Poetic Journey

I've spent the last two weeks preparing for the BIG push of the book release, which in essence means me hitting every poetry venue I can possible rush in order to perform and continue to get the word out. Those of you who are interested in my poetic journey, I performed at Miko's DGP Cafe on 5/15, and will be presenting on 5/18 at two spots:

The "Y" [... as a Featured Poet] Oklahoma City, 5716 S. Harvey Ct.
and at Verbal Essence [Open Mic] Oklahoma City, Bianca's Jazz Club.

I must admit, I had no idea how much of a world wind writing one book would cause, especially within my typically boring life. During the last two months I've performed at approximately 10 shows, all of which had poets who were far better performers than I. Is "performer" the correct word? FYI, I've never considered myself a spoken word poet, however, there are so many venues which allow for exposure that I had to throw my hat in the ring. Hell, I feel like Kanye West when he said, "...once my rapping ability catches up to the quality of my beats, the industry is done!" I'm terrified of the stage!!! However, Tuesday night was the first time I did an entire piece while maintaining eye contact; Hell, whenever my performing ability equals that of my writing, its a done deal!!! Regardless, I'll never aspire to be THAT POET, the one who is addicted to the three minute lime light, I just want to be half as good a writer as Langston Hughes.

Also, if you have yet to be exposed to my writing ability, here are a few excerpts from my book, CAPTURING SUNRAYS IN A GLASS JAR, which you can purchase on this blog:

Just a Girl @ the End of the Day...
Who is She?

Watching flowers fall from the Heavens pales incomparison to her beauty,
truly a Goddess among women, her mind is as fine a Persian silk linen,
feminine bliss packaged in dark chocolate wrappings,
both tempting, edible, incredible are her ways,
to gaze directly into her love would age the viewerdue to the radiance,
leaving even the Angels jealous, unselfishness is her mantra,
being in her presence feels good as Karma working to your advantage,
her canvass is filled with curves similar to rolling hills,
plentiful, remarkable, magnificent, exquisite is her thought process,
temptress, womanly tempest leaving masculinesuitors wet,
sweating from the pressure mounting from desires caused by wishing to drink from her fountain,
swallow her breath,
chase her flesh into hidden placeswhere no men have journeyed,
but all have dreamt about,
leaving them wishing for a position of clout in an effort to garner her attention,
if only for fleeting moments…

Child-like Explorations
Part I of III

Her black hair, stained fire engine red,
luke-warm blood pouring from her neck
like an erupting hydrant on a hot summer day.
She’d been lying, lifeless, Christ less for three hours.
Her slowly ascending soul was angered at the fact it couldn't
tell anyone of the occurrence, disturbanceto her body,
violation to her flesh, the humiliation of being gullible,
knowing she could have prevented the situation; couldn’t she?

Her white Power Puff Girl panties,
torn from theback by his brutal entry, simply cut to the chase;
only lasted minutes and seconds.
His entry, unprotected,
so even if she survived the attack she would have been raped
by all the pass along victims as well.

Tortured for days, exposed to a Hell unimaginable because "he" was her father.

A child, his child,
a lamb for the slaughter,
surprisingly still trusting of her role model even
after he had withdrawn himself.

Death had not needed to be the answer
to the question she posed before he decided to kill,
"Daddy, do you also treat mommy this way?"
Her display of curiosity was possibly the first thing
pushing him over the edge, his curiosity was the second…

Preventive Medicine
Walking Alone

Standing at ATM debating newest reason for investment,
pressing 4-8-0,
currency falls into trembling hands,
regressive, hesitant, but necessary,
hating contemplation,
head to meet fate at place of condemnation,
need soul cleansing only found by wiping slate(s),
forms complete, services prepared for render,
wait… wait… wait…

…walk into modern lion’s den, nervous but eager,
anticipate emotional instability despite attempted determent lecture,
foreign sector…

…entering stirrups, feels like wearing stockings for the first time,
difficult to slide on, Dorothy wishing I was home moments building,
staring toward ceiling, humming,
wanting to drown out small erratic heartbeats wavering in the near distance,
digital monitor, haunting, moving imagery,
believed screams sounding ultrasonic, ironic,
no connection, no affection, thinking “no,” intravenous penetration, faint…