Black reflections in poetry

Columbus poet, writer,

Tiffany Mariie

is known for her insightful, colorful portrayals of the life of black women in America and her important meaningful works is shaping the artistic ideals of being black in the community.

How did you get started writing poetry?

I always tell people this art shit saved my life. If I’m being completely transparent. My first Poem was a suicide note. I’ve always been the underdog not in a pity “woe is me” type way but I’ve always been different. I didn’t really feel like I had anyone to talk to in that time that could comprehend the things i was going through or how I felt. I was a 14-yearold girl struggling with not having my mother in my life due to drugs and incarceration; As well as beginning to come into and owning my sexuality which came with a lot of bullying and turmoil in and of itself. It was rough but poetry and art literally saved and continues to save my life.

How long have you been writing and when did you start sharing your work?

Let my dad tell it, I’ve been writing riddles since I learned to write lol. I was in the 10th grade and I had a summer reading assignment that I wrote a short story for and my english teacher pushed for me to get into our high schools’ writers seminar glass. I met two amazing teachers (Shout out to Ms Feen & Ms McAllister) They showed us an episode of def poetry jam and we formed a poetry slam team to compete against other columbus city schools My first performance was terrible, but I fell in love. For the first time in my life there was a place where I felt like I was at home. Nerves and all.

What are your sources/ inspiration of you work?

“Inserts really deep inspirational messages” lol no, I’m inspired by life... by experiences. By the things and the questions, I don’t know the answer too. I’m inspired by people, and by simple shit. Recently I’ve been inspired by my shadow self. The more I grow as a human my art grows and flexes with me.

Where do you do most of your writing? Thats a tough question because I don’t necessarily have a space dedicated to just that. We live in the

Is there anything off limits? Nope. I’m an open book. Anything you want to know I’ll tell you good bad and the ugly.

You have a great voice do you sing? Thank you so much. Do I/ Can I sing, Yes. I love it I do it, often almost every second of my life because it makes me feel good. Am I a singer. Not necessarily.

What are the common themes of your poetry? They’re all over the place. Lol I love...love, on all types of levels. So i have a few that are there. Mostly they come from the random things that happen or that I hear or see. Someone can say something to me and an entire piece comes from it.

What are your accomplishment in poetry writing and what would be your dream use of your poetry? Heal from your shit. Love on yourself, the world is hard enough on us. I’ve been at my lowest point I've literally lost everything down to my mind... but if you keep going and deal with your demons is the only way is up and you’ll wake up in a whole new state of being.

age of technology and smart phone (which I hate) but sometimes i’ll have a line and I’ll put it in my phone and two months later I’ll have another line that somehow reminds me of another line and then a poem is formed. Theres so many notes in my phone lol

My biggest accomplishment in my opinion is being able to be transparent. Each piece no matter the spectrum topic etc, is a piece of me left with a piece of them. The people that I touch, the people that want to love on me after a piece, the people who want to connect with me, or the ones who tell me Something i did made them feel good.

I hear a lot of hope in your poetry, what do you say to other people who are losing hope in these times? Man! Keep going! Sometimes that is the easiest thing to say and the hardest thing to wrap your mind around but keep going. Light can not exist without darkness... Press in, Press Forward.

Peace & Love

- MariieEXO

Entitled: “Dear Future Wife”

Dear Future Wife,Imma tell you this now, so there’s no confusion in our next life...Homie... Lover... Friend... that’s me Aight??

& I’m a fine believer that when you find my spirit will introduce me to you as wife I’ll appeal to the Queen and the King side and I might even test ya gangsta but you know I gotta keep you on your toes right?

Here Rest, Handle with care signs & you’ll take them indicators of the time, the time needed to peel back the layers of the heart beat that will soon fall into sync with yours so even on the days when I’m getting on your ever lasting nerves every single road leads you back to me.

There will be, no need for our ego trips in soul ties we’ve tripped and fell in love like the old heads did... it’s like that... “ you know what I’m really mad at you right now, so imma go to the other room & calm down and we can fix this shit

It’s That I was up til 3am translating your love language to make sure all the pieces fit. Type shit.

You’ll ask me questions just to feel me speak And your vibrations will fluctuate in just the right frequency... for me to get confidently lost in you... & never even think to try to find my way out.

I’m... I’m... lost... in the mystery behind how you’ll ignite in me things that blessings are waiting for

Your demeanor will be a little less princess a lot more king, I’ll even let you see the damsel in me... distress no more in my arms you’ll lay your armor... an when whirlwinds send you spiraling... I’ll be there holding your pieces in the aftermath with all the necessary tools for your reconstruction.

This’ll feel better than a situation-ship with the perfect side chick... you know like when shorty know all the rules she doesn’t call past 8 and when she sees you on a date with your main chick all of a sudden that’s your cousin and nem. Yeaaaah Wife feels better than alll dat

-Tiffany Mariie