In the quiet space where the universe and I met, I whispered my desire to grow. I offered myself as a vessel, ready to be shaped and molded. And so, the universe responded in a way only she could. She made me uncomfortable, stripping away all that was familiar, leaving me exposed and vulnerable.

She taught me the art of silence, the necessity of letting go, the strength to move forward, and the courage to hold my ground. She urged me to embrace understanding, to fight for survival, to be assertive, and to love more deeply, yet with less naivety. She instructed me to take these lessons and share them with others, to be a beacon of wisdom born from pain.

So here I stand today, uncomfortable, and heartbroken, but growing with every passing moment. I am a tapestry of experiences, woven with threads of wisdom and resilience. My pain has become a teacher, reminding me of the importance of love and the futility of bitterness.

I carry within me the chant “Ilê, Ilê, Ilê, Ilê, Ileaô,” a testament to my unwavering commitment to keep moving forward, to keep growing, no matter if obstacles may come my way. I am a testament to the universe’s transformative power, and I am here to share my beautiful words with the world.

“Ilê, Ilê, Ilê, Ilê, Ileaô” is a phrase in Yoruba, a language spoken in West Africa. It is often used in Afro-Brazilian religious and cultural contexts, such as in the practice of Candomblé. The phrase is a chant or invocation that is used to call upon the spirits or deities in the Candomblé tradition. “Ilê, Ilê, Ilê, Ilê, Ileaô” is a greeting to Oxalá, the Orixá associated with peace, purity and creation. The lyrics express reverence and praise for this deity.

Copyright © Beatriz Esmer