This is a section of the poem “Reverse Opinions” I wrote for the digital series Rebel Yell for BET.COM. Check out the full version and enjoy!
Category Archives: general
Have you joined the REBELution?
Have You Joined the REBELution?
TONIGHT IS THE EPISODE I’m in!!!!
Check your local listing and enjoy, “Rebel” on BET. For certain it is
10:00 p.m. EST
Poetry for Your TV Screen
Make sure you tune in to BET every Tuesday for “Rebel”. Also, every Tuesday go to BET.com (click under the tab “Rebel”) to get a poetic recap of the weeks episode by the amazingly talented lead actress, Danielle Mone Truitt. You’ll LOVE the poetry! Why?… because it is written by moi 🙂
SHE CHRONICLES: Remembering Josephine Baker
Accepting Submissions
my poetic contributions
“Nikki Skies is a poetic warrior with style and honest energy. Powerful, vibrant, passionate and hypnotic expressions surrounds her forcing you to merge with her words.” Floyd Boykin Jr./CEO and Founder of SpokenVizions
“Nikki Skies is not a poet. Nikki Skies is a literary visionary. Painter of panoramic jazz sunsets, sonnets and dusty morsels of herstoric truth.” Anastacia Tolbert, Journalist/Cave Canem Fellow
Check it out for yourself! Get a copy!
Rebel, tomorrow
Tomorrow, this show I write for airs… yep! Tune in to BET and watch the first episode of, “Rebel“. The ending poem recited by the lead actor entitled, Allegiance, was written by yours truly 🙂
Has It Really Been 10 Years? Ok, especially for today…
Ten years ago today I released my first book, “Mississippi Window Cracks”. Wow!
I literally drafted the book after spending a few days visiting a friend in Jackson, Mississippi. From the energy of the historical places to the scent of the zesty magnolia trees to the delicious southern cuisine… I had a lot to write about!
“Mississippi Window Cracks” is a collection of six short stories and three prose pieces. Here is a breakdown of the book:
The Untimely Flight – A story of two women with a chance meeting in the airport traveling to different locations. One is on a business trip and the other reuniting with her family after abandoning them to follow her dreams some ten years prior. Their meeting is purposeful yet brief. Just as life would have it.
The Auction – “For Mothers of wombs that drum life and dance the promise of tomorrow, I pour this libation. For the victories of liberation and paths of freedom you laid before me, I walk today for you.” As a child, one of Angel’s childhood stories told by her grandmother was that of Hathor and Tehuti. An ancient Egyptian story told about the Goddess of beauty and the messenger of wisdom. It has been whispered that the legendary Odu family in Mississippi carries the spirit of these deities, Angel and her brother Country. She is here to persuade her brother to come home to his god-like self and maintain the balance in the world.
Return to Ruins – A prose piece in reference to the slave plantation called, The Windsor Ruins.
Summer Love – A steamy love story about a young woman working as an intern in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She falls hard for a local radio DJ who spins more for her than the hottest tunes.
A Prose for Medgar and Myrlie – “Her bladder was full of miles like her mother’s. She watered the ground with chocolate auburn. The spices enticed the clouds to cry and capture the streets. She met him where the sun sat in the fire pit. Her kissed her hand to summons a feather so she wouldn’t doubt his words. His eyes were complete like the turn of an owl’s head. Her fears poured from her spine like pureed apples. The preacher announced their commitment where roads met corners with mirrors. He hung their picture in a birdcage to catch time. He told them not to be afraid.”
The Grass is Simply Green – Nia and LaDonna are best friends who have ventured lessons in life together. Now, together they face reproductive injustice as one yearns to start a family. Together they stand as long as one of them holds a secret from the other.
A Prose for Fannie Lou Hamer – “If you see her. Tell her you remember. Her protected skin that matched night. Unafraid. Sleep patterned to that of bats. Called upon. Like Nut and Shu. To uphold the heavens. Keep young mouths breathing. When tempted to swallow swollen faith. She followed the dust and escaped through vents.”
Southern Betrayal – The story of a woman scorned by love. She travels to a voodoo/root shop to see if the potions really work as she seeks revenge on her ex-love.
When Chris Met Katrina – Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. Like thousands of people who stayed to “wait this one out”, Chris does not evacuate his childhood home. The storm passed as he suspected but the waters began to rise from the storm drains and flood the streets. This is the day Chris met Katrina.
I suppose authors do something special when their books have anniversaries and what not :- / so I am offering autographed books with FREE shipping of “Mississippi Window Cracks”. I only have a few sitting around my house. I hope you enjoy it!
about the ribbons
Maybe it’s not stating a prison number instead of your name
but for certain a wrist badge with your birthdate
and a, “tell us your full name please”
becomes your identity until salaries are paid.
Until bills are made and passed
to keep the torture going.
/ lobotomies remain a threat for those who imply an uprising
of thoughts
It’s ok girl,
You don’t have to join the ribbons just yet / if ever.
believe what you want
It’s ok girl,
You don’t have to play pretend they’re fundraising for a cure.
go on and be sugar cane
Let them know your sweetness is going to be hard to get
go and let them know / you know
they got the cure
It’s hiding in the overhead coverages
of their non-profits
It’s ok curly/short haired girl,
show that drug infused swollen body
snap that thick neck and roll your eyes
go on and show them your scarred up chest
your burnt cleavage and peeling skin
show that radiation racing to your clavicle
the rawness under your breast
show how you still here / cause like millions of others,
you tricked your body into dying to stay alive.
It’s ok girl,
You know the power of now
cause twice you had thoughts of tomorrow
being ok not to come
Naw, don’t be ashamed!
no time for that when the value of every second is gold.
when you were still granted a sunrise and a desk topped with
paper and pens
It’s ok if you don’t feel like pretending today.
If you don’t feel like walking with the crowd
cause you can’t keep up yet / shoes snug around freshly grown back toe nails
go on and sit .
think about things.
the words, will come to you as they always have.
You don’t have to join the ribbons just yet / if ever.
