Awakening Dreams – Inspire Me Raw

In celebration of poetry month. Poetic Resurrection will interview poets and links to previous poet interviews. In this episode, I will be discussing and reading a few poems from Inspire Me: Raw.

Inspire Me: Raw was recently re-edited and a compilation book of the first two Inspire Me books will be released this month with a preview of five poems from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. Enjoy!

Please check out the poetry section

Citizen poem was written several months before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. When this happened, I was surprised that many didn’t know Puerto Ricans are American Citizens. This poem explains how many Puerto Ricans feel.

Citizen

Curly red hair
Freckled skin
Speaking Spanish
Not fitting in

People’s bias
Perceptions
Ignorance
—Citizen

Where are you from?
How did you get here?
Was it a struggle?
No—Citizen

No boats
No tunnels
No hiding
Airplanes

I belong here
Born here
Educated
—Citizen

Forget was written about a woman who lived in the tenement where I grew up in Chicago. As a child, I would catch her crying in the hallway after her husband physically abused her.

Forget

Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
The times I run out and say nothing to you
The times I am angry and pretending to be  okay
The times I don’t come home at night

Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
When your anger lashes out at me
When you drink too often and hurt me
When you disappear into an aberrant abyss of time

Sometimes I do remember: often, actually
Your cruel words that hurt
Your desire to touch that repulses
Your anger at who you’ve become

I remember and choose to forget
Do you love? As those you love are hurt
Do you know the emergency room—a second home?
Do you understand—Inner scars show more than the ones I wear?

Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
The raising of happy children h
The life we thought was possible
The comfort of a safe, loving home

Sometimes I can’t remember: often, actually
How reality needs exposure
How I’ve always remembered
How lights slowly dim on you

Go-Go Boots is about being a ten-year-old child and wanting to be thin so she could wear the sixties fashions. They didn’t fit.

Go-Go Boots

At 10
Made a mistake
Told my teacher that I
Want to lose weight

First diet included
Liver, once a week—Yuk!
Different recipes, so nasty
That’s not what I was seeking

Stood in line for free lunch
Menu: peanut butter cookies
My favorite munchies
I wanted one—Damn!

“Hide one for me, please”
When teacher’s not looking
Don’t want to get teased fo
Failing program on first day

My mom states, “You’re only ten!
No reason for a diet
Wanting to be model thin
Groovy clothes—Buy them
Go-Go boots the stylish trend

Chubby clothes too short
Regular pants too long
Big kid bell-bottoms reach calves
Average size bells at ankles

Others smoke bongs
Skunk weed smell
Permeates halls
Hide don’t tell—jail fate in ‘68

What to do with weight
Insecurities begin
Entire life, same shit—wasted time
And now I’m fine

Awakening Dreams – Intro

Awakening Dreams Season 4 Episode 1In this week’s episode and intro to season four, we’re going to discuss Awakening Dreams. The next book entitled, Inspire Me: In Time of Need, we changed the subtitled to Awakening Dreams. In Time of Need was a working title and since the pandemic has lessened, Awakening Dreams is a much better description of what many have experience.

There is a newly re-edited compilation book coming out this month. Includes the first two books in the Inspire Me series and then five poems from my upcoming book—Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. The topic for this season is awakening dreams. What dreams and aspirations have you had which led you to a new way of thinking and living? Mine started with reading the book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”. After that, I became a self-help junkie and couldn’t read enough books on the subject. I also learned that reading them, even though they make you think about your beliefs and actions, the concepts need to be applied. Since then, I only read the books that pertaining to my development at this time. What I have learned and this is so cliché is that you need to live in the present. While worrying about the future and the past, we miss the present. Lao Tzu stated: “If you live in the past, you’re depressed. If you live in the future, you have anxiety. If you live in the present, you have peace.”

In all my soul searching, and that is what it is unless you apply the knowledge you’ve acquired. We need to reflect and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. When I stopped being defensive, which came from insecurity, I became accepting of what my beliefs and behaviors were and how many weren’t even mine. Allow yourself to feel, being grateful even when situations are challenging. And knowing you have value.

The poem for this week is Vulnerable from Inspire Me: Raw.

Call upon angels for clarity
Are they listening?
Meditate, feeling the joy
That enchants the heart

Meditate, letting go
Bliss surrounds me
Chill flows through my spine
Inspiration finds me

Energy flows through my fingers
Onto a notebook page
Close eyes and let life be
Unafraid to be exposed

Allowing myself to be
Love and consideration
How can this be hostile?
Vulnerable exposition

Cold sharpness, head to toe
Release, remove my mask
Golden light surrounds
Fulfills my existence

Many blessings

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Jonathan Livingston Seagull: https://amzn.to/3u5oihk

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Women’s History Month – Women Leaders

Thank you for tuning in to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are honoring the amazing women that have been on the podcast, and I hope you join me by listening to them and their incredible stories and gifts of knowledge. I’ve been honored by having such brilliant women on my podcast and this week we are focusing on leadership. Next week we will celebrate female poets and writers. Please stay tune.

Poetic Resurrection is available on all podcast platforms including, Apple Music, Google, Pandora, iHeart, Amazon and many others.

Guests include:

Evelyn Lozada Eccard, Perceptions of Employment – Mentoring & Coaching: We discuss how to choose the correct job/position which works with your personality. We discuss various topics from employment, and how to prep yourself with knowledge and understanding to help you in your next job interview. Evelyn Lozada Eccard is a leadership coach and the founder of Bravo Leadership International. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-employment-mentoring-coaching/

Che’Rae Adams, Soul of Writing: We discuss what it takes to write a good story and how the story germinates from the soul. That inner voice drawing us to write our story. We discuss the concept sentence, the why of writing and even when we write a memoir or solo show there is a beginning, middle, and an end. Che’Rae Adams is the artistic director of PlayPenn in Philadelphia. Her credits include teacher, director, producer, and dramaturg. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-of-writing-with-cherae-adams/

Nancy Hinman, Perceptions of Trauma: In this episode, how our beliefs affect our behavior and emotional state. We address alternative practices for helping oneself. Nancy Hinman, Ph.D., LMFT is a doctor in Depth Psychology with an emphasis on Psychotherapy. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-trauma-with-dr-nancy-hinman/

Jaclyn Steele: Soul Connection, we discuss how our soul’s calling intertwines our lives, beliefs, and our connection with others. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/soul-connection-with-jaclyn-steele/

Dominey Drew, Perceptions in Expectations in Relationships. In this informative episode, we discuss experiences and expectations in relationships. We talk about various gender misconceptions and stories that might derail a relationship. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-expectations-in-relationships/

Isabella Lozada, Perceptions of a Teenager: In this episode, we interview my niece, because I wanted to get the perspective of a teenager and their thoughts regarding the pandemic before and after. Isabella Lozada (at the time of recording) is a sophomore in high school. She enjoys playing lacrosse and hanging out with her friends. Her interests are in advertising and acting, and she plans on further pursuing them. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-a-teenager/

Barb Moses, Perceptions of Joy. An introspective view of how gratitude and self-acceptance affect Joy. Barb Moses is the Founder and CEO of High5 Leadership, who created this business to inspire others. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-joy-with-barb-moses/

Corine La Font Perceptions of Toxic Relationships. In this episode, we take an in-depth look at Corine La Font’s experiences and how she overcame toxicity in her life with self-acceptance and self-compassion. Corine La Font is a PR practitioner, Speaker, Podcaster, Author, and Business Coach. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/perceptions-of-toxic-relationships/

Colors of Life – Season 3 Recap

Sonia Lozada Colors of Life S3 Ep 20Welcome to the Poetic Resurrection Podcast’s Colors of Life Season 3 recap. I’d like to thank the following guest for their knowledge and talent on the podcast. There are links below in the notes and you can also find us on Apple/Itunes, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Audible, Google and many other podcast platforms.

  1. Luis J. Rodriguez reads his poem “Always Running”. This poem describes the hardships of poverty, love loss, and how he dealt with these experiences.

https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luis-j-rodriguez/

  1. Luivette Resto read her poem “Living on Islands Not Found on Maps” and discuss the experience of being bi-cultural.

https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-luivette-resto/

  1. Lynne Thompson read her poem “Invention” and her life experience from being an adoptee to becoming the current Los Angeles Poet Laureate.

https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-lynne-thompson/

  1. Jasmine Di Angelo reads her poem “Halves of Halves” which addresses her identity and acceptance.

https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-jasmine-diangelo/

  1. Egypt Iredia, the first guest for Black History Month. She reads her poem “My Child-Like Eyes” and we discuss the concept and development of the poem.

https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-dr-egypt-iredia/

  1. CEO Spoken King is our second guest for Black History Month. He reads his poem “The Black King Song.” Which covers the black experience.

https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-ceo-spoken-king/

  1. Christoph Jenkins closes off season 3 and Black History Month. He reads several of his haikus and we discuss the meanings of each one. https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-christoph-jenkins/

We will be on hiatus for the next month, but don’t worry, we’ll have weekly episodes. When we come back, we’ll have more poets, writers, and people of interest, along with fresh stories and poetry. Until then, many blessings.

Music: Run Until Your Wings Grow by Late Night Feeler

Colors of Life – CEO Spoken King

This week on Poetic Resurrection we have poet CEO Spoken King as our guest. He does a reading of his poem “The Black King Song”.

CEO Spoken King has been writing poetry since the age of sixteen. Poetry is his therapy and healing. In 2020, he started a podcast to highlight poets, visual artists, actors, and more. Then he started to incorporate his music on the podcast. His podcast became more of his passion than just a hobby. In 2021, he released his first book entitled Dominik’s Words. He was an online radio show host from 2020 to 2021.

The Black King Song  By CEO Spoken King

Yes, I know who I am.
I’m a black King.
Yes, I’m more than just a man.
So listen to my story,
Because I’m about to tell it as best as I can.

The world recently started to love me.
From my bronze skin to my afro
From my braids to my dreads that bare many knowledge.
So tell me who from the beginning was actually thinking higher?
Our knowledge helped the world to rise to a higher power.

Many say they see my vision and dreams,
And my aspiration to heal people from a role the world wanted us to play.
But down in the trenches, many people start to think a different way.
Leaving a King with many tears of unforeseen dreams.
Choosing his family over the things God blessed him to have…
To bless the world.
So the question is…
Are you doing the right thing?

Because if God gives you a talent
To bless the world.
He maybe using you to connect with another person across the world.
Too many of us sleep on our talents and dreams
Instead of being woke.
Too many of us drive off of  the street of life,
And fall into the ditch of broken promises and dream untold.

The dilemma the black King holds.
So don’t stop our growth.

Too many untold dreams lies before my eyes.
I refuse to be another statistic in the world’s mind.
Suicide use to be Satan’s way to cover my eyes.
Thank you Lord for waking my third eye.
This is why…
Now I can give you many excuses why I failed.
But how many will realize I didn’t stay knocked down…
But I rose up time after time.
Lead by the holy spirit and the glory divine.
I know if I keep on pushing,
My prayers of peace and finishing the race.
Will be mine!

This is the black King’s song.
This is not your ordinary rhyme.

The true kings walk in the land of the blind with one eye.
We bear scars that hold the ultimate truth.

People say they are afraid of no man,
But are afraid of progression.
The truth is you can never be afraid of what tomorrow will bring.
Just live for today,
Our present,
Because tomorrow is unforeseen.

This is the true thought process of a black King.
We bare many crowns and many rings,
But deep down inside…
This is the song we sing.
Just to hold our royal family up.
So they won’t ever have to sink.

Listen to the podcast at PR Podcast and on the PR hosting site.

https://www.facebook.com/CEOSpokenKing

https://linktr.ee/CEOSpokenKing

Youtube: CEO Spoken King

Twitch: CEOSpokenKing

Anchor: https://anchor.fm/t-corner

You can get his book Dominik’s Words on Amazon https://amzn.to/3p1X0Fx

Colors of Life – Dr. Egypt Iredia

Dr. Egypt IrediaThis week on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast we have Dr. Egypt Iredia. She performs a reading of her poem My Child-Like Eyes and the concept and development of the poem. We discuss her journey from a medical doctor, developing a holistic method for her patients, and her love for poetry, hidden knowledge, and healing.

Dr. Egypt is a multi-passionate, healer, physician, poet, metaphysician, and non-linear creative. She believes that minimalism, slow living, and living a spiritual and intentional life are all-powerful healing forces. She believes in using all of our wonderful gifts to show up authentically in our lives.

She has many passions and embraces them all to craft a conscious life. All her work and offerings are grounded in natural law and guided by spirit and intuition. Her mission is to empower people to live healthier, calmer, connected, conscious, and creative lives. She sees life as alchemy, art, and magic. Her journey of self-discovery and healing is never-ending. And she uses her strengths and vulnerabilities to act as a healing guide for others to manifest their highest selves.

My child-like eyes

At times I want to dissolve into the void
Into the place where I lay nameless
Where I possess no attachment to the weight of the world
A place where no tongue wags in my honor. Or in my disdain

Where I can be me. Where I can be free
I want to rest free, held by the knowingness of the Mother Gaia
For the love has flowed without condition
She has seen my darkest clouds, yet carried me through

I’m wary of ever seeking the eyes of others
Of ever proving my worth to be seen or heard
I’m fatigued with the many masks I must wear, not including my own
I want a sweet liberation, that which only the nothingness holds

What I speak of is not death, not an uncoupling of this mortal coil
What I speak of is not a hermitage, not a recoil away from this world
No, what I speak of is the untethering of my mind from the cares of others
From frivolous yearnings, that holds no essence

I seek for a new mind,
Unweighted with the many burdens of fixed paradigms
I want to once again see the world anew
Like the first day I kissed the earth hello

I ask again for my child-like eyes

by Dr. Egypt Iredia

Links: Website: https://manifestingalchemy.com/

all my poems: https://ello.co/manifestingalchemy

Listen to the episode on Poetic Resurrection 

Colors of Life – Lynne Thompson

Lynne ThompsonThis week on Poetic Resurrection we welcome Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson. We discuss her poem Invention, her experiences of being an adoptee. We laugh about rejection letters and go into detail about her journey in becoming the poet laureate.

Lynne Thompson is Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles. She is the author of Start With a Small Guitar and Beg No Pardon, winner of the Perugia Book Award and the Great Lakes Colleges Association’s New Writers Award, and Fretwork, winner of the Marsh Hawk Poetry Prize. Thompson’s work has been published in Pleiades, Black Warrior Review, Ploughshares, and Best American Poetry 2020, among others. She sits on the Boards of Cave Canem and the Los Angeles Review of Books and chairs the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, Scripps College.

Available wherever podcasts are available and the following:
https://poeticresurrection.com/podcast/
https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-lynne-thompson/

Fretwork

Her website is: https://www.lynnethompson.us/

Invention

If he could have, he would have
whispered my name like an old wish—
would have admitted
I am your father

                                          I am a rage of teeth
I am absent but no marathon of deletions I am
your dancing foot’s
“Why Ya Wanna Make Me Blue”
the heat from a hastiness of cooks
I am the distraction that is every father

(Maybe one day I’ll find him among
a rascal of boys — neither a man
nor a lad — but this day isn’t that day—)

If he can, he should reach out to me — say my name like an old wish:
admit he acted like a knot of toads
a shell of electrons
a breakdown in his woman’s plans He should say
he can never tell me why or why or why not
Just that he was never a hum of hymns knows he
was never relevant in any of my lunar years was
a smokescreen & all-ways a plague of questions

Printed by permission – The Night Heron Barks, October 2020

Colors of Life – Teddy A Children’s Story

Colors of Life – Teddy A Children’s Story

Teddy - A Children's StoryA couple of years ago, I was thinking of writing children’s books; I came up with this story called Teddy. I named it after a teddy bear that I’ve had for many years. Not that creative with the name.

Today’s mood I wanted it to be uplifted and have something children can listen to. Self-reflection is always a good thing, but today we’re going to have fun with a simple rhyming children’s story. Enjoy the story of Teddy and his friends. Please let me know what you think in the comments. Have a blessed day.

Teddy bear sits on a chair
Sees me and stares
What will we do today?
Can we go out and play?

Yes, we can, little one
Let’s go out and have some fun
The day is sunny
Teddy says, “I want some honey.”

Walking down a forest path,
Suddenly we hear a splash
“Help me please!” yells the bee
I can’t swim in the sea

Teddy grabs a stick
Bee asks, “Is this a trick?”
“No, grab on, I’m here to help.”
The stick is what the bee held

Out the bee came soaked
The bee dried himself and spoke
“Thank you for saving me
Can I offer you some tea?

“I don’t have any money,
Do you want some honey?”
Yes, I do
For my tea brew

Tea party and all are happy
Time to go home for nappy
The day was fun
Being out in the sun

Thank you, sunshine
For my lunchtime
This beautiful day
In the month of May

https://poeticresurrection.podbean.com/e/colors-of-life-teddy-a-children-s-story/

 

Happy Ukulele Children Party by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6302-happy-ukulele-children-party
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license