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National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Virginia Davis

Poet’s Bio: Virginia is a poet, freelance writer, grant writer and reviewer, and teacher of ten-plus years. She is a self-published author of the Color of Crime series, Sheba’s Place, and Hallelujah Night. Her published poetry books include The Mending, By the Ocean, and Songs at Dawn. Virginia is also the CEO of Author Virginia Davis LLC, where she launched the I Am Queen Collection that consists of digital products, journals, and merchandise that place an emphasis on self-love and women empowerment.

 

Virginia has a strong passion for literacy and exposing young adults and women of color to relatable, riveting, and empowering reading content. Other than writing and creating, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, going to the beach, reading, teaching, shopping, listening to podcasts, attending open mics, and connecting with other creatives. Virginia currently resides in the DMV area with her daughter and mother.

 

She is currently working on a children’s book and another YA text that are both being released this summer. She is also heavily promoting her poetry books, Songs at Dawn and By the Ocean and is actively striving to make new connections and learn new skills to incorporate into her writing and book promotions.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to be a poet?


Virginia Davis: I would say life inspired me to be a poet. As a teenager, I was troubled and melancholic for a long time, and I didn’t know how to express myself. I needed an outlet, and a safe space to feel understood.  I started journaling at fourteen, and before I knew it, I was filling my journal with poems and continued to do so as often as possible.  I then fell deeper in love with poetry during undergrad, when I discovered the works of Langston Hughes and other phenomenal poets of color. I’ve always endeavored to be as authentically creative and inspirational as my favorite poets.

DL: Is there any particular poet, author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?


VD: When I was growing up (more so in my teen years), authors and books such as Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree, God Don’t Like Ugly by Mary Monroe, and books by Eric Jerome Dickey influenced me (don’t tell my mom I was reading those, lol). It was exhilarating to read novels with characters who looked like me with lives and plights completely different from mine. Though those aren’t poetry books, those novels deepened my love for both reading and writing and motivated me to one day be a storyteller with captivating characters and fascinating plots.

    

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party, which three poets would be your dream guests and why?


VD: If I were hosting a dinner party, my dream guests would be Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, and Jacqueline Woodson.


“Ego Tripping” by Nikki Giovanni is my favorite poem of all-time! I love the way she composed an ode to herself and celebrated her power, beauty, and womanhood in the poem while using such illustrative metaphors and vivid word use. In my opinion, “Ego Trippin” unapologetically embodies women empowerment, which is one of my biggest passions.


I’m forever inspired by Langston Hughes and his powerful and creative truth telling ability that also incorporated uplifting and brave messages to Black youth and adults.


Jacqueline Woodson’s book Brown Girl Dreaming inspired me to write my memoir (one of them at least) in poetic verse. I first read it about five years ago and still reread it and often recommend it to my students. I love her storytelling ability and the way she writes poetry and prose that are both relatable to children and adults.

 

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


VD: Yes! I’d love to share some of my poems from By the Ocean, which is a collection of haikus that is dedicated to nature and its infinite source of healing and comfort.

 

the sweet comfort of

the beach feels like home that has

been awaiting me.


the soft deep blue waves

open their arms and welcome

me back once again.

 

salty air kisses

my face. the seashells worship

my feet. i am free.


the sky turns rich gold

and offers me the sun as

reward for return.


the trees uproot and

replant as sunflowers. i

know that this is home.

 

the stars bejewel

the clouds at twilight and guide

me to victory.


close your eyes and taste

the salt in the air. then take

a deep breath. exhale.

 

the ocean has so

many lessons to give you.

i sit and take note.


under a rose on

sand, i found poetry, and

sky became my muse.

 

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

VD: Readers can learn more here: 

Book Buy Links:

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

VD: Thanks for having me! 




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