Fave Five: Nothing but good ol fashioned feminism

I recently found a great poet on Youtube. A firm and stern no-nonsense looking feminist that celebrates it all; she is an award winning writer, performer, educator and activist and on her website it states, “Her work is greatly influenced by her family's legacy in the Civil Rights Movement and by the idea that worlds make worlds. Her grandfather was a Hall of Famer in the Negro Leagues, while her aunt was one of the Little Rock Nine. She has always known she was a coloured girl. Her writing is a celebration of that. A former 1996 Olympic Volleyball star, Dominique has over 10 years experience as a licensed teacher, holding double Masters Degrees in Education and English Literature. With extensive experience in the arts and education fields, she held positions as the Program Director for Peace Jam and for the State Department.”

Dominique Christina is amazing. She is the type of woman I want to model myself after, the type of woman I want to be when I grow up; a sassy loud mouthed female with valid opinion about women, men and everything in between, an enthused mother – cautious of how she uses the responsibility given to her through parenthood and a conscientious free willed spirit filled to seemingly boundless proportions with a self-awareness so poignant.

Here are my Fave Five poems from this ferociously beautiful poet, mind and woman.

5.            Stargazer

4.            Emerging women

3.            Crushes suck and everybody knows it

2.            The business of womanhood is in your handwriting

1.            Period Poem   

Rant and Rave: Maya Angelou – A teacher, a friend and an inspiration

 Love is a condition so powerful; it may be that which pulls the stars in the firmament. It may be that which pushes and urges the blood in the veins. Courage: you have to have courage to love somebody because you risk everything – everything.” 

Maya Angelou 

The sadness that filled my heart yesterday when I found out about Dr. Maya Angelou’s passing, I cried so hard my colleagues thought I was going to have a panic attack. I’m at a loss for words, I feel as though I have lost a mother, a teacher, a confidant, a source of inspiration and a whole lot more.
Mama Maya’s words saw me through some crippling moments of confusion, embarrassment and self-doubt, but they also propelled me forth into self-love, passion and the pursuit of happiness.

This is my word of thanks to God, for her life and her work. I may not have known her personally, but I am glad to have lived in the same time as her and I am glad I got to experience her sparkle.

Rest in Peace Mama Maya, I still hope that one day our souls will collide. 

 

Angelou Corner: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

I can proudly say i've saved the best for last with this one. 
This will be my last Angelou Corner post and i could not have picked a better one to end of with. I take from the from this piece the want of a being to be without any knowledge of the how and a willingness to grow with an inability to begin the process. the bird does not sit in it's cage dwindling away doing nothing but, it sings in hopes of a better tomorrow. Do the right thing, regardless of your circumstance. 

Please let me know if there are any other poets you would like a feature on. 

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom. 

Maya Angelou till the death!!!

Angelou Corner: Refusal

Beloved,
In what other lives or lands
Have I known your lips
Your Hands
Your Laughter brave
Irreverent.
Those sweet excesses that
I do adore.
What surety is there
That we will meet again,
On other worlds some
Future time undated.
I defy my body's haste.
Without the promise
Of one more sweet encounter
I will not deign to die. 

Angelou Corner: Remembrance

Your hands easy
weight, teasing the bees
hived in my hair, your smile at the
slope of my cheek. On the
occasion, you press
above me, glowing, spouting
readiness, mystery rapes
my reason

When you have withdrawn
your self and the magic, when
only the smell of your
love lingers between
my breasts, then, only
then, can I greedily consume
your presence.