Poetry – Shade of Being Poem

Poetry - Shade of Being by Sonia Iris LozadaIn this January 2024 episode, I’ll discuss poetry and read Shade of Being.

Poetry became my outlet, my means of processing and articulating the complexities of my dual identity. Through the rhythmic words and vivid imagery, I could capture the nuances of my emotions, the clash of cultures, and the struggles of navigating between two worlds. It allowed me to explore and embrace the beauty of both sides of my heritage, while also acknowledging the challenges and conflicts that arose from it. Poetry became a form of self-discovery and self-expression, a way for me to make sense of my place in the world. It provided solace and comfort in times of confusion and uncertainty, offering me a sense of validation and understanding that I couldn’t find elsewhere. Poetry became my therapy, my self-help, and my sanctuary, guiding me through the complexities of my bi-cultural upbringing and shaping me into the person I am today.

In my teens, I had a poetry notebook I would carry with me everywhere, treasuring the words I had carefully written. However, one unfortunate day in the bustling streets of Chicago, my three-ring binder slipped from my grasp and scattered its contents in the wind. Helplessly watching as my precious poetry scattered into the air, I felt a deep sense of loss. Unlike today, where technology allows us to back up our work easily, back then, everything was typed, and I didn’t have a copy of my poetry. Despite this setback, I refused to let it deter me from my passion. I continued to write, pouring my emotions and thoughts onto paper. Over the years, I have managed to compile my poetry into four books, each representing a different phase of my life. “Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2” was published in 2022, previously published were “Inspire Me: Perception” and “Follow Akashic Dreaming Through Time” in 2019. My first book, “Inspire Me: Raw,” was released in 2017, marking the beginning of my journey as a published poet. Currently, I am eagerly working on the third installment of the Inspire Me Series, titled “Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.”

In, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams I hope to take the readers on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It delves into the depths of one’s subconscious mind, exploring the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform. Through imagery and thought-provoking verses, I hope this book encourages readers to explore their innermost desires, embrace their passions, and awaken their true potential. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, the complexities of human emotions, and the mysteries of the universe, the poems in my new collection offer a unique blend of introspection and inspiration. With each turn of the page, I invited you to delve deeper into your dreams, discovering new perspectives and unlocking hidden truths. As the third installment in the Inspire Me Series, Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams promises to be a soul-stirring addition to any poetry collection.

As the new year begins, I am excited to share a glimpse of my upcoming book, “Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.” Within its pages, you will find a collection of heartfelt poems, including one titled “Shade of Being.” This poem delves into the complexities of human existence, exploring the various shades from beginning to end that make up our being. “Shade of Being” is a reflection on my journey of self-discovery and the power of embracing our finite nature. For those who can’t wait to dive into my upcoming book, a sneak peek of “Shade of Being” can also be found in the “Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2.” Let this new year be a time of inspiration, growth, and awakening as we embark on a poetic journey together.

Shade of Being

I stand on the beach, absorbing the indigo sky. The whispering breeze surrounds and envelops me as I breathe. It cools the soul. The waves creep up and work with the sand to mold my feet on earth. The Sun’s desert colors—rays of light peak through the singing ocean waves, sounds of release and content. There I feel light, floating slowly over the water. I’m not afraid as I’m swept towards the light of eternal energy. The sea creatures do a singing infinity dance by my side. The sparkling eyes of these mammals transform my essence. I’m not alone. How long I have waited to go into the depths of the ocean where emotions ease life’s pains as they bathe the skin in harmony. No entanglements, no reins holding me. I turn to see my past and see the shadows of my family and friends holding onto the remaining essence of the sand encasing my life, my experience, the memorable existence of each footstep we walked together.

Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2 (Amazon)

Listen to episode here

2023 New Year Episode

Poetic Resurrection New Year's EpisodeThis is late in posting but I still wanted to wish you a Happy New Year! As the year came to an end, I wanted to wish everyone an amazing New Year filled with love, joy, prosperity, and most importantly, good health. We often take our health for granted, but it truly is the foundation for enjoying life’s many blessings.

Amidst a global pandemic, I named this extended podcast season “Life,” using it as a tool for introspection and helping others do the same. But now, as we enter a new season, I plan to shift gears and focus solely on fictional literature. We will continue to showcase authors and poets and their creative processes, while also inviting literary agents, publishers, and editors to share their insights and educate us on the industry.

This year we had amazing guests and I want to say thank you to them.

Clicking on their name will take you to the podcast page or you can view all episodes here.

Bex Rose – Poet author of Health via Poetry.

Rocco Jarman – a Poet – author of Stepping Through, Philosopher and Podcaster.

Kevin Palmieri – Founder & Co-Host of Next Level University Podcast

Kelly Keefe – Creator of The Heartspace.co, and a Reiki Master Teacher.

Jim Marshall – Author of Septemics.

Rha Arayal – a nineteen-year-old British Nepali Poet – author of Encapsulated Emotions

Cindi Buckley – Author of Love Awakens You

Phyllis Leavitt – Psychotherapist and author of America in Therapy

Rachel Hanfling – Emmy Nominated Producer and Motivational Speaker

Barbara Ann Briggs – Poet and Author Pilgrimage on the Path of Love,

William Mackenzie-Smith – Medicinal Alchemist Healing

Tune in for the new season as it should not only be entertaining but educational.

Many blessings and Happy New Year.

Life with Bex Rose – Poet

Bex Rose, Poet and Mental Health ProfessionalIt is our pleasure to have Bex Rose, Poet and Mental Health Professional, as a guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast in November 2023. She shared her poem called A Subconscious Mind, which talks about depression from her book Mental Health Via Poetry. We had a fascinating conversation about the poem and her personal story of growing up in Brooklyn, New York writing poetry with Tourette’s, then transitioning to become a mental health clinician. Tune into this touching and entertaining interview to learn more about Bex’s inspiring journey.

A Subconscious Mind

What are these thoughts
The if, and, why,
What is this feeling I get
As if I’m ripping apart from inside
Why has my internal drive
Become so weak
Why am I too depressed to even open my eyes
To even sit up and think
Can’t even make it to my own kitchen sink
Not even thirsty for a drink
It’s lawless
The pressure to be human
Eat, think, sleep like a person, it’s arduous
It is not involving the effects of any one single event
I wish my time could be better spent
Society’s pages depend on a therapy book
So quick to not even take a real look
So quick to hand us the bottle than to ask us how to spell out the name
I’m not so easy to belittle with labels
Each diagnosis on paper
Can become quite easily a fable
Remedied with quick-think drugs bought from any store and self-help label
Not knowing there’s also drugs on the corners underneath the table
Waiting
For us to crave more
Why do we have to think and be challenged to want to search for more
When we’re left un-adored
In majority, for the very same reason you referred us to get help in the first place
I am not a charity case
I will not just fall in line
I will make use of this time
As I tiptoe between the tattered line
Between each tear-stained work of mine
I speak
For others whose medication has rendered them mute and subconscious
How dare you try to band-aid depression as if it’s a rouse
I think rather that it’s abuse
To be this overlooked
Well I stand here let-loose
I will tell you with my rhymes
The enforced societal standard behind each bind
Left on the “mentally unequipped”
Considered Drones of the unkind
These vastly purged minds
It’s exhausting
Left unchecked it could be an easy departing
Why should I let that be the case too
I am as much a human being as are you
If I had a presumed fully capable mind and funds I guess I would sue
But you’d stay there thoughtless
Wondering how this mess started to involve you
Feeling targeted you alone
Truth oftentimes is that
You don’t even bother unless it happens to one of your own

Bex Rose is a born and raised Brooklynite and native New Yorker who is both openly gay and active in the social work community. As a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHC), Bex is a Program Director for a NYC based non-for-profit. She has a background in family focused evidence-based practices as well as upper leadership administrative management. Additionally, her work extends beyond community-based services and extends into her private practice – Candor’s Call for leadership development, coaching and consultation.

Despite a dysfunctional childhood and diagnosis of OCD and Tourette’s she has been able to cultivate success in her field and through many social media platforms. Her most recent book “Mental Health via Poetry” speaks to the duality of a role as a clinician and experience living with Tourette’s. Bex hopes to utilize social media platforms to continue promoting healthy conversations, collaborations and content around mental health, creativity and positive representation.

Listen to her episode here

Get her book: Mental Health via Poetry

https://linktr.ee/Bexrose

https://www.candorscall.com/

How to Write Spoken Word Poetry

how to write spoken word poetrySpoken word poetry is a powerful art form that can be used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. It is a great way to connect with others and share your story. If you’re interested in writing spoken word poetry, here are a few tips about how to write spoken word poetry.

Start with a strong idea. What do you want to say with your poem? What is the message you want to convey? Once you have a strong idea, you can start to flesh it out.

Use vivid language. Spoken word poetry is all about creating a sensory experience for the audience. Use vivid language to paint pictures with your words. This will help your audience connect with your poem on a deeper level.

Be personal. Spoken word poetry is often most effective when it is personal. Share your own stories and experiences. This will make your poem more relatable and authentic.

Use rhythm and flow. Spoken word poetry is meant to be performed, so it’s important to pay attention to the rhythm and flow of your words. This will help your poem sound more natural and engaging.

Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at writing and performing spoken word poetry. So get out there and start practicing!

Here are some additional tips about how to write spoken word poetry that are specific to the audience of Poetic Resurrection:

Write about diverse experiences. The audience of Poetic Resurrection is interested in hearing about diverse experiences. So if you have a story to tell, don’t be afraid to share it.

Be yourself. The audience of Poetic Resurrection wants to hear from real people. So be yourself and let your personality shine through in your poetry.

Be open to feedback. The audience of Poetic Resurrection is always willing to give feedback. So be open to hearing what they have to say about your poetry.

I hope these tips help you get started on your journey to writing spoken word poetry. Remember, the most important thing is to be yourself and to let your voice be heard.

Here are a few examples of spoken word poetry that you can check out:

  1. The Letter Never Delivered by Digital Poetry
  2. Strength by Digital Poetry
  3. Sarah Kay – Orange
  4. Melissa Lozada-Oliva – Peluda
  5. Prince EA – Everybody Dies, But Not Everybody Lives

These are just a few examples to get you started. There are many other great spoken word poets out there, so be sure to explore and find the ones who resonate with you.

Resources for Writing Spoken Word Poetry

Here are a few resources that can help you learn more about writing spoken word poetry:

Poetry Foundation

The Spoken Word Revolution: Slam, Hip Hop & the Poetry of a New Generation (A Poetry Speaks Experience)

Poetry Journal: A Slam Poetry Notebook for Poets, Spoken Word Slammers, & Lyrical Gurus: 120 Un-Lined Blank Pages for Inspired Creation (Songwriter Musician Series)

Take the Mic: The Art of Performance Poetry, Slam, and the Spoken Word (A Poetry Speaks Experience) 

These resources can provide you with more information about the history of spoken word poetry, the different techniques used in spoken word poetry, and how to perform spoken word poetry. 

Conclusion

Spoken word poetry is a powerful art form that can be used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. If you’re interested in writing spoken word poetry, I encourage you to start today. Use the tips in this blog post and the resources I’ve provided to get you started. And most importantly, be yourself and let your voice be heard.

Check out the poetry section on Poetic Resurrection.

 

Life with Rha Arayal – Poet

Rha Arayal - Poet

Our guest for June is the poet Rha Arayal. We had a captivating talk about her poem ‘The Girl That I Am/The Girl That I Should Be,’ how to handle growing up bicultural, being published at sixteen, and more. It was delightful to speak with her; it’s amazing to see someone that age demonstrate such inner strength.

Listen to Episode

Rha Arayal is a 19-year-old British Nepali writer living in Wales. She enjoys examining the balance of nature and nurture, especially the notion of an Asian Welsh identity, as well as exploring racism and kindness and other aspects of humanity in her writing. Her debut poetry collection, Encapsulated Emotions, was published with Genz Publishing in 2021. When she’s not writing, she loves watching American vampire shows, practicing martial arts and buying second hand books.

Listen to Podcast

the girl that I am/the girl that I should be

she crouches on the floor wearing mud-encrusted flip-flops
there is a red shawl wrapped tightly around her waist
it holds her brick phone which has run out of battery
it holds her aching back like PVA glue wrapping around jigsaw pieces

she reminds herself that she is no one
just a village girl who cuts grass for the cow
her mother milks it and loves it
her father carries the milk on a motorcycle into town

this world may be alien to you
but it is almost home to me
but it nearly happened to me
but it also never did
and for that, I am grateful

she isn’t scared of snakes winding up her legs
her skin is slightly cracked and is darker than mine
sun cream is too expensive and the village shops only sell instant noodles

she isn’t afraid of cows or spiders or the dark
they stomp and crawl and engulf her life
they are a crucial part of her life
they are alien to me

so many sources of brutality
of nature and of rich cultural love
surround her
like her red shawl which is split at the seams

her grandmother owns the other half
my grandmother, who cries to me on the phone
my grandmother, who I hope is hanging on
like crimson threads swaying in the wind
oblivious to snakes and cows and spiders and the dark

Instagram @encapsulated_emotions

Get her first poetry book Encapsulated Emotions on Amazon

 

 

CANVASREBEL Stories & Insights – Meet Sonia Iris Lozada

Sonia Iris Lozada CanvaRebel articleCANVASREBEL Stories & Insights article entitled Meet Sonia Iris Lozada. We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sonia Iris Lozada a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

“I decided to follow my heart, even though it seemed like a strange decision since I have bills to pay and food to put on the table. I went through a stretch of time during which I lost sight of the joy found in acting and writing. At that point, I viewed my career with a seriousness born out of the need to make money. Yet, I haven’t made my living from this yet. What I discovered, however, is that I don’t have to stop being an actor, writer or poet; these things are true passions for me, and when I stopped trying so hard to make money from them, suddenly the joy reappeared and I started booking projects again. There are miracles everywhere if we just look for them.”

Quote: “Sometimes I feel like a cocoon of chains wrapped around my soul. The cocoon of perceptions and beliefs.”

Read the article

Check out Poetry/Stories

The Soul of Imperfection with Louise Alexandra Erskine

Louise Alexandra ErskineIn our final episode of season 2, we have an amazing discussion with the lovely Louise Alexandra Erskine. We discuss toxic relationships, parenting, and being a single mother raising boys and how her poetry and photography clarified and taught her acceptance of being imperfect.

Louise Alexandra Erskine is a poet, photographer, and content creator learning through a lifetime of passion and heartbreak Louise writes about her relationships and experiences in life, love, loss, surviving domestic abuse, and falling in love the right way – with herself! Louise experienced success early on writing poetry on Pinterest and has returned to writing as part of a long journey of self-discovery after losing herself to a controlling, abusive marriage. Louise is now a single parent raising three children in the English countryside and using Instagram to express emotion through imagery and tell the stories of her life both through her poetry via https://beautifullydefected.com and as a family connecting with other women struggling through toxic relationships on @this_beautifully_defected_life.

Poetic Resurrection Podbean

Poetic Resurrection podcast page

 

The Soul of a Relationship with Melissa Da Silva

The Soul of a Relationship with Melissa Da Silva. We discuss her book Lose Me. Her journey from a toxic relationship to self-acceptance and love. We discuss grieving of love lost.

Melissa Da Silva is a Canadian writer who grew up in Toronto, ON. She went to Humber College for Business.

Melissa’s been writing since she was 18. In 2020 she self-published her first book called Lose me. It’s about a toxic relationship and the importance of loving yourself. Lose me debuted as a top seller on Amazon. Inspired by her own life events, she hopes people can relate to her relationship struggles and life.

Listen to Podcast Here

https://www.mdswrites.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mds.writes/

Books available by author:

Lose Me:  on Amazon

Last Kiss: on Amazon