Can there be anything better than to do the work you were born to do... and love it too?

Hotep and Greetings!

It has been an exciting time for this educator who is also a poet and I am blessed!  After numerous poetry readings, book-signings and Q&A sessions, I am still loving this work even as the schedule has been vigorous, interesting and... amazing.

The schedule of events has been vigorous indeed!  Several Borders Bookstore events in the Philadelphia area, along with several private poetry readings and book-signings in Philadelphia and in Bermuda all within 6 weeks time!  Mercy!  It has also been vigorous because of the style of my poetry and the energy required to convey the poems with feeling and meaning.  Loving the work is an absolute necessity because of the necessary repetition from one event to another.  (I am reminded that the esteemed Frederick Douglass had a vigorous speaking schedule and matching exercise schedule, including lifting weights and walking 5 miles daily, to stay up to the task.  This author has started a walking regiment of a mile or two 4 to 5 days a week and daily stretching to keep her edge.  By the way, Mr. Douglass' hand weights are on display at his house - now a  national treasure - in Anacostia, Washington, D.C.)

The events have been interesting because of the variety of people who specifically come to hear the poetry, the folks who stop in their tracks because a phrase from a Soul Poems: Life as Fertile Ground poem catches their ears or their eyes are drawn to President Obama's formal portrait on the cover of Obamatyme: Election Poetry. 

Then there's the questions - talk about interesting!  When reading from Obamatyme, I have gotten pointed questions regarding U.S. foreign policy, the state of race relations, the reality of global warming and a host of issues and challenges.  At a Borders store in a popular mall, one elderly lady who stopped to listen to me read the poem "Michelle" about our First Lady, asked me if the First Lady liked white people!  Huh?  Where did that come from?  I suggested that she not listen to the stereotypically presented radio talk shows, a certain cable channel and the like... 

Yet, I have also gotten amazing feedback; people have said the poems are funny, refreshing and insightful.  They have also said the poems make them think - always music to a poet's ears and an educator's sensibilities! In fact, the journey has been amazing in many ways.  Repeat invitations are always wonderful, but I am estatic about my personal discovery of another way to present my work as an educator-poet: Private poetry readings where the host invites their interested friends.  I'm talkin'  a gathering of good people, good food and good conversation punctuated by poetry!  In fact, I have decided that this is a very cool way to provide a fun, cultural, intellectual, social affair in an intimate and stimulating environment.  Truly fabulous.

But the most amazing thing of all is receiving an award!  The National Best Books 2009 Awards has named Obamatyme: Election Poetry a winner in the genre of Urban Poetry!  Sponsored by USA Book News, Best Books Awards reviews thousands of books each year in every imaginable category of writing from fiction and non-fiction to spirituality and self-help to children's books to home and garden to technical information and audio books to...poetry and more.  This year's announcements gave kudos to 500 authors from major publishing houses to small, independent publishers like The Elevator Group. 

I am amazed!  Can there be anything better than to do the work you were born to do... and love it too?  

Both Obamatyme: Election Poetry and Soul Poems: Life as Fertile Ground are available for purchase at Borders Bookstores, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, etc.   Check me out and let me know what you think!

More later...

PS:  A few pics to see too...