Poems
Thank you for being here. This is the digital space for my new and old poems. I was named Charleston, SC's first Poet Laureate in 2016. Buy my books from my official online store and check out some of my poetry videos. My 11th poetry book is we deserve a world without war.
2018 Free Verse poetry festival
August 22, 2018
I’m overjoyed to bring another poetry festival to Charleston. How does this year differ from last year? For one thing, I think it’s important to … simplify. Last year was phenomenal, but felt scattered. So, I decided to limit the events to one week: October 17-24. The public art projects will happen throughout the month. […]
Poet in residence at Zero George
August 4, 2018
I was the poet in residence at the lovely Zero George, a stunning hotel and restaurant in downtown Charleston. I connected with the Zero George staff over an encouraging and honest conversation about making sure that spaces like this feel … open. And welcoming. Earlier this year, I did a poetry reading and workshop at […]
let’s talk about the weather
light follows us wherever we go, no matter how shadowed the mind. but darkness has a sneaky way of taking us over at night and sometimes its sleepy residue remains in the day in spite of the sun’s warm personality and efficient, persistent glow. we sleep through hot nightmares when the only cool air is […]
Commencement speech for the Arts Institute of Charleston
June 15, 2018
The fine folks at the Arts Institute of Charleston asked me to be the commencement speaker for the 2018 graduating class. I’ve never done that before, so it was an honor to grace the stage and meet the scholars. I'm about to do the commencement speech for the graduates of @AiCharleston at @CHSMusicHall. Number of […]
Walter Edgar’s Journal, SC Public Radio
May 12, 2018
Walter Edgar’s Journal. Now there’s a name that is familiar with a lot people in South Carolina. I’ve listened to his shows for a long time and never really considered the fact that I would have a chance to be on it! Well. Here I am: http://southcarolinapublicradio.org/post/peace-voices After this appearance, I received A LOT of […]
Movement’s mother
(inspired by Septima Clark, on what would have been her 120th birthday. Written for the dedication of her historical marker) I. There are spirits among us – ghosts of grassroots movements echoing through our soil. Charleston’s poinsettia was a warrior woman who blossomed despite an unholy city’s unsettled winds. She was light through dark matter, […]
Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, mother of Phife (ATCQ)
April 27, 2018
Friends, this is Cheryl Boyce-Taylor. She’s the mother of Phife (Malik Taylor), from A Tribe Called Quest. A. TRIBE. CALLED. QUEST. One of the first things I *ever* wrote was a rap based on one of Phife’s verses, in 1991. It’s because of Tribe that I sharpened my writing skills. It’s because of Tribe that […]
The genius of Ani DiFranco
April 4, 2018
In honor of National Poetry Month, the most impactful poet I’ve ever read is Ani DiFranco. Her wordplay, politics, art direction and DIY ethic have been HIGHLY influential on my work. Some examples of the lyrical genius::: “More and more there is this animal looking out through my eyes at all the wires in the […]
empath (bones)
(a poem about lynchings) If the Angel Oak tree could talk, she’d tell us stories we don’t want to hear. Her family has been roped into being the backdrop of racism’s roots, her friends had no choice but to stand, stoic through storms that bore strange fruit. She’d tell you about the relentless weight of […]
Photos from recent school visits / workshops
March 28, 2018
(this is my life’s work. So proud to be able to visit schools and show students that poetry is alive).
New issue of No Depression on stands now
March 28, 2018
Here are some pics of the latest issue that I designed. I’m proud of this work! Click here to order a copy.
empath (variations) – electronic music + spoken word
March 28, 2018
I can honestly say this is the electronic album I was born to make. Why? Because, finally, I feel like everything came together much better than any other of my solo releases. empath (variations) feels … complete. Everything I’ve learned about music production, design, publishing, mastering, song structure, looping and more is all here. I […]
