-
New Book Alert: A Smothered Scripture
A Smothered Scripture: Selected Poems and Other Anecdotes https://www.amazon.com/dp/1505358507/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_5XPMxb80A681P A Smothered Scripture is a collection of poems celebrating my family background, culture, and quest for love. These pages make up three chapters entitled: The Catalyst, that map out my background with pieces of my family history; The Conversation, which is my discovery of Love; and […]
-
RIP to the City (excerpt)
On the L tryin not to think about splattered blood; the tears shed in this seat; or worry why we’ve been sitting here so long. Rest in peace, Jessica Hampton. On my way; homebound. Praying nothing jumps off as I pass the Green Line. Who knows how many bullets have flown by this very spot […]
-
Fave Contemporary Artist?
I’ve never done a #mcm post but today I’m tagging to spark conversation. My fave Black male artist of today is @markusprimelives for obvious reasons (dope with his hands, conscious, and entrepreneurial). Whose your fave contemporary artist? #HunnidStraightDays #artwork #creative #mlnn
-
Speaking of Passions….
Dear Beloved Followers, Because we all can use a bit more Tyra, I’ll just leave this here: http://www.amazon.com/author/tyracowens Sincerely, Tyra
-
Past Passions?
I met an older man this week at a work event who was telling a few colleagues and myself about his foundation he started to mentor young men. Unfortunately, he did not continue (or took an extended break from) mentoring because of negative feedback and what he explained as “red tape” from the school administrators. […]
-
#HunnidStraightDays
Someone told me to post more. So I’ll be posting more to uplift and liberate the peeps. I’ve decided to challenge myself to do a #HunnidStraightDays of posting on all my social media platforms. Insta: @SincerelyTyra Twitter: @TyTaughtYou
-
Mirror | Confidence
To the girl with the almond, tear-shaped eyes staring back at me, I know why you cry and moan. Alone in your thoughts, wondering why you stalled and stifled your own creativity for those insecure, chiseled arms. Swarms of ideas, swirlin. How unlucky of you to be here, staring at me unluxuriously- looking as I […]
-
Formation Station 2:19 (excerpt)
He say, I gotta a little thicker since my younger days. Say, I still slay, still sexy. Wanted to get with me then too. Asked about my baby and my Mr. Boo. Said he liked my vibes then, always knew I was cool. Talked a bit about his bid, his mama, siblings, and his kid. […]
-
Text Drafts (excerpt)
3. We have history and you flow thru me like the mighty Niger… Founded in Baobab root can we possibly last as long? 5. Brown speckled bears segment the yearnings of grown women who skipped adolescence. Now, too mature to mention all that was missed, she clenches to stuffed animals dreaming of childhood bliss even […]
-
Dear Baby Daddy:
You know it’s probably easy for you to lay her head on your chest these days. She’s immune to bullshit and lies while she’s this size. But when she gets old enough to comprehend, I hope you’ll have left these games of boys for some other little girl’s demise. Don’t ever stand her up on nights […]
-
Dear Baby Mama
Babies out of wedlock are what happens when we have a poor screening process for access to the punaan. –Sincerely, Tyra ©2016 Tyra C. Owens @sincerelytyra
-
Dying for Dyett
For any who don’t know, there was a hunger strike in Chicago this summer to save, Walter H. Dyett HS, the only open-enrollment high school in my area. I wrote the piece below in my anger and disgust after hearing one of my friends fell ill during the strike. Dying for Dyett (and Quality Education) […]
-
For The Record #JusticeForLaquan
The footage and updates of the #JusticeForLaquan protest happening right now on the streets of downtown Chicago have me deep in my feelings tonight (Feelings of disgust, abandonment, and overall distrust for my Black elected officials AND feelings of worry for tonight’s foot soldiers as I’m praying no more of them will be retaliated against […]
-
Dear Baby Mama
If he can’t get his shit right enough to make you his family (i.e. wife), then he’s just not that into you. -Goodnight.
-
Strangers
Mama tells my baby she walks like her grandaddy; a man she doesn’t even know and will probably never meet. I’m tempted to tell her that Sweet Baby cannot be an’thing like a stranger or someone she’s never laid eyes on or the man who showed me how to cut down a mighty tree by […]
-
Caption This
So National Poetry Day came and went this year so quickly that I was totally unprepared to post or write in celebration… Ah, but God! As I was swiping thru my phone gallery I came across the footage I captured of my daughter on our walk from the park. And although I promised my commentary […]
-
Dear Love
Dear Love, We pretend to be so into you but the truth is, we barely know you. We think we have you under control but we can’t begin to understand how vast you are. Maybe one day, if it’s in Your plan you’ll find us on bended knee begging for forgiveness. –Sincerely, Tyra ©2014 Tyra […]
#SlayTheDream