By explicit request, a woman of color living in the UK gave voice to my work in my stead. As I could not fly out to London for the release party of a book featuring my words, its creator fulfilled my desire to have my work presented by an avatar. In the video below, Indunee read aloud Totemism, one of two poems that were recently included in the anthology, LOVE LIKE SALT.
On Saturday 6/15, Las Odiosas brought back a new batch of solid panelists for their second zine event. Wise words were shared concerning boundaries, bodily autonomy, sex, relationships, sex work, finding/taking your own reparations, healing from family induced sexual/body shame, moving on after sex based violence/trauma, and creating/sustaining “alternative” communities that center WOC. Below is a poem of mine that was featured in this second issue. It was written after the last election and concerns my inability to enthusiastically join the mainstream women’s march and my few lines surrounding who gets to speak up for whom. I wore a tounge in cheek all pink look to the event 👿
Two of my poems, Sanguine Rose and Totemism, have been included in the anthology, LOVE LIKE SALT. This collection is the dissertation of Amy Byrne, a student of literature and English at Manchester Metropolitan University. The project is described by her as “a poetry anthology that revolves around human interactions and encounters in our modern society’. Sadly, I could not attend the public launch in Manchester but will post a video of an IRL avatar reading on my behalf soon. 
Last Saturday, Las Odiosas put together a rad panel full of creative, self-described weirdos of colour in the BX. It was also the debut of A Very Feminist Zine. Here is the beautiful front cover, the two pieces I submitted, and the back cover with all social media handles of the dope mamis who organized and showed up and loved on one another. FOLLOW THEM! Loved meeting everyone and wish to collaborate again soon!
Due to inclement weather, the Las Odiosas panel and feminist zine debut event was postponed. It will now take place January 20th from 5-8 pm at the Dominican Women’s Development Center (715 W 179 St). Peep the new flyer on IG.
Yours truly will be there to buy some copies of the zine featuring two of my new poems as well as soak up woke vibes from the panelists and artists in attendance.
I am excited about connecting with fellow “weirdos of color”.
❤ M.F.
Hello interested people of the internet!
Two new poems of mine will be printed in a local (Bronx) women of color issue-focused zine put out by Las Odiosas. Check them out on IG.
The December 9th zine opening will coincide with A Very Feminist Zine: The Woes of Being a “Weirdo” of Colour Panel. This topic is *super* relevant to my entire odd ball existence growing up/today and I’m thrilled/honoured to be a part of the larger conversation. Always interested in making more woke bae friends and artists!
Will post poems on this blog as soon as an approved online version is released. Or I’ll post photos of the paper zine pages.
More work to come in 2018! (I am almost done with writing my first novel).
Luv and blood,
M.F.
The inaugural Well Read Black Girl Festival, held Saturday September 9th at BRIC, reinvigorated many authors and artists who had the good fortune to attend. The event space was full of dreaming girls, publishers, avid readers, writers, agents, people I have “met” online, cultural comnentators, musicians, poets, nerds, etc. The attendees were esentially a multitude of muli-talented black women. Some choice quotes from the sage like panelists will sit within me every time I write. Gems like, “Where is the room for black joy?” And “This lady just gave birth in what looks like a creek, you can finish this paragraph…sometimes you just have to type.” Thank you universe for bringing me to these women! Now back to the grind of finishing my novel!
