Kaliedoscope Book Launch
It’s bank holiday weekend. 14C. 8pm
MC Bries taps the mic, “1,2,1,2 testinggggggggg…”
It has begun, the long awaited book launch of my first collection; Kaleidoscope. Having been writing poetry since the age of 7, this collection is long overdue. Yet, everybody is filled with overwhelming joyous shock.
The fist performer: El Crisis. A close friend, mentor and role model. Having admired his work since seeing him perform, 5 years ago at 10 Poet Jam alongside my mother, I was honoured to have him perform at my book launch. My mother describes the outpouring of his words as a “verbal libation”.
Next our ears were blessed with the holistic words of Ebele/ The Mango Goddess. Humour pressed into a sweet smoothie, that she calls poetry.
MC Bries the man whose mix tape has been on repeat on my stereo for 2 years. The host of my launch show. The prolific storywriter-turned-rapper, one of my idols, spat lyrics dedicated to me. I’ll forever hold that moment in my mind.
Now it’s my turn…
Nervous sweat slivers from my nose onto the mic.
6 poems, back 2 back; i Robot, Infantile, I’m Jamal, Kaleidoscope, Walking the Skyline and Grandma. The most nerve-racking performance of my life… goes quite well.
Finally my mother takes the spotlight. My teacher my mum my manager. She’s about to give me the answer to the question many people search for and never find the answer to. How do you know when you’re in love?
“It’s when every dinner becomes your favourite meal”.
Enough said…
It was truly a great night.
Diary
Saturday 31st March 2007