Poetry that bleeds, heals, and speaks truth.
✨ About the Book
Before I Lie is a debut poetry collection from Dralandra Larkins. It is a lyrical testimony shaped by both personal survival and collective reckoning. This collection is a mosaic of poems, affirmations, art illustrations, and short stories that bear witness to the scars we inherit and the healing we dare to choose. From Black girlhood in South Minneapolis to the frontlines of self-worth, spirituality, and resistance, this book offers an intimate and powerful portrait of what it means to rise from silence. Available now in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats.
book reviews
Book Reviews
"I picked up this book at a local reading, and Dralandra is so talented! Her poetry and stories in this collection are thought-provoking, rhythmic, and insightful. Highly recommend!" -Amy
"Having first heard a few of Dralanda Larkins' poems performed through an online open mic, I immediately knew that I had to read her book. Deeply personal, this is not a book I could simply read. Dralandra's writing is such that I feel every word. While much of my identity and life experience has been different than hers, Dralandra's writing draws me in and makes me to know more - while also motivating me to tell my own story through written word." -Keith P
"An absolute masterpiece. Her words painted such a beautiful picture of raw emotion. Absolutely brilliant . Dralandra I think you for allowing us inside your beautiful mind. I 100 percent recommend “before I lie!" -Anonymous
"I purchased an early copy of Before I Lie at a festival in Minnesota and read it cover to cover. This book is a poetic testimony, a protest, a gospel battlefield, and an altar all in one. Dralandra’s poems carry both street grit and sacred softness, often within the same stanza. That’s no easy feat, but she’s made it her signature. And the illustrations in the book? Chefs kiss." -Alex Anderson
"Larkins' journey to assert her own womanhood is a ‘boomerang-sankofa-response’ to Sojourner Truth’s original call: ‘Ain’t I a Woman?...Her words are carried by rhythm and momentum, conveying a sense of urgency that propels the words beyond the page… Beyond these parallels, there’s also a celebratory reclamation of self that drives the work." Full book review here: Before I Lie review: Dralandra Larkins tells the truth - Sagirah Shashid
Art illustration from "Before I Lie" in the poem "Walking Altars"
I dress this body
like the altar it’s always been.
We take diamonds
and press them to our teeth,
tattoo them in our mouths
so, we gleam when we speak.
Grins like a crescent moon....
So, if I come through with a twist-out,
a gold grill,
a waist bead,
a septum ring—
silver.
A whole damn altar on my body—
just know:
This ain’t a costume, baby—
I’m not dressed up for you.
This is history in gold—
carved from copper, shells, and wood...
(read the full poem in "Before I Lie")
Poems in Before I Lie
A letter to Love Yourself
Love yourself!
Do not believe society’s standard of beauty
truly,
You are a Masterpiece.
Created by the Master, God,
you are beautiful.
You're skin and bones,
human, you are not made of metaphors.
Your strength is fire. You are not a mistake, never relinquish your superpowers.
You're the Queen, King, of your tower.
Breathe.
You've found the strength to keep going, hold on just a little longer what doesn't kill you makes you a conqueror.
You've got to be brave,
David, conquer your Goliath and slay!
Just, love yourself.
I'm not talkin’ about getting a new pair of shoes with your fresh taper cut or your brows on fleek, edges sleeked, so you shared a tweet and now you're feeling yourself. I’m talkin’ about
Heal yourself.
From the root of your core. Because if you won't acknowledge who you truly are, then, what is your purpose for? So, this to society’ that made you feel like your Black is not a boastful believer,
And this is to society’ that made you feel unsatisfied with the skin you’re in. Fall in love with your imperfections: skin, smile, face, bones because you are a blessing, don’t second guess this.
I absolutely,
Indefinitely,
Wholeheartedly,
Love me, unconditionally.
Do not believe in society's concept of beauty
cause truly, you are a Masterpiece.
HOW TO WASH AWAY TRAUMA
1. Begin by turning on the faucet of gratitude for making it this far—for being alive.
2. Wet your hands with humility. Splash it across your face like holy water.
3. Look into the mirror, affirm: You Are Not Alone.
4. Apply some compassion balm—thick enough to cover all your scars and worries.
5. Clean the corners of your mind with a fresh perspective.
6. Lather your body with love. You are valuable.
7. Gently scrub away toxic beliefs about yourself from your skin.
8. Do not soak in shame for the choices you’ve made. The harm done to you was never your fault.
9. Wash off the dust of their mistreatment. Watch it drain with an unclosed fist.
10. Wipe the wear and pull from your body.
11. Cry in the shower for as long as you need.
12. Exhale.
13. Rinse your wounds with your tears for at least thirty seconds. Pat them dry with forgiveness.
14. Turn off the memories.
15. Squeeze the ache from your towel. Then, squeeze the pain of your past. Hang it to dry.
16. Breathe. You are now safe.
2022 Black, Bold, Brilliant BLACK HISTORY MONTH Guess WhO POEM?
2022 Black, Bold, Brilliant BLACK HISTORY MONTH Guess WhO POEM?
December 23, 1867
Born Black, bold, and brilliant.
In the face of Jim Crow racism, I remained resilient. I was born free!
A violet wildflower that rose out of Louisiana's poverty.
1906, I received God's vision
to invent
a product that would lead Black women
to prosperity and economic independence.
A philanthropist
even in the face of black male resistance, I successfully hired over 20,000 sales agents and built my own manufacturing business
in Indiana.
I'm determined, radical, and gifted!
I leave a legacy as pilot pioneer for African American entrepreneurship.
This couldn't have been achieved had I not embraced my Black beauty
or magical hair
for all to stare
as America's 1919
first Black Madam
self-made millionaire
I am...?