For the past of two days,
I’ve encountered the question,
What’s Next?
four times, in various ways.
Of course, this is not the first time
I’m hearing these words together or separately,
but this is the first time the question
stood like a peacock in my mind
opening it glorious feathers
spreading its ornamental blue, green yellow plumage about
“Train rattling,” me
wooing me
like it does its potential mate.
What’s Next?
The question has my attention,
and like a true seductress,
it walks towards me slowly:
What’s next? a character in a show asked
What next? I read in a book — not once, but twice
What’s next? my lover asked.
The times Ontonio asked me those words before,
we left one city for another:
Lehigh Acres, Decatur, Clarkston, Sacramento, Panama City Beach, Fairhope, Daphne.
What’s Next feels
like an invitation–
one that is asking me to dream up the next season of my life.
I wrote What’s Next? in my journal.
…to live in a place with outdoor markets
fruits and vegetables in baskets,
sold to me by hands that grew them from seeds.
I want to listen to live poetry,
to feel the energy of a live crowd
appreciating the artistic expression of another soul.
I desire to dine in restaurants that offers diverse meals — dishes made by people who learned the recipes from their ancestors
I want to hear languages I don’t understand but my soul can feel
I want to start my day with sunrise and end it with sunsets.
I want to open Kadine’s gorgeous plumage–
to teach, inspire and encourage,
to share this passion of words with others,
and to hear the words that churn in their heads
the words they fear putting on paper
and speaking them aloud at that poetry night.
I want to attend and snap my fingers
after they’ve emptied themselves on stage
and managed to feel more full than they’ve ever felt.
I LOVE CONNECTING WITH YOU
It’s lovely to be in the moment, but it’s also lovely to dream of What’s Next?
ON WRITING
I’m revising chapter by chapter. I’m on chapter 3 with 15 more to GO, so PRAY with me.
WHAT I’M READING
A friend gave me the book, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. I’m thoroughly enjoying it and have already recommended it to a few of my book-lovers. What are you reading?
THANK YOU
Thank you for welcoming me into your inbox. It is a pleasure sharing with you and hearing from you about ways my writing has inspired or enriched your lives.
As always, I’m super thankful for all your support—encouraging comments, expressions of gratitude, and financial contributions.
