Kandayia Ali - IAMOmni

THE SACRIFICE by Kandayia Ali  (Monologue / Spoken Word) They watched me light the match and thought it meant I was finished. They called it self-sabotage. They called it too much. They didn’t know I wasn’t destroying my life— I was demolishing the cage. I was burning the costume. The version of me built to keep other people comfortable. The version trained to smile on command, shrink on cue, apologize for taking up space. I’m a relentless survivor. This isn’t collapse—this is strategy. Sacrifice was never my punishment. Sacrifice became my weapon. I didn’t lose people. I removed leverage. I didn’t lose comfort. I canceled the bribe. I didn’t lose approval. I unplugged from the machine. Anything I’m attached to can be used to steer me. So I started cutting cords—clean, surgical, intentional. Not chaotic. Calculated. I let friendships fall away that only loved my obedience. I let rooms empty so the echo could stop lying to me. I let money change, status shift, titles fad...

The Eidetic Absence of Zeitriss (“A reflection on the time fracture between who we were and what we’ve become.”) by Kandayia Ali I am from a time where you had to be in the house before the street lights came on - because that is where the "shadows of darkness dwelled for a spell."  A time when darkness and spiritual dark acts were a more popular discussion out in the open winds of daylight. An era where you were told which potluck to NOT EAT, which drinks to avoid, facts that didn't involve feelings, and which people to not discuss your personal business with.  You weren't allowed to blaspheme, or that was your ass... When Elders told you that they 'saw death' walking with a person, you stayed away—no questions asked. They saw past the veil and covered you with one to protect you. When prayer warriors REALLY walked the floor in tears and verbal cries that shook the gates of hell loose to free trapped souls from purgatory. Not to keep others trapped in an end...