NaPoMo poetry party.13

Rawle James is a mentor, a builder of creative community, and a tireless advocate for social justice. Rawle’s creative vision ten years ago birthed the Inspired Word Cafe, a hip gathering place where many emerging poets in Kelowna have shared their work for the first time in front of a live audience. Rawle led the IWC for the first seven out of ten seasons. Now he focuses his energies on personal coaching, facilitating and public speaking.

You have been an encouragement and creative friend to me over the years, Rawle. Though we don’t seen one another often, I am grateful to keep in touch via social media. It’s my pleasure to welcome you to Buddy Breathing today.

We’ve been asking each one of our guests questions that focus more on how you are rather than what you do, though that’s also important. I find the current situation in the world is cutting through position and power to a deeper place. I wonder what thoughts are prompted for you by these three questions?

1). What is this quieter version of life teaching you?

Rawle: To me, it is reinforcing how much we need each other to live and that we are truly one race. This virus sees our humanity for it matters not your ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs. The virus simple looks for a host. Are we will to truly see our humanity. To see the human that we are all. We all walk the same earth. We all breathe the same air. We all drink the same water. We all come from woman. And death will visit us all.

2). We often say we wish we had more time for certain things. Having been given this gift of time, what are you spending it on?

Rawle: Self reflection. I’m looking within to reflect on my beliefs and values and if there are still true for me. This is an opportunity that exist for us all.

3). What is one surprising thing that happened today?

Rawle: On my walk today, I encountered a couple of women who talked about how much they miss touch. As one who loves to embrace others with a hug, I concur with their observation.

Please visit Rawle’s website to learn more about him and his services. His new book can also be ordered there.

Thank you so much for joining in our conversation today Rawle, and for sharing your poetry with us. May you continue to impact lives for good.

Blessings and peace,
Lesley-Anne

…

it’s complete in its emptiness
cocooned in a state of dubious certainty
birth from the same waters of life
that housed me in my mother’s womb

before any I’s are dotted or any T’s are crossed
it is a disassembled inspiration of chaos
floating the cosmos lustfully flirting with the idea of romance
for the spoken word is naked

it awaits capture
to expose and pollinate a creative urge
a download into a suspended moment of arousal
it lays in state to be free verse into a sonnet of images
that coaxes the wild torrent of the dark’s light

it’s not embedded to a rhythm, riff or melody
it’s not nestled on or on top of beats
rapped with meaning
it can paint pictures that evoke memories of days gone by
it can stir feelings of childhood nostalgia
or cowering for safety under the covers from Dracula’s bite

it seduces the imagination in playful celebration of pen and paper
it can question you to ponder the poets meaning asking, what the fuck?
or what colour is the sky in their world?
it can move you to snap fingers in approval or with gratitude
for saying thank you for capturing my feelings
thank you for saying what I could not speak

it’s truth is a naked moment of existence
that oddly resembles my perception of truth
its power can spark revolutions or issue a call to action
to pick up the pen or welded the sword
it is an invitation to know thy self
to explore the evolution of the mind that can uplift our human spirit
it is the unspoken of what we fear
spotlighting the inner story
It is open for interpretation by the listener

It come for you like a train at the station
be there or you’ll miss it
but fear not for it will be capture
for that’s its power
it is between you, the poet and the words
Listen! Listen!
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
It sees you!

Blessings and peace,

Lesley-Anne

meanwhile, the pop up poet…

So, probably know I’m doing a new thing over at Pop Up Poetry. I’m getting out more, not just writing, but reading! Often that means reading my work at open mics around town. If you are in the area and interested in the arts scene, you might just want to check out these Kelowna venues and events. Something to help make it through until Spring.

Last Thursday night I went up to the cozy and welcoming Mission House Coffee and Cupcakery, enjoyed some wine with good friends, met some new ones. I read some poetry, and listened to some local talent, musical and literary, at the first open mic of the year. It was great. Open mics are always inspiring and expanding. So thanks for the invite, Vanessa.  Check out the unique sounds of Vanessa Eidse vocals and ukelele on CBC Music HERE. She performed ‘Heart’ at the open mic. Awesome. I’m so looking forward to the next time.

There are a growing number of open mics around town. Rawl James’ Inspired Word at various locations is on my radar, with three offerings in February alone.  Streaming Cafe is hip and offers lots of events including open mics, next one on Feb 8th at 7 pm. And, Pulp Fiction is another funky venue where you can catch music and words and even some theatre, surrounded by retro posters, vintage furnishings and antiquarian books.

If you know of other literary opportunities, please do share there here with us.

And, if you head on over to Pop Up Poetry, you’ll find poem 2.

That’s all for today,

Lesley-Anne, SDG