How I like to spend my Saturdays

On Saturday night, I attended asha bandele’s book release party at Danny Simmons Corridor Gallery for her new poetry collection: The Subtle Art of Breathing. It was a great event, where to begin? I’ll begin where you can usually find me: with the food. They had some finger treats (I was killing the chocolate-filled cookies) and wine which is always a nice touch. The DJ was spinning reggae when I got there which naturally made me happy.

When asha got on stage you could tell she was amongst her peoples. She was comfortable, funny, honest, the sista in her was in full effect. Her five year-old daughter was also there to support Mommy. She was so cute, she even got on stage after asha read one of her poems to tell her that she said a bad word. asha apologized: “I know, I’m sorry I said a bad word.” Our children are too smart and too determined! We have to make a way for them.

I hadn’t read the collection yet and was wondering what the title meant. Well asha read the title poem and man it was heavy. I remember these words: “breathing is a subtle art.” At the center of the poem was suicide, it was a really wonderful, haunting and truthful piece. asha said that the collection is about violence against women, although that isn’t what she necessarily intended to write.

asha had some of her friends get on stage and read poetry or say a few words, as was the case with Kevin Powell who got up and recalled how asha introduced him to Audre Lorde.

The rooftop was just packed with talent. Greg Tate was apparently there (I didn’t see him even with my new glasses). The artist Renaldo was there. He did the cover for Ras Baraka’s new book of poetry also published by Moore Black Press. Renaldo gave me one of his pastel portraits of Beah Richards. It is beautiful and hanging up in my room.

As a surprise treat, jessica Care moore-Poole read from her new collection of poems and essays called God is Not An American. She also read the title poem and WOW. The ish was crazy and deep and energetic in only the way jessica could write and perform it. I can not wait for her book to drop. She looked so cute in her black dress and heels. I can’t say how much she inspires me. I know what she is doing is incredibly challenging. Actually, let me take that back, I can’t even imagine exactly how hard it is. We need more folks like her doing the damn thing. We also need to support her efforts by buying the books, telling the bookstores to stock them, attending events, etc.

This is how I like spending my Saturday nights.