Tag: poetry contest

Yecheilyah’s 6th Annual Poetry Contest Winners: Chandra T. Mountain

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Note: We are in the process of moving all our winning poet interviews to the website. Please be sure to bookmark it at yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org/.

Introducing Our #1, Chandra T. Mountain!

Instagram: @musings.from.my.younger.self

Chandra, welcome and congratulations!

Please, tell us, what is your name and where are you from?

My name is Chandra Tyler Mountain. I am a NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) girl living in Northern Alabama.

When did you first fall in love with poetry?

I’ve been in love with poetry practically my entire life. Poetry first came to me through song. My family has a strong musical heritage, so music reverberated throughout our home, especially Sunday mornings. The crackling of vinyl records followed by music from the 50s, 60s, 70s. Jazz, Blues, R&B, Soul, Funk, Pop, you name it.

I can hear them ole school jams now!

I sat, listened, and sang my heart out. Even though music [singing] was my first love, I was keenly aware of the lyrics and how the combination of words, rhythm, and sound created meaning that could also make me feel. I “wrote” my first song at 5, a song with strange lyrics by a kid trying to process something she heard or read. Reading and writing poetry came a little later.

CTM Speaking

As a preteen, I was moved and inspired by the poetry I found in youth magazines. I began to dabble with writing my own poetry at age 11 or 12. I later borrowed my older siblings’ poetry anthologies and literary journals. I devoured the poetry. Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, Mari Evans, Claude McKay. I loved the way poets succinctly expressed a potent moment or feeling in just a few words and could leave me staggering. I wrote profusely as a teen and in my college years. My hubby rediscovered those earlier works five or so years ago, and I self-published two books just last year featuring the writings of my youth, Musings from My Younger Self (April 2023) and Into the Garden (September 2023).

We got another poet author in the building ya’ll!

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Sorry. Sorry. Go on, lol.

Creative writing slowed down to zero productivity while I worked on my master’s and doctoral degrees and as I focused on research and writing in Africana and women’s literature and theory. I wrote a poem here and there for a couple of decades but returned to [consistently] writing poetry about five years ago–after losing my second sister to cancer and trying to cope and make sense of devastating losses.

Oh no. I am so sorry to hear about your sisters.

Tell us, what inspired your poem?

“I’m Living” was inspired by a brief conversation with a former student. I knew she had been struggling with her mental health and trying to process emotional traumas. One day she called to thank me for a gift. When I asked, “How are you?” She responded, “I’m living.” There was such candor and weight in her brief response. Most people would either commiserate or move on, but this individual lost a sister to suicide, so I knew “I’m living” was more than just words. When we ended our conversation, I penned the poem to lessen the weight of her grief and trauma on my own heart.

Oh wow. See, that’s why you are #1!

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In your own words, what is grace?

So, the “textbook” answer is grace is “unmerited favor.” I’ll remain in that lane and try to steer clear of the theological nuances. We don’t earn grace. Can’t buy it. Can’t extort it. It’s a gift from God. Grace does not come our way because we are better than or worked harder than or are smarter than anyone else. Why one cancer diagnosis ends in death and another in 50+ more years of life has nothing to do with goodness or pedigree or wealth. A brief glance outside ourselves will reveal there are others who work harder; there are others who, by our flawed human standards, deserve more. There are certainly others who are good good—absolute angels walking on this earth—who have less of our comforts and less of our fortunes but more in intangible ways that matter. 

Chandra Be a Nice Human

A line in my poem is “life is grace.” We are in the land of the living not because of our merits but because of grace. What stopped the “knife held at my throat” from being plunged deep inside? Only the grace of God. One of life’s greatest mysteries is this thing called grace, and once we acknowledge all our comforts, privileges, fortunes, and gifts are grace, only then will we begin to get a little insight and understanding of grace as a concept and a reality.

Beautiful. In what ways can we extend more Grace to ourselves and others?

Can we just cut ourselves some slack? Can we cut everyone else some slack? It’s become cliché, but can we acknowledge life is hard, and everyone is going through hell? Everyone is grieving. Everyone is trying to heal from unspeakable trauma or suffering in one way or another. Extending more grace is not difficult. Just do it. Exercise more kindness, more patience, more acceptance for ourselves and others.

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How do we show more grace in our own lives? Accept ourselves for who we are, where we are in life, and the journey we’re on. Stop comparing. Stop striving for perfection. It’s elusive. We are amazing for just being here and staying in the fight.

How do we extend grace in the lives of others? Acknowledge their humanity and let others be who they are and who they’re becoming. It’s not our job to craft people into our own image. I actually have a poem about that!

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What do you hope to achieve with your poetry?

Poetry is my space to process big emotions and haunting questions. I listen, observe, feel, and write. I am not writing for a Pulitzer, but I hope my poetry allows people to see themselves, gives them courage to wrestle with the questions, and shows them there is hope even in the darkest moments.

That’s beautiful, Chandra.

Where do you see yourself one year from now?

I am a one-day-at-a-time kind of woman. I’m not sure I can think that far in advance. 😀  I have a rich and full personal and professional life (as a professor and dean), but I am writing all the time. I maintain a blog, Pics and Posts (iamchandralynn.com) to take care of my immediate need to write and share. I write every morning and at least 30 minutes per day. As a result, within the last few years, I have drafted [by hand—gasp!] not one or two but five books—poetry, inspirational writing, and a “semi” children’s book.

Chandra Sunflower Umbrella

My goal is to push at least one of them to publication by the end of this year. Two, if time allows. I have a lot of “other” writing, so I plan to submit to more journals and magazines. Thankfully, placing first (squeals!) in Yecheilyah’s 6th Annual Poetry Contest encourages me to put more work out there. Confession: I have used creative writing to avoid work on an academic title, so as much as I don’t want to, I have to put a pin in the creative writing just for a little while to complete that work—which [for me] takes a lot more time, intention, and energy. I’m amazing (right?), so I’ll finish it and get back to creative work!

I love this for you and we are looking forward to reading more of your work!

And without further ado, I introduce to you “I’m Living,” by Chandra T. Mountain

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Photo by Josh Sorenson

for those who answer “How are you?” with “I’m living.”

To say “I am living” is to say much.
It is to say:
Life is grace.
Unearned.
Gifted.
It is to say:
I have survived
those who went to the grave
too soon
and the grief that
would surely engulf me.
It is to say:
I have survived
the knives
held at my throat,
clutched by my own hand.
It is to say:
I have clawed my way
out of pits of despair
and have learned to dance
in the rain.
It is to say:
I choose to
keep breathing
keep fighting
keep moving.
In light.
In truth.
In love.

Copyright©2023 Chandra T. Mountain

About this Poet

Photo Copyright©2024. Chandra T. Mountain

Chandra Tyler Mountain is a native New Orleanian living in Northern Alabama. She whines when work gets in the way of fun and wakes up in the wee hours to spend time with God, write poetry,  short prose, and inspiration. When she is not with her guys (hubby and son), in meetings, or in her sunflower-brightened office, you might find her roaming–camera in hand–shooting beauty and capturing light, or sitting quietly in the shade of a tree doodling flowers. By day, she serves as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of English at her alma mater, Oakwood University.  She maintains “Pics and Posts,” a weblog about snail mail, photography, and the beautiful facts of life (iamchandralynn.com).  Her recent publications–Musings from My Younger Self (Chandra Lynn Tyler) and Into the Garden—are available through Amazon in ebook, paperback, and hardcover formats.

Poetry Myth: “I Have to Perform My Poems to be Relevant.”

One of the MAJOR misconceptions about the poetry industry is that you have to do spoken word to become a prominent figure.

Performance poetry might be the most popular, but there are other ways to be profitable.

Artists like Rudy Francisco, Jasmine Mans, Prentice Powell (who was recently nominated for a Grammy), Obbie West, and others are dynamic spoken word artists I could listen to all day.

But it is not something I am passionate about doing myself.

I enjoy spoken word and have done it, but I don’t want to make a career out of performance poetry.

I am much better at reciting than performing, and I have learned there is a career in them both.

Reciting and performing poetry are two different areas of expertise we can discuss later.

Poets, let me free you today!

  • You can write and publish poetry books.
  • You can recite your poetry before an audience instead of performing it. In the same way that spoken word artists get paid to perform, you can get paid to recite!
  • You can get paid to write poems for others, organizations, and even movies. Think Poetic Justice. Maya Angelou wrote the poems Janet Jackson’s character Justice recited in the movie.

If you are serious about turning your passion for poetry into a profitable business, I invite you to join The Poetry Business Network.

The Poetry Business Network is a global community where poets learn how to do more with their poetry and create a poetry career.

In this community, you will learn…

  1. How to transform yourself from an individual to an entity (business)
  2. How to start your poetry business step-by-step
  3. How to launch your poetry business step-by step
  4. How to audit your poetry business (if you already have a one)
  5. How to build your brand on a national and international scale
  6. How to identify what services to offer
  7. How to create predictable income with your poetry
  8. How to create, offer, and distribute your own merchandise
  9. How to determine what signature experience you will be known for
  10. How to create your own platform people will be attracted to
Join Us!

And the best part? Membership is FREE (for now! Get in before that changes).

Visit us online at The Poetry Business Network to join.

Submissions for this year’s poetry contest is coming to an end soon! Get your poem in on or before Thursday, November 30th!

yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org

Join Our Past Winners!

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Yecheilyah’s 1st Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2017

Yecheilyah’s 2nd Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2018

Yecheilyah’s 3rd Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2019

Yecheilyah’s 4th Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2021

Yecheilyah’s 5th Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2022

Is Rap Poetry?

Photo by Pixabay

We’ve received a few questions about if rappers can enter the contest.

The short answer is yes, as rap is a form of poetry.

The longer answer requires a bit of a breakdown.

RAP and POETRY

RAP (often called Rhythm and Poetry*) uses similar forms as poetry, like verses, refrains, rhyming words, rhythm, and meter.

Rap’s origins are said to date as far back as the West African Griots, or village storytellers, and up to early examples of jazz poetry during the Harlem Renaissance Movement.

Rap lyrics that can be poetry:

“Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots
I give a holler to my sisters on welfare
Tupac cares, if don’t nobody else care
And uh, I know they like to beat ya down a lot
When you come around the block, brothas clown a lot
But please don’t cry, dry your eyes, never let up
Forgive but don’t forget, girl, keep your head up.”

-Tupac Shakur, Keep Ya Head Up

Some poetically inclined rappers also used poetry in their raps. Common’s The Corner featuring Kanye West featured The Last Poets:

“Uh, the corner was our magic, our music, our politics
Fires raised as tribal dances and war cries
Broke out on different corners
Power to the people
Black power
Black is beautiful.”

-Common, The Corner, ft Kanye West and The Last Poets

And Kendrick Lamar’s Poetic Justice infuses poetic lyricism in the song:

“With poetic justice, poetic justice
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
I mean I write poems in these songs dedicated to you
When you’re in the mood for empathy, there’s blood in my pen…”

-Kendrick Lamar, Poetic Justice

Rap and poetry share many similarities, so much so that it’s hard to see where one begins and the other ends.

Both Use:

  • Rhyme —both use rhyming words 
  • Rhythm and meter —both use language that creates rhythm. 
  • Verses —both use verses or stanzas to separate ideas. 
  • Refrains — both use the repetition of lines or entire stanzas/verses.
  • Subject Matter —both can discuss all possible subjects and commonly speak on the same ones (for example, heartbreak, loss, grief, and death)

Here’s Where it Gets Tricky:

We can best sum up the confusion in the words of Adam Bradley from this article: “…that poetry only exists on the page, and rap only lives in the music, that poetry is refined, and rap is raw, that poetry is art and rap is entertainment…”

But poetry can also live in music, be raw and entertaining, and rap can be refined on the page.

So, how do we know the difference?

Rap is a musical genre in which vocal expression is essential, respecting rhymes and rhythmic diction.

Poetry is literature and more verbal. Rhymes and music are not mandatory, and the message is even more emphasized.

“Poetry … is the revelation of a feeling that the poet believes to be interior and personal which the reader recognizes as his own.” 

— Salvatore Quasimodo, from a speech in New York, quoted in The New York Times.

Bradley writes: “Economy of language remains one of poetry’s hallmarks. By contrast, language in rap is usually abundant, functioning on the rhetorical principle of copia, which Erasmus defined in 1512 as a practice of amplifying expression through variation, adornment, and play.”

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity.”

— William Wordsworth, from “Preface to Lyrical Ballads.”

“Poetry is a phantom script telling how rainbows are made and why they go away.” 

— Carl Sandburg, from The Atlantic, March 1923. 

So, is RAP Poetry?

It’s a debate that is sure to be ongoing for some time.

Rap is a form of poetry, but every rapper is not a poet.

A rap is a poem when it:

  • Deals heavily with emotions
  • Uses thoughtful language and poetic techniques (alliteration, metaphor, imagery, etc..)
  • Is composed with depth, storytelling
  • Shows off the writer’s creativity

Yes, rappers can enter this contest as long as they write a poem.

When submitting your poem, whether as a poet or rapper, be sure that you are following the contest’s theme, which is GRACE. When submitting an audio or video, be careful not to send content that sounds more like rap songs than poems. There is a clear difference that should be expressed.

*Although it sounds nice (and there’s nothing wrong with using it as such), RAP is not an acronym for Rhythm and Poetry. Initially, rap meant to strike or hit. It then transitioned to mean to talk or speak in the African American community. Some older generations still say: “Let me rap to you,” when they want to talk to you. During the heightened political era of the 1960s and 70s, the men who stood on the corners teaching, like Malcolm X, were said to be “rapping.”

Visit the Link Below and Enter Today!

May the Next Dope Poet Win!

yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org

Yecheilyah’s 1st Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2017

Yecheilyah’s 2nd Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2018

Yecheilyah’s 3rd Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2019

Yecheilyah’s 4th Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2021

Yecheilyah’s 5th Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2022

Yecheilyah’s 6th Annual Poetry Contest 2023: Rules, Guidelines, and Prizes

Calling All Poets!!

When it comes to the arts, poetry is my first love, and this contest is my way of giving back to the poetry community to shed light on the power of the spoken and written word and the artists who love it.

It is not just a contest but a movement to discover and elevate those who have always desired to pursue their artistic ambitions in poetry but have been either discouraged from doing so or have allowed fear to hold them back.

If you’ve been looking for a sign to get back to your creative writing endeavors, this is it!

What to Do Now

  • Write a poem on this year’s theme: GRACE. You may include an audio or video with your document!
  • SUBSCRIBE to the Email List if you are not already.
  • Email your poem to yecheilyah@yecheilyahysrayl.com on or BEFORE the deadline of November 30, 2023.
  • Winners announced on Thursday, December 28th.

Theme: GRACE

Submissions Accepted:

Monday, October 23, 2023 – Thursday, November 30, 2023

Winners Announced on December, 28, 2023.

Click THIS link to subscribe to the list and then email your poem by the deadline!

Note. Each year, an email subscription is necessary to enter the contest. To avoid a yearly subscription, click the “Poetry Contest Updates Only” box on the form. This will subscribe you to the contest list exclusively, and you will only receive contest updates, rather than having to resubscribe year after year.

If you are already subscribed to the list you may go ahead and submit your poem.

May the Next Dope Poet Win!

yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org

Join Our Past Winners!

338

Yecheilyah’s 1st Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2017

Yecheilyah’s 2nd Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2018

Yecheilyah’s 3rd Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2019

Yecheilyah’s 4th Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2021

Yecheilyah’s 5th Annual Poetry Contest Winners 2022

Yecheilyah’s 6th Annual Poetry Contest 2023

https://www.yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org/

Year Six Baby!!

I cannot believe we’ve been doing this for six years. If it weren’t for Covid, it would be year seven!

We are excited to gear up for year six of the contest. But we need your help to make this year a success.

I am looking for the following:

Sponsors: No books please. Contribution must either be a service our poets can benefit from or a financial investment toward the cash prize. There are four cash prizes worth between $25 and $100 up for grabs. You can donate whatever you like to put toward it, or you can donate toward one of the tiers (for example, first place is $100).

Judges: The last seven poems will be judged by additional authors, poets, editors, or literary experts who will also help select the top four winners. This is the perfect opportunity for those who are versed in poetry.

Before you put your hand in, remember: Previous winners cannot volunteer as judges, and persons wishing to participate in the contest cannot be team members in the background.

Poems will be judged in the following categories:

  • POWER
  • BEAUTY
  • EDUCATION / MESSAGE
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • GRAMMATICAL / TECHNICAL
  • RHYME
  • ORIGINALITY
  • OVERALL IMPACT

Social Media Marketers/Promoters: Bloggers, businesses, and professionals willing to use their platform to help promote the contest from the start of the submissions until close.

If you are on board to help with year six, please email the following to yecheilyah@yecheilyahysrayl.com as soon as possible.

  • Your name/title as you want it to appear online
  • A professional photo/headshot
  • Your company logo (if available)
  • Social media handle
  • The area you are applying to help with. Sponsor, Judge, or SM Promo

If you know someone who could help, do feel free to share this post with them!

Introducing Buddah Desmond: Yecheilyah’s 5th Annual Poetry Contest 2022

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Today, we introduce you to Buddah Desmond, whose poem “Ghosts, Ghostbusting History + Visible / Invisible Lives (Freedom Is Ours)” won first place in our fifth annual poetry contest!

Buddah, Welcome to The PBS Blog!

What is your name, and where are you from?

My name is Buddah Desmond. I’m from the DC Metro Area. Currently reside in Alexandria, VA.

When did you first fall in love with poetry?

For me, it all goes back to music and lyrics. As a lover of music and words, I’ve always homed in on lyrics. Hip Hop was and still is a major influence. I learned early on how powerful words can be… Their impact… How they can move the masses. Songs like:

  • Eric B. & Rakim’s “I Know You Got Soul” and “Follow The Leader”
  • Salt-N-Pepa’s “Get Up Everybody (Get Up),” “Expression,” and “Blacks’ Magic”
  • LL Cool J’s “Rock The Bells” and “Around The Way Girl”
  • MC Lyte’s “Cappuccino” and “Poor Georgie”
  • Queen Latifah’s “Ladies First” and “U.N.I.T.Y.”
  • Kool Moe Dee’s “How Ya Like Me Now”
  • Big Daddy Kane’s “Smooth Operator”
  • Get Boys’ “Mind Playing Tricks On Me”
  • A Tribe Called Quest’s “Award Tour” and “Scenario (Featuring Leaders of the New School)”
  • Black Sheep’s “The Choice Is Yours”
  • Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”
  • De La Soul’s “Me, Myself, and I”
  • Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power”
  • 2Pac’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby” and “Keep Ya Head Up”
  • KRS-One’s “Sound of da Police”
  • Jody Watley & Rakim’s “Friends”
  • Run DMC’s “Down With The King”
  • Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “Thuggish Ruggish Bone”
  • Outkast’s “Player’s Ball.”

This is a small soundtrack of what inspired my love of not only Hip Hop but poetry as well.

No you didn’t just give us a full playlist!

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When I first read your poem, I wrote “Top” on it because I knew it would be among the top five. Like, even if it didn’t win, I knew it would somehow be a winner. So, please tell us, what inspired this piece?

I’ve found that the experiences, stories, voices, and the true history, herstory, and theirstory of Black and Brown people continues to be silenced, censored, and ignored. Far too often, our contributions to history, society, and culture are embraced only when it’s convenient for the powers that be. And when we typically raise our voices, show up, show out, turn up, turn out, and redirect our buying power, that’s when we are blasphemed. Like “How dare they do such a thing?” When all we’re doing is fighting for basic, civil human rights. We’re only visible when they want us to be visible. Like we’re ghosts. When we raise our voices, they ghostbust. And that’s why we fight. Why we must continue fighting for and claiming life, visibility, justice, and freedom. So that’s the inspiration behind my poem.

BuddahDesmond_Prevail-Poems-On-Life-Love-Politics_Cover(20120611)

If you could have lunch with your favorite poet, living or dead, who would it be?

See, that’s not fair. You always get me with these questions. When you have more than one favorite poet, questions like these are always difficult. LOL! How about a luncheon with a panel of our favorite poets instead? LOL!

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My answer to this question will probably change depending on the day, lol! If I must choose, I’d say either Maya Angelou or Nikki Giovanni. Can you imagine?!! Not only would the conversation be out of this world, but the food would probably be unforgettable, too.

Awesome. What inspired your writing journey in general?

I started writing short stories around 7 or 8 years old. Song lyrics followed shortly thereafter. But it was hearing Maya Angelou’s poetry recited by Justice, the character Janet Jackson played in John Singleton’s classic film, Poetic Justice, that inspired my poetry writing journey.

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Yass. That’s my movie.

I’ve said this before but, Maya Angelou’s poetry moved me in ways that I’m not sure I knew how to comprehend, let alone describe when I first heard it. One thing was certain—I wanted to do what Maya Angelou was doing, with the hopes of being able to write poetry that resonated with others the way Maya Angelou’s poetry resonated with me. She’s a poet’s poet. Her command of the language, her consciousness about the human condition… Her compassionate, soulful writing leaves you with a better understanding of yourself, others, and the world.

Exactly. You hit the nail on the head with the human condition. Maya was all about that.

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I already know the answer to this question because you strike me as someone who speaks…you into spoken word?

Yes, I have. Many times. Performing for me, whether it’s poetry or music, is otherworldly. There’s something about it that transcends space and time. It’s like going to a higher place. When I’m really in my element (and not too much in my head), I lose myself in the performance. It’s almost like blacking out but in a good way. There’s nothing on this planet that compares to the experience of performing.

Shifting From The Inside Out Love Poems by Buddah Desmond (cover)

What does freedom mean to you?

I think my best answer to this question comes from a piece that I wrote entitled, “Finding Freedom.”

“Loving yourself and others unconditionally is freedom
Shaking bad habits is freedom
Holding on to your joy through it all is freedom
Standing in your light is freedom
Not being ashamed of your voice, your story,
and where you came from is freedom
Getting up even when everyone and everything
around you wants to keep you down is freedom
Building the life you want is freedom
Knowing better and doing better is freedom
Not letting your emotions influence every
action and decision you make is freedom
Exercising your right to choose is freedom
Saying NO is freedom
Being every bit of the FAB person you are is freedom

To find freedom
You have to be
willing to release
all that’s kept you
in bondage
To be free
you have to
free yourself
Free yourself
Free
Yourself
FREE.”

“Finding Freedom” appears in my forthcoming project, Everything I Miss(ed) At Home.

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Okayy. Go off then!

What advice would you give to people who want to pursue a career in poetry?

Read. Read. And READ some more! And not just poetry books. But all kinds of books. Reading opens your mind to possibilities beyond your current realm. So absorb, learn, and apply as much as you can. Follow the journeys of the writers who inspire you and learn about their process, who or what inspired them, and how they pushed their respective genres forward. Seek mentorship from writers who are in the process of getting to where you want to be or who have already achieved the levels that you desire to achieve.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different styles. Push yourself and your artistry as far as you want to go. There are no limits, other than the ones we place on ourselves. Be confident in yourself and who you are as an artist and poet. People are always going to have something to say. It’s your choice what you want to do with it. If it’s constructive criticism, take it into account and determine if and how you want to incorporate it moving forward.

And it goes without saying that rejection comes with the territory. Do not take it personally. It’s not a rejection of you as a person, your artistry, or your writing. What’s for you is for you. And it won’t be denied. Your job is to keep going. Keep writing! Don’t stop, keep on!

Loving the motivation!

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Please, tell us about your books/work.

BuddahDesmond_FromTheInsideOut_BookCover (1)

I write about the human condition, and the things I see in the world around me. I write in a way that is, at times, edgy, raw, and in your face. It can be prose-like. And there’s a musicality within it. My work is inspired by personal experiences and the experiences of others, current events, history, culture, and social issues.

Themes within my work include: home / belonging; personal + collective freedom + liberation; the transformative power of love; community wellness; legacy + living a good life (relationships + family + community + honoring our ancestors); personal empowerment (self-esteem + self-love + self-acceptance); the fight against oppression (police brutality + injustice + inequality + inequity + racism + homophobia + transphobia + sexism). The subject matter can get heavy, but there’s an underlying message of faith, healing, hope, optimism, persistence, resistance, and resilience.

Whew. Wait, hold on. Let us get our pencils and write this down!

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I released my first book Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics in 2012. A chapbook entitled, Exotic Shifter, followed in 2014. It served as a prelude to From The Inside Out: A Poetry Collection, which was released in 2020. After that, I digitally released a short collection of love poems entitled, shifting from the inside out, on Valentine’s Day in 2022. And my forthcoming book is entitled, Everything I Miss(ed) At Home. The poetry in Everything I Miss(ed) At Home dives into the meaning of home. The place(s) we call home. Those we find (or don’t find) within our families, friends, communities, within our intimate relationships, and most importantly, within ourselves. Release date is TBD, but it’s on the way! It’ll be published by Liquid Cat Publishing.

Where do you see yourself a year from now?

Promoting my forthcoming project, Everything I Miss(ed) At Home. More performing, on virtual and in-person stages. Participating in festivals, workshops, and author events. Getting more poetry published in online magazines and journals. Finalizing my next manuscript and preparing it to be published. And giving back in whatever way I can!

We will be on the lookout for that book!

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Now let’s dig into the poem that snatched the number one spot!

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Photo by Collis on Pexels

“Ghosts, Ghostbusting History + Visible / Invisible Lives (Freedom is Ours) ” by Buddah Desmond

Covered in the blood

Blessed

Praised

Adored with oohs and ahhs for what some
might call our supernatural powers and abilities

Yet, beneath the adoration—we’re deemed
disembodied souls

Ghosts

Immaculate for show and tell

For milking and misappropriation

For capital interests and bottom lines

Yet demonic and sacrilegious when we
demand the dignity and respect all beings
created by God deserve to receive

Dispirited

Ever ghostly

Most invisible

We rise up

And they ghostbust

To exterminate that which they don’t want to see

To disassociate from that which they can’t bear to concede

Ghostbusting is their band-aid

Their ego-stroker

Their power sustainer

As we know, without proper healing—sores and pain remain

And as we know, you can act like something

isn’t there all you want

But there comes a time when you can ignore it no more

History wasn’t meant to be comfortable

There were atrocities and inhumanities from

sea to shining sea that we can’t ignore

Some still happening to this day

And while some will proclaim it wasn’t all bad

We know it wasn’t all good either

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Photo by Oladimeji Ajegbile

In the wrong hands, history is rewritten to

block out the true history, herstory, and theirstory that binds us

These hands set out to make our visible lives invisible

These hands ghostbust nonfiction

Turning it into the bestselling fiction that has so many

misled, pimp slapped, and hoodwinked today

These hands dare anyone to speak out and

criticize their recrafting of history

For punishment is swift, shameful, and at times, lethal

Forgive them father for they know not what they do?

Excuse me father, they know exactly what they’re doing

There’s a reason why ghosts and spirits roam

To right wrongs

To vindicate

To fight for justice

And they will not rest until their mission is fulfilled

For every uprising

Every protest

Every rally

Every boycott

Every march

Every sit-in

Every strike

Every campaign

Every cultural, political, and legal battle

Every BLACK OUT

We will not rest

Until our lives are no longer invisible

Freedom is ours for the taking

And our freedom—

Oh, our freedom—

We’re taking it!

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Buddah Desmond

Buddah Desmond (aka BDez) is a writer / poet, artist, singer, entrepreneur, and health and wellness coach / advocate. His writing highlights the gritty side of life, while offering messages of hope, love, healing, and resilience.

He is the author of four poetry collections, Prevail: Poems on Love, Life, and Politics (2012), Exotic Shifter (2014), From The Inside Out: A Poetry Collection (2020), and shifting from the inside out: love poems (2022). His writing has appeared in numerous publications including MOOV, MUSED, MelaNation, Mixed Mag, LitMag 2020, No Line Left Behind, Osamasetorbest.com, and sana sana (vol. 1). He is a member of Gamma Xi Phi, and has served as a healing leader in the DC-based arts + faith + social justice organization, The Sanctuaries.

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His next poetry project, Everything I Miss(ed) At Home, is forthcoming.

Website: http://buddahdesmond.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuddahDesmond/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/buddahdesmond/

Twitter: @BuddahDesmond

Wanna join the fun? Head over to yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org and join the wait-list for 2023!

Introducing Daphne Adeola Ayo: Yecheilyah’s 5th Annual Poetry Contest 2022

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Today, we introduce you to Daphne Ayo, whose poem “Uncaged” placed second in our fifth annual poetry contest.

Daphne, Welcome to The PBS Blog!

What is your name, and where are you from?

My name is Daphne Adeola Ayo, and I am from Kogi state, Nigeria.

Nigeria in the houseeee.

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When did you first fall in love with poetry?

I fell in love with poetry in Junior Secondary School Three. I think that’s Grade 9, the third year of Junior High in American parlance. Our English language teacher had asked the class to write a poem, and just like that, I found one of my absolute loves; poetry! It became, for that teenager, a form of therapy, a friend, a soulmate, if you will.😊

Yasss. What was the inspiration behind your poem?

Hmmm. There is so much negativity in the world that sometimes it is hard to see the positives. It can be hard to fight back against the constraints which keep us “in check”, to change the status quo. However, it can be done. “Uncaged”, I would say, was inspired by this ever-growing desire to stand up and show up for myself and my dreams despite all the ‘can’ts’, ‘should nots’ and all the odds stacked up against me as an opinionated, ambitious woman in a man’s world. It’s my way of telling others like me that they can define freedom in their own words and have the strength to push through and break those bars.

Beautifully articulated! Who would it be if you could have lunch with your favorite poet, living or dead?

I have so many poets I look up to and admire. This is hard!😅 Can I choose two? I’ll choose two. Rumi and Warsan Shire.

Awesome. Daphne, are you into spoken word?

I have never recited my poem before an audience before. Well, except you count me as an audience.😂

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I would really love to explore the world of spoken word poetry someday. I have one in the works, but it is too shy to leave its shell. The first time is always the hardest.

As an introvert, I feel you. It gets easier the more you do it!

What is your personal definition of freedom?

Freedom means so much to me. I doubt you can even begin to understand how much, and I think that was why the theme resonated so well with me and my pen was able to do its thing. Freedom for me is to do whatever I want (within reasonable limits, of course), to be whoever I want, to speak my feelings, to embrace my demons, to depend on nothing, to live, to love, to win, to lose, to laugh, to cry, to just be ME.

I heard that. What advice would you give to people who want to pursue a career in poetry?

I would tell you what my close friends told me in many moments of doubt: “Do it!” I used to have this self-doubt over my poems, ‘Are they good enough for other people’s eyes?’ and sometimes I still do, but poetry is something that is personal and worth doing. It’s like being worried if people will like the colour of your eyes or the shape of your nose. It doesn’t matter as long as you own it and love it. If it brings you joy, do it! Take that pen and write, your poetry might be for a few, and that’s absolutely okay.

I love that, and I am sure you have just rescued someone from the bowels of doubt for sure. Please tell us more about your work.

I presently do not have any published books. Everything is still in the works. Some are very shy. I’ve written more poetry and flash fiction than I’ve done of any other genre. My works explore womanhood, grief, loss, love, feminism, friendship, domestic violence, mental health, stigma, and taboo topics in the Nigerian society. For the last one, I’m still building up my courage to share works on that.😅

Chile, we would LOVE to hear more about those taboo topics! We are all about normalizing taboos around here.

Where do you see yourself a year from now?

I’ve learnt not to really project into the future. If you live in Nigeria, you’ll understand why.😅

Daphne, you gonna stop teasing us now! Lol

I do hope that I would have taken a significant leap of growth in my goal to become a creative writer while smashing my other goals as well.

Dope.

Now, tell us. What’s one topic that is Taboo in Nigeria?

That would be homosexuality. I think it intriguing that although it definitely exists, most people would rather pretend it doesn’t.

Ohh. Interesting.

Thank you once again for everything!💙

You’re Welcome hun!

Now, let us dig into this poem!

“Uncaged” by Daphne Adeola Ayo

I sing of words hidden behind my tongue

and of rare, bleeding emotions masked in a song.

My fears and tears take shelter underneath the ink of my poetry;

Poetry which regales tales of sutured pains sautéed in silky smiles,

tales of scars adorned in sordid lies of healing,

tales where blue skies rebel in hues of grey and dark clouds herald gloom.

I hear the dirges from faraway,

singing of doom and caged dreams.

These bars won’t budge;

bars of tortured silence and locks of pain

This caged bird will sing:

In lines of euphemism,

in words of hope and wishes made on starry nights.

That one day, its dark and dreary nights would seek the dawn

and tell tales of battles fought but barely won,

of words breaking chains to escape oaths of silence,

tales of mended wings and beloved demons,

tales of how freedom at long last_____

heeded my relentless summons.

Daphne Adeola Ayo

Daphne is a Nigerian writer who believes in the power and magic of the pen. A student of Classics at the University of Ibadan, she is an avid fan of canine animals, chocolates, and books.

She loves to read, digest, and write poetry. Her works have appeared in her personal poetry journal, on her Instagram account @dee_.vox, and in Classics Press publications, University of Ibadan.

Her works explore themes such as womanhood, love, loss, friendship, and more.

When she is not writing or sleeping, Daphne watches Kdrama, stage plays or listens to Brymo.

Instagram: @dee_.vox

Are You A Poet Looking for More Exposure?

Go to yecheilyahsannualpoetrycontest.org and join the wait-list for our 6th Annual Poetry Contest 2023!