Vocal Expressions

Thanks to all the poets (Wendye Savage, Alan King, Otis Sprow, Jade Wilnona, Monica Hudson, Patti Ross and Nanette Buchanan) who shared their talents with my audience this month and my audience for showing them some love. In closing out National Poetry Month, I would like to share this poem with you.   THE HUNTED By Deliah Lawrence   New on the scene No more shackles From the past.   He’s a breath of fresh air Innocent enough So she thought.   Late night calls Awaken her No sleep in sight.   Flowers arrive Beautiful in arrangement Yet disturbing the mind.   A thunderous knock A crashing sound Freaks her out.   Fear seeps in Her heart pounds No safe haven around.   Losing her mind It’s been just a week He’s already hooked.   Reality sets in There’s no denying She’s the hunted.  

I’m really getting hooked on reading sexy and steamy romance novels. Anyway, this is the first time I’m reading anything by Cassia Leo. I like her storytelling style of moving between the past and the present, allowing readers to learn the characters’ backstories and bringing things full circle.  So let’s meet Kristin Owens, a sassy NYU art college student who dropped out to care for her mom by working as a waitress at Cantina Joe’s to pay the rent for their South Bronx apartment. Angry that she has received an eviction notice for alleged nonpayments, she storms down to the property management company to fix the clerical error. While there she meets Daniel, a handsome and well-dressed stranger who saved the day by paying the rent. The chemistry between them was instant. Daniel showers her with attention something she hasn’t had in a while. He appears to be the knight in shining armor showing up to save her from a jerk at Cantina Joe’s and from folks trying to hurt her. While sh...

Poet’s Bio: Nanette M. Buchanan is a native of Newark, New Jersey now residing in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She first set her pen to pad, as written expressions of her love for poetry. To date, her pen-to-pad accomplishments include three volumes of poetry, four yet-to-be-published children’s books, one published children’s book, and thirteen published novels. When asked what genre best describes her novels, she teasingly answers, “Reality Fiction”. Her preferred genre is women’s fiction or crime fiction, but readers will attest they all have suspense, mystery and a dramatic twist. Now retired, Nanette has begun speaking about the realities many must face in life. As a motivational and transformational speaker, it is her goal to open a dialogue that will mend deep rooted issues for many. Her company is I Pen Visions, LLC which hosts many of her ongoing projects. As the CEO, she has launched I Pen Magazine, a quarterly magazine, and I Pen Podcast – Let’s Talk About It which streams...

About the Poet:  Patti Ross, Orator, Poet, Poor Peoples Advocate, Feminist Warrior  Why I write…  Much of my writing stems from my interest in social justice. I come from a family that has always believed in the basic right of a human being is to exist at a level of equity in society. My family also believes that it is our responsibility as citizens of this country and members of our communities to work toward inclusion of all persons. This nation wrote words in a constitution defining what it means to be citizen. I believe we must abide by those words. When we say “all men are created equal” it is our duty to put action behind it.  As a writer of poetry and a spoken word artist, I hope that in creating with both words and speech; I am putting to action the reminders we are all created equal–no man, no woman–is intrinsically better than the next. I hope to shed light on untold stories of history and survival of the black and brown people of this nation. I was t...

Poet's Bio: Monica F. Hudson is the author/publisher of Hudson Publishers, a company that markets Christian and spiritual books for those seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ. The logo for the company is surrounded with the compassionate belief of the calling for which she was chosen, "Serving Spiritual Cuisine to The Masses," which is to unify, teach and bring the "Good News" to all nations as an ambassador.   She has given her writing ministry a visionary depiction of boldness and creative awareness through her covers that leads you down the path inside the pages of not just truth, but a praise dance that any saint would give up a rejoicing word for. She is after all a spiritual writer, who has a genre that includes Christian discipleship, empowerment and spiritual inspiration, leading her to a string of books, journals and articles that look like a hymnal turned inside out. She is an alchemist of words turning her books into a series that depict the ma...

Poets’ Bio: Wilnona and Jade are one of the 20 Iconic Authors according to every writer’s resource. Jade was The Poet of the Year 2019. They are the founders of The Inspirational Women in Literature Media and Journalism Awards, a magazine featuring 25 Hottest Authors, the Thoughtful Book Festival, and And I Thought Literary Magazine.  They have read their book for fans in Australia, the U.K., Greece, Canada, by Invitation for 2 regional poet laureates, and at numerous U.K. Literary Book Awards. They have done 4 European book tours reading their poetry, promoting their magazines and the upcoming documentary film they star in Create Aspire and Inspire . They are on the list of #18th most interviewed authors in the world.  Deliah Lawrence: Do you have any reflections about poetry in life? Wilnona and Jade: A poet's job is to be the conscience of society, not to be above it, but to be in the inner mechanics to observe the inner workings and call out the inequitable parts. It...

Poet’s Bio: Otis Sprow grew up in Baltimore attending public schools. After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, He went on to attend Cornell University where he received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering. Later, he received an MBA Degree from George Washington University.  He then started his career as an officer in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the staff of Admiral Rickover. In this position, he had design approval authority over significant portions of new nuclear submarines and surface ships.  He then changed careers and went to work for the Ford Motor Company (Detroit) until retiring. Along the way, he had various jobs in Engineering, Product Planning, Program Management and Manufacturing.   He also became involved in creative efforts, primarily photography. His black and white photographs were shown in galleries around the country and included in some museum collections. Along the way, he was part of th...

Poet’s Bio:  Alan King is an author, poet, journalist and videographer, who lives with his family in Bowie, MD. He’s a communications specialist for a national nonprofit and a senior editor at Words Beats & Life‘s global hip hop journal. King is the author of POINT BLANK (Silver Birch Press, 2016) and DRIFT (Aquarius Press, 2012). He’s a graduate of the Stonecoast MFA Low-Residency Program at the University of Southern Maine. His poems and short stories appear in various literary journals, magazines and are featured on public radio. Deliah Lawrence: In celebration of National Poetry Month, can you share with us a few of your poems? Alan King:  Sure, I’d be happy to. Here you go: Beacon An intern asks, Aren't you scared? And you remember the hospital clerk saying:  What you're doing is courageous. You do what you have to  for your wife whose life is leashed  to a box cleaning her blood before spooling it back into her body.    ...

Poet’s Bio:   The author, poet, mental health advocate and certified life coach, Wendye Savage began writing poetry in elementary school.   Wendye’s aunt quickly noticed her gift and entered her into poetry contests in their church, where Wendye always won first prize. While isolated when caring for her bedridden mother, without positive friends or a driver’s license, Wendye, challenged with major depression, began to use her gift of writing to pen a weekly poetry for her town’s local newspaper.  Reluctant at first, she began to pen pieces about depression. Wendye knew that there were other people who were challenged with mental illness, so she went forward in sharing her poetry. Wendye was considered an asset to the newspaper and had a huge following. As she learned that she was helping others, she became more transparent and was delivered from major depression. Wendye is the author of two inspiring collections of poetry, entitled, One Sweet Day , and After the Rain ...