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National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Buddah Desmond

Poet’s Bio: 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. 


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’s the author of four poetry projects, 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).  

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to be a poet?


Buddah Desmond: I’ve always loved words. It was music and song lyrics that captured my heart first. My love of books–the written word–followed shortly thereafter. I started writing regularly when I was around 7 or 8 years old. Short stories and song lyrics, primarily. I didn’t start writing poetry regularly until I was 12. 


It was the poetry of Maya Angelou that inspired me to become a poet. Hearing her poetry in the movie Poetic Justice (one of my all-time favorite movies) moved me. Her poetry took me outside of myself. I was so inspired after seeing the movie, I purchased a paperback copy of Maya Angelou’s Poems. If books were food, I’d describe Maya Angelou’s Poems as being one of the best meals I ever had. I read it countless times and carried it with me almost everywhere. It was my poetic bible. 


I started reading and fell in love with the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, and Sonia Sanchez soon after. I’ve been writing poetry ever since.

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring poets?


BD: Read. Read. Read. And read some more! And not just poetry. Read everything! Novels, history, social sciences, sci-fi, nonfiction, biographies, journals, magazines, blogs… Read as much as you can get your hands on. Aside from your life experiences, reading opens up spaces in your mind. Sparks your curiosity and imagination. Offers new and different perspectives. It affords you the opportunity to travel to new worlds. It lets you know what is possible. 


And it goes without saying, practice your craft as much as you can. No matter what happens, no matter what anyone says, no matter what the trends are–don’t stop writing! Never forget your purpose or what made you fall in love with the world of arts and letters. That’ll keep you going when things get tough…When you don’t necessarily feel like writing…And in times of rejection. Rejection comes with the territory. You can either let it stop you or let it motivate you to keep on moving like Soul II Soul.

 

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your writing. To try new things. Challenge yourself and push your style as little or as much as you desire to. If you’re used to writing solo, try collaborating with another writer or a group of creatives. You never know how it might help you grow as a writer, as an artist, and as an individual.

 

And lastly, stay true to yourself, your authenticity, and don’t forsake honoring the integrity of your artistry and your values.

 

DL: If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?


BD: Charismatic. Empathetic. Open-minded.

 

DL: In celebration of National Poetry Month, can you share with us a few of your poems?


BD: Sure thing, here you go:


When Freedom Called (The Fallout)


I couldn't do it anymore

Gave up that contrived frock

And re-birthed my own style

Started hating myself when I realized

the power you had over me

I had to overthrow the government for

placing restraints on my livelihood and

authenticity

I came out of the state's skin

And confidently walked back into my own

I laughed at the puppetry

Cut the establishment's strings

Gave myself a new life

The old one died

No more blue tears

They're purple now

Had to love me more than the situation

I found myself in to truly let go

When freedom called—I found my

rightful place

And nothing, I mean, nothing—

is going to turn me around.


~ Buddah Desmond | From The Inside Out: A Poetry Collection (2020)

The Music of Life

 

Life is so complex,

Like the rhythms and melodies of jazz.

It’s ambiguous,

Always open to interpretation,

Constantly moving and changing, like the syllables of improvisational scats.

 

Each hour marks a line

Which all compile to create each day’s song:

Sometimes fast,

Sometimes slow,

Sometimes upbeat and jubilant,

Sometimes moody and melancholy.

The lyrics tell your story.

 

The situations, tasks, and events of the day are the notes.

You embody an instrument that plays accordingly.

Some days you may be at the top of the charts;

Other days you may not even chart at all.

Nothing ever really stays the same.

That’s the joy of opening your eyes to a new day.

One never knows what lies ahead

 

So when you get right down to it,

Life is a series of albums that detail

The colorful phases of your growth, development, and experiences,

All of the hits and misses,

All of the highs and lows.

That’s the music of life.


~ Buddah Desmond | Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics (2012)

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and your poetry?


BD: They can get more information about me and my work here:

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.


BD: Much gratitude for featuring me on your blog in celebration of National Poetry Month!









 

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