RENEE DRUMMOND-BROWN - POEMS

Renee Drummond-Brown is an accomplished poetess with experience in creative writing. She is a (Summa Cum Laude) graduate of Geneva College of Western Pennsylvania and The Center for Urban Biblical Ministry (CUBM). Renee’ is still in pursuit of excellence towards her mark for higher education. She is working on her fourth book and has numerous works published globally which can be seen in cubm.org/news, KWEE Magazine (Liberian L. Review), Leaves of Ink Magazine, New Pittsburgh Courier, Raven Cage Poetry and Prose Ezine Magazine, Realistic Poetry International, Scarlet Leaf Publishing House, SickLit Magazine, The Metro Gazette Publishing Company, Inc., Tuck, and Whispers Magazine just to name a few. Civil Rights Activist, Ms. Rutha Mae Harris, Original Freedom Singer of the Civil Rights Movement, was responsible for having Drummond-Brown’s very first poem published in the Metro Gazette Publishing Company, Inc., in Albany, GA. Renee’ also has poetry published in several anthologies and honorable mentions to her credit in various writing outlets. The Multicultural Student Services Office of Geneva College presented her with 2nd prize in the Undergraduate Essay Contest. Renee’ also won and/or placed in several poetry contests globally. She was Poet of the Month Winner in the prestigious Potpourri Poets/Artists Writing Community and in the running for Poet of the Year. She has even graced the cover of KWEE Magazine in the month of May, 2016. Her love for creative writing is undoubtedly displayed through her very unique style and her work solidifies her as a force to be reckoned with in the literary world of poetry. Renee’ is inspired by non-other than Dr. Maya Angelou, because of her, Renee’ posits “Still I write, I write, and I’ll write!”
 
 

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Dreamer’s Dream Dreams
 
I started out
a princess,
expecting
to grow into a Queen,
at least,
that’s what
I was led to believe.
 
Went to school
trusting on
A King’s dream
pushed into
a back of a room
so
my princess dreamt
thereof;
poetic scenes.
 
 
Not ‘payin’ attention
‘cause’
those inner words
protected me
from THAT plight
‘An’
In my mind
I could be THAT Queen!
Yeah
Hail to me!
 
But…
in reality,
A black princess
in the 60’s
could never ever be
Queen.
Absolutely,
NO hail,
to the queen,
Only lost
poetic dreams
in a systematic scheme
of
Dick, Jane and Spot
playing
royal games.
 
 
While on THAT scene,
I dreamt
of becoming
someday
MY VERY OWN  
POETIC QUEEN
Yeah,
 finally,
 Hail to me!
 

You Have the Right to Remain Silent
 
She said
I do,
to you,
with his baby
on the way.
Eve, ain’t got nothing
on this type of game
 
She grows
quietly in pain,
all the while praying
the DNA
Reveals hubby’s
genes
but…
somehow
she knows;
she knows,
that’s
hopelessly insane,
cause
she’s only been with him
give or take
 
Unsure
of what to say
and do,
she walks around
dejectedly
head hung low,
growing in shame.
 
9 months
of ecstasy
minus
consequences,
agonies,
insult to injury
pleas,
labor pains,
contractions
yeah,
even
calling her out…
by another’s last name!
 
But hubby knows;
he knows,
and stays
for better or for worse,
calling his step-son
his own.
He knows;
He knows
And never ONCE threw her a stone.

Seashell
 
Maya,
You
brought me
a mighty
long way,
now
I’ll ‘TAKE’
‘MY’
‘WRITEFUL’ PLACE
with
your style
BUT,
God’s grace.
 
Yeah,
I too
bared my tide,
hitching rides
along life’s journey way
without a cry
in sight,
because
you said:
I ‘wuz’
A black ocean
leaping wide
So I rose
to your occasion
justifying
being
black
and proud.
I once
DARED NOT…
say it loud.
 
Yes
I had a past
rooted in pain
 
Yes
I too
rose
just the same
 
Yes
I was young
grew old
and wise,
 
NOW
although tired,
I rise,
I rise
YES, Maya,
I STILL RISE!
 
Yes
I come from a hut
‘wit’
misery
and
shame
 
Yes
I rose
hard
played me
some awful games,
came poetically correct
this go ‘round’
protecting
my surname
from
sea to shining sea.
BOUND
by no mans plea
I rise
I rise
YEAH Maya,
I rise within me.
 
NO MORE
LONG
 LONG
‘LOOOONG’
cries
 
NO MORE
 bowed head
and
lowered eyes,
for the occasion,
I’ve finally decided
to rise,
I rise.
 
YEAH
I be free
with a
protective
outer layer
created
by animals
of the sea
 
Maya,
ONLY
YOUR POETRY
KNOWS ME!
It knows
me well.
It
protects my inner
peace
that surpasses their understanding within me
 
YEAH
Maya
I too rose
to your words
and
stood for none less
THAT WOULD BE ME
The lone Poetess.
 
From you,
and
only from you,
Maya,
I too,
‘learnt’
to enjoy
the highs
as well as them
low
low
tides.
I
still
rise.