Black Without Apology

Posted on by Why Yet

Too many times I have encountered individuals who behave as though only they have a right to exist on this planet. As big as this rock is… really? I can’t say I’m surprised with 45 fueling the flames. But I was inspired by the words I’ve been reading on here tonight. I wrote this poem, Black Without Apology, as an in your face call out to those who are closed-minded about anyone who is different:

Does my skin offend you?

Has my DNA mocked you?

Has my resilience taunted your very existence, pushing you to hate me?

Does my intelligence frighten

the very idea of your

subsistence on the degradation of my genetic make-up?

I guess nightmares and dreamscapes of terror

encourage you to intake artificial courage

to defile the image of my being

solely because you can’t bear

your child-mind of feeling inferior,

that gestating seed of uncertainty

that gnaws at your immorality

while you justify your (lack of) humanity

to your brotherhood of nonsensical brethren…

But I digress…

Your inability to come to terms with your ideas of the world

belong to YOU.

I am my melanated self because I am

and always will be

Black without apology.

– Why Yet 4/3/17

It’s National Poetry Month 2017!

Posted on by Why Yet

Poetry month has returned again. I always find myself enthralled reading other’s words and feeling surprise at someone being enthralled by my own.

Don’t misunderstand me. I LOVE my works. My poetry is my therapy – therefore it is very personal and raw for me. Which makes me shy and proud to share it.

The first poem I remember having to memorize was Langston Hughes’ A Dream Deferred. I didn’t understand that poem at the age of ten but it stirred something in me. That quiet stirring continued until I read Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman. 

Maya Angelou’s passion ignited the stirring in me and I began to slowly release my words onto paper. Not ever did I think, “I’m going to publish these poems and sell books.” But here I am, poetry collection published, writing more for another collection and pondering what to do next.

But every April for thirty solid days I am reminded, by myself and other poetry friends acquired over the years, that all poetry has beauty in it and speaks to someone somewhere.

Poetry is appreciation of life in the raw. Simple. Elegant. Rough. Raw. Love. Hurt. Deppressed. Happy. Excited. Sad. Mournful. Erotic. You get where I’m going with this.

Should you be a poet or know poets, show them some love this month. Read, share and/or review some of their work. Let them know their words mean something to you. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing and expressing my emotional transitions for all who choose to enjoy them!

Reflective Morning

Posted on by Why Yet

I’m sitting in a McDonald’s eating breakfast before heading into my day job and I start flipping through a notebook I keep in my purse. 

Skimming old notes my phone rings and it’s a caregiver. My first thought was, oh damn what now? Gratefully she was letting me know she worked out a situation she had brought to our attention on Friday. Huge sigh this Monday morning.

Returning to the pages I had begun to peruse, I came across a poem I wrote two months ago, currently untitled:

Good morning beautiful.

Look at me,

I am you

And we are here, together

Scars and all.

We are always

One and the same

Twin flames

Of the same candle

Looking for clarity external

But…

The clarity has always been within

Us.

Scars and all…

Good morning beautiful,

I am you.
-Why Yet 1/3/17

May all of your mornings be beautiful.

Hello world!

Posted on by Why Yet
knitting

Hello! I’m Why Yet and I started this blog because I love words. I love to read books and I love to write. And I have also been told since childhood that I’m always relaying stories. I am excited to share my words with you. I began blogging on blogger.com (Poeticallywyld) but many of my friends suggested I try out wordpress.com, so here I am!

I am a mom of six wonderful children, four teenagers and two toddlers so my hands are full. I am a poet and in the process of re-releasing my first collection of poems, Entangled Hearts. Recently I have been introduced to a wonderful and inspiring woman, Kim Morrow, who invited me to become a part of her BRPP (Blaq Radio with Power and Purpose) Radio family on blogtalk radio. I am now a radio host of BRPP Presents: The Interviewers On Why Yet’s Watch. I get to interview people who are truly working to inspire and inform. My show broadcasts live every Thursday night at 9 pm EST.

I get to spend an hour with interesting people and I ask them questions about what they do. How cool is that? That’s like I get to spend time with you and get to know you. How cool is that? All while taking care of my family. This is like that penny on the sidewalk, “Find a penny, pick it up. All the day you’ll have good luck.”

Family is fun and I enjoy spending time with my family just as much as I enjoy reading and writing. And when you visit more than once, you’re considered family!