1. stuck, my most recent pictured poem. Created by Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. The Upcycled Self. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
1. stuck is my latest poem, originally written on Instagram and shared there first. I love to read (many of you already know this), and it is so easy to escape the ways of the world and my life when my head and eyes are firmly planted on the pages of a book.
There are so many places I can venture off to and a ton of characters or other people’s lives I can observe. Reading is fundamental, and I make it a point to do so regularly.
2. The Upcycled Self by Tariq (Black Thought) Trotter is the book I just finished reading on Monday, (January 15, 2024) night. For those of you who do not know, Black Thought is the frontman/lead emcee for the Legendary The RootsCrew. This book is an autobiography of his life and how he’s come to renew/reinvent/upcycle himself throughout the years.
It speaks about the losses he has experienced including both his parents, the impactful friendships he has to this very day, and why the arts were always so important to him.
It’s a page-turner with content to keep you locked in while you read. I will admit; it shifts from the past to the present and flashbacks almost ad nauseam throughout the book, but it is definitely worth the read.
I posted my last piece on Medium for the time being. I am sharing that same piece here as well.
Every day, there is a new form of pain to sort through
Sister Death Intro via Netflix. Photo Credit by Tremaine L. Loadholt
I want to say I am moving through every day without problems. I want to say I am moving through every day without pain. I want to say . . . I am moving through every day without leaning into the fears that stare at me at every turn. The truth is . . . I am hanging on by a string.
Every day, there is a new form of pain to sort through. As soon as I have made my way past that form of pain, there is one waiting just at the edge of my uneven breaths for me to fight as well.
I am not alone in this. I know. The world is steadily crumbling around us and fire and brimstone are piquing at their hottest points. When human beings choose between whom they can lend their empathy to, the world is already at its end.
I do not condone any form of violence taking place at home (in the US) or abroad. I also hate that our tax dollars are being used to fund what I believe is a nonsensical massacre at large, with no apparent end in sight, and authoritative figures bent on greed and boosted by their egos will be our downfall.
Numbers have never been my favorite thing to assess.
I am thumbing through and clicking on so many news sites and platforms of educated people honed in on what’s happening. However, I am also questioning many trusted sources, too.
When I read phrases like, “What we know,” I am moved to pause. Do we really know this? How do we know this? Who found out the information and when? Who have we paid for the facts and why? When will this senseless bloodshed end?
Israeli officials sent tanks and infantry into Gaza overnight, where they remained Saturday. Officials said that with the air and ground campaign, the “ground shook in Gaza.”
Most communication in Gaza has been knocked out, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said it is “facing a total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than 2 million civilians.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a long and difficult war awaits.
More than 7,000 people, including women and children, have died in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials. In Israel, about 1,400 people have died.
At least 229 people were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack — including infants and young children.
NBC News’ Richard Engel, Raf Sanchez, Kelly Cobiella, Josh Lederman, Matt Bradley, Ellison Barber, Meagan Fitzgerald, Jay Gray, Hala Gorani, Chantal Da Silva and Alexander Smith are reporting from the region.
When we assess the numbers, what more does Israel want? How much more can the US benefit from the atrocities occurring? Because be very aware, the head officials are benefiting from this.
Hundreds of demonstrators from a Jewish activist group made their way into Grand Central Terminal’s main concourse and staged a sit-in during rush hour.
The group, Jewish Voice for Peace, demanded a ceasefire in Gaza on a day Israeli military forces increased incursions.
It also led me to the Instagram page of theJewish Voice for Peace to watch a clip of their demonstration while they were all either being handcuffed or handcuffed. The chant, “What do we want?” “Ceasefire!” “When do we want it?” “NOW!” will stay with me for many weeks to come, perhaps months — maybe years.
Police officers arrested 200 protestors for this cause. 200!!! For what? Freedom of Speech? This doesn’t exist anymore and really, maybe it never did.
As all numbers relating to this event continue to spike, I blink my eyes, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is dealing with its plight. Death seems to be what’s on the menu of late. And it’s only going to get worse before an inkling of betterment arrives.
Balance during these times is crucial to my health.
To tune out the world around me, I am reading. I am writing. I have begun a new shift at work, which allows me more time in the morning to meditate, cook a hearty breakfast, and go for longer walks by myself or with Jernee. I am finding things to keep my mind busy and preoccupied with peace.
Earlier today, I watched Sister Death on Netflix, and the similarities between this movie shook me versus the constant turmoil in the world today.
Sister Narcisa felt the torture and pain that layered the halls of the convent from buried secrets from the other sisters years before her arrival. Raping, pillaging, and the deaths of women and children occurred during a war that befell their country’s doorstep rise to the surface in her presence.
After a miraculous childhood, Narcisa becomes a novice and starts teaching girls in a former convent haunted by a disturbing presence. — Netflix
The ending left me with my mouth agape and my heart aching for what Sister Narcisa had to experience to uncover the truth. What will we have to do to uncover the truths of this shaken-up world?
There is a time for reflection and a time for truth-seeking. There is a time for peace and a time for meditation. There is a time for love and a time for allyship and solidarity. Could it be we’re all see-sawing through every event of such times cyclically without our knowledge?
Kate Allen Fox, has written a beautiful treasure of a children’s book, Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees. I own it and I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who reads to children or spends time with children who read. (It’s available from Leopard Print Books, Barnes and Noble, your local bookseller, and Amazon.
On February 2, 2022, children’s authors will be offering FREE virtual readings to students everywhere through World Read Aloud Day (WRAD).
Kate is thrilled to participate this year and is offering six 20-minute slots to read her science-based, nonfiction picture book, Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees, which has been named one of the best books of the year by School Library Journal and Chicago Public Library.
If you are a teacher or a librarian and would like to sign up for one of Kate’s…
ripe age of
an eight and a four
an age everyone
is more concerned
about my love life
than i will ever be
idea upon idea
impressed upon me
layers of expectations
domes of doom
wise words
cement into a cage
as gentle voices
voice demands
do i know what i want?
do they know what i want?
*I doubt that you can read the above and not feel its peacefulness even though the subject appears to be one that is of great sadness. Tien is great at this. I wanted to do a direct Reblog, but that option is not available via his blog. Please show him some love via the link above. Peace, beautiful people.
A Cornered Gurl 
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