Dear rebelrouser, 

I feel your heart 

beating under breasts that have just formed

restless 

yearning for change 

You are the change

you are the wave

you are Us 

the future 

never be complacent

come to the fight

make good trouble 

the rebelrouser must shift

imperceptibility 

implacebaly 

irrevocably

to the girl who can sit in schools, meetings and ‘behave’ fast 

be ready with a quick smile 

heels or keds/either one if she wants 

stay still still like her beating heart 

always ready for that imperceptible change in the air

The fight 

the hardest thing about being us 

is knowing when to turn it off

find your shape 

it’ll never be perfect to everyone 

if you got to call our racists at family gatherings 

allow yourself to be fun with friends

If your friends offend, 

lean inwards

towards family who may not seem like you, but truly see you and accept you as you are

If you don’t have that, call me

I love you already 

dearest rebelrouser

you are my family

the blood in veins

you are my veins

together we will fight another day 

If thanksgivings are awkward, give yourself a by on christmas

or by shopping with friends

or online 

or by the pool 

dear rebelrouser

talk less

listen more

read the entire thing before you respond-I know it’s painful 

turn off facebook notifications

blocking shit stains is worth it if that’s what you need to fight another day

Take a break 

Designated social media times ONLY

there’s just too much beauty out there that we’ve convinced ourselves is boring

refrain from that dopaminergic limbic system bubble rush 

it’s the simple things, baby 

the golden rays of the sun 

how light refracts in water

baby giggles 

falling in love with a good book or tv show 

a play

the wind on your face 

dear rebelrouser

prepare for the not all men’s/white people/desis talking points 

Perfect that response

get emancipated-legally and spiritually from the shackles of your holy bonds

dear rebelrouser

if you got a crush on a man, ask how he feels about your own rights

you’ll either get over him damn fast 

or fall madly in love 

guess which is more common-and that’s good 

WE are the crushes to have on ourselves.

Quit wasting time trying to obtain them and try to obtain your own true potential

practice until your toes bleed

read until you are the smartest most educated best self you can be

dance

sing

write a play 

discover your own body

your own magic

your own truth 

dear rebelrouser-those who accuse you of being dramatic are projecting

dear rebelrouser

dress how you want, wear what you want how you want 

Just NEVER judge another queen

NEVER call names if you can help it

you don’t have to like or love anyone, but try not to destroy their own divine feminine

blowing out their candle doesn’t make yours brighter

igniting destruction in light  your own anger holds us ALL back 

Where were we when our rights were taken away/never given by men?

At each other’s throats more often enough

Nah, rebelrouser 

sometimes fiery hearts clash

keep your distance to avoid that catastrophe 

but don’t dim their sun 

practice your gifts

but perfect your heart more 

dear rebelrouser

grow a backbone

not a wishbone

dear rebelrouser

read.  read a lot.  It doesn’t have to be what they assign you in class.  What interests you?  Consumes you?  What loves you back?  It’s ok not to know.  Keep searching.  Have faith.  Love yourself through all your awful and bad, silly and sad.

get an education.  You don’t have to use it. 

But you need that foundation in a world determined to misunderstanding you and taking you less seriously. 

dear rebelrouser 

learn krav maga 

maybe conceal carry if you are properly trained, but don’t be an idiot

dear rebelrouser

spread your values to your children first, get mad on the internet second

THEY are the change you wish to see, not Chad from Chattanooga

Dear rebelrouser

find your tribe

You may look your whole life

but find one kindred warrior amongst the glass among war torn battle fields will carry the earth to its ends 

dear rebelrouser

be optimistic 

happy

you are the change

one at a time 

good trouble is any trouble sweet girl 

but don’t be too sweet and get run the fuck over

Nah, they like that-a little too much

Dear rebelrouser

when seeking a path,

seek those who don’t look like you 

in general, don’t go for those with no other substance 

they’re too shackled

complacent

they think following the rules will protect them from the patriarchy 

it almost never does 

Dearest rebelrouser,

embrace your pain,

your trauma

your flaws

your mistakes 

but never let that become the one characteristic that defines you

consumes you 

overshadows all else that is good and true and beautiful about you 

don’t lash out at others in projection

that’s your own shit 

not theirs

own it

love it

be it

but don’t let the virus of revenge, hatred and anger consume you

The only thing that wins is the hatred itself 

My dearest rebelrouser

I love you 

Be true

Be good

Be YOU