LISELLE POWDER

 

The Umbrella

 

How can you cover me when your roots are ripped apart?

Dangling all over, with broken pieces,

that cannot be mended.

I sought your protection, as you shine with

beautiful colors.

But you faced damnation as your scars

told stories of a troubled society.

I saw the holes from vines

that punctured your skin.

It tried to dim your light.

But you still tried to shade me.

Broken and bruised, your arms twisted.

Your foundation stood still,

as you cry to be human again.

You bent your back for me,

even when the storms came.

You couldn’t protect me.

I was dripping wet from your tears.

But you still tried to shade me.

As the forces closed in,

they ripped us apart.

You couldn’t hold on long enough,

now you’re dead.

When you tried to shade me.

 

The Gaza Cry

 

The land crumbles in fear as the blood flows.

Screams of unsound voices with parched tongues.

While mothers suckle, as they run for freedom.

Hungry souls beg to chase this demon away.

But evil brings its fear.

The sun no longer shines in welcoming homes.

The cries rages on it doesn’t stop.

Humanity, sad and broken,

as it bends its head.

The smell of flesh a human sacrifice.

Wolves and thieves’ thread to conquer.

If only I can lay my head and get some rest.

If only I can eat.

If only I can play.

If only I can sleep.

But I can’t.

My home is buried, it lives under the rubles.

As It breathes the air of discomfort.

As it breathes the air of rotten flesh.

As it breathes and echoes tender souls

that doesn’t understand.

 The captives, only a pray that feeds them.

A pray from the mind, as their silent mouths

thirst to be save.

 

Hidden Perfection

 

Just like roots that travailed in dirt.

It started from somewhere.

From the seed that was planted.

From rough terrain of hard-core struggles.

It persevered with determination and

strength, to never give up.

It took time to dig deep into the soil

and run its course, blind and uncertain.

But the fruit of its labor is produced

at the top. That’s us.

As we struggle as we bend, and toil

in the quiet rooms, burning the

midnight oil. Sleepless nights not to be seen.

We are the seed that was planted in tough

surroundings, tough situations to shine.

We came from that same soil that

nurtured us to fight and grow.

Just like the waters that flows as tears

to wet our soil, to push.

We kept our mouth shut, as we did the work.

Our roots blinded, no direction.

The gravity held us down,

in the soil just for a while.

We are not ready yet.

Like roots we didn’t give up.

We didn’t lose focus.

We spread our branches and looked up.

 

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.