Tamara J. Madison

Soul Poetica

a poem must breathe,

feel, think, sing,

burst

the heavy clouds

of muddy silence

a poem carries a nickel bag

DNA- recorded steps-

Father and Mother’s helix duet

a poem lies, cheats, steals

and stills,

redeems itself

a poem shakes loose the noose,

jerks the knot,

blossoms the wilting tree

a poem forgets to remove its shoes,

steps on holy ground,

walks on stormy waters

prays, curses

praises

@ 2018, Tamara J. Madison

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Story behind the poem:  This poem was inspired by Poet M. Ayodele Heath during a workshop at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.  Participants were challenged to write a poem about poetry and its meaning and purpose.  This has turned out to be one of my favorites over the years.  Thank you, Ayodele!

Other Poetry

“Elegy for Tree” - World Literature Today

“Maneuver” - Barely South Review

“Close Encounter” - The Amistad

“Salted,” “Supplication,” and “Transparency” - South Florida Poetry Review #31

“Divination” and “Eloge” - Novus Literary Arts Journal

“Twilight Baby” - Ignatian Literary Magazine

“The Reach” - Lucky Jefferson's Awake: Homecoming (click image)

“Haiku: Chronicle of Us” - Banyan Review

Threed, This Road Not Damascus (audio) - Eat Poems

(click image above for audiobook)

Prose

“Awkward Agency/Salient Survival” - Mom Egg Review

“Dispatch” - Mom Egg Review