“Call Me for Prayer” “Call me for prayer…” Where? Blasted on FB Publicly As tho’ everyone should see how far I’ve fallen? And I need help to get up From who? You? Don’t make me laugh! Your rod and staff don’t inspire confidence. They bring out the beast in me Make me snarl cruelly Thinking how easy it would be To wash you off in cuss words Poetically… I don’t need the high and mighty "Call me for prayer…” I need the brother who will be there When tears flood my face Who isn’t disgraced To come alongside someone sitting in the dirt And you wonder why I “flirt With the world?” ‘Cause there’s more genuine love Out here than under the pious stare Of the righteous…. For real, don’t make me cuss 'Cause all I’ve heard is how I’m throwing away my life When all the while I’m battling loss And when I need you, you gloss Over my need and tell me How I’ve fallen away? Yet I remember the hugs Surrounding me when loss wracked my body and no one offered to pray, just allowed me to be; not throwing jargon. I’m sure that if I was next to Christ He would comfort Instead of consorting Spitting religious verbosity I know you mean well, see But time and place would dictate A privately penned message Not a blast on my Timeline For all to see That you’re ‘helping’ me ‘Cause the same Christ you following Said “Don’t let your left hand see What your right hand is doing…” So, in my ruling, You need to wheel and come again Or rather – don’t come back at all ‘Cause I don’t need to deal with all the emotion You stir up; one simple message pulled up And my day lost all its bearings Like a doomed plane losing altitude Veering to an explosive end. I had to sit down and spend The time to write this verse, Expressing myself and saving you From the curses rising unbridled to my lips So save us both the bother and take a trip Taking your, “Call me for prayer” with you… About the Poet Robert R.Gibson (PassionPoet or Passion for short) is a member of the League of Extraordinary Poets (LXP) in Barbados and enjoys painting sensual images with his words, leading his audience into a sensory experience. Although sexuality and sensuality are his main forte, in his own words he says, "Passion is not always about sex." Passion is anger, sorrow, enthusiasm - his poems are written to evoke intensity. He has been writing from age 14 and is aiming to have his first anthology of poems published soon. In 2011, Robert entered the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), the national arts festival of his native Barbados with three poems – Luscious, Rain, and Goblet. All three of the poems achieved awards – Luscious received a silver award, and Goblet and Rain received bronze awards. He also received the Most Promising Poet award for the year. In 2012, Robert entered NIFCA again and one of his poems – Tribute – received a bronze award. The winning NIFCA entries are to be published in the Winning Words anthology produced by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the producers of NIFCA. Another one of his poems Tribute (A Call to Action), which was inspired by the documentary Cultures of Resistance, was highlighted by the Cultures of Resistance producers on their Facebook page. Robert has also been the featured writer on the Seawoman’s Caribbean Writing Opps blog and his work has been published in an anthology of poetry written by Ainsley Carter entitled, A Journey Into the Abyss of the Mind His poetry has also been accepted into the St. Somewhere Caribbean E-zine for publication in their April 7thedition. UBAWA: When did you first realize your attraction to poetry? Robert: I was 14 or so. I was introduced to poetry as part of my English Language curriculum in school. I decided to try my hand at it and the kids loved it, and I have been writing ever since. UBAWA: Tell us about the very first poem you have ever written Robert: I wrote a poem after being introduced to poetry while in school. It was called THE STUDENT'S LAMENT - and it was a humorous piece insulting everyone from the headmistress to the janitor - and the kids LOVED IT. I said to myself, "I could do this!" And I've been writing ever since. UBAWA: Do you have a favorite poet? If so, who is he/she? Robert: Locally my favourite poet is D.J Simmons - I love his energy, and he's the one that got me back into writing in a serious way. Internationally, it is Gemineye - I LOVE his poems, especially POETIC BLOODLINES. UBAWA: When you’re writing poetry, do you think in terms of genre? Robert: Sometimes. I usually write in free flowing spoken word type verse, so that I can learn it and perform it to an audience. However, from time to time I restrict myself to a form for practice. UBAWA: Some people say writing poetry is like writing a rap or love song. Do you agree? Why/why not? Robert: I agree because (good) rap and love songs are poetic in nature. The point of a good poem is to communicate a feeling to the audience, just like you would want to do when writing a song. UBAWA: Are there certain styles/techniques/rules of poetry you adhere to in your writing? Tell us about your writing style. Robert: When I'm writing under inspiration I write in such a way that the words flow off my tongue. The goal is to be able to carry the written word to the stage or to let those who read it on the page feel it as if it were being read aloud. I use a lot of imagery and word play. The rhythm of the piece is important - words will be dropped, cut or changed if the beat of a line is off. UBAWA: What poetry books have you written? Robert: None yet, but I'm in the process of writing an anthology of poetry called LOVE'S JOURNEY UBAWA: Have you performed any of your poetry pieces on stage? If so, please share your experience(s) with us. Robert: I am a spoken word artist, so I perform regularly on stage. My last performance was at the official house of Barbados' Prime Minister for a charity event called LOVE, POETRY and SONG. This was in aid of giving money and food items to help people living with HIV and AIDS. Check out some of my performances
UBAWA: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of love?
Robert: The first thing that comes to mind when I think of love is my fiancée. I write her a poem every day expressing that love to her. UBAWA: Are you currently dating someone, married, or single? Robert: I'm dating another writer, Colleen Williams, who has written a book about her life as a domestic abuse victim in her book entitled, WHO FEELS IT KNOWS IT. UBAWA: Do you think success is a matter of chance or a matter of choice? Robert: Success is a matter of choice; you have to work hard to get where you want in life. That being said, it has elements of chance too in that circumstances may align in the right way to allow you to get a chance to strive harder for success. For example (non-poetic) I would have sent out resumes to change jobs, (which is working for what I want, or choice) but the fact that the right job came the day before I was let go from my current job is chance; that allows me to continue to work towards my goal. UBAWA: Inspiration for a new poem can come from the strangest places. What inspired you to write your most recent poem? Robert: I get inspired by many things - a random word would pop into my head and I would build a poem around it. One of the craziest inspirations has given birth to one of my most popular poems. My poem LUSCIOUS was inspired by the taste of a ham sandwich. UBAWA: If you could go back and “right” any past wrong in your life, which one would it be and why? Robert: Getting married too early caused a lot of heartaches; I would have waited. UBAWA: When you’re not writing, what are you doing? Robert: Facebooking, working at my day job as a Database Administrator or Skyping with my fiancée UBAWA: There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a poet’s life, fill us in on what one typical day for you is like. Robert: Get up, dress for work as a database administrator, write a poem at my desk if I feel inspired and work is slow, then travel to my hangout spot and chill with my friends before coming home. UBAWA: If you could create the “perfect day,” what would it be like? Robert: The perfect day would contain lots of inspiration to write with no interruptions. My perfect day would contain spending time with my fiancée, going on dates and reveling in the inspiration of the day. UBAWA: What do you do on the weekends? Robert: I take care of my children on Saturdays, and spend time with my fiancée on Sundays. Sometimes, I perform or have a meeting with other poets. UBAWA: Do you hang out or go to clubs? Robert: I hang with other artistic people at one of our vegan restaurants and bars called the GOOD LIFE. I perform at a restaurant called JAGOS, but I do actually go party on the party district from time to time as well. UBAWA: If you could visit any other country in the world and take one other person with you, where would you go and who would you take? Robert: I'd take my fiancée to Europe and explore. We want to spend quality time together and we don't find a lot of that right now. UBAWA: Tell us about one challenge in life that you had to overcome. What was the challenge and how did you get through it? Robert: When I got separated and was headed for divorce, I fell into a funk, a serious depression. One of my friends started sending me FB invites to go out of the house. I found this poetry open mic in a bar and I went to see what it was about. It was there when I met the guy who inspired me to be a spoken word artist myself, DJ Simmons. Through interacting with him and the other word artists, I have come out of that funk with a new confidence, a new boldness, and a new relationship as well :) UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing about yourself that we may not know. Robert: I HATE to be late for ANYTHING. I guess I have OCD. I would rather be an hour EARLY and sit down with a book in the meantime than be late. Stay Connected: Website: http://poetwhispers.wordpress.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PassonPoet Twitter: https://twitter.com/bajanpoet Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/bajanpoet?feature=mhee
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A Writer’s Struggle
Tonight I don’t want to write I don’t want my pen to bleed ink Putting life into this paper Flowing out secrets I can’t bare to whisper Tonight I don’t want to write I don’t want to flash back on my life How empty I feel it’s been How my smiles have deceived even my closest friends How I was searching for things that I felt I needed Even though these things I couldn’t come close to naming I don’t want sympathy Folks running up to me saying you poor thing All the while whispering making it all in vain Tonight I just don’t want to write But I can’t stop my heart flowing through this pen Possessed is my hand A soul trapped within Refusing to stop until it’s all out A voice unrecognized even by me Shouting screaming unto this paper before me Tonight I have no choice but to write About the Poet Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Vulyncia Poindexter spent most of her life writing, not only to cope but to also connect with those around her, drawing specifically to poetry because she felt there were never any limitations. Going to school to pursue her dream of becoming a psychologist Vulyncia has obtained her Associate’s degree in Science and is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Never putting the pen down, in April of 2012 she released her first book of poetry and personal thoughts on life called “Timeless Clock,” a message embodied in the truth that everyone goes through something because life, love, cheating, and sex is timeless. Through her book she inspires people not only to recognize their dreams but to not be ashamed of who they are and understand what makes them happy. Vulyncia Poindexter lives in Hopkinsville with her children. UBAWA: When did you first realize your attraction to poetry? Vulyncia: I first realized my attraction to poetry at a very early age although I didn't take it that serious. I have been writing poetry since the age of 15 of course and at that age I didn't know what I was doing; I just knew it was an outlet. As I got older it was something I turned into a habit; every chance I got I was writing little things here and there. I knew the attraction to poetry was more than a hobby when I could never resist the urge to write no matter what was going on. UBAWA: Tell us about the very first poem you have ever written Vulyncia: The very first poem I ever wrote was a poem called "My Life." It wasn't in the normal structure of a single column poem; it was written in paragraph form. I was real upset and felt alone, even with two sisters. I felt my oldest sister was too old to relate and my youngest sister was too young to understand. It was really a venting poem as I went on to explain how my life wasn't like other kids and why couldn't I be free to live my life as I seen the other kids doing. I didn’t dress like they did because it was "My Life" UBAWA: Do you have a favorite poet? If so, who is he/she? Vulyncia: I actually have several favorite poets - Frank X Walker, Jasmine Mans, Dana Gilmore just to name a few. UBAWA: When you’re writing poetry, do you think in terms of genre? Vulyncia: I've never thought in terms genre, I just allow whatever to come to mind to come out. UBAWA: Some people say writing poetry is like writing a rap or love song. Do you agree? Why/why not? Vulyncia: Yes I've always said poetry is a song without the music. True music is about the lyrics and actually saying something, and not hiding behind a good beat. The same thing goes for great poetry which is about saying something and connecting to people who read it. UBAWA: Are there certain styles/techniques/rules of poetry you adhere to in your writing? Tell us about your writing style. Vulyncia: There is one thing I've never done when writing and that is title my poems before I finish them; and I don't read anything until after I'm done. I feel like it restricts me and distracts me because I’m constantly worried about the title or if it ties in. Other than that I have no real writing style-sometimes it rhymes sometimes it doesn't. UBAWA: What poetry books have you written? Vulyncia: I released my first poetry book called "Timeless Clock" in April of 2012 UBAWA: Have you performed any of your poetry pieces on stage? If so, please share your experience(s) with us. Vulyncia: No I would love to one day but not as of yet. UBAWA: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of love? Vulyncia: Never getting old, never getting dull, and never-ending. Rarely felt but often used, and mistaken when it’s really infatuation and lust. UBAWA: Are you currently dating someone, married, or single? Vulyncia: I'm currently single UBAWA: Do you think success is a matter of chance or a matter of choice? Vulyncia: Success is a matter of choice and chance; you choose to take the chance to put yourself out there to get everything that you truly want, but it definitely starts with you making that choice. UBAWA: Inspiration for a new poem can come from the strangest places. What inspired you to write your most recent poem? Vulyncia: People sometimes say they got bit by "the writing bug;" well I get that all the time. I might be in the bed tired to the world and something comes to me and I have to write it down. One night I was just so tired and I wanted to write so bad but at the same time I tried to fight it. I spent an hour looking for a pen because I couldn't resist the urge, thus "A Writer's Struggle" was penned. UBAWA: If you could go back and “right” any past wrong in your life, which one would it be and why? Vulyncia: I really have nothing in my past that I would "right" because everything I've been through has made me who I am and if I was to take even the smallest thing away I may not be where I am or have even half the accomplishments that I do have. UBAWA: When you’re not writing, what are you doing? Vulyncia: Reading or working on furthering my education in psychology. UBAWA: There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a poet’s life, fill us in on what one typical day for you is like. Vulyncia: Getting up and getting my kids who are 8 and 4 dressed for school. Since the oldest is in preschool I take four hours to transfer whatever I've written on paper to computer. Then it’s school work when my youngest gets off the bus - that way she feels we're doing it together. I’ll have lunch made for the girls by the time the oldest gets off at 3, and complete any other school work. Then it’s dinner by 5-6, kids in bed, then off to work by 11. UBAWA: If you could create the “perfect day,” what would it be like? Vulyncia: Me writing all day long with no interruptions, no errands to run, just me and my pen, and some nice R&B playing from my kindle. UBAWA: What do you do on the weekends? Vulyncia: Weekends typically are anything goes days. The kids and I usually play the WII watch movies do laundry, and cook one meal together of their choice, either breakfast, lunch, or dinner UBAWA: Do you hang out or go to clubs? Vulyncia: Hanging out for me is going to my friend's house or them coming to mine. I get to cooking and maybe a have a little wine, and then have fun with the kids. UBAWA: If you could visit any other country in the world and take one other person with you, where would you go and who would you take? Vulyncia: I would visit Europe and I would take one of my best friends who lived overseas before. UBAWA: Tell us about one challenge in life that you had to overcome. What was the challenge and how did you get through it? Vulyncia: One challenge I've had to overcome in my life was getting pregnant right when I graduated high school. A lot of people expressed their disappointment to me and didn't hide the fact they didn't think I would make anything out of myself. I got over it by doing what I did best - turn to writing and enrolling in school despite being told at times I needed to quit and focus more on money. UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing about yourself that we may not know. Vulyncia: I wasn't going to actually go forward with trying to be published but watching my mom get real sick and then pass away made me realize I wanted to be able to look back on my life and say I have no regrets and I never missed an opportunity. I was tired of wasting time when I had so many things I wanted to explore. UBAWA: Do you host contests or giveaways? Vulyncia: Not at this time but I will soon UBAWA: Any upcoming events that we should know about? Vulyncia: None at this moment but I will definitely keep everyone posted Stay Connected: Website: https://www.facebook.com/timelessclockpoetry Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorvulyncia.poindexter Twitter: https://twitter.com/soulsista_101 Hey
Hey, how you doing? You look nice today I see you've still got that smile You still wear the same aftershave Got the same swagger in your step Still fresh with your clothes You still make me melt And I bet you still know Just what makes me giggle What makes me giddy inside What makes me lose my cool And how to keep my tears dried I've been missing you Dream about you sometimes Thought about you the other day Yeah, you tend to cross my mind I heard about the wedding That's a nice ring on your finger I hope you're truly happy Despite these feelings that linger I hope she knows she's lucky And what a good man she has I hope you stay together forever I hope yours is a love that lasts Well, I'd better be going Busy as ever, you see But there's one more thing I want to say: She should be ME About the Poet Married at sixteen, a mother twice by seventeen, and thrice a mother and divorced by twenty-four, Adrienne Thompson is no stranger to adversity. Not your typical teenage mother, she went on to complete her college degree and to earn her nursing license. She attributes God's faithfulness as the catalyst for her success in life. Now, having raised two children as a divorced mother, with a third fast approaching adulthood, she is sharing a long hidden talent and passion with the world. Using the lessons that life has so expertly taught her as a guideline (betrayal, abusive relationships, self-esteem issues, and witnessing the deteriorating effects of drug abuse), she has created stories that will both entertain and inspire the reader. Adrienne currently resides in Arkansas with her daughter. Formerly a registered nurse, she now writes and publishes her stories full time. UBAWA: When did you first realize your attraction to poetry? Adrienne: I believe around Junior High School. Poetry allowed me to express the feelings I kept bottled up inside. UBAWA: Tell us about the very first poem you have ever written Adrienne: Oh, wow. I don't think I can remember exactly what it said, but I'm almost positive it dealt with love. That's what most all of my poetry deals with. I was probably either expressing my love or my anguish over a lost love. UBAWA: Do you have a favorite poet? If so, who is he/she? Adrienne: Years ago, I bought a book called The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur. It was then and has remained my favorite book of poetry. And Tupac is my favorite poet. UBAWA: When you’re writing poetry, do you think in terms of genre? Adrienne: No, I think in terms of what is in my heart at the moment, what craves to be expressed. UBAWA: Some people say writing poetry is like writing a rap or love song. Do you agree? Why/why not? Adrienne: Definitely! A song is nothing more than poetry sung or rapped over music. UBAWA: Are there certain styles/techniques/rules of poetry you adhere to in your writing? Tell us about your writing style. Adrienne: Anyone who really knows me knows that I am not big on rules. There are no real rules for creativity. You can't put what's in your heart into a certain category. I just write and whatever comes to mind comes out. UBAWA What poetry books have you written? Adrienne: I am currently working on a book of poetry that I will most likely offer as a free download on my website. UBAWA: Have you performed any of your poetry pieces on stage? If so, please share your experience(s) with us. Adrienne: No, I haven't. But it's on my bucket list. :) UBAWA: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of love? Adrienne: God. UBAWA: Are you currently dating someone, married, or single? Adrienne: Happily single at the moment, but I'm ready to receive my husband when God sends him my way. UBAWA: Do you think success is a matter of chance or a matter of choice? Adrienne: Definitely a matter of choice. In order to succeed, you have to choose to work hard, take advantage of opportunities, and persevere. You have to choose not to give up and to believe in yourself. UBAWA: Inspiration for a new poem can come from the strangest places. What inspired you to write your most recent poem? Adrienne: Knowledge that a former love was newly married. UBAWA: If you could go back and “right” any past wrong in your life, which one would it be and why? Adrienne: I would choose to turn my back on fear and be fearless. I wronged myself in the past by being so afraid all of the time. I would go back and fix that for sure. UBAWA: When you’re not writing, what are you doing? Adrienne: Listening to music or sleeping, lol. UBAWA: There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a poet’s life, fill us in on what one typical day for you is like. Adrienne: Well, I make my bread and butter by writing novels, so I spend most of my day writing or promoting or thinking about writing and promoting. UBAWA: If you could create the “perfect day,” what would it be like? Adrienne: Me on a beach with my iPod, a notebook, a pen, and no distractions, UBAWA: What do you do on the weekends? Adrienne: The same thing I do through the week: work! UBAWA: Do you hang out or go to clubs? Adrienne: No, I'm way past that phase of my life. UBAWA: If you could visit any other country in the world and take one other person with you, where would you go and who would you take? Adrienne: Brazil, and I would take my youngest daughter. UBAWA: Tell us about one challenge in life that you had to overcome. What was the challenge and how did you get through it? Adrienne: I had to overcome worrying about the opinions of others, especially when it came to writing. I had to realize that just like I don't like everything I read or every song I hear or every movie I see, there will be people who won't like my work. And that's okay, because there will also be people who will love it. UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing about yourself that we may not know. Adrienne: I love watching ballroom dancing and I loved it way before Dancing with the Stars. I used to watch competitions on PBS all the time, lol. UBAWA: Do you host contests or giveaways? Adrienne: Yes, I do from time to time. UBAWA: Any upcoming events that we should know about? Adrienne: Be sure to check out my website often as I plan to offer free reads throughout the year. Stay connected with Adrienne: Website: http://adriennethompsonwrites.webs.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Adrienne-Thompson/300208429995218 Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_H_Thompson Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/muusikluvver?feature=mhee Tasting Billie's Strange Fruit as its melancholic sound dripped from my stereo speaker
I grip my pen tightly magically transforming college ruled notebook paper into blue veins and flesh as my soul is now the residue of a No. 2 pencil lead. You see Billie has become the mother of my poetic expression and the murderer of the childish chant of Roses are Red and Violets are Blue. About the Poet Juan Diaz started writing poetry when he was twelve years-old. He states that poetry is a way to unburden the soul and to help others see their reflection within the power of poetry. Juan Diaz is a graduate of Wilmington University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He is also the author of two books entitled Poet's Heart and Tears of War. UBAWA: When did you first realize your attraction to poetry? Juan: I first realized I had an attraction to poetry when I started to notice girls. I would write them simple love poems and give them away to the girls at school. As I began to mature, however, I started to write poetry about my neighborhood and the crazy things that took place. In other words, poetry became a way to vent my fear and pain. UBAWA: Tell us about the very first poem you have ever written Juan: The first poem I ever wrote was titled "Sheila" after a girl I had a crush on. I poured my heart and soul into that poem, letting her know how I felt about her. Unfortunately, she didn't feel the same way I did because she ripped up the poem in my face. I swear I cried for weeks. UBAWA: Do you have a favorite poet? If so, who is he/she? Juan: My favorite poet is Maya Angelou. UBAWA: When you’re writing poetry, do you think in terms of genre? Juan: No, I just let it flow naturally. UBAWA: Some people say writing poetry is like writing a rap or love song. Do you agree? Why/why not? Juan: I agree because a lot of emotions go into writing poetry just like a love song or rap. Plus, as a poet you want to write something your audience can identify with. UBAWA: Are there certain styles/techniques/rules of poetry you adhere to in your writing? Tell us about your writing style. Juan: I write "Free Verse," which means that I don’t observe any rules, I just go from the top of my dome. I'm kind of like a freestyle rapper when it comes to poetry. UBAWA: What poetry books have you written? Juan: POET'S HEART UBAWA: Have you performed any of your poetry pieces on stage? If so, please share your experience(s) with us. Juan: I have performed pieces on stage. At the end of my reading, people cheered and some cried, letting me know me know that they were feeling me as a poet. UBAWA: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of love? Juan: The first thing that comes to mind when I think of love is two distinctly different souls coming together as one. UBAWA: Are you currently dating someone, married, or single? Juan: I'm single UBAWA: Do you think success is a matter of chance or a matter of choice? Juan: choice UBAWA: Inspiration for a new poem can come from the strangest places. What inspired you to write your most recent poem? Juan: Listening to Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit is what inspired me to write my latest poem. UBAWA: If you could go back and “right” any past wrong in your life, which one would it be and why? Juan: If I could go back to right a wrong it would be to tell my first love that I cared for her deeply instead of being so withdrawn from her. UBAWA: When you’re not writing, what are you doing? Juan: When I'm not writing I'm usually spending time with family and friends UBAWA: There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a poet’s life, fill us in on what one typical day for you is like. Juan: I get up go to work come back home and write for a few hours and go to bed UBAWA: If you could create the “perfect day,” what would it be like? Juan: That would have to be my wedding day, surrounded by family and friends in a big old church. UBAWA: What do you do on the weekends? Juan: I go out to the moves and eat out with friends. UBAWA: Do you hang out or go to clubs? Juan: No UBAWA: If you could visit any other country in the world and take one other person with you, where would you go and who would you take? Juan: I would go to Paris, with my sister UBAWA: Tell us about one challenge in life that you had to overcome. What was the challenge and how did you get through it? Juan: I overcame living with a physical disability known as Cerebral Palsy which has caused me to be wheelchair bound since birth. It was my faith in God, the love of my family and poetry that have helped me come to terms with my disability. UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing about yourself that we may not know. Juan: One thing that people may not know about me is that I am going for my Master’s degree in Elementary Education. UBAWA: Do you host contests or giveaways? Juan: no UBAWA: Any upcoming events that we should know about? Juan: I'm speaking at a Latino art festival on March 17, 2013 in Wilmington, Delaware Reach out to Juan: Facebook: Juan Diaz "Little Black Girl" DO NOT LET ANYONE STOP YOU!IF WE CAN HAVE A BLACK FIRST-LADY "MICHELLE OBAMA"THEN TRUST ME, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. NEVER THINK THAT YOU ARE LESS THEN ANY OTHER RACE ON THIS EARTH.YOU ARE STRONGER THAN THEY WANT YOU TO THINK. IF "ROSA PARKS" COULD SIT ON A BUS AND NOT MOVE DURING ONE OF THE MOST RACIST TIMES IN HISTORY, THEN TRUST ME YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING! IF "QUEEN LATIFAH” CAN BE A SPOKESWOMAN FOR COVERGIRL THEN TRUST ME, THERE'S NOTHING YOU CANNOT SUCCEED IN.THE FIRST STEP IS NEVER GIVING UP!SUCCESS SHOULD NEVER BE MEASURED BY YOUR SKIN,BUT THE TRUE GIFTS THAT ARE WITHIN. IF AT A "BEYONCE" CONCERT YOU CAN FIND ALL NATIONALITIES SINGING AND JUMPING... THEN TRUST ME YOU CAN SUCCEED.IT'S THE FIGHT IN YOU PASSED DOWN FROM CENTURIES FOR YOU TO ACHIEVE....ALL I'M ASKING YOU IS TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF EVEN IF EVERYONE ELSE DOESN'T BELIEVE.
About the Poet Reginald is a poet/spoken word artist From Chicago, Illinois. He released a spoken word track, entitled "Mis-education of a Black Child" available on iTunes and Amazon. Reginald is the founder of Freedoms Glory Publications. He believes in fighting for justice, loving God and helping people along the way. UBAWA: When did you first realize your attraction to poetry? Reginald: Poetry has always been a part of my life. From reading poems by Maya Angelou to poems by Tupac, I always felt a connection to writing, helping people and expressing myself. UBAWA: Tell us about the very first poem you have ever written Reginald: I think I was in elementary school. I wrote a poem to a girl I was liking. Just a way of trying to express myself if the words couldn't come out. UBAWA: Do you have a favorite poet? If so, who is he/she? Reginald: My Favorite poet has always been Ms. Maya Angelou UBAWA: When you’re writing poetry, do you think in terms of genre? Reginald: No I usually write from my emotions or the atmosphere around me. UBAWA: Some people say writing poetry is like writing a rap or love song. Do you agree? Why/why not? Reginald: I feel that lyrics/poetry are all one. It’s a way of expressing your feelings; a way of getting a message across. UBAWA: Are there certain styles/techniques/rules of poetry you adhere to in your writing? Tell us about your writing style. Reginald: No I kind of just go with the flow of things. UBAWA: What poetry books have you written? Reginald: Interpret My Interpretation UBAWA: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of love? Reginald: Happiness, Joy, togetherness, becoming one. UBAWA: Are you currently dating someone, married, or single? Reginald: single UBAWA: Do you think success is a matter of chance or a matter of choice? Reginald: I feel we are all given chances and we all have a choice to either use that chance or walk away. UBAWA: Inspiration for a new poem can come from the strangest places. What inspired you to write your most recent poem? Reginald: Everything inspires me to write. At any moment I can just write away. UBAWA: If you could go back and “right” any past wrong in your life, which one would it be and why? Reginald: I am not really sure; everything happens for a reason. UBAWA: When you’re not writing, what are you doing? Reginald: I sing UBAWA: There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a poet’s life, fill us in on what one typical day for you is like. Reginald: I work, I write music, and do extra work for the TV show “Boss.” UBAWA: If you could create the “perfect day,” what would it be like? Reginald: Total peace and happiness. UBAWA: What do you do on the weekends? Reginald: I usually spend time with my little brothers or friends. UBAWA: Do you hang out or go to clubs? Reginald: No, I had a friend get killed in a club. I usually stay away from clubs. UBAWA: If you could visit any other country in the world and take one other person with you, where would you go and who would you take? Reginald: I always wanted to visit France. I would probably take my cousin/God brother with me. He is a freshman at Morehouse. UBAWA: Tell us about one challenge in life that you had to overcome. What was the challenge and how did you get through it? Reginald: I live in Chicago. A lot of killings and gang activity goes on here. I overcome by the grace of God each day by staying alive. UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing about yourself that we may not know. Reginald: I am very honest. I love helping people. I usually make sure everyone else is happy before I even think about my own happiness. UBAWA: Do you host contests or giveaways? Reginald: I will be hosting a lot more in the next few months with my novel and poetry book coming out. UBAWA: Any upcoming events that we should know about? Reginald: not as of now. Stay connected to Reginald: Website: reginaldaward.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReginaldAWard Twitter: twitter.com/reginaldaward Tyrese and Rev Run Visit Atlanta Barnes & Noble to sign copies of their latest book, “Manology”2/27/2013 “Every experience in life (whether good or bad) is designed to teach us something about life.” Tyrese (R&B singer and actor) and Rev Run (brother of Russell Simmons and co-founder of Def Jam Records) stopped by the Barnes & Noble at Campcreek Marketplace in Southwest Atlanta on Valentine’s Day weekend to promote and sign copies of their newest book, “Manology.” Of course, me being a huge book lover and fan of Tyrese, I stopped by the event to lend my support and purchased two copies of his book that he and Rev Run didn’t hesitate to grace with their lovely signatures. Check out my review: “Manology” is eight chapters of selfless wisdom and counsel that introduces women to a new way of looking at love and relationships through the minds of two well-known male figures in the entertainment industry – Tyrese, a single father and bachelor, and Rev Run, a married father of six. Not surprisingly, what you will get when you read the book are two well-developed, contrasting points of view that will force you to take an honest look at the love in your own life or lack thereof. The fact that two men who apparently don’t see eye-to-eye (at least when the topic of love and relationships is concerned) could come together and write a book that delivers such truth and clarity is such a marvelous thing. Whether you’re in a relationship and wanna know if it’s worth fighting for, or you’re a single man or woman still looking for that one true love, “Manology” sets the record straight and gives you all the answers you need to know. It’s very rare that you will find a book that makes you think about love in such a meditative and reflective way. Tyrese and Rev Run did a great job with this one. Manology deserves a two-thumbs up! 5 stars Get your copy: http://www.amazon.com/Manology-Secrets-Your-Mans-Revealed/dp/1451681844 Check out some of the pictures from the event: ![]() There are some books that you may pick up and read but you’ll never be the same. ‘This Game Called Life’ by Marie A Norfleet is one of those books. I’ve come across many books that forced me to jump around and had me just all over the place trying to make sense of everything. Marie saves us from that senseless heartache and puts it down straight forward and direct – maybe more gutter than what you would ever expect. This Game Called Life is a barebone tale that takes the shield off many of the things that most consider taboo. Marie weaves a true-to life, compelling, heartfelt, and motivating story that has never been told before. If you have not picked up a copy of this book or any of Marie’s other books, you are truly missing out on one of the industry’s most talented writers! Rating 5 stars ![]() There’s a special and powerful message to be heard and received in Natisha Robinson’s 1st book, This Journey of Life has just Begun. It’s almost impossible that she could squeeze it in just 57 pages. Although I felt a connection with the main character in the story, I still felt that something was missing. There a lot of questions that Natisha leaves the reader with that would be a perfect start for a sequel to her first book. I am looking forward to seeing what Natisha has up her sleeve next. Rating 3 stars ![]() Climatic Successions is a fast-paced, action packed, well-written story textured with an intriguing storyline and characters that you can feel and relate to. Obsession puts you smack dead in the middle of an urban story told like no other. Reading this book was truly an escape. I look forward to more fascinating works by Obsession 4 stars ![]() Bittersweet Exes is a unique story with great dialogue, true-to-life characters, and an unpredictable plot ending. It took me a couple of pages to get into the story but once I got to page 6, the heat turns up and all hell begins to break loose. The many twists, dips, and turns intrinsic to this tale will have you turning the pages to the very end. I have no complaints about the book other than a few minor typesetting errors that most readers could easily ignore. Other than that, the book was a good read. Rating 4 stars |
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