Between The Lines

Blessings of angels tending
to the left and right.
Our ancestors paved a path
of hope and determination.

A Poem: Calling

He called my name, my full given name pronounced each syllable that my mother spoke the day I was born. He called my name, like he knew my gait how each foot landed when I walked to Sunday School in too tight patent leather shoes. He called my name, as though he were […]

A Poem: Forced Entry

He broke into me- stole something. Brazen thief never charged with forced entry, and no one sees the bruise prints the scratch marks on my spirit- these don’t make police reports. The dignity missing from my step doesn’t qualify as physical evidence. I shake when I see him. Only my homegirls seem […]

Poetically Speaking

April is National Poetry Month here in the United States. National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives every April. It was […]

My Granddaddy Hamilton

~~~ Today is the day when we celebrate father’s in the United States. I’ve highlighted my dad in past Father’s Day inspired post but today I am paying homage specifically to my granddaddy Hamilton. Due to various reasons, which I choose not to discuss today I had four grandfathers but granddaddy Hamilton was at the […]

In Memory of Mom

~~~ Mother’s Day weekend is tough for me. When my mom was living, I would enjoy showering her with gifts this weekend. However, I didn’t wait until Mother’s Day to tell her I loved her or to treat her to dinner. Each month I would do something nice or maybe deposit a little surprise in […]

A Poem: Winter Solstice

~~~ Winds swirling, whipping whirling throughout trees releasing their final Fall leaves. Hibernation taking place throughout natures spaces. Sleep comes now, letting God work, creating additional rings of growth on old oaks. Preparing bulbs buried deep for a long winters nap; be dormant, we shall see your beauty again in Spring. . by: Joyce M. […]

Beauty II

~~~ In conjunction with the blog defining beauty, sharing some additional images and poetry related to abstract and cultural beauty. ~ These Gullah inspired woven creations are made by Sufia Giza-Amenwashu who has recently added weaver to her many talents, which include poetess, documentarian, film festival organizer. Be on the look out for an interview […]

Poetry, Pictures, & Politics

~~~ September 2nd through 6th contained numerous events surrounding the 2012 Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte, NC. The event had many goals but the primary one was the nomination of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominees. Along the journey each day from pre-convention to closing gavel held excitement […]

Poetry: We Still Remember

~~~ Though tears are shed less frequently hearts longing is not as painful we still feel empathy for families seeking to fill the void of loss; lives changed long ago on a sunny day work halted and freedoms shattered with souls leaping from upper floors; today we still remember, lighting candles, reading names of victims […]