Cover it with sugar love

Introducing Guest Poet: Christine Collymore, living in a diverse town; loving writing, music and art; single parent - bringing up two children (son and daughter); career in working with people; involved with community voluntary organisations as a volunteer; wanting to continue with the creative writing and finding peace and love.

Cover it with sugar love

Cover it with sugar love
Cover it with excuses
Cover it in a shroud
Cover all the abuses

Let the sour taste come later
Let the sour through
Let the eruption occur
Let out what is due

Coat the lies and deceit
Coat the lies with more
Coat the discussion with a cloak
Coat, jacket, bolero

Uncover your feelings of wretchedness
Uncover your feelings galore
Uncover your nakedness
Uncover just that bit more

Awaken your true emotions
Awaken your true state of mind
Awaken your dormant self
Awaken, take your time

Just let your spirit guide you
Just let your ego be true
Just let the realisation
Just the importance of you

© 2007

Winter's Child

Introducing Guest Poet: Paula David who has been a singer/songwriter for most of her adult life and has recently completed a degree in Creative Writing. Paula is writing her first novel as well as putting together a collection of short stories. She has recently begun to perform her poetry, although she says, “Singing comes naturally; I do find it difficult to perform without the melody to hide behind.”

Winter's Child

The echoing cold breeze,
warmed by the winter sun,
and long sleepless nights,
eased by her in my arms.

The green of tomorrow
peeks through the frost of last night.
Her first word
is a glimpse of who she will become.

Distant birdsong
dances around my ears.
Her first, ‘I love you’,
echoes back to me.

A pale blue sky
is dusted with white.
A soft sleeping face
is swept with an innocent smile.

The crackle of frost under my foot
forces a new day.
Her first chuckles
blow away the wrinkles of night.

Spring butterflies
dance around the honeysuckle,
like the demands of a pubescent beauty,
who first learns to flirt.

The rich scent of summer
makes us dizzy with blossom.
The strong pull of fashion
aids her transition.

The soundless tick of the sun’s shadow
is counting the hours,
the inevitable time,
when my baby girl is a woman.

© 2008

Dancing in the Breeze

It's Friday 18th July, I took a nostalgic trip down memory lane on this day. I went to Grosvenor Avenue, Highbury, North London and then to my old primary school, Highbury Quadrant, Highbury New Park. Now I know why I like trees a lot and why I used to like painting them in art lessons - it was painting the branches that was soothing. So on this day, I took lots of pictures and the one above inspired me to write this poem:

Dancing in the Breeze

Created by a single acorn
connected deep within the earth,

reaching high, a natural skyscraper
each branch a path,
sounds of peace rustling
leaves gracefully
dancing in the breeze,
offers shady greenery
to cool our skin
shimmering or playing
hide and seek with the sun,
great to look up to
soothing to paint
today's air smells good.

Sensuality meets Sexual Attraction

On 15th July 2008, I performed at a Spoken Word event called Sensuality meets Sexual Attraction, hosted by the WILDE Network http://www.wilde2000.org.uk/

The event was held at the Tabernacle, a splendid and recently refurbished venue in West London. The WILDE Network will be hosting more events at this great venue the first Tuesday of the month.

I read poems from my recent anthology Sexual Attraction Revealed (2007). Featured artists also included Poppy Seed, Chanje Kunda, Patsy Antoine, Cezanne, Gillian and the Just Write Poets.

This was a literary and musical journey of the enticing and the erotic…where sensuality met sexual attraction, in an explosion of creative energy combined with artistic talent.

There are some interesting events coming up at the Tabernacle, which are premier cultural precursors to the annual Notting Hill Carnival. Do visit http://www.carnivalvillage.org.uk/ to find out more.

Writing Buddy

Writing is a solitary process and it can sometimes be difficult to have a sense of where you and your writing are heading. Creative Writing courses are great, however, often there isn’t the time for you to share your writing and maybe you may not want to do so in a group setting.

One solution is to select a writing buddy, someone you can trust, who will encourage you in your writing development. It is ideal if your writing buddy is a writer who may have similar interests to you. You can discuss your writing ideas, your current writing projects, and any issues you may have and share pieces of your writing for constructive criticism.

When I was thinking about my book project, which became the anthology Brown Eyes: a selection of creative expressions by black and mixed-race women (2005), I was fortunate to have a writing buddy who was an Editor of a Newspaper.

We lived close to each other and met every two weeks, taking turns in each others’ houses. We scheduled an hour, which was split into thirty minutes each, where we discussed any writing issues. We both agreed any deadlines for the next two weeks, which was one sure way of meeting them!

Another writing buddy was a contributor to my Brown Eyes anthology, who again, lived close by. We met in the same way as my previous writing buddy and this worked well. In fact, we are planning to start up again – we no longer live close by, but we are going to have our writing discussions over the telephone.

If you find yourself struggling or isolated as you write, do consider a writing buddy. It will make a significant difference getting the support you need.

In Conversation with Akuba

In this month's Talking Point, I am pleased to be 'in conversation' with Akuba, an experienced college/university lecturer/social researcher since 1988, who simultaneously began enchanting audiences from 1997, with African performance storytelling using drama, song and various cultural artefacts.

Akuba also creates her own folktales and enjoys writing poetry. Her proudest achievements are being awarded ‘Aspiring Female Storyteller’ by Black Women in the Arts, (2006 and 2007), and winning a writing competition, judged by Random House Children’s Books, and Malorie Blackman, (2006).

The Awakening of Elmina is published in Malorie Blackman’s, Unheard Voices; an anthology of slave narratives to commemorate 2007’s bicentenary of the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, and was performed at Cape Castle, Ghana, (Panafest 2007).

Akuba also contributes to teaching sessions at the British Museum like African Tales in Paul Hamlyn Library, seasonal family workshops and off-site teaching using various British Museum’s African artefacts.

She is currently producing two poetry collections.

What is your experience of performing poetry, the benefits etc?

I began performing as a teenager way back in the day as they say. In childhood I enjoyed writing poetry and drama and through some community links by the time I was 17 years old (1979) I was invited to perform some of my work at the Caribbean Parent’s Group Conference in Southall in the presence of the late Premier of Grenada, Maurice Bishop, and local educational Black activists.

My creative writing was put on hold in the 80's due to academic study, teaching and childbearing. I wrote the occasional poem but my performance activities gravitated more towards African centred performance storytelling, initially on a voluntary and flexible basis in my respective children’s primary school.

When I relinquished my post as lecturer with the Open University in 2005, I decided to set myself up as a freelance performance artiste, which gave me the freedom to create a variety of African - centred stories as well as develop my poetry writing.

Attending Shangwe Poetry Nights, from August 2006 has certainly helped to inspire the development of my work. By being exposed to other poetic and performance styles in friendly and intimate surroundings I have been challenged to generate new material with a broader thematic remit than I would have otherwise thought improbable.

Do you think there is a difference in writing for the page or for the performance?

For me I think you always write first before you perform. At least you have a text in your head, which will need to be tangible in one way or another before it is memorised for performance. I see my written text and how I perform it as inextricably linked since I am the one who will use my written language to convey a certain message. It’s how I transform, and transfer the text from a tangible script to hopefully an audible, accessible and visual performance, which, I think, is what could make the difference.

What is your poetry writing process, e.g. do poems come whole or is there much editing time spent?

My process of writing is somewhat haphazard. I almost have to feel the poem, for context, how it looks on the page, how it sounds, and sometimes whether it adequately addresses a requested theme. It is rare for me not to do serious editing because I am never really satisfied. Since I work with my senses a poem can be written in a matter of minutes or it may be written in bits over a period of days even months. It needs to feel right.

What about poetry themes?

I write on anything but when ‘in love’ I write day and night because I see passion and poetry as symbiotic! The themes that interest me at the moment for the purpose of my own literary projects are African antiquity, enslavement, abolition and freedom, and the history of a family ancestor, Nwiah Amah, of Nzema in Ghana.

What were your thoughts and feelings before, during and after writing the poem, The Awakening of Elmina, especially knowing it would be published and again performing in Ghana?

Writing The Awakening of Elmina and its aftermath was an incredible experience. I wrote it specially to submit to a writing contest which was judged by Random House Children’s Books and Malorie Blackman in 2006. They were looking for a new author whose works would be included in Malorie’s anthology of ‘slave’ narratives to commemorate last year’s bicentenary of the abolition of the 1807 slave trade Act. With this agenda in mind, the poem recounts my family trip to Ghana in 2004 where, on route to the Western region of Nzema to baptise my then baby daughter, we visited the Portuguese slave fort, Elmina Castle. When I wrote it the first time I felt I was simulating the pain of being chained and bound in the dungeons of the Castle.

It really was a spiritual awakening, hence the title. I had no idea I would win although I understood the winner would have their poem published alongside past and present acclaimed black writers. I was subsequently shocked but delighted to learn that I had won joint prize.

I was awe struck to meet the editors of Random House and Malorie Blackman. Since then the poem has become a defining feature of my work and identity which has taken me back to Ghana last year to perform it at Cape Coast Castle, a British constructed slave fort for Panafest 2007 as well as other places in London.

The freakiest thing I have experienced since this literary development is when an organiser was looking for a poet to read out my poem at a local event to mark the Bicentenary and was unknowingly directed to me, the author of the ‘Elmina’ poem, which she began to recite with excitement and passion down the telephone. I have since been encouraged by the Publishers to consider writing a children’s novel and almost two years on I am currently working on a proposal.

Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now

This gem of a book by Maya Angelou was dedicated to Oprah Winfrey. I received it as a gift, in August 1999, from a work colleague, who wrote inside: May the road less travelled be filled with shimmering, startling luck, lots of joyous moments and wisdom.

This is the kind of book that you can always pick up and read again and again, and find even more inspiration each time you read it. It is a light and easy read, which took me a few hours - just the kind of relaxed reading that will take you on a spiritual journey.

The book is made up of 24 small chapters, from a page to a couple of pages in length each. Each chapter can stand alone. Passports to Understanding is one of my favourites as Angelou encourages travel 'to see other lands and experience other cultures.' so that we may try to understand each other.

New Directions suggests that 'Each of us has the right and the responsibility to assess the roads which lie ahead, and those over which we have travelled, and if the future road looms ominous or unpromising, and the roads back uninviting, then we need to gather our resolve and, carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction.'

The last chapter, A Day Away emphasises how we think that our busy lives, however great or small, must be dealt with on a continuous basis, when in fact that is not true. Once a year, Angelou informs relevant family members and friends that she will be unreachable for twenty-four hours, which means no telephone calls, tuning in to an all-music station on the radio, 'preferably one which plays the soothing golden oldies.'

On the day in question, Angelou has no agenda, wakes naturally (no alarm clock), dresses casually and leaves her house 'going no place'. This is a great idea which can provide a much needed breathing space from work, family and friends, where nothing but time is on our hands.

Try it one day, I will.

Ocean Blues

As a writer, I am inspired by wide and open landscapes – not easy when you live in a busy city – so I was pleased when my friend Naomi, who lives in Trinidad, sent me a unique art gallery of amazing images of icebergs. Here’s a poem I wrote inspired by one of those images:

Ocean Blues

At the bottom of the planet Earth
is Antarctica
the driest continent
with intensely cold air,
no rain, no sunshine,
except an art gallery of icebergs
with a tip for us to visualise
floating, supported by the deep ocean
beautiful and yet
full of isolation
as she hides
her majority ice mass

The moon is her one and only friend.

© 2008

Unsent Letters

According to Kathleen Adams, author of Journal to the Self: 22 Paths to Personal Growth, ‘Unsent letters are marvellous tools for the three C’s – catharsis, completion, and clarity. They are wonderful for expressing deep emotion, such as anger or grief. They are also tools of choice for gaining closure and insight. And they are an effective way of communicating your opinions, deepest feelings, hostilities, resentments, affections, or controversial points of view in a safe, non-threatening atmosphere.’

As a writer, you would think I would find it ‘easy’ to express myself but you would be wrong! I think it’s hard to get certain things off your chest at times, especially when the emotions aren’t clear or when it may be too difficult to have the dialogue with the person in question for what ever reason.

Having now written two unsent letters, I can honestly say that Kathleen Adams is right. After writing the first unsent letter I found it immediately satisfying as I had felt unable to express what I really wanted to say to the person in question for all sorts of complex reasons. Writing the unsent letter, provided me with a great sense of freedom too as I was giving myself permission to write without censorship.

The second unsent letter I found easy to write but the after effects brought dormant feelings to the surface, which did feel uncomfortable for a short while. I trust these expressed feelings will dissolve into the universe and provide me with some healing.

Writing both of these unsent letters left me feeling clearer and provided me with the bigger picture and a different perspective, which came through unexpectedly as it revealed insights that I most probably may not have experienced without writing the unsent letters in the first place.

I also felt cleansed by the writing process as such a lot of the writing poured out of me and on to the page like a stream. I felt like I had my say and that my unheard voice spoke out. I feel sure that clearing this out of my system will enable and enhance a more balanced view of my next steps, whichever way they move.

An unsent letter is a one-way communication – an opportunity to express yourself without interruption or discussion, and for me, this was the main benefit.

What ever the obstacle that stops us expressing ourselves to old friends, lovers, family members, present in our life or a part of our past, I would definitely recommend writing unsent letters. Kathleen emphasises that the trick of course is: don’t plan to send the unsent letters.


The unexamined life is not worth living.
- Socrates.

Flower Power

A single red rose
equals a romantic
story untold

a bouquet of twelve
equals a relationship
to respect, reflect, never forget

this floral gift
full of promises
with no guarantees

that will seek to
wake up your senses,
shake up your dreams

be careful though
as you trim the stems
before displaying in your best vase

be careful of those
thorns that will
unfold histories

symbols of romance;
of love and pain,
are embedded within

their beauty
will keep you hooked
into their romantic illusions

wars are lost and won
blood is shed
love is gained

Roses are red…

© 2008

What's in a Name?

This is a Sunday - a day of rest - and therefore a different posting to my usual ones - I was thinking about names and how my granddaughter Sophie was named is something I'd like to share - Sophie was my mother's name and my grandmother's name. I didn't state this when my granddaughter's name was being chosen and allowed the powers that be - mostly my granddaughter's mum and dad (my son) - to argue it out.

After hearing their deliberations and frustrations, I intervened and asked Sophie's other grandmother what she liked and she said, 'I like Sophie.' Well, my son and I just looked at each other with a knowing and a good feeling. The naming was unanimously agreed and all felt relieved that we had reached such a decision. Sophie's middle name is Rose.

By the way, my choice of Shawana-Lulu for my blog name was adopted from a little book I refer to called What's In a Name? A Swahili Book of Names by Sharifa M. Zawawi. Shawana means Grace and Lulu means Pearl. I liked the idea of a hyphenated name as I formally only have one christian name and no middle name. I feel that these new names, chosen by me, give me another perspective, another identity with my writing.

If I was born in East Africa, into Swahili society, my name, would have been my initiation into society. In fact, the usual procedure is to choose two names before you are born. Many people of colour from all around the globe have adopted new African names as a way of constructing new identities. I think it's a personal and yet powerful way of representing an important part of our culture and of identifying with and reflecting on our ancestral past.

NEGRIL

Looking for freedom,
adventure and romance,
then look no further and
give Negril a chance

Tranquil, serene
with a great ambience
A tropical piece of
paradise.

Negril is for everyone
….uniquely Jamaican
This ‘No Problem man’
exotic island where

You will feel at home,
with reggae rhythms enticing you
to move those hips without a blip
cool and casual, trendy & chic.

Watch and applaud those
breathtaking orange layered sunsets.
Lie on pristine beaches under the hot golden sun
With the majestic Caribbean ocean parading its

dazzling colours transforming
into iridescent blues and greens
shimmering with silvery streaks,
here you’ll escape the fast lane

and find a wealth of ways to indulge yourself
Sip a rum punch, red stripe
or herbal roots drink - add a drop of recreation
Within this natural beautiful setting

You will find yourself in your comfort zone.

© 2008

6 Tips to Getting Published

1. Do your homework, research about the genre you want to write in and the publishing industry.
2. Attend as many literary events, e.g. book launches, readings, talks, as you can.
3. Keep a journal and record your thoughts and feelings of everyday writing experiences, e.g. events attended, courses attended etc.
4. Do enter writing competitions; you never know you might just win that book deal!
5. Reading is as important as writing – read widely, especially the genre you are interested in – we all need inspiration.
6. Be determined, focused and patient – nothing happens overnight.

Selected Competitions:

Cinnamon Press Writing Awards:
www.cinnamonpress.com

The Fish-Knife Award:
www.fishpublishing.com

Blinking Eye Poetry Competition:
www.blinking-eye.co.uk

Impress Prize for New Writers:
www.impress-books.co.uk

The Society’s National Poetry Competition:
www.poetrybusiness.co.uk

Café Writers Short Story Competition:
www.cafewriters.fsnet.co.uk

Friday's child is loving and giving

I became a grandmother on Friday 3 August 2007 and I can't believe Sophie will be one year old next month. There are so many words I could list to describe my new(ish) joyful and amazing role, so I've expressed how I feel in a poem:

Born on Friday,
Later than predicted
Faster than expected
You arrived, natural
We cried

All fingers and toes
In tact
Perfectly formed
You brought love, joy
To all

I watch as
You learn
Every minute of
Every new day
Witness you needing

Wanting, crying, smiling
As you master
Your emotion
You are a real
Jumping bean queen

As you sit
At my feet
And you smile
Like a Cheshire cat
No words needed

Each new sound
Excites those around
Evolves into louder
Forced laughter
Oooh is my favourite

Uhmm is next
Icecream insight
Brings screams of delight
As you try a herbal infusion
With no confusion

Hands clap
Papers rap
Toys shake
Legs kick
Oooh

You look deep
Into my eyes
I reflect back
We connect
You and I

You tug on
My locks
You turn my
Smiles into
Beams

I turn your
Smiles into
Rays
As you pay
Attention

To detail from
Carpet textures
Sweater patterns
Earrings
On your adventure

You are
Sunshine
You are
Love
In this wayward world

We need babies
Like you
To remind
Us
Of why we’re here

Bless you Sophie