COMPRENDE

I finally understand this thing about energy and like energies and the need to align oneself in the flow of right and good and positive energy. This past weekend feels like a dream.

It all started on Friday night. I was beat, tired from two twelve hour shifts back to back but knew I had to get my stuff together for Poetry and Prose night. The poet, essayist and historian John Milton Wesley came to read and break bread with us and light the place on fire. We had a full house and I have been designated the permanent host. Something happens to me when I sit in front of an audience, on my stool, collection of poems in my lap. Something takes over me when I am face to face with a room full of poets and eager listeners. Something comes over me when I am tucked in the womb of Words, thinking not about bills or doctors appointments or schedules or toilets that need cleaning .... but thinking only about the tone and inflection and arrangement of words. Something comes over a sister.

So the folks who gather with me have decided that I MUST host every gathering ... they seem to sense that I really do "fall into a zone" that makes the room feel hot and loving and good. Not a sentiment I share since I'm always nervous before I speak but hey, I'll take it.
Anyhow, the room was on fire after he read. We did a little Q & A after and John offered up some wisdom that he has gained in his 30 years of writing. One thing he talked about is the way in which poems come:


"There are poems that are crafted and there are poems that are transmitted....that just come from somewhere else, whole and complete, only needing you to steady your hand and write. Know the difference."

So much more which I'll have to post on later but for now I left with a feeling of supreme love and elation for this gift of writing.

Sunday was something else. Sunday I hit the road to Philly to be on the radio show here. I, and three other sister poets were reading on a two way talk radio format and talking about literature etc. One of the poets is a sister named Kelly Elaine Navies and if you have the anthology, Bum Rush the Page, her poem titled, Birth is in there. Anyhow the host wants us back on in January and wants me back individually once the book is published. She put me onto the owner of Robin's Bookstore in Philly who does a superb job of promoting newly published authors. It was so cool to have had that experience and see the inner workings of radio; so Divine to have exchanged cards and make these kinds of connections. She agreed that this is the kind of thing to do before you are published, not after. It gives you a solid edge.

On the way up we talked and fussed and laughed and cried like sisterfriends do when they're on a road trip. We talked about AIDS in Africa and Oprah's visit; we agreed that it's time to get to work. Personally, I've been thinking lately about using my little platform to help African women writers get published. I'm talking about soliciting manuscripts from African women writers and the whole nine. Shoot, it's not impossible. Alice Walker published J. California Cooper before anyone even knew the woman existed. I guess what I'm wanting is to give African women artists some kind of platform, certainly not what they deserve because I'm not yet working with that kind of money. But how validating is it for any artist, particularly a woman, to see her words in print? How validating is it to see that yes, I do have a voice and what I am saying with my voice is both useful and valuable. I want to do something. I have to do something. I can't keep sitting back watching a whole continent go undersea. My sisterpoet friend ended her AIDS poem with a line about being drafted into this war and I agree. I'm in. In whatever way I can help, I am in.

And so I ask, is this what they mean when they say "align yourself with the flow of good and positive energy?" Is this what they mean when they say that when you move forward and keep stepping in the direction of your destiny, Providence swings open its door to help you in any way It can? Is this what they're talking about when they say to release all doubt and worry and concern and to allow things to just Be? Is this what they mean when they say to choose your friends wisely? Is this related in any way to the notion of releasing negativity and choose joy despite whatever comes your way? Is this, I plead to know, what is meant, by Trusting?

Wishing you all the joy your heart and hands can hold this holiday season,

ANGEL