Poetry Break

Things to do when grief is concerned

1.       Collect and stare at photographs of him until you can retrace every curve and bend of his face with eyes closed. Even if you have mastered this skill repeat daily.

2.       Don’t buy a headstone for the grave. Procrastinate and ignore for as long as possible.  Engraved stone is much too hard and cold. Remember the softness and warmth.

3.       Erase his cell phone number out of your contacts but not before you copy it down onto paper. Dream about tattooing it onto your chest in beautiful fancy script.

4.       Dust off old VHS tapes of his trips to Alaska just to see 1 minute of footage of him walking upright.

5.       Get pregnant with a man child ASAP before death creeps and overtakes the entire plan. Pray the baby looks and acts like him. Give the child his middle name.

6.       Wear his size 4X sweaters around the house. Never wash it. Swim in the ocean of fabric. Imagine he is at the shore waiting for you.

7.       Make an appointment to have your head checked. Explain to the doctor that it feels like your right arm is missing. Apply for disability.

8.       Roll your eyes in disbelief when you hear someone say God answers all prayers. You have proof to dispute this. You prayed over him for 7 days straight no sleep and lack of food couldn’t stop you. You are skeptical.

9.       Feel bad and guilty about #8. Your daddy was a sanctified, Holy Ghost preaching pastor and a praying man.

10.   Prepare to live the rest of your days wrestling grief. The end is just the beginning.

-Lady Terror (2011)

Revolution means change
It's coming

Bear Down

Sharpen yo knives

Kiss yo babies

Grit yo teeth

Oil yo face with Vaseline

Braid yo hair

Gather stones and wood

Hide clean water

Stare at old photographs

Stretch yo limbs

Wear long sleeves

Remove jewerly

Say yo last prayers

Detox yo body

Stop lying

Research the facts

Smile at yo enemies

Reevaluate yo friends

Think quick on feet

Readjust yo thinking

It's coming

Yo!

Its already here

-Lady Terror

dope Alert Mondays

I love when I am connected with amazing new ways to manifest my dreams. I know you have all heard of a vision board and may have created one on your journey. Today, My BFF shared a link on her facebook wall from an amazing blog called LISA C WRITES The post is called "Getting Buck Wild With Life" and explains the concept of a Manifestation journal. This is powerful stuff and truly resonanted with me. I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction and manifesting. As a writer the concept of creating your life by writing detailed "stories in a journal of your hopes and dreams really got me hyped. I love how Lisa challenges you to "Get Buck with Life" and to be bold and fearless in your Manifestations. What a powerful message of empowerment. We are so on the same page. So, today my "dope Alert Monday" is dedicated to this exercise shared by Lisa and her entire blog.

I am so hyped by this idea that I have already written 4 pages in my journal of stories that I believe with all my heart will come true. You ask and receive. Its the law of the Universe. Here is a a part of my story written today:

Today I woke up with the best email from three different theatre companies in Atlanta, Chicago and New York. They all loved the materials and scripts I sent for the Lady Terror show. They want to comission me to produce a multimedia show around the themes of creative empowerment, rage and social justice. I'm so excited and cant wait to interview and hire the sound, lighting and scene shop artists to start collaborating. I want the shows to remain intimate, raw and real. I will have lots of screens, hip hop music, movement, and live feeds from the street and guerilla art spectacles that are at the core of my work.

They also approved the budgets I sent with no hesitations. Each of the three companies will invest $25,000 with a 60/40 split on all ticket sales. They also approved to pay for our housing and car expenses while I'm in town producing the shows. The hubby will also be producing his artists and writing music for video games with Micrsoft and new TV shows for MTV. MTV is in NY so the entire family will be together during this exciting time. I cant wait to take Saheim to see the Statue of Liberty and be back in my hometown of Chicago for that leg of the journey. The show will be great. I am blessed.

That feels wonderful! Read the post on Lisa's blog and do this now. Its dope! Also follow Lisa on twitter @LisaCWrites Now, go get buck!

Hire Me! Dont be alarmed by the Terror in my name.

I am excited to present my new business. I have been a natural entrepeneur since I was a little girl. I can remember selling bologna sandwiches and candy to kids in the neighborhood on the front steps of my childhood home. I also remeber having a lemonade stand on the sidewalk in front of my house at around the age of 10. Even then I was improvising and sold kool aid since my mama didn't have any lemons.

My passion is words and empowering others to reach their fullest potential. I have over 15 years experience as a teaching artist, workshop leader and performance artist. What does all this mean exactly? Well, basically I have spent thousands of hours creating poetry workshops for children, young people and adults. I have created original curriculum and crafted projects in public schools that have given young people the opportunity to find their voice and write their way into themselves. I have created Aftserchool Arts camps by booking the talent, writing the curriculum, training the artists and teaching. I have wrote my own One Woman Show that has been performed on stages from Chicago to Atlanta and street corners in between. I have been a guest artist sharing my love of theater and social justice in top colleges in Chicago. I am a published author. My work appears in a fabulous book about teaching art to young people. Check it out here: Aimprint

I know how to connect with individuals. I know how to write. I know how to empower. I have vision. I am a master organizer. I am creative. I come alive while engaging others in the beauty of voice and discovery.

What I offer:
*Customized writing empowerment workshops for your classroom (grade school to college), faith group, community group, girls get together, book groups or any other gathering of human beings. I can create an amazing workshop on any topic.

*Individual or group writing groups. This is an intensive experience for serious writers or those who want to write creatively but feel like they have a writers block. I have completed many graduate level poetry and creative non fiction writing courses and love revision. I will take that poem you have hidden away and guide you through the process of making it come alive. I can take anyone to the next level when it comes to writing.

*Guest speaker and performer for Black History Month programs, Womens History Month and any other school or group assembly. I have over 15 years experience in public speaking to professional groups and also a trained actress and performer who will make any stage come to life.

Learn more about my lady Terror mission and work here on this blog. You can also follow me on twitter at @HireTricia
Check out my linked in profile too profile
Contact me for questions on rates and schedules at: ladyterroreducation@gmail.com I would be honored to work with you!