National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Virginia Davis
Poet’s Bio: Virginia is a poet, freelance writer, grant writer and reviewer,
and teacher of ten-plus years. She is a self-published author of the Color of Crime series, Sheba’s Place, and Hallelujah Night. Her published poetry books include The Mending, By the Ocean, and Songs at Dawn. Virginia is also the CEO
of Author Virginia Davis LLC, where she launched the I Am Queen Collection that
consists of digital products, journals, and merchandise that place an emphasis
on self-love and women empowerment.
Virginia has a strong passion for
literacy and exposing young adults and women of color to relatable, riveting,
and empowering reading content. Other than writing and creating, she enjoys
spending time with her daughter, going to the beach, reading, teaching,
shopping, listening to podcasts, attending open mics, and connecting with other
creatives. Virginia currently resides in the DMV area with her daughter and
mother.
She is currently working on a children’s book
and another YA text that are both being released this summer. She is also heavily
promoting her poetry books, Songs at Dawn
and By the Ocean and is actively
striving to make new connections and learn new skills to incorporate into her
writing and book promotions.
Deliah Lawrence: What
inspired you to be a poet?
Virginia Davis: I would say life inspired me to be a poet. As a teenager, I was
troubled and melancholic for a long time, and I didn’t know how to express
myself. I needed an outlet, and a safe space to feel understood. I started journaling at fourteen, and before
I knew it, I was filling my journal with poems and continued to do so as often
as possible. I then fell deeper in love
with poetry during undergrad, when I discovered the works of Langston Hughes and
other phenomenal poets of color. I’ve always endeavored to be as authentically
creative and inspirational as my favorite poets.
DL: Is there any
particular poet, author or book that influenced you in any way either growing
up or as an adult?
VD: When I was growing up (more so in my
teen years), authors and books such as Flyy
Girl by Omar Tyree, God Don’t Like
Ugly by Mary Monroe, and books by Eric Jerome Dickey influenced me (don’t
tell my mom I was reading those, lol). It was exhilarating to read novels with
characters who looked like me with lives and plights completely different from
mine. Though those aren’t poetry books, those novels deepened my love for both
reading and writing and motivated me to one day be a storyteller with
captivating characters and fascinating plots.
DL: If you were hosting a
dinner party, which three
poets would be your dream guests and why?
VD: If I were hosting a dinner party, my
dream guests would be Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, and Jacqueline Woodson.
“Ego Tripping” by Nikki Giovanni is my
favorite poem of all-time! I love the way she composed an ode to herself and
celebrated her power, beauty, and womanhood in the poem while using such
illustrative metaphors and vivid word use. In my opinion, “Ego Trippin”
unapologetically embodies women empowerment, which is one of my biggest
passions.
I’m forever inspired by Langston Hughes and
his powerful and creative truth telling ability that also incorporated
uplifting and brave messages to Black youth and adults.
Jacqueline Woodson’s book Brown Girl Dreaming
inspired me to write my memoir (one of them at least) in poetic verse. I first
read it about five years ago and still reread it and often recommend it to my
students. I love her storytelling ability and the way she writes poetry and
prose that are both relatable to children and adults.
DL: In celebration of
National Poetry Month, can you share with us a few of your poems?
VD: Yes! I’d love to share some of my poems from
By the Ocean, which is a collection
of haikus that is dedicated to nature and its infinite source of healing and
comfort.
the sweet comfort of
the beach feels like home that has
been awaiting me.
the soft deep blue waves
open their arms and welcome
me back once again.
salty air kisses
my face. the seashells worship
my feet. i am free.
the sky turns rich gold
and offers me the sun as
reward for return.
the trees uproot and
replant as sunflowers. i
know that this is home.
the stars bejewel
the clouds at twilight and guide
me to victory.
close your eyes and taste
the salt in the air. then take
a deep breath. exhale.
the ocean has so
many lessons to give you.
i sit and take note.
under a rose on
sand, i found poetry, and
sky became my muse.
DL: Where can readers learn more about you and your
poetry?
VD: Readers can learn more
here:
- Website: Authorvirginiadavis.com
- Amazon Author Page: Virginia’s Amazon.
- Facebook: Author Virginia A. Davis
- Instagram: Locs_and_lit
- Blog: gingerlywritten.blogspot.com
Book Buy Links:
DL: Thanks so much for being
here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your
work.
VD: Thanks for having me!
Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com
