What poets changed the way you thought about writing?
Toni Morrison “Honey and Rue” song cycle. — I always knew poetry was music to a degree. But Morrison taught me that there are no limits and no boxes for me as a creative woman. She led by example.
TS Eliot — long form stories can be interesting and dense, but on target.
Tracey Chapman - masterful storytelling via her lyrics
Wislawa Symborska - Her skill, her mix of humor and realism.
Andrew Marvel - Be unconventional and do it your way.
Sonia Sanchez - she was my introduction to spoken word after many years of studying and writing traditional poetry. I learned that using my voice in interesting ways on the page and in performance was possible and freeing— My poem MommaMendsUs is a spoken word performance poem.
June Jordan - said I can be powerful. Her poetry taught me to speak of social issues with personal power.
Maya Angelou’s work - Taught me that I can empower myself and others with dignity
Sitkala- Sa’s work taught me lyricism and spirituality can exist comfortably in the work
Jamaica Kincaid’s poem “Girl”. Taught me that there was room to speak of my Caribbean cultural influences and familial relationships via that cultural reference and lens. I learned that vernacular and identity had a place in poetry. I learned how to take up space on the page and let the work exist as it needs to speak intuitively.
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