Hotep and Greetings!
Counting down the days of my soon-to-be released poetry books! Needless to say, I've been very busy with pre-publication business and readings... It has been an intense learning experience! Yet I am incredibly blessed that a serious intellectual reviewed Obamatyme: Election Poetry and one of America's prolific poets and founder of Third World Press reviewed Soul Poems: Life as Fertile Ground. In both cases, I am ecstatic that the response has been, well, poetry to the ears of a poet... but more on that in a moment.
As I wrote a few months ago, the conventional wisdom is poetry is a hard sell on a good day. One of the many things I have learned in this process is the uncompromising necessity to stay centered, believe in oneself and the vibrancy of your work. You cannot go into any venture with a self-defeating belief system. It also helps to love what you do and for that love to be obvious. So let me be clear: I LOVE what I do...
I love to read my poetry and engage the audience around the topics that are reflected in the poems. Of late, the poetry readings have had a couple dozen folks, almost entirely women, talking about... everything! One poem would lead to another... I had to learn not to read the entire book! Seems once I get started, the juices start flowing, the energy crackles and I am off and into it whether poeting about education, history or sister-friendship.
At a reading at Renee' Bolden's Designs in Philadelphia, one participant was so moved that she wrote on her Facebook page: "I had the good fortune to share an afternoon enjoying the wit and inspiring truth of Melodye Micere Van Putten. Melodye Micere charmed us with narratives explaining the inspiration for the poems and then created a safe environment with her voice to experience the many emotions evoked on life, love and politics."
This was the first public comment made about my work; I continue to be thrilled! Shortly thereafter, I received an e-mail from a participant at Book Expo America in NY after she read an advance copy of Obamatyme. She wrote,"How to comment on poetic passion except to say you swept me up, embraced me in your Baracklove and carried me along with the flow of your vibrant pen?"
In West Haven, Connecticut, a dear friend opened her home and invited her sister-friends to a private poetry reading. Summer delights were offered: strawberries, blueberries, several kinds of cheeses and crackers, summer sausage, salsa and chips and a couple bottles of wine. Twenty-two ladies, beautifully dressed, and one young man - Pat's nephew - came to hear me read. Two hours later, we had discussed the presidential campaign, love lost and found, history and the pursuit of truth and knowledge, and even the situation with a certain Boston professor. When I asked for feedback on the poetry, one lady licked her lips, said, "mmmm...delicious!" Humorous and satisfying!
For sure, it is an incredible feeling of joy, awe and humility when one is affirmed in one's purpose and muse by the audience. It is also deeply gratifying when a former mentor reviews your work affirmatively. I had to re-read Soul Poems in its entirety when Dr. Haki Madhubuti, University Distinguished Professor and Director of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Chicago State University, and Founder of Third World Press (the largest Black-owned publishing house in the United States), wrote his review: "Melodye Micere speaks with a voice of authority and caring. Her Soul Poems demand that we listen, internalize her articulations and enter her landscape of living words. This book is refreshing, thoughtful and welcoming."
Wow! But I must admit that I am still trying to digest the words of one of America's premier intellectuals, Dr. Cornel West (Class of 1943 Professor, Princeton University), after his review of Obamatyme: "Melodye Micere Van Putten is a talented poet whose love for truth and justice is quite evident in Obamatyme. Don't miss it!"
Wow... again! I am on my way with reading and book signing events lined up beginning in Bermuda and moving onto Philadelphia and beyond. Both books are already available for pre-order at major bookstore chains, i.e., Borders. But if you live in the area, do check me out at Borders in Warrington (September 19th), Borders Center City (October 2nd), Borders Chestnut Hill (October 3rd) and Borders in Plymouth Meeting Mall (October 9th) and in Willow Grove Mall (October 10th). Most of these events are on Saturday and start at 2 pm. SoulSpeak, a monthly poetry venue held at The Nile Bookstore in Germantown, will feature my books on Friday, September 25th beginning at 8 pm. I will also return to Renee' Bolden's Designs in Chestnut Hill on Saturday and Sunday, September 26th & 27th starting at 1 pm for a reading and book signing. Relish Resturant in West Oak Lane will host me on Thursday, October 1st from 5 to 7pm.
I am excited, knowing that I am blessed! In hosting lunch and giving a reading for teachers who attended the Ashay Teacher Summer Enrichment Institute at my home a couple of weeks ago, I was, again, struck by the connection evident and expressed. What I know for sure: To be a culture-bearer, a wordsmith and a truth-teller in the form of an educator who also poets is a blessing, a serious privilege and a sacred honor. God is good!
Poetically yours!
P.S.: For more information, feel free to visit www.theelevatorgroup.com; I have a page where you can hear me reciting some of the poems... Also, you can check out the pictures in the "Poetry Reading" photo album... Most of all, please know that I look forward to sharing my gifts and talents with you! More later...
Poetically yours!
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