Let's just read--period. And read critically. And investigate, and not be such passive-aggressive beings.
Read a news story today that is speculative beyond belief. The sad--and realistic--thing is that of the readers, it is guaranteed that over 50% will form biased opinions based on the text, instead of looking into the issue themselves to form a more educated opinion on the subject. We are so quick to receive information of ill repute, and spread it, and form a weak opinion--or no opinion at all, when an opinion is crucial--instead of realizing/caring when/that we've been lied to for the benefit of something perceived to be bigger than/independent of ourselves.
At this very moment, there are learned brothers and sisters fighting for us, screaming for freedom and justice on the behalf of the whole. And the majority of the whole is clueless--or worse, could care less--and has no idea (or again, doesn't care) how its misguided opinion or non-opinion, misguided information or non-information affects us all.
You want peace? Fight for your peace the way you fight over your trinkets and gossip and other illusory trivialities. You want justice? Do yourself justice and research the truth with all of your heart, instead of settling for what is given to you, on the giver's terms.
Read, and read discriminately. Read creatively. Read with purpose. Read and learn like your life depends on it, because your life DOES depend on it--believe it, or not.
Thank [you for] your time.
CJIV
http://cjiv.me/cambridgejiv
The Latin Invasion Art Show explores the mythological prophecies of the end of the world. According to Mayan calculations, 2012 is the fall of the Fifth Sun. 2012 is the end of the world as we know it.
Artists are tasked with visualizing what that means to our culture, our way of thinking, the current state of humanity and ultimately, how we plan to celebrate the great history that humanity has enjoyed until this day.
There will be body painted models for artist to draw and photographer to take pictures of. Dozens of paintings from artists all over the US and two great DJ’s spinning Latin Classics and Hip Hop inspired music.
FTP will provide their nutritious delicious food and there will be a full bar of spirits open.
For more information on Latin Invasion and upcoming art shows, please visit: manoamanoartshows.comMay 7
8pm
Cover $5 donation w/Canned GoodLatin Invasion
Before the fall del Quinto Sol (5th Sun)
Meso-American mythology, End of the World Prophecies, Ancient Art, African ArtVibes by:
DJ Osmose + Sir Nervex Art by:
Bello AG, Cedrick Wiley, David Quiroz, Ded Safer, Erick Jara, Gerzon Rodriguez, Illie Dawson, Jody Harris, Kimberly Fitzgerald, Lewyn Stewart, Linda Costa,
Makala Fields, Nicole Pritchett, Phyllis Robinson, Wade Harrison, Irene Lavant, Olivia Rado, JD Zapata, Odari YohannesLive Models Sandy, Ressa, Santana, Shatara, Kelly Sunshine, Alex Snelling & More!
BodyPaint by DTM, Gerzon Chaos79, Justin Anderson & Erick Jara & Phyllis Adair Robinson
Henna Designs on Deck
Nutrition by FTP Catering
Bar Spirits by Tree of Life Pomegranate Win & OG XO Brandy
Red Carpet Photography by Titus Jamison
plus
PENCIL WARS! winner gets a special prize!!!percentage of proceeds to benefit:
Action Not Words & Feed The People
KSP (the loft)
675 metropolitan pkwy
Suite-5079 or D-15
Atlanta, GA 30310DTM-curator
404.695.5769
www.manoamanoartshows.comA Special Thank You to our Sponsors:
http://www.ogbrandy.com/ http://www.drinktreeoflife.com/
http://www.velocityscreenprint.net/ http://www.djosmose.com/
http://www.marcospita.com/ http://www.luccom.com/
http://www.dacreativegenius.com/ http://dripchemistry.blogspot.com/
http://www.chaos79.com/ http://www.angelwingsmusic.com/
http://www.theaspot.com/ http://www.theactionnotwordsproject.org/
http://www.ftpcatering.com/
A Poet’s Tribe Collective 701 Aquarena Springs 203 D, San Marcos, TX 78666 Contact: Faylita Hicks, 512-665-3932, ripdamicslam@gmail.com
The Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam competition comes to San Marcos, TX
The Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam is a new weekly cash prize competition that will be premiering January 30, 2010 at the infamous Bar 141 off of 141 E. Hopkins in San Marcos, TX. A poetry slam is a three round, high energy competition where poets perform their original work to be scored by randomly selected judges from the audience. Winners of the slam walk away with cash prizes and the chance to represent the local slam as a team at the national competition to be held in Boston, MA in 2011.
January 30, 2010 will be the kick off show for this exciting event. Featured performers for this event include: Hip Hop group-Riders Against the Storm, Houston group- The Fanatics, New Orleans’ native Symmatree. Confirmed slam poets include 2010 Austin Slam Champ Danny Strack, Killeen Poetry Slam Master Christopher Michael, Spitfest Producer La Love Robinson, Spoken 4 All Producer Stacie Shea, Austin Neo Soul Coach and Slam Master Brian Francis and so many more.
Since 2003, Faylita Hicks has been an active member in Austin’s inspired spoken word community, representing the city on three different slam teams at the national competition. In 2009, she earned the title of Austin Poetry Slam Champion. Planning for the Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam begin in 2010 after being accepted to Texas State’s MFA Creative Writing Program. As the new Slam Master, she is looking forward to bringing the crazy-energy of the slam to the growing city of San Marcos. “I know that San Marcos has a wealth of untapped talent. Rip Da Mic is an opportunity for those talented individuals to let loose in a safe and open minded environment. I want everyone to come through and have the experience of a lifetime!”
This weekly event will feature spoken word artists, local performance groups and visual artists from the local community, as well as special performances by touring artists. Sign up for participation in the poetry slam will begin at 7pm every Sunday at Bar 141. Artists interested in participating should visit www.FAYLITAHICKS.com for more info on how to book with this event.
A Poet’s Tribe Collective is a local production company that strives to provide events and services that inspire the community. For further information about A Poet’s Tribe Collective or The Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam, visit Spoken Word Artist Faylita Hicks’ pagewww.Faylitahicks.webs.com or call 512-665-3932.
PRESS CONTACT:
Vanessa Conde – Mapola Communications;
305.546.6683; vanessa@mapolacom.com
heartbreak haiku – A 21st century Samurai emerges…
Nuyorican Poet Deborah Magdalena Takes You
Through Her Journey On The Dark Side.
Miami, Florida, December 13, 2010: “ I am not a therapist or psychologist- just a humble poet that invites you to come with me on my personal journey of healing….” The words don’t just jump off the page they singe your skin right down to the core, right down to your soul. The latest expression of poetic love by soulful spoken word poet Deborah Magdalena is a heartfelt and honest account of her battle with the process of relationships and heart break.
As the year winds down to an end Magdalena reflects on the experiences that shook her to the core with an explosion of emotion in this new literary project. “I needed to write heartbreak haikus so that I could live through the love – the shock – the rage – the mourning and the forgiveness that comes with a heart break to be able to truly find the ultimate love – self love – understanding my self worth. “ states Magdalena.
Haiku is a form of traditional Japanese poetry consisting of 17 moras in phrases of five, seven, and five. Each phrase is a unit of sound used in phonology to determine syllable weight. While Haiku are traditionally printed in a single vertical line and cover nature as their subject matter, in the Western world they appear in three lines and may cover diverse subject matters. The Western interpretation of Haiku that examines the human condition is called Senryu.
Using a traditional Asian form of literary interpretation Magdalena takes her poetic skills to new heights adding a different dimension to her repertoire as she breaks ethnic and creative boundaries in order to share her emotions, despair and triumph.
With a passionate foreward by fellow Nuyorican poet Shaggy Flores, this latest translation of work by Magdalena is sure to raise eyebrows and touch your own poetic souls.
For more information visit www.deborahmagdalena.com
**********
Book Avail Online NOW! Only $5 plus shipping and handling
http://www.deborahmagdalena.com/index_files/Page344.htm
BOOK RELEASE AND SPECIAL PERFORMANCES:
DEC 27 2010, 8pm
Mello Mondays - Hosted by HBO's Def Poetry Poet ASIA
Bluster 115 N. 21st Avenue Hollywood, FL
REVIEWS:
"Mixing urban tongue with salsa flare, Deborah Magdalena is the true embodiment of South Florida poetry. If Miami had to be described as an attitude, just point to Deb. With a voice that carries from South Beach to Liberty City, a look that shines from Hialeah to Kendall, and a heart that stretches from Aventura to Homestead, she is beautiful to listen to...beautiful to look at...but more importantly, beautiful to call a friend."
(Asia HBO Def Poetry Jam)
"As a poet and a friend, Deborah Magdalena is best on your side of a knife fight and/or a poetry slam. This chapbook is proof of that." Congratulations Deborah M! Really great work." (Elena Santayana; Hialeah Haikus)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Whether she's hosting a spoken word event, music festival, or playing the role of a santera, a deputy, or a vixen, Deborah Magdalena makes every emotion super real. The Puerto Rican actress/poet - who calls Miami home – was born into a very talented musical family. Sister of Latin Grammy winner Nestor Torres and grandniece of legendary Puerto Rican singer Ruth Fernandez, it was a natural progression for Deborah to amuse friends and family at an early age with her spontaneous comedic sketches and dance numbers.
For the past 10 years she’s focused on her spoken word performances with the goal to not only entertain but inspire self healing with a comedic twist. Deborah bared her poetic soul by independently releasing Spoken Word CDs - Spoken Soul: A Survival Kit of Poetry, and Deborah Magdalena LIVE.
With poetry in one hand and music in the other, Deborah set out to work with kids in after school programs funded by Arts For Learning, and personally authored an original poetic program called After School Zen. A program she taught in front of 200 kids from first to sixth grades.
With a continued poetic force, Deborah was moved by the healing power of the arts in women’s lives, so she founded Spoken Soul Festival in 2008, an annual three day festival that supports women artists. SFF coincides with Women Arts’ international holiday SWAN Day (Support Women Artist Now).
Continually writing, teaching and performing Deborah Magdalena sets out to poetically inspire positive growth and change in women artists and our world’s community as a whole.
www.deborahmagdalena.com
a friend of mine had a bad experience at a poetry event, and reflected on it. her issue was that "your advertisement says the show starts at 8pm, and you don't open the doors until 9:15, and it's cold, and there's no place to sit down, and there is no food or drink, and you've convinced most folks through your ad that it's an open mic when it's really not..." here are my thoughts. i think i touched on all of her points, but i'd love to know your thoughts as well--even if you have similar experiences to add to this one
I will say this much: as a promoter, it can be difficult to set a start time for an event--especially, depending on the size, popularity, and recognition of that event. i've produced shows that are ready to GO at the time i print on the flyer, but i rarely start at that exact time because the audience is mostly always late, for whatever reason.
when you're an indie promoter, and you can only afford to rent a venue for a specific block of time, it's not easy, and pretty disheartening, to have to extend the show an extra hour or so because it's showtime and there are only two or three people in the audience, ready to enjoy the artists--especially when you are paying the artists for their time as well. now, the show could eventually be packed, and everyone could have enjoyed themselves, but starting the show late could mean that the show is cut short, or the show is extended past its end time, which could be grounds for a promoter having to come out of pocket more $$$.
show promotion/production is a business. not making a profit is one thing, as profits are not guaranteed--especially in poetry. but what promoter wants to walk away from a show COMPLETELY in the red? i feel that it's our duty ensure out patrons have a great time, and to ensure our featured artists are fulfilled in their performance and the turnout for that performance. also, i feel that it is our duty to shield our patrons from the business side of things; they just want to have a good time. who attends a show, concerned with how much $$$ the promoter, or the artist, for that matter, is going to earn from his or her endeavor? commonly, who attends a show thinking, "i can't wait to go support Poet X so he can have gas money to get back home, or so he can buy a new pair of shoes, or so he can have a decent breakfast in the morning"? commonly, those are not the foremost thoughts we have when entering an entertaining situation.
tell me if i'm wrong, but the open mic attendee wants some damn good poetry, the concert goer wants an exciting concert experience, the movie goer wants to see an entertaining, memorable, and maybe even thought-provoking, film. who's thinking about whether the guy at the ticket window is getting paid only $7.25 an hour, or nothing at all? not many people, unfortunately. again, we just want to have a good time. i will say that i am not taking up for the promoter in question. and i agree that because of the season, some more comfortable accommodations should have been made. but i also must not fail to acknowledge that there are two sides (sometimes more) to every story.
the bottom line: promoters, step your game up and do your BEST to make your patrons comfortable, and to ensure an enjoyable experience; patrons, try your BEST to work with us, realize that there are multiple dimensions to the production of a show, that you may not care to consider, or visit, at the time, and realize that sometimes you've got to give a little something as a whole, to get what you expect from us. if there's an option to rsvp for a show, then by all means, please do it; that does a lot more for us than you may think--especially, for the small-time promoters. and sure, things happen, plans change. but if you say you're coming, and the show is scheduled for a specific time, then do your best to be there on time for the show. get there early if you can.
a good promoter provides contact information for both him/herself and the venue, and also provides simple directions. if those things are provided, and you still end of getting lost on the way to the event, then whose fault is it that the show is packed and you have to stand up the entire evening, or the tickets are gone, or the show is half over when you finally arrive? can't blame the promoter for that.
i believe that what makes a successful show are good communication, and a proper give-give relationship between the promoter(s), artists, venue and patrons. just to put things into perspective, i've been promoting poetry events for 3 years now, and there was one particular event where, for whatever reason, folks didn't start showing up 'til about an hour after the printed time, and it turned out to be a great show. however, instead of a the 2-hr show i promised, my supporters got a shorter show, for the same entry price, and at the end of the day, did that serve a maximum benefit for either of us? no.
before the show ended, i overheard some of my supporters complaining about the show not staring on time. and as bad as i felt, there was really nothing i could do about it. i can't have my feature artist sharing his/her work for 3 people, just because the other 40 decide to show up an hour later. i like to wait until there is a nice crowd before we begin. i also overheard something else, proliferation of a horrible stereotype applied to poetry events--specifically, black poetry events.
she came late because "everybody knows that [black] poets (she was specifically referring to poets ) never start anything on time."
well, you know what? it's that type of thinking that will not only hinder the progress of some start-up productions, but it may hinder the progress of our craft, and our culture, as well. in all that we do, let's work together. let's foster an attitude of give-give, instead of gimme-gimme, and see how far that will take us.
*and if i may shamelessly plug: THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 7-9P SHARP @ JAVA MONKEY - 425 CHURCH ST. DECATUR, GA 30030 - "Story Time at 84th Street and Boheme Way" FEAT. The Shaman, The Hussy, and FERNANDO! Atliens, TXT me for details if needed (404.789.0928). We'll see YOU there for Story Time!*
** more shameless plugging (because i KNOW you're going to LOVE it!): TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Marks the digital release of my latest book, "Aint No Grits 2nd ed." Read the official review here: http://cjiv.me/gritsreview, and GET YOUR "GRITS" ON TUESDAY! **
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Aint No Grits - AVAILABLE NOW!
ODER The Ebook TODAY!
Click HERE To ORDER
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Official Review - Aint No Grits 2nd ed., by Cambridge Jenkins IV
84th and 5th Press
…When the words lie down/and soak into/recycled canopies/of jungles
past,/they reflect what is/nearest to your heart/what frightens the
blood/from you…/
You do not know Cambridge Jenkins IV.
Organic tea leaf, whole cream sweet, hot on the tongue. Frayed edge of
denim stained with red clay, moss and stank of city. Hair like rough
silk, black on gold skin. Lit clove rested on bed of lip and swirl of
silver smoke.
But, when this poet speaks of age and death:
...there on the blue sofa,
body stretched,
arms spread wide...
and warns with the foreboding only genuine devotion can deliver:
There will come
a time when your
vocabluary will fly
away from you
like a mouse hair
in gale-force winds...
the ethos embraces you. And you will remove your shoes and move gently
beyond the first poem in Ain't No Grits, whet for the meal.
Ain't No Grits captures my favorite aesthetic: a petite chorus of
poems seeking to move, breathe, and shift you in your seat. It is not
a large collection bound by glossy covers and gilded-edge text.
Highfalutin metaphor and lines scattered about the white space do not
reside here. It is a handful of poems like winding river ebbing
against the approaching frost.
These poems are Bukowski's Americana--sinewy hands like rope and
whiskey spittle. A pretty girl in a cheap dress folding origami to
leave on the brick wall behind your house. They are gentle and dirty
and pierced with teeth marks.
Ain't No Grits is poet undressing for his most passionate lover -
words; we are staring through the window to his room:
Words are blankets
for the lost-minded
shivering tipsy as
guardians of the night
It is dancing:
...just under the foamy swells
of the cotton fields,
there were cocktails
painted magnificently like
cosmic dust clouds floating
It is fable:
but we never mind
the bees or the ants
or the trees or the family
of possums crossing the road -
their road,
which was clear river,
chunk rock,
clover patch
before highway
It is danger
in freedom
in women on
Periods
in women - period.
It is self portrait:
...southern poets
posing nude
in hotel rooms with
pungent heating
and limp pillows
and hymnal:
falling asleep
with a busted pen
in your hand and
waking to scripture
on your forearm
And when there Ain't No Grits, it is:
the vagabond
at home wherever
there is wash rag
and tooth brush
and ball-point
Simply put, if you are so inclined, it...is...poesis.
You do not know poet Cambridge Jenkins IV. But you will.
- Review by Tzynya Pinchback, author of new release, hussy. For more information: www.tzynyapinchback.com
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Aint No Grits - AVAILABLE NOW!
ODER The Ebook TODAY!
Click HERE To ORDER
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Hey everybody! A dear friend and I have completed and released new projects recently, and we are EXTREMELY excited about them :-)
If you are on facebook, and would like to get in on the action, and help support our new projects, then please continue reading. Also, if you currently have something great that you are promoting, then you may be able to use some the the sharing methods below, for your own projects :-)
And now...
4 ridiculously simple ways to support hussy and Aint No Grits 2nd ed.!
1. **** Mention us in your status message****
Have you read any of our work, watched any of our videos, listened to our audio clips? If so, I'm sure you have an opinion on what you have experienced. Did you like it? Did you love it? Did it move you? If so, then let us know! It's a natural reaction for us to talk about our favorable or unfavorable experiences. If your experience with us is a favoable one, then we would appreciate you sharing the wealth, and talking us up! No one can share a message with your readers like YOU can.
2. **** Share us on your wall****
The facebook wall is a beautiful tool for sharing what's new, what's interesting, what's HOT! When you post something to your wall, you say to your contacts, "Hey, check this out! What are you waiting on? You NEED this in your life right now." The wall function allows you to post links, pictures, video--any form of media you need to share this new, hot thing that your contacts shouldn't take another breath without knowing about first. Below, there are a few big things we have going on, that everyone should know about. Share a link today!
* The Grits/Hussy Experience - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100422403358404
* Tzynya Pinchback EXCLUSIVE "hussy!" Interview -http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_5507437
* Cambridge's Blog -http://www.revengeofthepinkpony.com/
* Tzynya's Blog - http://www.tzynyapinchback.com/
3. **** Create a note, and tag 30 people****
Facebook allows its members to tag up to 30 people in notes. Do you know at least 30 people on your growing contact list who may be interested in The Grits/Hussy Experience? If so, why not take just a few minutes to create a note, and share? The tough part is already done for you. Simply copy and paste the NOTE below to a blank note (please do not change the note), tag your favorite 30, and voila!
______________________________________________________________________
Note Title: "Enough for Everyone"
Now available to a computer screen, or a pair of hands near you, are new, exciting literary works by Atlanta authors, Cambridge Jenkins IV, and Tzynya Pinchback!
Cambridge's Aint No Grits 2nd ed. and Tzynya's hussy are now poised for mass distribution via the Web. Print editions are also available. When you have a moment, check out The Grits/Hussy Experience (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100422403358404). I have, and it has compelled me to share this experience with you. Wouldn't you like to help spread the word about The Grits/Hussy Experience?
Here's how :-)
Facebook allows its members to tag up to 30 people in notes. Do you know at least 30 people on your growing contact list who may be interested in The Grits/Hussy Experience? If so, why not take just a few minutes to create a note, and share? The tough part is already done for you. Simply copy and paste THIS note to a blank note, tag your favorite 30, and voila!
Thank you!
______________________________________________________________________
4. **** Invite all of your contacts to share in this experience****
Is there something special about you, a skill, or talent that you honestly feel that a large number of people could benefit from? This is the way I feel about my work, and more specifically, "Aint No Grits." Did you know that there is a way to share something with all of your contacts at once? All you have to do is set aside a few minutes of your time, and follow some simple instructions.
**note: this may only work in the firefox, chrome, and opera browsers**
* On the event page, locate the "Select Guests to Invite" button in the left side bar. Click.
* When your contacts are finished loading, move your pointer to your browser's address bar (where you type a web address). Clear it out.
* COPY and PASTE this code to the address bar ------> javascript:elms=document.getElementsByName("checkableitems[]");currentFriendClick=0;friendClickTotal=elms.length;friendClickInterval = setInterval("clickCurrentFriend()", 15);function clickCurrentFriend(){if(elms[currentFriendClick].type="checkbox") elms[currentFriendClick].click();currentFriendClick++;if(currentFriendClick >= friendClickTotal) clearInterval(friendClickInterval);}
* Press the "Enter" button on your keyboard. All of your contacts will be checked.
* Click SUMBIT at the bottom right of the box, with the now checked contacts.
*POOF! The invites are off :-)
Now, I encourage the hardcore supporter to to try all 4 of these sharing methods, to give The Grits/Hussy experience the BIG push that we know it deserves. But if constraints limit you to trying only one--and we would appreciate you trying at least one--then that support isn't any less appreciated than if you tried all 4.
Thank you so much for your time, and your participation. With your support, "Aint No Grits," and "hussy!" will reach hungry readers across the globe!
84th and 5th Press
http://cjiv.me/thepress
**Play and Download this EXCLUSIVE Interview with Atlanta’s Most Famous “hussy” HERE**
About Tzynya:
tzynya is mother to serendipitous girl child/poem maker using narrative as shaman, lyric as landscape/is vessel ‘out to sea’ with one foot on dry land/at home along the pacific, at home nowhere/is love song, bawdy limerick, and swamp boogie fiddle repurposed as syllable and form.
her work has recently appeared in the anthology Alternatives to Surrender (Plain View Press), Holly Rose Review (June 2010 issue), and is the author of the poetry chapbooks EveSongs (1996, UNM Africana Studies Department) and hussy (November 2010).
Muse - www.tzynyapinchback.com
Join the Convo - www.twitter.com/tzynya
Connect on FB - Tzynya Pinchback
Listen - www.reverbnation.com/#/tzynyalpinchback
human beings have long co-existed in a societies governed, and sustained, by guns and butter--analogical tangible items representing the tools by which one survives, and the spoils of successful mastery of a skill, or skill set. some peoples' guns are bigger than others', and some peoples' butter is more flavorful. regardless of the quality of an individual's guns or butter, each of us needs them both, in some way, to exist, and enjoy life, in whatever capacity afforded to us. even independent artists make use of, and require, guns and butter--the creative works being the guns, and the compensation and recognition being the butter.
there comes a time during an artists personal journey when that artist decides--for whatever reason--to venture into for-profit distribution of his or her work. some of these newly-encouraged artists are content with the few dollars, or favors he or she may earn in exchange for their creations over their stint as a creative earner. moreover, the most brave of these artists attempt to cultivate a professional career, fueled by the strength, and influence of their works. unfortunately, many of these prospective career-artists fail--and fail miserably. many artistic failures--or seemingly so--find it difficult to recover from such an experience, and either give up on their audience and/or talents, or they push through the failure, however, with a disposition of bitterness, or complete alienation, directed at their art form, as well as their audience. when this happens, both the artists non-supporters, prospective and current supporters, unfortunately, feel the brunt of the artists newly-adopted negative disposition.
so, what is the secret to success as an independent artist--a poet, more specifically? how does the poet accurately gauge the true affects of his or her work on readers and listeners? how does the poet even know if he or she is capable of performing the task of earning a living by sharing his or her work? there are many answers to these questions--a few, which i will address here. the most important qualities any independent, creative person needs to build a career on his or her works are patience, faith, and self-confidence, and, for good measure, a little luck, too.
on rare occasions, it may seem that an artists career has simply blossomed over night with little prohibition, little toil, but this is a gross misconception of the career-building process. such an occurrence was carefully cultivated, and tirelessly waited upon, until the right time. but what is the right time? just like we know neither the day, nor the hour, for the end of our world, we know neither the day, nor the hour, for reciprocity of our creative efforts. once we speak or publish our work, it could take years--decades, even--to touch an individual, or community, the way we intended it to. however, the beauty of this process is that the work could go on to mean much more to those experiencing it, than even to us, the creators. whatever sense of love, and duty, we feel at the start of our poetic journey, must not be diminished by tough times, or any other strenuous wear on our spirits.
on my journey, if i have not learned anything else, i have personally learned that being an artist of any medium--especially one not as well received as some others--can either make that artist very strong, and willing to take on any obstacle by innovating--discovering new muse, or rediscovering old muse--or it can make that artist very bitter, and willing to succumb to any threat on his or her creativity or livelihood. i have been there, and i have created, inspired by unrequited attention or recognition.
one positive notion that i hold to--which keeps me grounded, and tilling along the sometimes unrelenting, unresponsive earth of poetry--is that poetry will always be around.poetry is not merely a style, or technique of writing; however, it is a style, technique of all forms of creative expression. poetry is an essence, an air, the primary building block of all things cognitively developed, and beautifully manifest. void of the essence poetry, the song fails to move the spirit, the structure fails to evoke change, the painting fails to draw its observer deeper into its enigmatic allusion, the photograph fails to stoke an idle, desirous, imagination.
as students, not only of the creative disciplines which are enhanced by this essence--poetry--but of the essence itself, we have a tremendous advantage--that advantage being that we are learning to understand, and master, what it is that renders any art form palatable, viable, and rewarding for both the creator and the consumer. as for-profit, for-livelihood artists, if our work incorporates neither of these primary means of acceptance, then our work, our efforts, are in vain. ultimately, if we so much as slightly loosen our grasp on the notion that our ideas and resulting creations are not to benefit us, but are for the benefit, and prolonged betterment of those who consume our work, then we have become lost in a simmering, pungent stew of fellow embittered colleagues--a stew, whose squalid flavor may either be difficult, or impossible to recover from.
let us not be primarily concerned with how we can enhance reciprocity evoked by initial--mediocre, even--unique interpretations of muse. however, let our primary concern be to enhance our interpretations and representations of muse, so that any resulting reciprocity be bountiful and effortless. i truly believe that if we, as artists, adhere to these basic principles of creation, and the distribution of those creations, then undoubtedly, community support will be as indiscriminate as an industrial automaton completing a task--regardless of that tasks difficulty. instead of attempting to redesign a consumer's perception of your work, embrace that consumer's perception, engage yourself in learning why an individual, or group, perceives your work in a specific way, and then strive to--while maintaining originality, of course--redesign your work to appeal to the desires of your focus audience.
with further regard to reciprocity, regardless of whether or not people witness or acknowledge your efforts in the arts, always remember that the Universe serves as the ultimate witness. the Universe will comfort you when people cannot. the Universe will muse you, when people are silent, and time is still. the Universe will reward you when the world is broke, and broken. and the Universe will always reward you ten-fold, so that you may mend--with inspiration, creativity, poetry--what has been destroyed by subtle; yet, progressive detriment.
in a selfless exposition of struggle, of emotion, of process, let us tread considerately, and neither complicate, nor compromise, the basal message of our existence, and our work; yet, let us fortify our message with a continuous relevance, and understanding that we are here to inspire, to educate, to comfort, to reward--and that our reward is surely forthcoming, and will be manifest in due time, whatever that means for each of us
- Cambridge Jenkins IV
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