Quote

Apathy is the same as war, it all kills you, she says. Slow like cancer in the breast or fast like a machete in the neck.

Warsan Shire

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Warsan Shire
Age: 36
Born: 1988
Born: January 1
Poet
Writer
Republic of Kenya
War
Kills
Like
Neck
Necks
Breasts
Slow
Machete
Cancer
Machetes
Fast
Apathy
Says
Breast

More quotes by Warsan Shire

Image
The ego hurts you like this: you become obsessed with the one person who does not love you. blind to the rest who do.
Warsan Shire
Image
How far have you walked for men who've never held your feet in their laps?
Warsan Shire
Image
It's not my responsibility to be beautiful. I'm not alive for that purpose. My existence is not about how desirable you find me.
Warsan Shire
Image
With you, intimacy colors my voice. Even 'hello' sounds like 'come here'.
Warsan Shire
Image
And you tried to change, didn't you? Closed your mouth more. Tried to be softer, prettier, less volatile, less awake... You can't make homes out of human beings. Someone should have already told you that. And if he wants to leave, then let him leave. You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful. Something not everyone knows how to love.
Warsan Shire
Image
Later that night, I held an atlas on my lap, ran my fingers across the whole world, and whispered, ‘where does it hurt?’ It answered, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere.
Warsan Shire
Image
We took such care of tomorrow, but died on the way there.
Warsan Shire
Image
My heart is a flower blossoming out of my mouth.
Warsan Shire
Image
You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful. Something not everyone knows how to love.
Warsan Shire
Image
Mother says there are locked rooms inside all women, kitchen of love, bedroom of grief, bathroom of apathy. Sometimes, the men, they come with keys, and sometimes the men, they come with hammers.
Warsan Shire
Image
I have my mother’s mouth and my father’s eyes on my face they are still together.
Warsan Shire
Image
Every mouth you’ve ever kissed was just practice. All the bodies you’ve ever undressed and ploughed in to were preparing you for me. I don’t mind tasting them in the memory of your mouth. Was it a long journey? Did it take you long to find me? You’re here now, welcome home.
Warsan Shire
Image
Two people who were once very close can without blame or grand betrayal become strangers. Perhaps this is the saddest thing in the world.
Warsan Shire
Image
My favourite people, biggest inspirations and closest friends are all women. Not a coincidence.
Warsan Shire
Image
Your mouth is a lonely place but I keep coming back.
Warsan Shire
Image
I tend to the wound so often, it never heals.
Warsan Shire
Image
To my daughter I will say, ‘when the men come, set yourself on fire.’
Warsan Shire
Image
You can't make homes out of human beings.
Warsan Shire
Image
My alone feels so good, I'll only have you if you're sweeter than my solitude.
Warsan Shire
Image
I want to love, but my hair smells of war and running and running.
Warsan Shire