I’m happy to announce that I’m a featured poet during Nation Poetry Month 2023 on author Dee Lawrence’s blog Vocal Expressions. The feature includes an interview and two poems, “The Words We Used To Say” and “BLACK NATION.”
Much gratitude and appreciation to Dee Lawrence for providing this opportunity, along with a platform for highlighting poets during one of our favorite months of the year. To learn more about Dee Lawrence, go to Vocal Expressions or check her out on IG.
Elated to share that I was recently a featured poet on author Dee Lawrence’s blog Vocal Expressions. The feature includes an interview and two poems, “When Freedom Called (The Fallout)” and “The Music of Life.”
Much gratitude and appreciation to Dee Lawrence for providing this platform and highlighting poets during one of our favorite months of the year. To learn more about Dee Lawrence, go to her blog Vocal Expressions or check her out on IG.
~ Buddah Desmond
I cannot believe it’s been 7 years since the release of my first project, Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics. It’s arrival marked one of the brightest and darkest periods of my life.
Two weeks prior to its release, I found myself jobless. A total WTF moment that sent me reeling… Spiraling down. I was singing a tune that was akin to the jazz standard “Good Morning Heartache,” except in this case it was “Good Morning / Good Afternoon / Good Night Depression, Anxiety, Shame, Low Self-Esteem, and Lack of Confidence.” It took awhile to grow through it. While I didn’t realize it immediately, it proved to be a blessing in disguise.
This reality check gave me the chance to do things I always wanted to do. Publish my work. Write, write, and write some more. Perform. Connect and work with other artists, creatives, and organizations committed to the arts and social justice. Complete my MBA. I did what I had to do. About a year or so later, the landscape had changed. My outlook was much brighter.
Life is a trip. At times, you may feel ill equipped for the journey. You may even hate certain portions of the journey. But it’s necessary. It lays the foundation for what’s too come. As I say, “No matter what happens in life, we must PREVAIL!“ Much love and gratitude to all who’ve been there with me and continue to support me throughout this journey. You are true blessings!
Prevail is available at Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle) and Barnes & Noble.
Okay artists, writers, poets/spoken words artists, and book lovers: If you didn’t know, the Baltimore African American Book Festival (BAABF) is this Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 10AM-5PM at the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Presented by the National Literary Network Organization and the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the BAABF will feature Trice Hickman (Best-Selling Author), Sheri Booker (NAACP Image Award Winning Author), Troy Johnson (AALBC.com Founder), Nikki Woods (Tom Joyner Morning Show Producer, Nikki Woods Media Founder, and Author), and Ella Curry (EDC Creations Founder). Other events include panels/workshops, kids activities, and live spoken word. The event is free and open to public.
I’ll have a table (#10) selling copies of Prevail and Exotic Shifter and will perform during the Spoken Word Hour from 1PM-2PM. My blogger buddy Marc Polite (Author, Blogger, and Founder and Editor in Chief of Polite On Society) and will be one of several authors appearing at the event as well.
So if you’re looking for a FREE event full of great edutainment, come check out the BAABF this Saturday in Baltimore, MD!
Peace, Love, and Many Blessings!
~ BuddahDesmond
I cannot believe it’s been two years since the release of my first volume of poetry Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics. Seems like it was only yesterday when I saw the email that the book had gone to the printer. And roughly 10-14 days later, it was available to purchase. Seeing my work published, especially this collection, was a major milestone. I went through a lot to get to that stage. And my what I’ve learned in the time since it was published.
I was trying to do everything when Prevail came out. To maintain the little bit of sanity I have left, I had to pump my breaks. I realized that if I broke my goals up into smaller pieces, execution wouldn’t be as difficult. This allowed for quick wins, which in essence brings you closer to achieving your ultimate goals (versus trying to attack everything head on all at once).
My goal this year was increasing visibility in the DC metro area (i.e. attending more events, performing, and making connections/building relationships). I went after some opportunities, while other opportunities came to me (all of which I’m extremely grateful). I’m in the process of planning for events for the latter half of the year (I’ll be sharing news about this soon). Aside from releasing my next two projects, the goal for 2015/2016 will be increasing visibility in other regions of the country.
After going through the publishing process with my first project, I feel like I could teach a course or two. There’s no need to spend a lot of money buying packages through an on-demand or vanity press when you don’t have to. Doing it yourself may be a more cost-effective option, especially if you have access to the right resources. Whether you self-publish or get picked up by a publishing company (indie or mainstream), you will still be on the hook for marketing/promoting your work. At this stage, I’d rather have more control over the finished product and how its marketed/promoted.
Information about my next two projects is forthcoming. In the interim, be sure to check out my previous posts about Prevail. And if so inclined, buy a copy of Prevail, write a review, and tell a friend!
Thank you for your support. Until next time… Peace, love, and many blessings! ~ BuddahDesmond
Buy Prevail from: iUniverse | Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle) | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover)
Baltimore Urban Book Festival
During the Spoken Word Hour at the Baltimore Urban Book Festival this past Sunday, 7/14/13, I recited “The Ironic State of Black Men in Society” from the “Life” section of Prevail. I thought it quite fitting considering recent events. Video of the performance is forthcoming.
The Ironic State of Black Men in Society
Such complex, beautiful creatures:
Envied,
Despised,
Copied,
Immortalized,
Celebrated,
Yet condemned to damnation.
Often seen as failures, hoodlums, and vagabonds.
Rarely honored or acknowledged for the greater good they’re doing for their
families, their communities, and themselves.
With that depiction in the media how could their outlook not be gloomy?
But that’s only if you aren’t hip to the real T of their plight.
For some strange reason, in the larger society, it is hard for them to be accepted
as intelligent, honorable, responsible beings in areas outside of entertainment.
And when this perspective of them is challenged, it’s met with all kinds of
resentment, distrust, doubt, and downright hatred
Anytime reality trumps perception the masses can’t seem to handle it.
And when they happen to be seen in a positive light, and something happens to
them, or they are accused of an action that casts a negative light on the initial
impression,
They are immediately baited for the wolves.
Regardless of proven guilt or innocence, they’ve already been placed into the
proverbial jail,
Never to be redeemed or forgiven.
They are made to pay for their misgivings and backfires—whether intended
or not, whether guilty or not—for several lifetimes over.
Even after death, vindication is not promised, if ever granted,
’Cause the fickleness of society will not enable a shift in feeling, right, judgment,
or frame of mind.
The road to justice and finding a relevant, truthful place for black men in this
world does not seem possible in any of our lifetimes.
While the imagery and experiences are not, and will not, always be positive,
The belief that black men are no good is ever prevalent.
What has happened, unfortunately, to their plight has many causes and fingers
that can be pointed at many places.
But the realness, the truth, and the change begin within.
Just because you’ve been denigrated to a certain caste in the world
Does not mean that you have to accept it or embrace it as your own.
Defy what stood before you;
Challenge what you’ve walked into.
Create something better to live on, and impact those coming after you.
That’s where your power lies.
There’s no guarantee that it’ll change minds,
But people will take note.
As long as you define who you are,
and continue to build yourself and your people up,
redemption is guaranteed.
There’s no need to seek the approval or consent of the outsiders.
© 2012 BuddahDesmond
“The Ironic State of Black Men in Society” is featured in the “Life” section of Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics. Prevail is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.
Related Posts:
Happy 1st Anniversary to ‘Prevail’!
101 Days Project: Prevail
‘Prevail’ Featured in EDC Creations’ ‘2013 Summer Sizzler Book Tour Magazine’
BuddahDesmond Appearing at the Baltimore Urban Book Festival (BUBF) on 7/14/13
BuddahDesmond Featured in MOOV Magazine
Prevail is one of several great reads featured in the 2013 issue of EDC Creations‘ Summer Sizzler Book Tour Magazine. The magazine can be viewed on the FlipSnack site: http://bit.ly/1b8scb2. Check it out!
Related Posts:
Happy 1st Anniversary to ‘Prevail’!
101 Days Project: Prevail
BuddahDesmond Appearing at the Baltimore Urban Book Festival (BUBF) on 7/14/13
BuddahDesmond Featured in Moov Magazine
BuddahDesmond Full Poetry Reading from OutWrite 2012 [VIDEO]
BuddahDesmond to Appear on Black Authors Network Radio Show on 12/10/12 at 8:30PM EST
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… BuddahDesmond on JoeyPinkney.com
I want to be free.
I want to feel free.
I want to be able to
fly and soar freely,
without limitations.
I want to be me—
the complete me,
not the PC version,
or the edited version
intended for major mainstream and retail consumption.
It’s not to offend.
It’s about letting loose,
being in my element
without worry, care, or defense,
because I haven’t found that place yet.
I’m still trying to find that
place where I can feel at home.
But when I find it
I’ll know.
I’ll be so comfortable and carefree,
So magnificently me
That I almost won’t be able to stand myself.
That’s when I’ll be whole.
When I find it I’ll be more than content.
That’s when I can be me—
unadulterated, unedited and unscripted.
Yes, that’s when I’ll be free.
© 2012 BuddahDesmond
“Free” is featured in the “Life” section of Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics. Prevail is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.
Related Post:
Happy 1st Anniversary to ‘Prevail’!
101 Days Project: Prevail
BuddahDesmond Featured in MOOV Magazine
BuddahDesmond to Appear on Black Authors Network Radio Show on 12/10/12 at 8:30PM EST
Full Poetry Reading from OutWrite 2012
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… BuddahDesmond on JoeyPinkney.com
Wow, it’s been one year since I published my first book Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics. I still recall the happiness and sense of accomplishment I felt holding Prevail in my own hands for the first time. Prevail represents a dream come true. I stuck to my guns and made it happen. Not without a lot of support though. I couldn’t have done it without those (my spouse, family, friends, and mentors) who’ve encouraged me along the way.
It was a rocky journey making the dream happen. If I’d listened to all the things people told me—that I wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t fit the mold, that I didn’t do things the traditional way (as if that’s something wrong)—I wouldn’t have this book or anything else published. I wouldn’t be working on my next book. I would’ve stopped writing… I would’ve stopped doing a lot of things. But I didn’t. I persevered. Yet I know there’s still much more to do. More dreams to achieve. Still more to learn. More platform building to do. Many more people to connect and build genuine relationships with. More outreach. And I welcome it all.
As I say in the introduction of Prevail, “We never know what’s coming to us in this life, but we do know that if we get through it—whatever it is—we will be better, stronger, and wiser. No matter what, we know we must prevail.”
Thank you for your support! Until next time… Peace, Love, and Many Blessings, BuddahDesmond
Prevail is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.
Related Posts:
BuddahDesmond Appearing at the Baltimore Urban Book Festival (BUBF) on 7/14/13
101 Days Project: Prevail
Nothing But Love
The Music of Life
It’s Not That Serious
Happily Ever After?
Desperation
Gone Too Soon