Poet’s Bio: Buddah
Desmond aka BDEZ (he / him / they / them) is an award-winning author, poet,
artist, and singer based in the DMV. His writing shares lessons from adversity
to triumph and offers messages of hope, Love, faith, and persistence. He’s
the author of multiple poetry collections, including the most recent releases Everything
I Miss(ed) At Home (2023), Coming Up From the Downside:
Finding Joy in Our Song (2024), and Exotic Shifter: 11th
Anniversary Edition (2025).
His writing has appeared in Creative
Currents, Rebel’s
Zeitgeist, Liquid
Cat Quarterly, MelaNation, Mixed Mag, and The
Sound of the Collective Pen: A Poetry Anthology by Emerging Voices. He
served as a healing leader in the DC-based arts + faith + social justice
organization, The Sanctuaries. He’s currently a National Board of Trustees At Large Member
(Beta Chapter) for the professional arts fraternity, Gamma Xi Phi.
Deliah Lawrence: When did you
first realize poetry was a part of your voice or purpose?
Buddah Desmond: I’ve mentioned countless times how much of an influence
Maya Angelou has been on me and my work, and how hearing her poetry in the film
Poetic Justice blew my mind. I started writing poetry not long after
seeing that film. I was 12 years old. I’ve been writing poetry ever since.
I knew that poetry was part of my voice, part of my purpose when my life didn’t
feel right or complete without it. I knew each time I was awakened in the
middle of the night or jolted during random times of the day with ideas for new
poems. I knew each time I was called to the stage to recite or perform poetry.
I knew when I was able to find joy and comfort with the discomfort of pushing
myself to do new things with the poetry—be it learning and trying my hand with
different forms, teaching workshops, or being invited to rooms / spaces /
events beyond my imagination.
I know because even with the many challenges that
have come my way, my love for and commitment to the craft has never diminished.
And the icing on the cake has been people who’ve messaged me or who’ve come up
to me after a reading or performance and told me how much my work resonated
with or inspired them.
DL: What does poetry allow you to
express that other forms of writing do not?
BD: Poetry is a beacon. It
gives meaning, language, voice, power, and impact to things I’m not always able
to express in my day-to-day life. It allows me to be as vulnerable and as
honest about my experiences, human experiences, and cultural / historical /
social / political matters of yesterday, today, and beyond. Being an emotional,
intense artist, poetry gives me the freedom to positively channel my Emotions
in uniquely creative ways. There’s a freedom to and in poetry that I liken only
to music.
DL: In celebration of National
Poetry Month, can you share one or two of your poems with us?
BD: Sure, here you go!
Soul Food
Oxtail
Jollof Rice
Peanut Stew
Pone
Pelau
Gumbo
Greens
Hoppin’ John
Hot Water Cornbread…
Intoxicating smells
Heavenly flavors
Sensational feelings
Treasured memories
The love in the food—
You can smell it
Taste it
Feel it
Touches so deep, you can’t help but close your eyes
as you savor each delectable bite
Moments that transcend your place in
time
are like soul food
They enrich your experience
Deepen your joy
They never leave you
Same can be said for that one
(or those ones)
Who captures your spirit
Holds your heart in their hands
And they caress it as if it’s the most precious thing
in the world
Always plenty to gain, even when you
lose
They make it so good it’s like soul food
Though nothing can replace:
Oxtail Stew
Jollof Rice
Peach Cobbler
Lemon Pound Cake
Rum Cake
Roti
Curry Chicken
Shrimp and Grits
Étouffée
Gumbo…
You know you’ve really got something when
they make it so good it smells like
Tastes like
Feels like
Soul food
They make it so good you never want
to leave
They make it so good, you don’t feel guilty
asking for seconds
That’s some damn good soul food.
~ Everything I Miss(ed) At Home
(2023)
My Poetry Reading from Black Voices Through Poetry (February
2023) – https://youtu.be/I5pwYBkeosc?si=IXOkK6GybYOt7xUS&t=2981
DL: What projects,
collections, or collaborations are you currently working on?
BD: I’m currently working on
my next full-length collection of poetry entitled, Running Towards Love.
It’ll contain poems and not quite poems about the quest for love. I’m also
working on my next visual poetry series which I’m hopeful will be released
later this spring.
My first visual poetry series, Coloring The Night,
was released on my socials in February 2026. Art director / photographer /
filmmaker extraordinaire Wole Ajagbe
helped me bring this project to life. I’m looking forward to working with Wole
on this next visual poetry series and continuing to grow, evolve, and push
myself with this medium.
DL: Where can readers connect
with you and experience more of your poetry?
DB: Readers can connect with me here:
DL: Thank you so much for
sharing your voice with us. Your words remind us of the beauty, depth, and
power poetry brings to the world.
BD: Much gratitude again for the opportunity. I truly appreciate it.
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Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com
