Every journey has a beginning. Mine started in December 2018, when I published my very first book of poetry, A Collection of Poems: A Journey Through Life. After years of using writing and music to carry me through hard times, putting my words out into the world felt like both the scariest and most freeing thing I had ever done.
My first reading
My first poetry reading was on Sunday, April 14th, 2019, where I read from and discussed the book. I donated a copy to the library that day — the first of many donations to come. Around the same time, I took part in a Black History Month celebration at North Babylon High School and donated a copy to the school library, where the librarian planned to share the poems with students for National Poetry Month.
I also began writing and performing poetry with the Belmont Elementary School drama club while working with a medically fragile student. I wrote the poems and the children dramatized them — one of their favorites was a piece called Empathy. Watching kids bring my words to life showed me, early on, just how powerful poetry could be in a classroom.
An award I never saw coming
In 2019 I submitted my poem A Web of Deceit to The Authors Show, and out of hundreds of contestants I was named Top Female Author in the poetry category. I was shocked — and thrilled. Early in 2020 I even received a letter from a New York State Senator congratulating me on the honor.
Giving books away
That first year set a pattern I’ve kept ever since. I donated copies of A Collection of Poems to libraries across North Babylon, Babylon, Half Hollow Hills, Wyandanch, Commack, and Farmingdale State College — and to women’s domestic-violence shelters, including VIBS and the Regina Residence. I also did my first author event at the Babylon Public Library.
Looking back, 2018 and 2019 were about finding the courage to share. Everything that came afterward grew from those first brave steps.
This is part of My Poetry Journey. Next chapter: Poetry Through the Pandemic (2020–2021) »