For the women who are "difficult" to love By Warsan Shire (Grades 10+)

Warsan Shire is a Somali-British poet, writer, and teacher whose work explores themes of identity, migration, womanhood, and resilience. She became the first Young Poet Laureate for London in 2013 and is widely recognized for her powerful, intimate voice that speaks to the experiences of displacement and survival. Her poem “For Women Who Are Difficult to Love” addresses the pain and strength of women who are often misunderstood, presenting selfhood as both burden and liberation. Through raw imagery and unflinching honesty, Shire reclaims vulnerability as power, giving voice to women who refuse to diminish themselves.