I wrote my poetry ebook, The Shape of Survival, over the better part of last year. It wasn’t something I sat down and wrote day after day, rushing to finish a book. No. I wrote these poems on different days, when life was happening to me.I never posted them anywhere. So I finally decided to… Continue reading My Book is on Selar!
Category: Just Nancy Talking
Here, I sit with life and talk about it as it comes. These are my random thoughts. My everyday moments. Things I’m learning. Nothing too serious, nothing too polished – just me, thinking out loud.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is here, and I know people are all over the place making plans—if they haven’t already. Like kesho. When the clock strikes midnight, there will be noise. Screams from balconies. Whistles. Fireworks bursting over estates and hotels. Someone’s car alarm will definitely go off for no reason. Nairobi will not sleep. This… Continue reading New Year’s Eve
Coping with Loss
I don’t know how people feel when they lose their partner, but I know the pain of losing someone close. It’s the kind of pain that just sits with you quietly. You can be fine, then suddenly you’re not.I lost my dad when I was six, and I can still tell you everything. From the… Continue reading Coping with Loss
It’s My Birthday
Hey! So, today is my birthday. I’ve just turned thirty-something. I had one big wish for this past year: to be a published author. And as I blow out my candles tonight, that dream is still in the “not yet” pile. At first, it felt like a failure. But then I looked at what did happen around… Continue reading It’s My Birthday
What Salma Mbuvi’s Husband Has Taught Me About Responsibility and Modern Manhood
A view on on the recent drama involving Salma Mbuvi husband, Mike Sonko, and the deeper issues of GBV, entitlement, and responsibility in modern homes. A look at how violence and comfort without contribution are slowly damaging our society and homes.
Betty Bayo’s Death, and the Realities of Blended Families
A reflection on Betty Bayo’s passing and what it means for Sky Victor, her brother, Pastor Kanyari, Tash, and the realities of blended families going through grief and life after loss.
Behind the Poem: I’m Still Broken
I wrote this poem after a conversation I had with someone close to my heart.A moment that could’ve ended everything — not because he did something wrong,but because my wounds were louder than his love. That’s the thing about healing… it’s not linear.Sometimes your heart still hears footsteps from the past,even when someone new is… Continue reading Behind the Poem: I’m Still Broken
How to Read and Appreciate Poetry Like a Poet
Let’s be honest—poetry can feel intimidating. You read a poem, and instead of feeling enlightened, you’re sitting there thinking, What did I just read? Been there. Done that. Even as a poet, some poems still make me pause, re-read, and sometimes Google their meaning. But here’s the thing: poetry isn’t meant to be “figured out”… Continue reading How to Read and Appreciate Poetry Like a Poet
How to Find Poetry in Everyday Life
You Don’t Have to Look for Poetry—It’s Already There Have you ever had one of those moments where you just felt something? Maybe you were sipping tea on a quiet morning, and for a second, the steam swirling up felt like a story waiting to be told. Or you were stuck in traffic, watching strangers… Continue reading How to Find Poetry in Everyday Life
Why Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou Still Gives Us Chills
You ever read a poem that makes you sit up straighter, hold your head a little higher, and feel seen? That’s Phenomenal Woman. It’s not just a poem—it’s a whole mood, a declaration, a reminder that confidence, beauty, and power don’t come from fitting into society’s narrow standards. They come from owning who you are. … Continue reading Why Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou Still Gives Us Chills
Nancy Atieno's Notes 