So I think I’m definitely on a roll here for posting all of these late janks haha…
There are movements and projects and teams that I’m apart of, but this right here? This is super huge to me. For one, Ms. Taz Weysweete’ is a phenomenal writer. She’s a huge inspiration to me whether she knows it or not. As a writer/performer/artist/whatever your craft is, at the end of the day, the intent, is to spread your message, and to inspire, and to give a little piece of you. So that brings me to the piece.
Dear Broken Woman, was a piece that Taz posted on her Facebook one day, and a considerable amount of poets from our area (in the 757), wrote on the same topic. Thus, starting the movement that is, #DearBrokenWoman. She stated that she was very down when she wrote her piece… just feeling broken, and if you’re a creative type, you know that some of your best material comes when you’re emotional, sad, angry, etc. Taz’s piece is absolutely beautiful, as well as the other women’s poems who contributed to this topic.
I’m not sure if this link will work, but here are images from the first parts of the video by the man himself, Mr. Jeff Hewitt. He’s writer, performer, photographer, and an overall outstanding dude. I value that man’s opinion so much when it comes to this craft. If he gives you props on something, then you know you did good! LOL. (Disclaimer: You might have to be his friend on Facebook to view the photos haha.)
Here is a link to Terrell Mercer’s Facebook Page to see more photos. Click Here!
I initially wrote a different piece that I posted online, but after reading it over and over, and then reading the other pieces, I realized that this wasn’t up to par. So I took pieces from a freewrites I did a while back, and some of the lines from the original piece I wrote, and magically put together a new piece that you will hear in part 2.
What’s weird is that… I didn’t cry at all during the writing process of this piece. In my poem, I’m speaking in a metaphorical sense without being literal about what I have been through in the last almost decade. If you don’t know me personally, I’ll go on to say that, I’ve been through failed attempts at being in a relationship (and it was a whole lot of them), I have lost family members (3 in the last 2 years, 4 if you count my mom’s best friend), I have had disagreements with friends that have driven us apart, I have been taken advantage of, and I have beaten myself up, a lot over all of the above. I’m not in any way, shape, or form perfect and I don’t pretend to be. I don’t affirm myself enough, even though I have accomplished so much in my journey of spoken word, my career as a graphic/web designer, etc. But really, at the end of the day, I just feel… broken. I will say that my friends, poetry, career, and fam all keep me glued together tho, so maybe I’m not too damaged, but there’s definitely some bruises and scars.
I recently went through a rough patch where I was trying very hard to be with someone that didn’t reciprocate the same. This is a normal thing for me because well… not to man bash or anything, but I somehow attract these men that aren’t ready, or just stay because well, I allow it. So, let’s say that, even though I didn’t cry while writing this piece, I definitely cried through it when I was practicing for an upcoming feature… specifically at the part where I said:
“Dear Broken Woman…
Why do proceed when caution signs are in front of you?
You see potential
When it’s actually wasted energy
You’re always trying to see the good in the bad
But..
You’re blinded by your own scenarios
Playing out your own scenes
And when reality hits?
It hits HARD
Like falling flat on water…”
I just want to say, thank you to Taz for the inspiration to write this piece. For me, this was a revelation because the last year and some change has been rough, and the last decade has been up and down.
Thank you to everyone who had a hand in this. Especially Andray Taylor for shooting and editing all of these videos. You are so appreciated!
Alright, enough description, let’s get into it. Below, you will find the videos for the behind the scenes, and parts 1 and 2 of the #DearBrokenWoman project.
Peace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaijYDlZX-w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOb0Usl5A3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qlww3oB_BM&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_9HTipdiVs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxDxtExki8E