Resolutions: I Promise | Spoken Word Poem by Natalie Patterson

In celebration of the new year, Natalie Patterson performs a new poem about resolutions and promises.
Written and Performed by: Natalie Patterson
Filmed and Edited by: Jacob Menache
Resolutions: I Promise
It is rare that I make resolutions
Don’t want them to haunt me in the dead of night
Each day guilted by all the things I said I would or would not do
I only do what I want, when I want
With a full heart or not at all
And the rest will have to settle somewhere between my lips and my intention
I don’t promise often
But there comes a day
When I am more than wild woman
More than what I’ve accomplished or seek to and as that day approaches
You should know:
I promise to remember how to love
In the face of hurt in my heart
I will love you
Foolishly, at times but brave
I promise to forgive
To ignite the soft of me and surrender to that everything ain’t gonna grow like I grow
Aint gon’ know what I know, how I know
And that is ok
There is still love in separation
Still love in letting go
I promise to love myself
To honor this girl with dreams she can’t stomach yet but tries hard to
In the morning, I will pray to a God I hope to be more like and she will laugh Knowing I have forgotten already that she loves me unconditionally
Just a silly girl wanting more and more and more
But having everything I already need
I promise to laugh hardest when life is most challenging
I promise to tell strangers they are beautiful because they haven’t heard it in too long
I promise to dance across the floor when I’m excited
I promise to be excited
To sit with my mother to remind her that she makes amazing things
To listen to my elders, to honor the repetition in their stories
To watch intently as my nephew and niece blossom
I promise to call my sister
To love her because she grows our family when I might not
And none of this comes easy
None of it will be overnight
I might be sacred and stubborn at first and when I am
I promise to lean into it
To let life make a masterpiece of me
To say what needs to be said in the moment and trust that I am prepared
I promise to listen to the way God moves
I promise to be moved
To not stop noticing the details in the day
The way you hesitate before speaking
Or the nervous girl at the table next to me
I promise to never stop picking up on energy
And feeling responsible for humanity
I promise to let this fire rage
To drink more water and carry this skin like a gift
I promise to breathe on purpose
And fall in love without fear
I promise. I promise. I promise.
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[@nonioldchannel7187]

Whenever I hear Natalie speak, it makes me want to go out and change the world - I can never thank you enough for these words I could never find but you did.

[@jeannethielereynolds9930]

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Love this women's words. A prophet, no doubt.

[@tashmupambo7482]

"I promise to breathe on purpose" 👏🏾

[@annama4082]

Natalie can speak these words and make them more beautiful than anyone else ever could

[@hsimran89]

I love Natalie Patterson <3 Such a lovely woman with such a deeply moving voice- a voice that she chooses to use (Thank universe!) and ignite spirits with <3 Thank you gorgeous amazing Natalie <3

[@samlee2562]

i just don't understand people who thumbs down beautiful expressions like this

[@debrawilliams5121]

Natalie is an awesome woman who inspires me. I love her !!!

[@carlyconnell1828]

I am so excited that SoulPancake is putting out so many videos of Natalie's beautiful spoken word poems. After discovering the first two videos with her poems, I would come back to watch them day after day and let the messages soak in. "I have a beautiful body." Natalie, you have changed my life. I can not wait for more!

[@EllaJoannah]

"I promise to remember how to love in the face of hurt in my heart"..."there is still love in separation.. There is still

[@sunflower1918]

Whenever I see a new video from Natalie, my heart smiles. Natalie, you are an amazing poet and beautiful woman! I wish I would be brave like you one day. xoxo

[@renansouza2195]

She speaks with her heart, I can see it because her eyes shine at every single word she says ♥

[@lucysaxon3838]

"I promise to laugh hardest when life is most challenging" Amen

[@tappling1]

Thank you for sharing your gift and feeding my soul with your beautiful words!

[@Peacelove0404]

Absolutely amazing. I love Natalie and her spoken word

[@holzschwein0]

You, girl, are a beautiful one, inside and out, and your words always move me.

[@sherrygrant8231]

Tearing up. This is so beautiful ❤️ thank you

[@Senpaijello]

To me, this is a perfect example of how you should start off every day, and every year, be thankful and make promises. Look towards the future and find where you need to be, where you belong. In order for there to be happiness you need this, this type of speech, this type of wisdom/awareness, this type of dedication and passion, this type of love for those around you... this spoken truth.

[@ialacworld1529]

You are such an inspiration Natalie. Your words are so powerful!!

[@iliveinmyhead]

I don't think one of your poems has ever not made me cry. Your words make me feel more awake. Thank you. Lots of love and a VERY happy new year xxxx

[@lydiavillalba4641]

"There is still love in separation, still love in letting go."