Hello Kindreds and Wanderhearts,
There’s a kind of magic in what almost gets left behind.
Some poems arrived fully formed, one breath from heart to page. Others felt like I had to drag them out of myself, unsure if they even belonged in Unveiled & Unbound. Too raw. Too pointed. Too personal. Too… messy.
But here’s the thing: what almost didn’t make it was often exactly what needed to be said.
So today, I’m sharing five poems that nearly didn’t make it into the book – and the honest reasons I had to keep them.
1. Growing Pains
2017 December
Why it almost didn’t make it: It felt too personal, too steeped in a specific moment. I worried it wouldn’t resonate.
Why it stayed: Because change – especially the kind that happens in families – is something we all feel. The grief of shifting dynamics, the ache of carving out a new version of self… it’s all there. And it’s real.
“These growing pains are only mine because I choose to have them.I can also choose not to have them—and that’s fine.”
This piece marked a turning point in how I viewed agency, identity, and legacy. I didn’t want to be told who I was. I wanted to reclaim the pen.
2. You Think You Know Me / Hubris
2016 November
Why it almost didn’t make it: It felt too exposed; too pointed. I didn’t want to come across as bitter or defensive.
Why it stayed: Because sometimes you need to stand in your fire. This poem speaks directly to the frustration of being misunderstood, underestimated, or reduced to fragments of self that feel digestible for others.
“I am a kaleidoscope…A symphony of complexities, ever-changing, never static.”
It’s an anthem of reclamation. Of daring people to release their assumptions and meet the whole version of me.
3. Releasing the Term "My"
2017 October
Why it almost didn’t make it: I second-guessed whether it was too abstract or even too self-righteous.
Why it stayed: Because it was defiant. Honest. A necessary reflection on the language we use in love and connection.
“I refuse to take possession of peopleBecause I refuse to be owned by anyone.”
This poem wasn’t about shunning intimacy; it was about unlearning attachment styles that feel like ownership. It was about breathing space into love.
4. Energy H*
2017 October
Why it almost didn’t make it: The title was bold (obviously), and the content felt… unfiltered. A little too real.
Why it stayed: Because this poem was a breakthrough. It helped me see how I was giving myself away – spiritually, emotionally, energetically – in hopes of being needed.
“I NEED MY LIGHT MORE THAN ANYONE RIGHT NOW.”
Writing this was like shaking my own shoulders. It’s not just a poem; it’s a mantra for reclaiming energy, boundaries, and self-worth. If I needed to hear it then, someone else needs to hear it now.
5. Eyo It’s Lit
2017 November
Why it almost didn’t make it: It was a vibe! But I questioned if the language or tone would translate across readers. It felt niche, even “too fun.”
Why it stayed: Because closure doesn’t have to be quiet or poetic in the traditional sense. Sometimes it’s loud, raw, and dipped in that African American Vernacular sauce with a side of soul-searching sass.
“If God could bring you into my life the way She did,She can sure answer my prayers for who and what I desire now.”
This one was a celebration of moving on with power. Of honoring the love without getting stuck in the fantasy. Of laughing and healing at the same damn time.
Final Thoughts
If there’s anything I’ve learned from revisiting these pieces, it’s this:
The work that scares us often is the work.
The art we second-guess is usually the art that liberates.
Every poem in Unveiled & Unbound holds a piece of my becoming. Even the ones that almost didn’t make it. Maybe especially those.
I look forward to seeing how you take to these poems once the book is out.
Gentle reminder that Unveiled & Unbound drops on 4 June and is currently available for preorder on all major e-book platforms.
Until next time….
…Stay Radiant ✨
– Nobu