Art. Essays. Poems. 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK. #poetry #haiku #3amblack #rezarites #3amblackpoetry #sunrise #naturephotography
Sunrise Haiku, 4
AKA Sunrise Haiku, 2018, A
AKA Jubilant Sunrise
By Reza Rites
Jubilance resides
In the sun’s first dew-soaked kiss
Inhale and absorb
Originally written January 8, 2018
Voting Ends Thursday – Reza Rites Nominated for Spoken Word Artist Award
Voting for the 2017 Motif Theater Awards ends Thursday, August 3. Click here to access the information and ballot. PROVIDENCE, RI – Hi friends, crazy awesome news happening here in the universe of Venus Sings, 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK and the #AmbitiousBlackFeminst: Yours truly, Reza Rites, has been nominated for a 2017 Motif Theater Award. As I’ve told some folks recently, this was already feeling…
Voting for the 2017 Motif Theater Awards ends Thursday, August 3. Click here to access the information and ballot.
PROVIDENCE, RI – Hi friends, crazy awesome news happening here in the universe of Venus Sings, 3 AM IS THE NEW BLACK and the #AmbitiousBlackFeminst: Yours truly, Reza Rites, has been nominated for a 2017 Motif Theater Award. As I’ve told some folks recently, this was already feeling like a good year in poetry for me. From performing at the RI site of the Women’s March on Washington, participating in the 30 Poems in 30 Days meditation, creating “I Am Salt Water: Honoring the Sacred Motions of Gaia LaVonne Gallactica” an interactive performance art piece and theological fantasy story built off of my poetry, and creating a manuscript tentatively called “Planet Love” which was inspired by a performance curated by Roz Raskins of Roz and the Rice Cakes, I was already feeling positive about my progress as a poet. After all of that, to then get the news from fellow nominee Vatic Kuumba that I was among those being considered for a Spoken Word recognition – well it truly served as a certain type of icing on top. Thanks for all the support over the years; support for this effort expires Thursday, August 3, 2017, while the event where winners are announced happens Sunday, August 13. To see the other nominees, to find info on voting, and for details on the August 13 event, click here.
Sunshine and laughter,
Reza Rites
P.S.
#Vanity4TheMovement:
A different kind of long
By Reza Rites
My hair is longer than it’s been in a while. But you wouldn’t know it with the curls, kinks and shrinkage that characterize my hair’s natural state. I usually get to a point, length-wise, where I cut it to an overgrown afro or curly shag – lengths I feel comfortable wearing out and loose. This time, however, I’m doing things a little bit differently. Specifically, I haven’t put scissors to my tresses, yet, and I’ve been trying to rock a different long and natural aesthetic – the braids and twists look. Besides the visuals, its the feeling one gets from innovating, experimenting and succeeding that I enjoy. It might be hard in this Providence heat, but my fingers and hair intend to be close friends this summer. I’ll try to share more looks soon.
Sunshine and laughter,
Reza Rites
If Recklessness Was a Brownie
By Reza Clifton
If recklessness was a brownie
I’d bake it with fudge and
Chocolate chips
Serve it warm with caramel
Sauce
And eat it whole
And quick
With ice cream on top
In my mouth
And on my chin
Specks, dribbles
Stains
As I take it
All in
If recklessness was a date with
Kid Icarus
I’d soar hand in hand
Through gas particles and
The stomping grounds
Of all our
Winged friends
Just as close to the burning
Flame in the sky
As the spirit in him
And just as curious about
How much
Closer
I could get
All
While
Admiring his wings
If recklessness was a political
Speech
Then the authorities would surely
Hear
As millions raised ideological arms
With solidarity and unified
Cheer
And justice would be the language
Translated to the hearing impaired
Socially stunted
Institutionally bewitched
And oppressively
Unaware
Devils in khaki
Attire and sometimes
Casual wear
Nonprofits and charity balls
Growing fast
Like
Rapunzels hair
If recklessness was a relationship
Manual
Then the first few pages
Would scream
Express your love and devotion
Don’t be afraid to dream
Be yourself
Don’t let them escape
And of course
Share your emotion
Then the chapter up next
Is the best one yet
Don’t forget to love you
Or me
It says
More forcefully
Than the crash of waves
Against a surfboard
In seas far and wide
Where humans weren’t
Meant To swim
Rather maybe just
To die
If recklessness was another word
For courage
Fearlessness
Or adventure
Perhaps
It wouldn’t sound bad
I wouldn’t be bad
Maybe I would be
Reckless
Proud
Powerful
And yes
Slightly
Less sad
If recklessness was a brownie
It wouldn’t be so bad
“Confessions of an #AmbitiousBlackFeminist”
