Sometimes we just need the opportunity. Sometimes we just need someone to take a chance on us to prove that we are capable of much more than they think. In the career world, people take on look at your resume and tell you that they can find someone more qualified, not knowing that you would probably work harder at learning and mastering the job than someone who has the experience. Someone who would take the position for granted.

This is often the case with poetry shows, finding a venue that will take a chance on you and trust that you can make things happen with a hard work. I didn't really have a name in the poetry community, but Marvin and Melvin Coleman, the owners of Mocha Browns saw something in me and trusted that I would work hard to make it happen. That was over 2 years ago. That was the push I needed to send me over the edge. They took a chance on me back then. They saw the potential and didn't hesitate to tell me what they saw and what they though I could do. For that alone, I am extremely grateful. They saw me trying to break out of the box that I was stuff in. They basically handed me the hammer for me to break my way out of. Other people have been important factors in the development of me, but as far as hosting and being up front. They were the ones who gave me the means to go this journey.

That was over 2 years ago. Now, we are working together again and putting my show back together and it is better than ever. I'm a better host, poet, show coordinator, and business woman. I understand the game more. They have a better venue and their vision for the place is more clear and concise. We are now close like family and can be open and honest about what we need to do to get things done. I am thankful that things that are meant to be come full circle. Remember that. Things that are supposed to be will be if you leave the door open for them.

The most important part of the word community is unity. How on earth are we able to commune if we aren’t unified? A community is made up of an eclectic array of people who come from different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Take the poetry community in Tampa for example. There are people from all walks of life, like college graduates, parents, single and married people, heterosexual and homosexual individuals, young, not so young, and older people. An eclectic bunch of folks.

Everyone’s agendas are different. Some people’s agendas may be similar, but in essence each person’s agenda has differences from the other. That’s fine. It’s perfectly okay from everyone to have different reasons as to why they are doing this. They had to go down different paths to get here, right? There are even individuals who don’t care for one another. That’s fine too. Such is life, such is poetry. I think the biggest issue that we face in this potentially powerful community is the overall mutual respect for one another.

With the word hater being spewed around so freely these days, people automatically assume that if someone doesn’t support them by going to a show or buy their CD that they are being hated on. First of all, sometimes, it’s not about them! It may be something that individual is going through. I can’t go to everything. At one point, I tried. It was draining me. What people don’t realize is that people have lives. Things happen. People may just not feel like going out. They may have had a rough day. They just might be a single parent, juggling a job, their passion, their aspiring dreams and goals. They may not have the money or means to get there. Stop taking things so personally! Granted some things are personal. There are a few people that don’t care for me. That’s fine. I’ll never bash them or talk against their shows. I may not personally take time to go out and support or spend my money with them. That’s the consumer in me. We have that right to choose where we spend our money and most importantly our time. But those people are very few. I support the movement. I support the art form. I support it because of what it means to me and what Poetry has done for me. So regardless of who is having a show, if it’s going on and I can go (physically, mentally, or spiritually) I usually go.

If we all respect each other and each journey and realize that someone else’s success or popularity doesn’t discount the next poets, we would be better off. Tampa is so big and there are too many people here who don’t even know that there is a poetry community out here. Why not work together to build something that can be just as beautiful to a bigger broader audience? We have too much at stake to get caught up in beef and hate. I know all too well how the hate, (and lack of support) from community can break you down. I nearly quit (I think I actually did once.)! Not everyone has the resolve to keep pushing and stay focused. I barely do some days and I sometimes I want to say, (excuse my French) “F the poetry community!”  Lol! But, where oh where, would that get me? I’m still invested in it and I still believe that it can help people and ultimately change lives.

Think about it. It can build confidence. It can build friendships. It can bridge gaps. It can add definition to your life. That’s what poetry has done for me. Why would I not want to share that with someone who may be in my same position. Single mother that didn’t finish college, works hard to take care of her family and be a blessing to whomever she can, but has gotten lost in the day to day and being a “statistic”. There are too many people who want to see me suffer, fall, and fail. Poetry not only provides an outlet, but a redemption because I was gifted with it. That’s a gift I love to open and enjoy over and over again. It’s just a part of me. It’s that way for a lot of people. So as a community, we can continue to break down barriers and walls. We can build bridges to bridge gaps. We can change lives. We just have to respect each other and appreciate the love that each one of us has for poetry. We all love differently.

I had a Purple Kisss Ent shirt on that said “I Kiss Haters”. This older lady asked me what that meant. She was very concerned with what my answer would be. I simply said, I’m learning to greet my haters with love. So with the same love that we have for this art, let’s greet each other with love and make waves and moves to make a difference. I can see it and I’m excited about it. I’m invested in this movement because this is my passion and Tampa is my city. I’ll keep going until I can’t whether that be physically, mentally, or spiritually. But I don’t see that happening any time soon.

This past weekend, I had pleasure of going to an anniversary celebration in Tallahassee for Black on Black Rhyme,  a collection of Poets & Artists who perform and share poetry for love, healing, enlightenment, education & entertainment. (from blackonblackrhyme.net).  It was a weekend  filled with love, friendship, unity and POETRY!   On the way up there I had no idea what to expect.  I have had some not so positive experiences in the poetry community in Tampa, particularly with some members that are a part of BOBR Tampa.  Naturally, I was nervous and a bit skeptical, but I had to go.

Back story:  Since I was 12 years old, I had wanted to go to FAMU.  There was no other school that existed, even though my mother and one of my best friend’s parents were BCU (BCC at the time) alumni and my best friend was going there also.  FAMU was the ONLY school for me.  The day I got my acceptance letter was one of the happiest days of my life.  I remember the feeling like it was yesterday.   When I got there, it was like I belonged there.  It was kismet.  However, shortly after arriving, I found out that I was pregnant from my high school sweetheart.  I had to leave my beloved FAMU to be a mother and wife, as I decided (despite the advice of family and friends) to have my child and get married.   Life happened.  Children came.  Divorce occurred.   Working took priority.  I got lost in the day to day and soon FAMU was pushed back into the recesses of my heart.

I have been writing poetry since I can remember.   To my family, poetry and Kissha were synonymous.   I never stopped writing.  In 2002, (I believe it was 2002) my cousin told me about a poetry show that I should check out.  I anxiously waited for Tuesday to come.  I found a babysitter for my young children and drove by myself to Ybor city.  I remember climbing the stairs, feeling nervous.  I didn’t know then, but this show would add to my passion for writing. I put my name on the list and when I was called, I went up with my paper in hand and read my poem.  I was so nervous, my hands were shaking and so were the words.  When I was done, I stuck around for a little bit.  I remember Wally B and JB (two of the hosts) making me feel welcomed.  That was my first dose of BOBR.  I felt like I was home.  It again was kismet.

Again life happened. Poetry never got pushed as far back into the recesses of my heart, just to the side. I started a spoken word ministry at my church in 2007, because that where I could take my children.  I performed at various churches and at my job’s corporate events.  It never left me, it just was pushed to the side by life.  Children and work mostly took my mindset.  Then I started going back to BOBR Tampa.  It was a lot different, but it was still poetry.  I did a spotlight.  I started and ended my own show.  I partnered with Purple Kisss Ent to do various shows.  I became a new host of Poetry Is. I performed at various events.  I had become a part of the Poetry scene (before being “underground” and solo). But I was still searching for something.

This weekend I went back to Tallahassee and had the honor of seeing the celebration of BOBR’s 16 year anniversary.  My daughter, the one I decided to leave school and give birth to, turned 16 in March.  That hit me like a ton of bricks.  I could’ve cried.  I could’ve laughed.  I could’ve screamed.  For the past 17 years, life has happened.  This weekend, going back, I got to see two of the things that were kismet to me, combined.  I got to see how close I was to witnessing it from the beginning.  Most of all, I realized that when God plants something inside of you, it never leaves you.  It can be resurrected.  Delay does not mean denial.  I fell in love with my dreams again. I fell in love with my passion.  I found a hope that can’t be shaken by life just happening.  I realized how important they are to my existence.  I understand how much of an impact that I can have on my family, my community, and my people.  I won’t let life happen again.  I will enjoy the experiences that mold my life, my poetry, and my destiny.

I am thankful that I was asked to go up to Tallahassee and be reintroduced to “Kismet”.  You should definitely hold on to your “kismet”.  Be blessed everyone…..

You have been Sealed With A Kiss.  ~ Kiss Kissha!

It's the last day of 2013.  Some people are glad.  Some people are indifferent.  Some people are excited.  I guess I'm a part of the indifference.... I admit every year I say, "Next year is my year!"  LOL... And then at the end of the year I'm like what in the H3{[ happened!   This year wasn't a bad year.  I had a lot of breakthroughs, a few setbacks, and a couple of normal moments.  I lost my grandfather.  That was the toughest thing the whole entire year.  He was so amazing.  His greatness still lingers amongst us.  I'm still hurt by it, but each day gets better.... I moved.... Nothing abnormal... Right?!?  No comment... SMH.... I LEFT MY JOB OF 5 1/2 YEARS!!!!!!!!!  That was a step out on faith for real.  I let go of a crutch and it has been a struggle sometimes... But I have felt free from the constraints of being tied down.  I leave just too still work for the same company in the field.  LOL.... But I am Truly helping people and will be educating people on some very important financial things.  I started co hosting a radio show on 88.5 FM and discovered some of the things that I am capable of.... I FELL IN LOVE.  That was amazing! ......  fell in love more with myself... (I can imagine anyone reading this was like, With WHOM!???! Nosey selves! LOL)  I met a gang of new people, especially in the poetry community.  Some are great and I can see longtime friendships with and some not so much and that's cool too.  I lost friendships.  I mourned them and then moved on.  I hosted my first open mic show and now I'm hosting all kinds of stuff.  Another discovery of which God is molding me to be. Then I ended it due to all the stress of doing it alone. Now I can't wait to get back to it and people are looking for it to come back. That's what's up!.... I'm coming out of my shell.....  a work in progress.... So many things have happened that I can't think of everything... But, I grateful.... So no New Year's resolutions.... If there was one, it would be to keep pushing... Keep grinding..... Keep the faith and don't stop believing in GOD and what HE has for me.  Stop second guessing myself that only delays the process. I'll stop getting caught up in the desire to play the background, that's not where I'm supposed to be....  The road ahead of me is full of hard work, not just 2014.  I see so many people doing great things.  I'm glad to be among them.   So, farewell to yet another year as we welcome a new one.  But, I'll continue to move forward... Happy New Year to everyone.... ~ Kiss Kissha!  ;-* Muah!





I remember simpler days that now play the background music to my todays and replace my frowns inversing them upside down to smiles because I'm a product of my experiences... Each instance molding me to the person standing in front of the world. Child longer... That much stronger as the memories play over again and yet again... Making perfect blends of my make up. Stay up in spirits as I hear God's voice whisper the sweetest tunes within the perfect tone & perfect pitch... Distant thoughts of yester years are close enough to touch but too far to reach.. As I let them teach me the things I need...  To Succeed these memories so precious to me.

Soooo.... I went to church this morning and as I'm leaving, I tell my pastor that I'm headed home to get some sleep, because I realize that I have been running almost nonstop since Wednesday.  I get here and of course, I have a whole lot of stuff to do and so I fight the procrastinator in me to go to sleep and do it later.  (Like how I haven't written a blog since when???? Shame on me!) I fight it because, later has arrived.  The tomorrow of yesterday is today!  So, I focus on what it is that I have to accomplish.  It appears to be heavy and sometimes, I find it hard to balance it all.  I don't have a team to help me yet.  But I have a mountain of task to address in order to even think about accomplishing the task needed to achieve the goals. Man that in itself is a mouthful!  Soooo, I think maybe tomorrow I'll have more time or someone to help me.  Maybe tomorrow I'll find someone to help me.  Maybe tomorrow I'll do that thing that I need to get that thing to succeed and I believe that I will be okay... Yeah, Okay?!? So, as challenging as it is.... I will do better.  Not because it's a new year coming, but because God saw fit to renew and then reinvent these dreams with ferocity that will not allow me to stop.  I will do better blogging and promoting.  I will find a worthy assistant.  I will get these things done.  I will NOT wait until tomorrow... I will do more shows.  I will.... I am....  so that I can say I have.

What is it that you are putting off for a better time?  Going to school? Completing a project?  Telling someone how you feel? Etc. Etc. Etc...  Don't leave things that should be done today until tomorrow.  If God gives you the vision, He will give you provision when it's time. So, when that time comes, go for it, it has already been blessed!  I'd love to hear about some of the challenges with procrastination that you have overcome... Be blessed everyone... And do it now!  LOL.....






I am a victim, set to the rhythms of others heartbeats. Set to repeat the same pathways of defeat. Or am I? That's what has been whispered to my spirit since I was old enough to hear it and barely comprehend it, but familiar enough to fear it... So am I the reluctant success and a ball of mess that less than average? Is that me? Am I the mistakes that made me. Am I crazy, am I maybe not good enough for love... Was I ever? What am I? Who? Cluelessly I run through these streets aimlessly almost namelessly screaming... Can anyone hear me and stet me in the right direction... Am I that victim.... Not anymore!


~ Kiss Kissha!

Open Mic Show Sealed with a Kiss.... Every first and third Wednesday of the month. At Mocha Brown's Coffee Lounge.  428 W Waters Ave; Tampa, FL 33610.  There is only a $5 cover.  Doors open at 8:30 PM... Show Starts at 9:30 PM.

All types of talent are welcome to come and perform at Sealed With A Kiss.  We have had the pleasure of having poets, singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, etc.  Beer and wine available, as well as tea, coffee, and soft drinks, for purchase.  It's always a fun show.  Come out and have a good time.  DJ What'sHisName and Poetic Kiss, as well as the Mocha Brown's Family would like to have you come out and enjoy the fun with us.  Hope to see you join us very soon!

Every Wednesday Night we are at Mocha Brown's Coffee Lounge for  Open Mic... Come see us and have a good time at 428 W Waters Ave. Showtime is 9 PM.

I have heard that so many times. It probably is the hardest thing to get started... Changing your everyday routine can be challenging.... But how many of us have started something and didn't finish it. The hardest thing for me is to listen to GOD and start at the right time.

6 years ago I started a spoken word ministry at the church I was attending. It was called Poetic4JESUS. My mission was to take GOD where is not normally acknowledged. I wanted to build a troupe and send them to open MIC nights and show to do performances that were spiritually based. Great idea huh. I was performing every first Sunday. I was going to a few churches and performing. But to no avail, I had no troupe and I didn't have the means to go to different open MIC nights myself because I have child care issues. I approached people, but they didn't want to do it. Some even said that they couldn't perform like I could. I offered to write the pieces and coach them, but no one wanted to do it. So, I thought, it wasn't meant to be. I'd started something that appeared to be awesome, but I lacked the drive, the people, or resources to accomplish that task. I was so discouraged, but the passion for spoken word and performing never died. It just fizzled a little.

Now, I have the babysitter. I have a little more confidence. Now I have people coming to me wanting to work with me to accomplish things that I'd only imagined secretly and kept hidden in the recesses of my heart. Some of the things that I desired to do and never told anyone about are coming to happen or very close to it. I'm very grateful for that. I realized that all the things that are happening now couldn't have happened 6 years ago. I wasn't ready. I wouldn't have been able to handle it. I wasn't conditioned enough to take on the task and challenges involved to make the best of it. I now know that. But before, I was stuck thinking that I had failed at a dream that I'd always wanted to accomplish. As long as I'm breathing, I'm believing that GOD put this gift in my grasp to do something awesome with it. I'm proud that he chose me for certain task. And although sometimes it can be scary (just a little) and I have a long way to go, it is something that He made intricately for me. So, I push on with that mind set. I study more. I pray more. I work more (and harder). I push harder. So that in the end I can look back and say, this way the right time to start, look at all I have accomplished.

So, it is hard to start something that you have always done! I think the hardest thing to do sometimes is to be consistent with it. Granted, don't put it off! But, pray for the discernment to know when is your time to start. The task may be hard, but the reward is great. If it is something that has been pressing on you to do, do it! The desire will never go away, but opportunities may pass. You can do it. It will be worth it. It will make you happy if it is meant to be.

For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11