And Still I Rise

 I’m not here to impress.

I’m here to tell the truth—

the kind that resonates deep within,

waiting to take its place on the page.

This quiet space was forged in survival—

from a silence that nearly consumed me,

to a surrendering into the hands of God.

Here, poetry becomes prayer.

And prayer becomes vital breath.

Every word represents my undoing.

Every crack becomes a channel for His Light.

If you are navigating the fire,

the waters,

the ache,

the grief—

know this: 

you are not alone.

He stands with us here.

In the furnace of refining,

as the Fourth who never leaves.

This is the heart behind Breath + Ash—

where God’s compassion gathers the ashes we carry,

and healing rises from the fire that burns,

but does not comsume.

The name dotkoak carries its own story.

It began as Daughter of the King of All Kings—

a declaration of identity and belonging.

At first, it was just between me and my Father.

But as I leaned in closer to listen,

He gently nudged me deeper.

To live not only as His daughter,

but as His disciple.

One who follows behind His lead.

One who learns from His love.

One who speaks with truth and grace.

dotkoak became short for

Disciple of the King of All Kings—

a quiet banner over my life and work,

always pointing back to the One

who is carrying me through it all.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze. [Isaiah 43:1b–2]

With you in the ache—and the rising,

—dotkoak