This is absolutely one of the best, most vulnerable pieces of poetry I have ever read. This is so stripped down to a realistic person, finding her way through life. A true path of not only enlightenment, but maturity.

I had tears in my eyes and shivers on my skin as I read every single word. I'm in complete awe. I read the footnote and that sounds absolutely incredible. I'm really proud of you for daring to get up in front of that many people and living out your life in a few words. I'm shocked at how perfectly together this piece of poetry is, and I can't stop reading it over and over. I've already nominated 3 poems this week, and I'm so sad I can't nominate this one. Chillingly, hauntingly perfect.

^ I'd like to echo everything above because I believe it's the truth.... this is the kind of poem you get shivers over because it's a woman expressing her dreams, desires, telling her past and where she came from but also revealing the power in her words... .the difference they will make and inspire.

I'm proud of you and can imagine you standing up there, letting raw emotion pour out of your soul. Congrats on 3rd, that is truly amazing and that's an inspiration to me, and I think so many others. You should incredibly proud you did that and it warmed my heart that you described it all for us in the footnote. I've never heard of these competitions so it was neat reading about it, glad you could enter and it makes me dream about being a slam poet someday, truly finding myself and being able to own the stage with my story.

I almost had tears at the end because it reached me... especially how you chose to make a difference but first by changing yourself, no longer bitter or angry at life, but doing what you can to make the best out of it. Love the idea of being your own hero too! This was certainly a dark time in your life I hope you never go through again, but it made you stronger, that I can see even if I don't understand exactly what you went through. I admire you for writing this, sharing it, and letting others feel your heart and look into it. You are beautiful! <3

Nominated without a doubt!

Lol babes, I had to quit my job because they wouldn't give me hours to do the workshops. I quited 3 days before the competition and polished the poem like a little B..and memorized it by heart and didn't miss a beat. The public went banana"s omg... But I got a better job, and I open every night at the restaurant on the stage...reciting a poem... Blessed little poet I am!

That's great, Yaki! Sometimes what looks like a door closing (them not letting you do this) is really a bigger door opening. I'm proud of you for sticking your neck out and taking such a huge risk.. I know I definitely wouldnt be able to do it!

Yaki, with the respect that you deserve

but your title needs to be in lower case as per PnQ rules. :P
( I'm surprised a mod hasn't say anything.)

Edit: (or that's not a rule)

Now onto the poem, what can I say that hasn't already been said? I like the strength in the poem and also I admire the courage you had to recite your poem.

This is astounding...I love slam poetry, and to love slam poetry means you know how to read this correctly....which O did...everywhere your voice may have rose I could tell, and everywhere it dropped, I could tell...just beautiful raw emotion.

like an arranged marriage...and like landscapes.....were two amazing metaphors.

brilliance here.