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
BUDDY BREATHING 