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!
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!
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