Road Trip: St. Louis, MO

I took a short trip to St. Louis, MO this past weekend. Literally....left Chicago on Saturday night and boarded Megabus, took at $1.00 bus ride to St. Louis. That's right. I got a $1.00 bus ticket via the site and had to endure 5 hours on the road, but there was only like 7 passengers, so we all literally froze outside Union Station, but boarded the bus at 12:10 am on Sunday, April 8th and arrived in St. Louis at 5:10 am, at the Union Station in STL. I actually got a little sleep and then was picked up by my family (The Millers), when I got to the house in Florissant, MO, I went straight to sleep for a couple of hours, and then, logged online, but did not check any of my emails, and made some phone calls. I spoke with Fo Feet and confirmed the time that I needed to be at her venue for SHE-ISM's Sunday event at Legacy Books and Cafe, and then, relaxed for most of the day. 5Pm, I arrived at the venue and asked Charlie Brown (one of FoFeet's musicians from her dope house band) if he knew some Anita Baker tunes. I ended up singing, Sweet Love and Been So Long, however, I ended up messing up both of these songs during my 15 minute performance. The poetry was on point. The crowd had a good time, and so did I. I realized, I have not publicly sung since the days of singing in New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Choir (Chicago, IL), and although I sing sometimes with my poetry, it's not a full song. I was told by several people including Starlite that I need to get in 'the studio' to do a full CD. It's not a focus right now, but it's not the first time I've heard that I have a 'pretty voice'. I"m not full of myself, God has given me this as another gift. Anyway, after being at Legacy for a few hours, I went back to Florissant, for a few hours, and hung out with my cousin for a few hours on Monday (my train was leaving at 5pm - Amtrak). I decided to take a different route home, plus I planned to write poetry on the trip home and watch movies on my laptop. I got "Business Class" on Amtrak and it only cost an additional 14 dollars. My train ticket was 36 dollars total. Had I taken the plan, I would have paid double that amount along. Because I have lovely family, I didn't have to drive myself, they took me everywhere I needed. I'm blessed. Anyway, The train ride was longer than 5 hours, but I must say, Business Class is the bomb and I might have to do that again. You have a lot more room, and it's like Leather seats. I was in heaven. I enjoyed watching "Phat Girlz" and "Kill Bill" on my new laptop, and reading, "Riding Rhythm" while waiting to get home. I got home last night around Midnight, and took a cab ride home, which took me about 15 minutes from the loop. Even though I didn't eat breakfast this morning, I had a great Lunch after my class - and then, got to the business of getting my little writer/publisher life back into order. Total cost of trip: $37 dollars. I kid you not!!!!!

Next up: Another writer/poet...stay tuned to the Musings Report.

Hope your Easter was fulfilling.

-- Mocha Sistah

Introducing Poet Stacey Barlow

Born Stacey Yvonne Barlow, December 18, 1968 to Juanita Barlow, she was faced with many obstacles dealing with her cerebral palsy. But by the grace of God and her mother saying to her, “You can do anything you set your mind to doing because the sky is the limit for you,” she didn’t realize that she would be lead to writing. Stacey has been writing for 28 years. Her first break came when she wrote the astounding poem, “Not A Broken Dream” (1985) giving homage to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She is a member of the Cedar Springs Baptist Church of Hooks, TX and sings in her church choir. A Hooks High School graduate of 1987, Stacey went on to higher education attending Texarkana Community College also East Texas State University where she received her Associates Degree in Office Careers. She also attended East Texas State University in Commerce TX majoring in Communications between the years 1988 to 1993. In 1992 “I Can’t Love You If You Can’t Love Me” was recorded by The Sound of Poetry through The National Library of Poetry. She has also received two Editor’s Choice Awards for the poems “I Can’t Love You If You Can’t Love Me“, (1995). In the winter of 1997, Stacey was elected into The International Poetry Hall of Fame. “My Name Is. . .” (1997) was recognized by the judges as being among the best 3% of all entries judged. She has been published in two anthologies, Walk Through Paradise and The Best Poets of 1997. Stacey has had the opportunity to see her work in print “Carry On” in her local newspaper Citizen Tribune, (1997). In addition, she has recorded her CD of poetry, produced poetry calendars, written several other poems, and has been heard reciting poetry on Baltimore Maryland’s WPCG 95.5. Stacey was a featured poet on well renowned poet, Michelle Pinkard’s website, www.michellejpinkard.com (1998-2001) She continued to hone her talent and gifts for the next couple of years. Stacey Barlow has written a poem for the volunteers of The American Cancer Society of Pittsburgh, Texas. “Celebration of Life” (2001). Wrote a piece for a church function, “Food For the Soul. . .Eat Well.” (2003). Stacey is the co-partner of the website Pleasure _X1 with well renowned HBO poet DJuna Blackmon. She has also added to her accomplishments, a spot at Timbooktu.com for the month of March 2004 as one of the featured writers. The author is writing a fiction novel and working on building a business in poetry. She is presently working on her third and fourth projects. Published a piece in “The Head Doctor Presents Punany: The Hip Hop Psalms III The Onliners Erotic Poems and Short Stories from People Just Like You” entitled “Punany Ritual” in 2005. She recently wrote a piece for the children in her church, entitled “Mirror” which received rave reviews. (2006) and “Oceans Tears,” in honor of the troops. (2006). She is presently working on her third and fourth projects.

The Musings Report introduces you to Stacey Barlow

What is your inspiration for writing poetry and when did you start writing? My inspiration for writing is God and things around me; I've been writing for 29 years.

Can you tell us more about your collection of writings that is currently published?
My collection of poetry is a description of different types or kinds of love ranging from God, family, friends, self and unrequited love. It's a vision of words to help people see outside of the box or see things they refuse to see at that particular time in their lives.

Are you working on any novels in progress? Yes, I am working on other novels. My second book is of poetry. The third book is a novella (unless changed) and it is finished and I am working on my fourth project.

What is the difference between poetry and spoken word (like Def Poetry Jam) and open microphone sessions? Spoken word is (to me) expresses words poetically by being onstage because that's where artists may feel comfortable, while poets express themselves by techniques of words, visualization, through the eyes and seem to have a quiet sense about them. But they do however share a common vision which is to be heard in a certain form or fashion, and letting people know what and how they are feeling.

What do you want people to get from your poetry? I want people look beyond what might be in front of them; to be able to see the bigger picture of what's going on in their lives, grasp it, understand that it's just a feeling that can easily be let go of. There is more to life than what's going on in their relationships, jobs, church etc.

Are you appearing on any radio shows or have any upcoming features? I've appeared on a couple of radio shows earlier in the year. A few of my pieces are being heard at a couple of New York radio stations. I'm looking to also appear on a London radio station within a few months. One piece that was written for the American Cancer Society will be featured at the "Relay For Life" event in Oklahoma City, OK in May and it will also be featured at a church benefit in Shreveport, LA. (April 1, 2007)

What other future projects are you working on and releasing later this year or in early 2008? As mentioned, I am working on my fourth project that I'm hoping to get out next year. It's also a fiction novel called "Broken." The poetry, I'm looking to get out by the end of the year if not by the summer. Same as to the third project.

Name 3 influential poets that inspired you. (1) Maya Angelou (2) Robert Frost (3) Nikki Giovanni (even though there are many poets that inspired me)

What has been audience response to your work? The audience response have been overwhelming! I'm still pinching myself. lol

I hear your work is currently abroad in London, England. What other countries would you like to expose your writings to? Where else? Hmmm, that was the only place that I wanted it to be exposed to. It has been exposed to Puerto Rico which I am very happy about that. But if I had to chose, it would be Japan, Africa, China, and Italy

Link to purchase: http://www.creativeenigma.com/Bookstore/Newbookstore_files/page0003.htm


Without No This, We Have No That

Children, my African pride of the earth
Have you ever seen a mother's smile
after seeing the first birth
of her child?

All, if any
that is a wonderful creation
Everything being around us
is of some kind of relation.

From the beginning
there were drums to make
the sweet music
the drums had an added volume
just to make a beat.

Your mother's mother is your grandmother
and your father's mother is the same
they shared together this thing called love
And then, from the womb
you came.

Listen to the heart of your lover
bringing back that which was lost
here and now you both will discover
but at what cost?

Falling in love for the first time
is where it's at
Without no this
We have no that.
~Stacey Barlow 2004)

Please support Stacey if you can. Stacey is another reason to celebrate the National Poetry MONTH!!!

We wish her many literary blessings.

-- The Musings Report