There are moments in one’s life when suddenly, things become clear and pristine.

Either in understanding, solving a problem, or coming to terms with an unpleasant experience.

Recently I had one of these moments. When one realizes what they were truly meant to do, what they are truly meant to be. I have always known that I was a writer. From a very early age I knew it. Writing my journals at the age of six years old; writing my first song at the age of seven or eight.

The poetry bug bit me early in life and it’s hung on; in spite of my wanderings and denials of this calling, it never went away. They say at times, that writing is a lonely business. It is a solitary exercise in creativity. That relationship between the mind, the hand, the pen, and the parchment is unlike any other feeling that we may have the good fortune to experience. That process of creating, the craft that so many of us ply and live for, and sometimes bleed for.

We find ourselves in a time of great opportunity. I am speaking of an opportunity to build a much larger community than poetic outposts scattered throughout this nation. Each of these poetry venues, outlets and groups, comprise the life blood of these times. Each poet with their own voice, with their unique artistic ability to convey knowledge and understanding to those who are willing to listen.

But, are “They” listening? I fear at times that in the American psyche, poetry has taken a back seat; the masses are much too concerned with American Media Hype, outlining the latest starlet going into rehab, etc. We see it every day, the mind numbing material that comes across our radios and TV screens.

Imagine if you will a poetic community that runs in the hundreds of thousands. Where artists and poets come together in mutual respect and admiration. Not necessarily for the individual artist; but for the craft itself. We complain that ppoetry gets a bad rap in the media’s eye.

That poetry is an after thought in most American mindsets. Why, of course it is. And friends, let me tell you why. Because we are too busy, raising artistic borders within our own communities. Detroit has its various poetic groups, Cleveland, Chicago, St Louis, the list goes on. And each and every one of these enclaves works to promote the craft, to extend the “Rhyme” if you will of poetry to all who listen and or read. We as poets are all on the same page; however, we are partitioned, kept apart by geography and possibly even by perceived class.

Do not partition the art of poetry. There are those who have placed borders on the craft, those who only wish for their voices to be heard and not the voices of the community as a whole. I do not believe in partitioned movements, I believe in community and in showcasing that community as a whole.

We have, in the palm of our hands, an opportunity of the greatest importance. Let us work together, let us not take away from one another, but build a collaborative network of poets, authors and artists that, together, and united can truly make a change in our communities and neighborhoods. We write our poetry and it shall be left to the children. The future of poetry. What is it that they will say about us? I for one want them to say.

They were there for us to teach and inspire, to allow us to grow and find our own voices.

Through collaborative and cooperative efforts.

There have been those recently, who may think they know my motives, in terms of poetry and poetics and the art and craft of each, and yet, they make attempts to disparage me. They do not know me; instead, they convey themselves on a stereotypical rush to judgment.

And all too often, this is the catalyst for separation and the further fracturing of the artistic community. There is no room for the individual; this mind set that one is better than the other. Poetic talent is present in various stages of development. If your brother was hanging from a precipice, would you not lend your hand to help him? So it should be for our artistic brothers and sisters just starting out on their poetic journeys.

Let us not control their creativity through the implantation of our own, but rather, feed and nurture theirs through inspiration, and communal effort.