Nommo Presents Deonte Osayande

Has been postponed until further notice because of the impeding snow storm. The new date will be released when it's determined.

World Events

There is a lot that is going on importantly politically in the world during this period in time. I remember a while back I had a conversation with a couple of friends of mine and a respected elder. It was a professor to my knowledge and I don't recall the topic of discussion but we ended up on world issues as they were mentioned in all of our poetry. I remember stating that there will be a point where it boils over and the general population is going to realize that they are larger in numbers than those that oppress them. This prof would go on to call me crazy,lol,to which I couldn't really deny.

This brings me back to the situations of today happening all around the world. As Americans we like to act like we aren't a part of or that we are greater than the rest of the world. In reality everything that happens elsewhere effects the empire here. You could bring up the recent terrorist attack in Russia this month here and people would treat it as if it were so distant. Sure it isn't on our soil, but that is a nation similar in capability and strength to our own.

Back to what's going on in Tunisia, and more recently Egypt. I hope that the protesters get correct justice. Anyone ruling over a nation for close to thirty years is just way too long. Many of us have become so conditioned to just laying down to the powers that be, that the news of uprisings in these nations can be shocking, and to some, fearsome.

I find it interesting. It shows that somewhere people are reaching that point, where they won't just go with something that they disagree with. It can serve as a lesson to the rest of us, that nations, democratic or not, are to some degree run by people. If they succeed in getting a new government in power, it may not just be a victory for themselves, or for their nation, but for oppressed people around the world. What would the future hold for people that are able to invoke such change and revolution?

Apology to a Snowflake

Apology to a Snowflake

It was instincts against intentions
when removing blankets of snow
leaving your bedside, I just needed
to sleep alone for once, sneaking out.

Outside of my nature,
actions I hadn't thought about,
just the fatigue of making it work on me,
but blame couldn't go all on you.

We were that puzzle missing the snowflake
going in the middle making the picture perfect,
that empty space always glared back at us,
aggressively, searching, demanding.

I don't want those three years back,
I want to see the 1095 sunrises
in your smile,
one last time.

Sometimes when saving daylights time
I left my mind behind bodily wishes.
Hearts and heads have different hemispheres
I thought and loved in often opposing times zones.

We attract magnetic bees,
acting surprised when stung.

Life is a dice game you
gave me too many chances in.

I started the flood of our argument,
You started the rain that overcame us,
we were refugees of our own selves
waiting for Mardi Gras beads to hang on to but
dead Indonesians haven't stopped floating.
There are cities of memories we left underwater.
Funny thing about floods, there are
usually more casualties after than during.

Life isn't a gamble,
gambling is an addiction,
addictions require dependency,
once broken, hearts see value
in what they wasted away.
Love requires committed independency.

Bees see corpses around bug zappers,
but some attractions are just so great.

I'm not sorry that we didn't work out,
I just want you to know,
during the extra sunrise of that leap year,
I found the snowflake.

The bigger picture is no longer puzzling.
The relationship failed
we did not, I'm still standing,
you're looking strong.
I'm happy for you,
we've moved on.

You were right, I was wrong.
I was right, you were wrong,
the arguments aren't important,
forgiveness is, self and otherwise.

It's about time our hearts and minds,
synchronized again, but in a new way.
The great thing about snow, isn't its cold,
it's how it feeds the growth of something

after it melts.

Schedule starting 2011

More details will be provided soon. Come out if you want a copy of Quills of Fire and/or People of the Water, just to support, or to simply have a good time.

12-28-10 Kuumba's Cove, 9-11pm, $5 dollar cover. Pieces from Quills,People of the Water, and new material.

1-14-11 Manilla Bay Cafe,9-11pm,New poems,some from Quills and P.O.W, as well as a musical feature.

1-28-11 Sweet Epiphany Detroit,9pm-12am,new pieces,favorites from Quills and P.O.W. as well as a poetry slam.

2-1-11 Kuumba's Cove, 9-11pm, $5 dollar cover. Pieces from Quills, P.O.W. and new material.

2-11-11 Opener for event with Poetry House literary group, more details to come.

2-19-11 The Druken Muse,4-6pm,Literary reading and discussion of Quills of Fire.

2-27-11 Sweet Epiphany Detroit,9pm-12am

Manilla Bay Cafe

I'll be a featured reader at the Manilla Bay Cafe on January 13,2011. Come out and support as I share a set of pieces from People of the Water, Quills of Fire and some newer surprises that I have in store. Months after the release of my first chapbook and album and i've already begun getting waist deep in my next creative project. If you want to see a sneak preview of what's going to be a part of it you're not going to want to miss this. It's a $10 dollar cover, for food, art and fun. Hope to see you all there.

Thanks

The first Roses and Revolutions Poetry Slam was a huge success despite the university's power problems. I'd like to thank everyone involved who competed, supported, and contributed both to making it happen and helped us raise funds for the homeless and impoverished. Another congrats to the slam victor Lucky Lefty, and plans are being put in place for another to be held at the finale of Black History Month. More details will come soon.

I'd also like to thank everyone for the encouragement given to the team of Gabe da Poet and I at T.Miller's Big Ass Poetry Slam event. The whole evening was great and the event proved to be an exciting experience.

Also thanks to everyone who have supported my ongoing venture with the varsity news. I've been constantly flooded with positive feedback in regards to my work with the paper. I am humbled and grateful for that. I was very wary of it at first but it is an experience i'm glad to not have passed up on.

There has been a lot of big things that have happened over the course of this year, and i'm thankful for everyone who in one way or another has helped my growth as a person and poet.

Roses and Revolutions Poetry Slam

Omega Psi Phi, African American Student Association and Sweet Epiphany Detroit are sponsoring the Roses and Revolutions Poetry Slam, here to smash UDM's campus. Be there for some of the most talented poets the city has to offer. Admission is free although donations will be asked to keep future versions alive.This event is also to help the homeless and those in impoverished situations, if you can donate canned goods to help those in need it is encouraged that you bring those.