When I began writing poetry it merely served as a vehicle for me to get in touch with my inner self; to converse with my inner consciousness on the issues which were affecting my life--growing up, falling in love. The joy of writing was liberating, being able to say whatever I wanted to without question or debate with others who were in a position to challenge my positions.
When I began sharing my writing with friends and family, I came to realize that I found a way to express what so many others wanted to say. Additionally, I started to write poetry that would express to other how I felt about them, or a particular issue.
I've always felt that there is so much to say, so much to share about this world we live in. Writi9ng poetry afforded me an expedient avenue to get it all out. As young person, writing a poem was overwhelming as sitting down to write a book. The initial goal was to get everything said as in little time as possible.
It was not long before I recognized that poetry could also, and should be used as an education tool. It was a means to educate our young, to educate our communities, our society and each other. I began to devour the writings of Nikki Giovanni, Haki Madhubi, Gwendolyn Brooks, Imari Baraka, Maya Angelou, and a host of others committed to truth telling and progress for African American people.
It really doesn't matter if everyone likes what I write. I know there will always be someone who doesn't like my style, my issues, my language, my message. But if I can touch one heart, raise one consciousness, I will know I have done my part, and that is enough for me.
To encourage writing is to encourage reading, and to do this is to strengthen the minds of our children and broaden their view of the world.
When I began sharing my writing with friends and family, I came to realize that I found a way to express what so many others wanted to say. Additionally, I started to write poetry that would express to other how I felt about them, or a particular issue.
I've always felt that there is so much to say, so much to share about this world we live in. Writi9ng poetry afforded me an expedient avenue to get it all out. As young person, writing a poem was overwhelming as sitting down to write a book. The initial goal was to get everything said as in little time as possible.
It was not long before I recognized that poetry could also, and should be used as an education tool. It was a means to educate our young, to educate our communities, our society and each other. I began to devour the writings of Nikki Giovanni, Haki Madhubi, Gwendolyn Brooks, Imari Baraka, Maya Angelou, and a host of others committed to truth telling and progress for African American people.
It really doesn't matter if everyone likes what I write. I know there will always be someone who doesn't like my style, my issues, my language, my message. But if I can touch one heart, raise one consciousness, I will know I have done my part, and that is enough for me.
To encourage writing is to encourage reading, and to do this is to strengthen the minds of our children and broaden their view of the world.
Mandela Woman
Mandela, Mandela
Mandela Woman
Mandela, Mandela
Mandela Woman
Winnie, Winnie
Mandela Woman
I, Sojourner
I, Harriet
We women warriors
summon you
salute you
Mandela Woman
Winnie, Winnie
Mandela Woman
if you do no more
you have done your part
given your heart
live on to witness the change
Mandela Woman
Winnie, Winnie
if the words you've spoken
will always be heard
you've given your sound
live on to hear the echoes
Mandela Woman
Winnie, Winnie
if you don't teach another
African Child
you've already taught so man
to be teachers
live on to behold the
teaching of the young
1Mandela Woman
Winnie, Winnie
if you never write another book
you've written a book of freedom
live on to read it
Mandela Woman
if you never feed another hungry mouth
you have done your part
Mandela Woman
if you never march again
on bloodied soil
you've given your heart
Mandela woman
if you never raise your hand again
to catch bullets with the truth
you've given your life
to catch bullets with the truth
you've given your life
1Mandela Woman
live on
live on
be a spectator to the victory
We women warriors
know it takes more
than one mule to carry
a million souls to freedom
copyrighted by Niobe Marshall
know it takes more
than one mule to carry
a million souls to freedom
copyrighted by Niobe Marshall
2 comments:
beautiful blog.........brilliant piece of work...the template is awesome!
Enjoyed reading your interview with Madalyn Ohair
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