LISELLE POWDER

 

I Let You In My House

You entered, as your feet moved slowly on wooden floors

that welcomed your inquisitive style of friendship.

Poised as open eyes wide to search my soul and 

question my life daily.

I smiled as if you remembered me before you entered my story.

I read to you the books you liked,

as you used them to come in.

You searched with your mind as you tried to 

use tactics of intimidation for me to speak.

But I stood still and watched as I was battered

with your craftiness.

You entered my house; my world became yours.

My world was suffering by your lies.

I felt betrayed as the others laughed.

You are so trusting they say.

You sat on your conscious, trying to stifle 

the real you.

You imitate and mock my living,

as I opened my mouth to feed hungry souls.

I have to shut the door now.

I have to throw you out.

You are not welcomed anymore 

My mouth is closed.

Flowers For Her

Maybe she thought to herself that she was not good enough.

There was something that she searched for, that was tied up, 

tangled up, with life’s messed up journey.

She looked at the dinged mirror with a crack at the side, as her reflection was not noticeable.

Maybe she saw the cries in the mirror,

that reflected her disbelief of self. 

A life that was sabotaged with unbelief and trust.

A price tag that hanged loose on a bunch of roses.

Ten dollars is what she paid for her dignity.

A price that she labelled herself as not being enough.

Her fragile heart didn’t have the space for her.

It shut her out so she can fix her steps. 

Her roses, bright and beautiful like her,

if she can only see it.

Her lens needs to be renewed.

Her vision not able to grasp the after, 

as it just sees the now of her story. 

That’s her flowers though, if that’s the only thing,

she can put in a vase and call it her own.

If that’s the only thing that loves her and she loves

it back.

If that’s the only thing she looks at and smile and

as her pain disappears.

If that’s the only thing, in all its redness gives her 

the fight to see her strength.

If that’s the only thing that grows in her heart,

and makes way for healing and growth.

If that’s the only thing, she sees right now.

Let it be the only thing

LISELLE POWDER

LISELLE POWDER was born in the small Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago. Born to Edwina Warner (deceased) and Bindley Powder. She is the last of six siblings. She is divorced and a mother of two daughters and a granddaughter. Having migrated to the US in 2014, she decided to write poetry about her experiences coming to America. She met with Edna White an Author, and the rest was history. Liselle has written in Edna’s book “No Sweet Meat Tell Me the Truth” and contribute to the school newspaper where she works. Liselle held her first poetry show on July 10th, 2021, she also writes in Ms. Edna’s Magazine called “SPEAK MAGAZINE.” and wrote her first short story titled “Teenage Mom” and her poetry book titled “Still Overcoming”. Her short story “Teenage Mom” together with other short stories, is a combination by different authors coming together for the Anthology “Women Write Now” which was launched in November in 2022. With her continuous writing, she was entered in an Anthology for the months of June, July and November of 2020, also June and July of 2021, and for July 2022. Liselle was awarded the Cheryl R Canton Incentive and the Willie Henry Riddick Memorial Award in June 2021, for winning an essay competition placing first. Liselle wrote another book entitled “Welcome to America,” which is on Amazon. Liselle is also an artist and has also sold some of her work. Liselle was honored and one of her poems was chosen for Black Poetry Day, in October 2022., and the reviews was excellent. Liselle will be honored in August and September at a gala ceremony for her contribution to writing. One of Liselle painting was accepted for an open call from the East Islip Council Gallery, the exhibit was in March and ended on the 14th of April. Another painting form Liselle was also accepted in an open Call to be posted on social media for the month of April, it was posted on Lisa D’Amico Arts platform and social media. Liselle also recited two of her poems at the Juneteenth celebrations 2023, in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, as she was a guest of honor sponsored by the Writers Workshop curated by Nathaniel Gadsden. Liselle hopes one day to have her first Art Show soon. Liselle has come a long way and she strives to be the best of top poets and artist the world is yet to see.