You Give

You give without frowning, you give without seething 

You feed without eating, your days are bleeding 

Your mind is bending while your heart isn’t mending 

You are caught in cycles that feel unending

You pour from a cup that’s long been dry

Smiling through storms that cloud your sky

Carrying others on your back to no end

At the same time, depleting yourself within

Your kindness has a costly toll

A quiet ache that swells the soul

You say, “I’m fine,” though you’re undone

And the giver is left with none

So pause, my sister, before you break

It is crucial for your own sake

The love you give deserves return

Settle your spirit, your rest is earned

---

ABOUT Kiyaza

Kiyaza the Poet is a multifaceted author and creative whose work bridges poetry, design, and self-discovery. In her book Lost Between the Sheets, she invites readers into her intimate journey through relationships, friendships, and the layered experiences of life as a Black woman. Beyond her literary voice, Kiyaza channels her artistry into Water Lily Studios, a design platform of journals and planners, where she encourages reflection, creativity, organization, and self-sufficiency in everyday life. 

Her latest creation, Poetry in Bloom, is a collection of handmade, framed poems adorned with pressed flowers, celebrating beauty, resilience, and the art of storytelling.

Kiyaza’s writing focuses on the raw and reflective journey of self-discovery while exploring love, loss, healing, and growth through the lens of a millennial Black woman. 

---

Connect with Kiyaza! 

Email: createdbyzakiya@gmail.com

Instagram: @kiyazawrites

Website: www.zakiyacreates.com  

Book: Lost Between the Sheets vol. 1: https://a.co/d/6PaU3bV