Margie Stokley-Bronz (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and parent. She is a published playwright, painter, actor and filmmaker. She received her BFA from NYU and is currently pursuing her MFAW through Goddard College. When not writing, she runs a successful arts afterschool business, “Give it a go!” in Fairfield, CT. (www.giveitagoct.com) Thank you to her editor and father, Fredrick J. Stokley. Her commitment to write is sustained by the love of Ryan, August, and Tennessee.
Spring 2022 Residency
Jaz
Three months ago
Wind-cracked earth
took my face
The lava laden fissures swallowed my pen
I looked no more for ink
to consume the metaphors of morning
I lived outside of my poetry
where breathing hurt
and my heart could no longer trust a good-bye
Where were my words?
Didn’t I promise myself
that as an artist I would use it all?
The dust, the deafness, the bones, the dysfunctions
Why couldn’t I construct meaning
from the in-between?
Why didn’t the Sonnets save me!
Why didn’t I bend my ear a little closer to the page?
When did I stop listening to the white spaces?
Oh, silly poet!
How did I forget that
birth is in the dark spaces of the womb?
And the black of a butterfly’s wing
is needed as much as the light of it?
See I was becoming
the poetry that you now hear
So I’m thankful for the wilderness
And for now being on the other side of the wind.
Jaz (aka Pamela Kareen-Banks) (she/her) is an award-winning published poet, singer, author, performance poet, actress and ASCAP member-songwriter from Philadelphia, PA. She holds a BA in Theater from Temple University. Her poems are featured in multiple anthologies, literary magazines, and on internet podcast, and public radio. Jaz’s most recent publication was in the Moonstone Press Anthology “International Women’s Day 2022.” Jaz performs songs and poetry at open mics and featured performances. She loves nature, karaoke, french fries, and the Big Cats! She is inspired by storms and sunshine. Jaz is a vessel of Christ for ministry, whether on or off the stage.