Category: Motivation Monday

Impromptu Poetry Reading

Last Tuesday I hopped on the mic (in my living room) and did an impromptu reading from my soon to be released poetry collection This is Not About Love from BLF Press

I’m still new to recording and video (it’s amazing the things “smart” phones can do) but I think I did alright.

This is Ode to Joy.

Krystal A. Smith (me) reading Ode to Joy from my new collection This is Not About Love available for preorder at BLF Press. Release date 4-6-21.

It feels so good to share this poem. Even though 2020 was difficult and so much is still changing I have much to be joyful about.

I hope this piece gives you a little lift. And I hope you’ll check out my collection. Click here to preorder.

#MondayMinute

10 Things about the upcoming release This Is Not About Love

Hey Wordsmiths! Happy Monday! I hope your V-day weekend was super sweet!

It’s well past lunchtime over here so I encourage you to eat something if you haven’t already. And enjoy these tasty tidbits a/b my upcoming poetry collection. Here we go:

1. I adore these poems! No question. Ask any writer what an accomplishment that is.

2. Exactly 2 of these poems were previously accepted by journals/mags but had to be pulled cos folks didn’t wanna ack right 🙃

3. One of the poems was first written while I was in undergrad at Appstate.

4. One poem mixes both English et française.

5. Parentheticals prove extremely important in this collection.

6. I tried my hand at a duplex after a Jericho Brown online class and Yaaas!! 👌🏾👏🏾

7. There are 3 previously published pieces in this collection.

8. I try my best to evoke time, and place in these poems.

9. These poems are about you! Yes, YOU!

10. I’ll be in conversation w/DeMisty D. Bellinger on April 10th (info below) and I hope you’ll join us to talk This is Not About Love. Get a copy here from BLF Press

February! This is the New(ish) Year!

Hey hey Wordsmiths
I used January as a test run of sorts. I wasn’t sure about anything coming into 2021. But I’m here rocking it and doing the best I can. I’m ready to start the year for real for real now.

February has good stuff in store. First off Happy Black History Month! Your Black is beautiful, worthy, and so loved! Know that! Believe it! Remind yourself as often as you need to. You are LOVED 🥰
And speaking of love can you feel it crackling all around? I can! Valentine’s Day especially is going to be different this year for many reasons. Hopefully you’re being careful and not gathering in swarms but still manage to get the affection you need. I am channeling all the LOVE my way! Friendship love, writing community love, and yes, romantic love too. Shoot, I need my ankles massaged like the next woman ☺️ lol

I’ve got lots of projects in the works this year to both use my creativity and to keep from spiraling. I’m going to keep things up-to-date so we all know what’s going on!

Here’s to the newish year and all things joy (cos we absolutely deserve joy)! Stay warm and healthy and be kind to yourselves.

Quick!

I have laughed

and laughed

and laughed today.

I feel closer to

the child I

used to be

Closer

to the Woman

I am becoming

I feel light

like sugar spun

around a paper cone

like a bird

with lift

and purpose.

Quick,

before I

fly away

take my picture.