to what you had to heal from
just to get here.