In my new book, Hold Space for Me, I would say my sense of identity is one of a courageous, vulnerable, empath. I say courageous and vulnerable because you need courage to be open and commit to staying open and vulnerable so that you can connect and empathise more with people.

But there are some poems that pretty much write themselves, they just come to me and it is as easy as me putting pen to paper. These happen in the middle of conversation, or because I saw a bird fly, or thought about the smile of a boy, or because it’s raining outside.

My people (Bakongo) are known to be the witches and wizards of Angola, the jokes make me smile, I´m from a lineage of people who deal with the spirit. And it makes me glad because Jaliya is a celebration of spirit and magic.

My people (Bakongo) are known to be the witches and wizards of Angola, the jokes make me smile, I´m from a lineage of people who deal with the spirit. And it makes me glad because Jaliya is a celebration of spirit and magic.

Like my name, I am here, look, see, wait, just watch me, I am here. I am a sigh of relief. The conqueror of personal traumas, victory personified.