could not imagine the life she enjoys now. She was only 9 years old when her mother died, and she was sent to live with her aunt and uncle. “My aunt was physically and verbally abusive,” Perkins said. “On the surface, my uncle seemed kind, but he abused me in secret.” As a result of her traumatic childhood, she often felt lost and alone. Perkins’ favorite escape was the big screen, “The Wizard of Oz” in particular.
“I always identified with Dorothy because she lived with her aunt and uncle,” she said. “I would escape into the story, trying to find a place to call home, someone who would love me and care for me. Glenda told Dorothy she had the power within herself to get back home. It reminds me that I have always had the power inside me to do—or be—what I needed. I didn’t have to allow my circumstances to dictate my life. I could escape from my past and I would be OK.”
“I would escape into the story, trying to find a place to call home, someone who would love me and care for me.
Kat Perkins
Perkins has written poetry for years and also has a memoir in the works. Her first book will be published soon. “It’s a poetry chat book, a poetic story about me, but it’s not just about me,” she said. “It could also be about you or about someone you know who’s been through some things in life.” Perkins shared the following excerpt, “The Pearl” as she calls it:
In the realm, where
Elegance and strength
Intertwine,
Girls with pearls have power,
In grandeur they shine.
Assembling tiny sun kissed
Moons divinely designed.
Once graced a mother’s neck.
I am talking about mine.
Uniquely formed.
And beautifully aligned.
Girls with pearls have power.
Not just adornment, round and white,
Holding illustrious iridescent
Streaks of color reflections of light.
One by one portraying hope, strength,
Value and love
Echoing the path of life
Created from above.
Girls with pearls have power.
She wears them with grace,
She wears them with pride,
Abused as a child, no one by my side.
Depicted as black, painted as ugly,
Ridiculed unjustly, shown no mercy
I was told to hide.
With no one to shield and protect
This little girl at nine.
Lost and confused
Because my mother had died.
Girls with pearls have power.
Perkins’ book is also full of her original artwork. She began painting during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and has not stopped since. Her favorite movie appears in many of her paintings. She hints at it with her signature glittery red dot embellishment—a nod to Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers. The self-determination she gained from Dorothy, coupled with her faith in Christ, has enabled Perkins to boldly share her works with a larger audience.
“A lot of people get messed up from life, turn to addictions [and] they lose it, but God allowed me to keep my sanity and my focus,” she said. “My faith is very strong. If I hold on and keep the faith and trust in Him and myself, all things are possible.”
Click here to read more stories by Kari Apted.
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