Spoken words have power – to spread ideas, create new thoughts, spin up ideas, or even just amuse or entertain. They are the OG medium of communication, artistic expression and journalism.To recognize the practitioners of art forms such as spoken word, storytelling and stand-up comedy, Motif is embarking on a new kind of awards show […]
Brando is dead–the eulogies are out today,the shadows and the light.And I’m out here mowing the lawn in the summer heat,the reel of the blades like a horse’s neigh,cicadas’ rattle,thinking of Hannibal Lecter and that dream I hadwhere he took me back through time. Was reading Stephen King today – his Danse Macabre –took out […]
like the creases in the pagesof your favorite novel,and the folds at the jointsand eyelids of a newborn child,and the cracks in the bark of your favorite tree,and the wrinkled bedsheetsof a good nightʼs sleep,like the highlighted routeon your road map,and the arrows on the clockthat point to the time you have left, trace them and […]
When the asking is over And solitude is decided By you, others or the universe What remains is pure Fire Pursed lips on sweet wine Thoughts all your own “Come see me” say you to the darkness “Come and get me if you dare” For I know you Better than you know yourself Better than […]
The same fire that keeps the wolves at bay alerts them to your presence The same fire that pushes away the darkness makes the shadows dance The same fire that feeds off the air is threatened by the wind that heats the night is hindered by the cold How do you keep the fire going, […]
Black girl magic And the mystical magical negro They sound relateddon’t they? When you dig more deeply though, you realize that Black girls labeled magic are recognized for the way they marry Intellect, flexibility and accomplishment. The magical negro is viewed skeptically for the way they display these same things assumed to be fixed when the evidence shows flexible, knowledgeable when learning is constantly being soughtand satisfied as though accomplishment Only comes in singles. Hugs to all […]
Lourdes Nicolella of the Moses Brown School has been selected as youth poetry ambassador and Adi Gamache of the Met School has been selected as deputy youth poetry ambassador for 2022 by Poet Laureate Tina Cane, the RI Center for the Book announced in a statement. Adam Fontaine of Smithfield High School and Cyprus Weaver […]
“I’m here!” Door banging, stomping sneakers, Loud shouts, Not the Inside Voice. Be Quiet T-shirt flung into a dark corner, Towel airborne, dirty shoes kicked — one here, one there Soon to be hunted. Be Still Water running, splashing waves, air gushing, Window slamming, then Silence. Outside, heads hurting, Sore throats, raspy coughs, night sweats, […]
A fragile soul so young, A pleasure center numbed, How quick I was to hide inside my fears. The fear of age, rage, and misplaced trust, The fear of reopening wounds from familial — “musts”. Through a reflection of self, I greeted my demon with a smirk, For I knew the time had come to […]
They said I must be out of my mind wanting to celebrate Christmas this year, that survival was all we had to be thankful for; that the stories were lies, and worse, hope was harm waiting to happen. I said, “Shut up both of you and open your presents.” See, Jenny used to talk all […]