Brenda's Child

Brenda's  Baby      

     A Star is Born!  

September 11, 2009

I'm so excited about "Outspoken" my new poetry collection. See the first one was more geared towards all ages, and had some of my older poetry in it. But this one is subtitled, "Poetry For the Bold" because I don't hold back. It is the poetry collection that reps who I am to the fullest. I love it, and I hope you do too.

August 11,2009

In a world where bills, appointments, errands, and deadlines are always lingering,

I 'm glad I have my open mics. It's something about the release of your energy, and the absorbing of someone elses that keeps me inspired.

You never know whose life you touch with your words, or when someone will recite that peom that you really just needed to hear.

July 30,2009

I am stressed out, but I guess it's positive stress, because I'm trying to do so many things. I got about 11 weeks left to grad school,and being a teacher,the summer is always tough financially.But creatively,enery has been flowing. I'm working on three projects simultaneously. One of them is the follow up to my first poetry collection, " A Piece of My Mind."  My poetry has changed so much,and I've really come into who I am, so I'll be happy to share it with the world. This book will also be more edgy, because I will include many of my erotic pieces that I left out of my first one.  I hope to have this out by November. Of course I'm slowy finshing up the sequels to my first novella, "Despite Everything." I appreciate all of the feedback, and I know people really want to know what happens to Toni, Dionn,Javall. What I'm putting most of my energy into is the book that I feel will have an enormous impact on females of color. It is called, "The Right amount of Sunshine." More information to follow. 

May 12, 2009

Open Mic Tuesdays are back, and boy do I need it in my life! Especially right about now. I'm going through my mother's day sadness thing that I do every year. But I lost a good friend last week to cancer, so I'm really sad. I'm also really busy. Brend'a Child is in grad school, and it is tough. That means some things have to go on the back burner, like the promotion of my new book. So I need you all to help me get it together. Spread the word about all three books and buy it if you haven't . Thanks to all of those who've supported me. I'll be posting reviews very soon for it, good and bad.

March 6, 2009

Thank you to everyone who came out to support me at my book release party. It was so fufilling being surrounded by family, friends, and fellow poets. What a blessing.

January 14, 2009

In February I will be publishing my first of many novels, "Despite Everything" a love story I first conceived at age 14, when I couldn't sleep at night. And if you know Brenda's Child, you should know we are gonna do the damn thing at the book release party. More details will follow.

January 4, 2009

Happy New Year! Hopefully 2009 will be a year of even bigger accomplishments and success to me, my love ones,and hell, even my enemies. It's all about positive energy after all. What are your new year's resolutions?

 November 04,2008

I got to meet one of my poetic role models ,Nikki Giovanni when she visited Springfield on October 31. I just love this woman. She emcompasses everything I aspire to be...outspoken, articulate, educated, active, and hip! Yes the woman is still hip ! I was  in awe as I listened to her speak and watched her sign my books. I also gave her copies of my own books, I hope she reads them! 

October 20,2008

Monday, October 13 marked the end of Open Mic Mondays, and begins Mic Check Tuesdays. It begins Tuesday, November 25 same place, same time. I will miss the weekly energy, but the reality is, winter time is harsh here in MA and and I know there will be nights that I won't want to come out of the house. The reason I changed the day is because I have started back college, going for my Masters in Philanthrophy and Nonprofit management. In the mean time and between time, I urge you to keep writing.  

August 13,2008

Open Mic Mondays is really taking off. This week we had 11 poets. And more people who never considered themselves poets are writing, it's the spread of GOOD ENERGY people. If you haven't checked it out I suggest you do!

July 17,2008

Wow, it's been two months since I've  written in my little journal. I guess that means I've been busy. The poems are flowing out of me like the rivers that Langston Hughes speaks of. I have to say most of it comes from open mic Mondays. I get motivated by other poets to write, and it is great!  My plan for the fall is to re-release my 2007 book with a new original cover and bonus poetry. Afterwards, I plan to publish a new book every year until someone notices and a sista gets a book deal. Yes, I would love to get paid to write all day.

May 27,2008

   I had the pleasure of meeting Diana Ferrus, the poet whose work was responsible for inspiring France to return the remains of Sarah Baartman, who had been on display from the time her death,in 1815 until 1974. After being humiliated in freak shows and circuses  because of her oversized breast,buttocks, and genitalia in London and France, Sarah was forced into prostitution  She died at the age of 25. A scientist cut off her genitalia, put in in jars, and put her skeletal remains on display. Born in South Africa, her people wanted her home for a proper burial. France refused. It was Diana Ferrus' poem, "I've Come to Take you Home"  that helped to inspire France to change their mind, and Sarah Baartman's remains were returned home in 2002. I met Diana on Wednesday, and she is phenomonal! She is here as a part of an artists exchange, and will be performing locally. Below is a picture of all of the visitings arts.

May 15, 2008

So Mother's day was Sunday. I'll be honest, I kinda get into a funk about it. I get depressed slightly. I feel tired and sleepy, and I don't even have the energy pretend like I'm okay. I kinda just wanna sleep the day away.  I know I'm a mom, and I love being one. And I have a gramdmother, and maternal aunts, but it's not the same. So I use that day to self-reflect, mourn and just keep to myself. I'm allowed right?But anyway, that day's  over until next year. I feel better, and Brenda's Child is back in business! Tonight I'll be checking out Caramel Cafe in Windsor ,CT.

April 1,2008

I'm 30 years old as of march 28th. And I celebrated like I should...surrounded by family and friends! We had an eighties party and is was "totally RAD"

 Poem of the Month:

Old School

I long for those old school days,

for those days

when we played jump rope games

used bricks to draw hopscotch,

when we were afraid to drink soda with pop rocks

For days when all we did was play,

kickball in the middle of the street,

did “Super Man Fly Right Out” on our feet

to decide who was “IT” during Hide -and- Go-seek

I miss Barbie’s and Big Wheels,

Homemade icees from Kool-Aid

Jumping up and down when the ding dong cart came

Giving the ice cream man a dollar,

And still getting back change.

When we watched the A-Team and “Dynasty” together, the whole family.

In one room, on one TV

When we ate Sunday dinner at Grandma’s every week.

When Grits, fish, and biscuits for breakfast were regular, not a special treat.

When adult’s weren’t too tired to cook,

and kids weren’t too busy to sit down and eat.

I miss Round-off and Cartwheels

Going to the park, and rolling down the hill.

“If you step on a crack,You break your momma’s back”

Remember that?

I miss “Simon Says” and “Mother May I”

Wearing “Plats’" while waiting for my hair to dry.

Okay, okay, I hated that,

but loved getting it straightened flat,

with the hot comb,

fresh off the stove,

remember those?

What about lemonheads,

 and ring pops?

Fluorescent colors

and “slouchy” socks?

I long for those days,

when hip hop was new,

preaching Black peace

 and Unity.

When dressing “Fresh" meant cutting up stuff,

And using your own creativity.

When, if you had a “beef” you took it to the streets,

battled if out on cardboard, or lyrically.

I long for the days

when “ the future” seemed far way,

when forever was a possibility,

when being a kid

was my only responsibility.

I miss snuggling up to my Ga-Ga

Before I go to sleep…

I long for those days,

I seek them out in my dreams