Poetically Powered Newsletter March 2022, I Dare You To Say Yes
You might be seeing these images of myself made all artistic N shit. I am obsessed and it makes me realize I took a break from art and need to get back in it.
It's been a bit and a might as we would say in our household since you've heard from me. I felt discouraged that my words weren't getting read and that continuing to send them would just mean that more and more words would hit that poetic ether, vanish, and never be seen again. But, if you keep doing the practice people will be a part of it and you do it more for you than others. Or, so I tell myself again and again.
I did a huge discovery thing for myself. Put myself in literal cold water and put myself so out there I don't know if I'd boomerang back. But, I did, was held, and loved, and seen, and validated, and was just one of the best experiences ever. And, I took a chance on it because my partner said come on, poet, go adventure.
I have two features this month which is nuts but wonderful. One is LGBQTIA+ open mic in Houston, Taylor's specifically, and that is crazy for me but so wonderful. A friend recommended me to the host and they asked me and I said yes. I got three days to memorize these poems OR print them out to perform them. It'll be the first time they are ever heard on a stage, ever, so the muscle memory for remembering them isn't quite the same as my slam pieces.
Then I have another feature right before WOWPS this year. I also need to get my poems lined up for that.
I've mentioned I am busy to people but writing these things down brings it into perspective. I am a freelance writer for several things as well that I took a whim, pitched, and they were interested.
I wrote seven poems in a car ride. I wrote five poems another time. Even with saying to myself I have the right to slowdown right now my body still says yes to poetry. I never stop my craft but some days I take it easier. Yesterday was a day of reconnection, re-building, and re-functioning since I did a two hour class the day before and it was AMAZING but man is my core and my body not the happiest with me. It'll heal. It'll stop being sore. We will repeat movements and get together what I want to do with that too.
This is the year of yes. This is the year I take risks and if it comes back "no" at least I did it. This is the year of figure out what I'm doing and market it better and work harder. I work harder now more than ever, but I love it. It's second nature, second skin, a second coming to myself again.
I dare you to say "yes." To know rejection is just part of the journey.
Poetic Catalyst is back! We got a whole new crew and I've gotten some amazing feedback from it coming back. Tuesdays, 5pm CST, this I believe is our new day. We may also bring back Thursdays on days Guerilla Poets isn't on that week. Sign up is: https://sarahbellummental.com/poeticworkshops/
The March shop is live! Ah! https://sarahbellummental.com/merch/ I’m so jazzed and also nervous? Here’s the link. I love the poems turned into shirts. We’ll be having more. I offer too—just the beginning. Also, my logo image that Shane Mainer made for me is one of the creators of Guerilla Poets.
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*What I’m Reading: The Body Keeps The Score, just finished Divine Disturbances by Shane Mainer, I can't recommend it enough, top 10 poetry overall I've read.
*What I’m listening to Love You This Summer, Big Black Delta
*What I’m getting ready for slams and memorizing poems to perform at the best I possibly can.
*What I’m writing: Gotta edit! Got 20 poems to edit I've allowed to sit, but I think I got a few in me I need to tap in later.
*What’s haunting me: Not haunting as much as grateful, that friends are out there that feel like a second home
To all those who hear me, thank you. To all those struggling with kindness or self-compassion for yourself, I see you, I am you, but I know you’re magnificent. Be kind always to your mind.