Seven Sisters Speak Magazine

I NTERNATION A L

WO M E N ’ S

W R I T E R S ’ C O L L E C T I V E featuring Denise J Charles La Shawna Griffith • Kattimoni Gloria A. Haynes • Zoanne Evans Rontée Marshall & Cyndi Celeste

DAY

EDITOR’S

LETTER

womanEXPERIENCES

I am a woman and there are no apologies. I am a woman who loves everything about being a woman; at least everything according to my own experiences even though my writings and imaginings dare me to lean into those secret and not so secret experiences of my sisters. Those experiences, my experiences, your experiences, our experiences have not always been good. Sometimes they dislocated us and threatened to rob us of our sanity and our voice. But there is this thing called WOMAN that spells tenacity, courage, strength, resilience, movement, artistry. I choose to love that. It’s what I call “the womaning”; the process of our lives becoming works of art. It is a process that continues to carve us all as sisters through our experiences of mess and limitation; of joy and triumph.

There is this poem I wrote a while back about my “woman experiences” which carries the lines “life is woman-born, woman-borne and woman-bled and the whole world knows.” The poignancy of that thought still arrests me today because there is no denying the all-encompassing power of woman to give birth and to bear many things, while bleeding her figurative life- blood in the process. Perhaps there are those who will say that the narrative of woman has already been re-written and reframed but I challenge us to continue to re-define it without disrespecting or invalidating those who went before us and laid the foundation for us to be where we are today.

Seven Sisters Speak as a writers’ collective, represents an attempt to creatively pool the multi-generational voices and perspectives of diverse women; women diverse in age, background, experiences, ethnicity and nationality. We each have something telling to say and while each woman represents her own unique creative voice, we have easily identified common themes which are beautifully interwoven to create an unexpected and explosive tapestry of work. The diversity yet singularity of each voice represented in this small poetry collection, confirms that we women belong together and must practise an active sisterhood. We must speak truth to the empowerment of ourselves, other women and of people everywhere.

I am deeply appreciative of each woman-poet who committed to make this project happen as we agreed to connect and provide useful feedback. I am very thankful they each agreed to lend their voice and to be one of the seven sisters who would speak in celebration of International Women’s Day 2021 and in celebration of every woman everywhere in every season of life. Kudos Sisters!

Blessings,

LIFE IS WOMAN-BORN, WOMAN-BORNE & WOMAN-BLED & THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS. - DJC

La Shawna

GRIFFITH

La Shawna Griffith is a twenty-six year old Barbadian poet, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. She writes to promote social change and aims to be a voice for the voiceless. La Shawna’s work has appeared in several international online magazines - she was the front-page feature in Afro news, an African online newspaper and was also specially featured in World Poetry Canada. She has been published internationally in Strawberry Lit Magazine, Urban Black Writers Association and Our Poetry Archive.

Her own book of poetry entitled La Shawna- Unlock the Door is sold online on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In Barbados, La Shawna has received extensive reviews by the local press and the African Heritage Foundation. She is one of the faces for None in Three which is a local charity that focuses on ending domestic abuse. In 2017, her poem I Wish I Could Walk A Mile in Your Shoes was featured in an Indian Anthology Re-Markings and she was the lone female Barbadian represented there.

Recently, Griffith has been nominated for the Iwoman Global Awards 2020 in literature and to date has been the only representative from the Caribbean to be so honoured.

MAM A S A ID Momma told me At a young age Seek a man with a car That could give me something.

Never did momma tell me what I could be in the spectrum So I became real linear And this-this-was not a linear equation This was calculus as I calculated how antiquated we as women have become So much so that our mothers tell us to seek a man that can provide without providing us with the tools for financial literacy.

And we look to he For our freedom When we should have been freeing our souls and minds from the narrow-minded sexism.

Momma said Get a man that drives a car So he could take you to work But never did she say Get your own vehicle that you can drive yourself You see we have been told to buy into these social norms so much that we act as if we have one accord to a mans bank account.

So we account for all his cents not learning any sense and then we blame everyone but ourselves when we on welfare with ten kids Cause we never had the time to really analyze what momma said.

Was it logical?

Or was it diabolical?

Or should we hope that somewhere we will find something factual, And then we get mad when we realize it was all a fable told to us to keep us from being financial stable and independent.

Cause Momma don’t want us to be strong women cause then we would be masculine.

So we must find a man A good man One of stature One of a good last name One that has fame So we could amount to something And please momma Cause if we don’t We is be a disappointment cause our vaginas have an expiry date

MAM A S A ID Our ring finger has a price And our bodies are sold to the highest bidder.

Momma said Get you a man who could provide for you Because provisions are more important than love I guess He could provide the world but can he love you?

Momma said Don’t date a ‘broke’ man You need a man with wealth And emotionally stable While you Scratch that While we unstable and a lot of our dysfunctionalism been ignored and we just believe that dating a ‘broke’ man is beneath us When have broken everything but this generational cycle And we cycle back every generation because we take what our mothers have said as a new version of the black bible for women So we dare not question it.

Momma said Get a man that went to a decent school Without realizing that statement is elitist And we maintain that elitist structure ensuring that every man maintains the criteria and is not common So his entrance is one of great anticipation by every family member That they could boast and brag about him And you, you would push up your chest because you did exactly what Momma said.

By La Shawna Griffith © Melanin Drops 2021

Zoanne

EVANS

A Barbadian writer and artist, Zoanne Evans teaches academic and business writing at the University of the West Indies. She has a heart for the youth and founded the children’s charity Kids in Action in 1998. In 1999 she self-published her first book of poems called “The Song Within Me.” This collection won an honourable mention at the inaugural Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Awards in 1998. In 2005, Zoanne self-published a collection of award-winning short stories and poems entitled In the Shade of the Shak-Shak. Ten years later, she produced a children’s colouring and activity book to raise funds for Kids in Action. Zoanne’s latest venture is an unpublished middle grade novella called Tameisha’s Lesson. An extract from Tameisha’s Lesson, medaled at the National Festival of Creative Arts in 2015 and was published in their 2015-2016 Winning Words anthology.

It was also used in a children’s workshop at CARIFESTA 2017 and in a literacy initiative in local schools by local author Linda Deane in conjunction with the National Cultural Foundation and ArtsEtc, a Barbadian publishing house and cultural forum. Tameisha’s Lesson recently won the Prime Minister’s Prize at the 23rd Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Awards.

TH E FAT HE R ’ S GA R D E N When you search your mother’s garden And find nothing there but briars and thorns That invade, overwhelm, choke out the life You seek so desperately to live; And clearing the path, you find more Sticks and rocks thrown in your way Than you care to encounter, Then let breeze blow: inhale; exhale And through the fear, summon courage to inquire The whereabouts of the Master Gardener.

Seek the embrace of His well-worn hands And counsel from wells so deep that they Know no bottom.

Look not at the other gardens tended with Care, nor at those neglected and abandoned, But at your own and grow there Peace, Healing, Hope for bright tomorrows, Where motherless children can play without fear Frolic without worry and grow strong Roots to withstand the vicissitudes of life.

By Zoanne Evans

Healing,

Hope for bright tomorrows,

Rontée

MARSHALL

Ronteé Marshall is a lover of words and imagination. Her passion for creative writing led her to pursue a BA degree in Literatures in English at the University of the West Indies from which she recently graduated with First Class Honours. At twenty-two years, Ronteé has big dreams of someday becoming a best-selling author. She has, therefore, put much effort into writing her first inspirational, Christian romance novel and is eagerly awaiting the opportunity for publication.

In 2017, after placing Second in the Dorien Pile Literary Competition, her inspiring story, under the commendation of her Creative Writing Lecturer, was published in the University of the West Indies’ POUi Literary Magazine Issue XIX. Rontee’s love for Literature has influenced her involvement in The Literacy Project Charity in Barbados.

This programme allows her to positively influence young children who often gather at local libraries on Saturdays.

She enjoys working with these children and recognizes that a foundation in reading will help to sharpen their creative and analytical skills for the future. You can visit the charity’s website at www.theliteracyprojectcharity.com .

Ronteé believes her purpose is to inspire and encourage others which can be seen in her common themes of love and hope.

You can find Rontee’s inspirational poems on her Instagram poetry page at @r.k.poetry_

DEAREST WOMAN UNDER THE SUN Dearest woman under the sun, Your life has only just begun.

Young and free, You’re only three but a mighty leader you’re destined to be!

Someday soon I promise hon, Many will see you, a true diamond.

Dearest woman under the sun, You’re thirteen now, life’s so much fun!

Isn’t it cool that your body is changing?

And beauty seems a topic that’s remaining.

You have many friends, boys swarm your head, But stay focused girl, your light is meant to be shed!

Don’t let bad company corrupt you, And never mind he’s not that into you, You are a woman of rare value.

He may not see it now, but you must believe.

Your worth is not found in a boy’s affection, But in the fact that you are God’s creation.

Dearest woman under the sun, You’re eighteen and wondering What it would be like to do your own thing.

You have a great, future ahead of you, A desire to prove that dreams do come true.

Always know that I’m cheering you on You’re capable of accomplishing things on your own.

You should never need a man’s approval, So don’t settle for less, because it’s available.

Your dreams are yours to hold, Just sit back and watch them unfold!

Dearest woman under the sun, You’re twenty-five and can’t stop comparing, Your life to the lives of other women Somehow you feel you’re not enough, Or you’re single and feel unworthy of love.

Social media laughs at your misery Only highlighting your feelings of inadequacy.

DEAREST WOMAN UNDER THE SUN Honey my advice to you today Is to stand up strong and never sway.

You are not made up of what you do, Nor does your value equate to a man loving you.

You are rare, interesting, unique And all that you need lies within what you speak.

Be kind to yourself in this moment of ‘becoming’ And ignore those lies of social shortcoming.

Dearest woman under the sun I hope you know the importance of your soul And discover you don’t need a man, to be whole.

I hope you go after beauty in your future untold And welcome the changes that make you bold.

I hope you know that your birth, your existence on earth Makes you an incredible woman of worth.

I hope you know that you are strong Because you don’t cook, doesn’t make you wrong.

You have the power to stand in the face of mockery And prove you’re not weak, but quite the contrary.

Dearest woman under the sun I know a king will be filled with pride To have a woman like you by his side.

If that does not happen Never forget, your worth, your beauty are found within Your light will not stop shining, in all those places you’ve been.

My dearest woman under the sun, Always remember that you are loved, you are needed.

You are rare and precious within Now go, tumble in the flowers, allow the sun, to kiss, your skin!

By Rontee Marshall

Now go, tumble in the flowers, allow the sun, to kiss, your skin!

KATTIMONI Kattimoni is a multidisciplinary Creator, a soulful Singer, Spoken-Word Artist, Psychotherapist and Creator-Coach, inspired by creativity as a catalyst for transformation and change. Her artistry is a joyful, sensual and passionate transmission of alchemy that seeks to awaken, liberate and celebrate the creative power and potential of the human spirit. Born on Wathaurong Country in Australia and traveling extensively from a young age, she has been influenced by a diversity of global artistry, culture, spirituality and healing arts throughout her life and is now currently based in Barbados. A celebrated performer on the Australian Festival Circuit, Kattimoni has performed alongside some of Australia’s top industry icons. She spent severalyears touring internationally as a vocalist with multicultural samba reggae band, Sol Nation and was featured as a judge on one of Australia’s #1 TV series’, All Together Now. Kattimoni is also the Founder and CEO of New Earth Arising – a global online platform that provides transformational education and coaching for creators and entrepreneurs in the realms of personal potential, creative liberation and conscious creation. Her album, Rise Up Radiate and her latest single Love like Water is out now online through iTunes and Bandcamp.

WOMAN OF THE WORLD Woman of the world Maiden, mother, maga, crone Choose to challenge Everything you’ve ever known Expand the edges your own Realm of possibility Look beyond what just the eyes can see Pierce between the veils Of lies and reality The idealistic reservations unrealistic expectations of a society built Neither by you nor for you So choose to challenge Everything that you’ve been told The story, the narrative The tale you’ve been sold Do not believe everything you hear, read or even think Shame and blame Is designed to make you shrink Into the shadows of your mind When we both know Woman of the world That you were born to shine Daughter of the earth Sister of the sea Women of all age culture, colour, creed Interconnected With the cycle of the moon Womb to womb Blood to bloom

WOMAN OF THE WORLD There is magnificence Birthing within you Woman of the world There is nothing that you cannot do So choose to choose Give yourself full permission You have nothing to lose But your own limitations Your own participation In the perpetuation of the stereotype So Reclaim your mind stop dimming your own light And hold firm sister knowing brilliance is your birthright Together we’re stronger than we even realise So may sisterhood rise Like priestess times Across borders, barriers and great divides May we see what is possible when women unite And celebrate Elevate each other Empower one another Each one teach one strengthen the other

WOMAN OF THE WORLD Woman of the world Your song is sung universally From the north, to the south, to the west to the east Across land and seas Internationally Woman of the world You are so worthy You are already enough Your pain is power and Your essence is love

By Kattimoni

universally Woman of the world Your song is sung

Dr Denise J

CHARLES

Dr. Denise J Charles Is an experienced educator and a creative. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with High Commendation from the University of the West Indies. Dr. Charles, who frequently describes herself as a Renaissance Woman, is diverse and multi-faceted. She is an Education Officer with the Ministry of Education in Barbados and holds special responsibility for the Creative Arts. She is Co-Founder of Better Blends Relationship Institute; a registered charity which aims to promote healthy relationships, strong marriages and personal life-skills development. She is the author of three motivational books; her most recent being Tonight I am a Butterfly: Celebrating Seasons of Change. A blogger and international columnist, her articles on life and relationships have been featured on numerous websites across North America and Canada including Hitched Magazine and Fresh Vancouver. She has also appeared on HuffPost Live New York and on Rogers TV, Toronto. A certified cultural practitioner, she is a spoken word artist and NIFCA award winning poet, who strongly believes in using the arts as vehicles for both personal and social change. She is married to Gabriel and they are the proud parents of three creative, adult sons.

Follow her at https://lovestory246.wordpress.com and https://futurelearnweb.wordpress.com

WOMAN-SEE Do you see Can you see Me? Am I the woman you know Who walks and talks and gaffs and giggles Humming a silly private tune Swaying my hips to silent sister songs Peering insta-gramm-ed mirrors Believing, hoping, praying my beauty is maybe enough?

Do you see Can you see Me? Am I the woman you envy, you hate The woman to whom you hurl secret words like bait to trap, to wound, to deconstruct My unsuspecting trust In you?

Do you see Can you see Me? Am I the woman Who leans too much in Who empties herself out who wears herself thin?

Who tries to seek, and fix and save all who are lost Whose redemptive powers are maybe not enough?

Who shaves her man’s sin and builds burning altars unto her own blame?

Did you see Have you seen Me? Am I the woman Who stopped by your bed Last night,

WOMAN-SEE Who stifled my yawns, simulated my cries, And made you think you were a little “g” “god” Only to turn a small, non-existent “O” like a whimper into a stifling pillow Of resentment, Of degradation Of wanting-ness Of shame?

Did you see Have you seen Me? Am I The woman-sister-mother-aunt-friend Whose choices tik-tok Whose screeching voice rick-rocks The microphone that is my exposed life So that everybody knows And everybody sees And everything is tattered And every splint is splattered And every dream is drattered And not a thing of it matters, to you?

Can you see Dare you see Me Take up my bed and walk?

Can you see Dare you see Me Take up my voice and talk?

Can you see Dare you see Me Take up my pain and vault, Over?

WOMAN-SEE Can you see Dare you see Me Take up my brush, my chalk, my power, my walk, my passion, my pen My song my poem, my glory my old time-story re-written . . .

Dare you see my pause my prayer my me?

Woman, See.

by Denise J Charles EdD

My song my poem, my glory my old time-story re-written . . .

Gloria A.

HAYNES

With a passion for student empowerment, Gloria A. Haynes, serves as an educator at one of Barbados’ secondary schools where she also functions as a member of the Management Team. She holds a B.A in English, Linguistics and Education with Honours and a Masters in Educational Leadership, with Distinction. At her school, she also serves as faculty advisor for KOLIJ libORATORS, a student-led public speaking & debating club. As a NIFCA Awardee, one of Gloria’s notable highlights is her art of public speaking. She is an Advanced Communicator and leader in the Toastmasters organization, as well as a co-sponsor for Dominion Power Speakers (DPS) club, newly established in 2015. Throughout her Toastmasters journey, she has won several local and regional speech competitions, and has served as a regional conference presenter. Gloria holds a certificate in event planning from Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute (SJPI) and has coordinated several school events, including graduations, oratorical contests and recently, an Independence virtual showcase entitled ‘Barbados: Building Back Better’. She has served as editor/proofreader/reviewer for various published authors and has also served in the Creative Arts and Worship Ministries of Sanctuary Empowerment Centre.

She is married to Herman E. Haynes and they are parents of Kairos A. Haynes.

ODE TO EVERY WOMAN ‘Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies’ (Proverbs 31:10)

I see you, a Baobab tree, strong, life-giving, far-reaching I see you, a river overflowing with knowledge, nurturing, teaching I see you, a fount of wisdom, chiding, chastising, redeeming WOMAN OF PURPOSE, CAN YOU SEE IT? I hear boom boom, the drums of freedom as you fight for equity I hear the clickety clack of your stilettos against inequality I hear your voice of thunder roaring for justice socially WOMAN OF VALOUR, CAN YOU HEAR IT? You’re the perfume consuming discrimination Your aroma permeates putrid legislation I smell the fragrance of your revolution WOMAN OF VIRTUE, CAN YOU SMELL IT? I reach out and touch you; I feel your heart of gold I caress the sacrifices you make in this world so cold I feel you in the wind of change, aggressive yet assertive, bold WOMAN OF POWER, CAN YOU FEEL IT? It’s your tenacity, I savour It’s your backbone of steel, I favour And God in you adds flavour WOMAN OF GOD, CAN YOU TASTE IT? Who can find a virtuous woman!

I am her; I am she!

You are her; You are she!

Woman of God, do you taste it?

Woman of Power, do you feel it?

Woman of Virtue, do you smell it?

Woman of Valour, do you hear it?

Woman of Purpose, do you see it?

Speak Girl, Shine Sister, Reign Queen Do … You!

I see you, a river overflowing with knowledge, nurturing, teaching

Cyndi

CELESTE

Cyndi Celeste is a spoken word poet, storyteller, and creative entrepreneur based in Barbados. She is an arts activist and language advocate who uses performance poetry and literature to encourage social discourse on issues of identity. Inspired by Barbadian and Caribbean culture, her work seeks to educate as well as entertain, beseeching her audiences towards introspection and progressive thought. Cyndi has released a spoken word EP called ‘Cyndicated’ which explores Black creative and cultural identity. She holds a BA Honours degree in Linguistics from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, 2018. She is also the director of Frenetic Arts, an artist-led non-profit which offers developmental, networking, and income-earning opportunities to budding poets.

(Her EP can be found on Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Spotify, as well as selectacharts.com)

STATUS UPDATE The tweet says: “We have to stop mistreating the mothers of our children” And instantly I feel as though I’ve been given A double-edged sword to cut my teeth on, Like my existence is finally being given recognition– But only a small fraction of it The post says: “What if she was your mother, sister, daughter, aunt?”

And I can’t fight the disappointment That is gallivanting around in my head; I want so badly to comment but instead I let my next feminist rant catch fire in my chest Until it becomes this poem.

Ain’t I always the same amount of woman?

Ain’t I the same amount of woman When my body holds a poem instead of a child?

When I mother a nation?

When my mind gives birth to an idea That comes into the world kicking and screaming And dripping with potential?

Ain’t I a woman beyond my biological systems and functions?

Beyond this body?

Ain’t I the same amount of woman When I choose openness over modesty?

Ain’t this body a temple that I can worship in too?

And ain’t I, Ain’t I the same amount of woman When my words dance past my lips Like a gentle wind sighing sweetly over skin, And when I can make hurricanes out of my tongue?

When my laughter is the clear clink of teatime crystal crockery And when my joy is a head-thrown-back thunderclap?

STATUS UPDATE And ain’t I always woman enough To summon the spirit of my sisterhood of suffragettes To insist that the sidewalk ain’t a catwalk for catcalls And out-of-pocket comments?

To demand agency over matters involving my body?

To deny entrance into my space?

This poem Is a declaration It ain’t the question anymore– We don’t have to ask anymore: Ain’t I a woman?

Ain’t I Sojourner Truth’s truth And Bell Hooks’ anthem?

Ain’t I that Nanny Grigg spirit With the heart to start a revolution?

And ain’t we all our grandmother’s wisdom?

We ain’t adjourning this conversation To a later date to wait ‘til it’s convenient, ‘Cause change ain’t the patient type And time waits for no one No more!

No more letting reductive reasoning Relegate women to the side-lines With roles preassigned by archaic thinking.

No more women who ain’t woman enough, Who ain’t feminist enough, Who are crabs clawing their way out of a bucket Who are the bucket the crabs are trying to crawl out of No more!

No more ignoring the many facets of ‘woman’ ‘Cause when you tell ‘woman’ to pick a lane It’s the same thing as saying: Hand-pick from this same struggle You have always had to choke on

STATUS UPDATE No more using either-or arguments To other women out of our ‘womanness’ No more impositions of masculinity When ‘woman’ doesn’t fit your blueprints No more!

Because This is not a poem: This is the new status update.

By Cyndi Celeste

This poem Is a declaration It ain’t the question anymore

WR IT ERS ’

CO LLEC T IVE

The contents of this magazine are copyrighted and should not be reproduced without permission. All copyrights to individual works of poetry included in this collection, remain with their respective authors.