Week One: Dominique Watson, Sybil Shephard, Scott Smith

Dominique Watson

I’ve Noticed: I’ve paid Attention

I see little things that aren't the way they should be
I've noticed
I've paid attention
Though I want things to be different,
I truly know they will never be
But the fact of the matter is
I've noticed
I've paid attention
I don't need a life changing moment to make me realize what's happening around me
Because I've noticed
I've paid attention
And in the path that I'm going, I don't have time to worry about it
But please don't think I haven't noticed or paid attention

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Sybil Shephard

Whatever it is

Is it the content of my character?
or the color of my skin?
Is it the way I put pen to paper?
As I express my thoughts within
whatever it is: it's the truth,
often it's the reality that sends your anger though the roof.
Mind games;
we all know how to play;
yet the choices and decisions we face occur on the a daily basis.
When things are good or even bad.
Occasionally things get a bit tough;
who knows the next step can lead to victory if we don't give up!

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Scott Smith

Passionate Heart

Passionate Heart It is the love within you.
The light of glory, that burns like fire within your soul.
Having an inconceivable talent is a blessing.
Not knowing why you desire to speak with such passion
That inspires others around you.
You have been blessed with a God given talent
The ability to move a crowd to the sound your heart beat. Like the rhythm of drums sounding off one by one.
The chain reaction has begun
I have touched you,
I have done my job
Now it is up to you to inspire someone
To keep love alive, just pass it on
Having passion for life that illuminates like a light from above
Descending on earth like a pure white dove.
I come from the Lord with this
My untouchable gift of a passionate heart.

As many of you have noticed, I (network creator Diane) have not been active for several months. There were so many plans for the end of the year and also the new year, but unfortunately (or fortunately) they had to be postponed due to sudden illness.
I am happy to see the community moving along with lots of new entries, works and members. I am also extremely happy to say that my physician gave me a much better bill of health last week. I have only been on the site sporadically, but look forward to getting some things done. It is times like these that we should be our most creative.

That said - We are rolling out the poetry book from last year's National Poetry Month this April. Stay tuned to this spot for links to purchase. It has the poems from 31 members that were featured on these pages.

It's time for you to submit your poetry so you can be featured on the Main page in the month of April. Send all submissions to: BAS Poetry Month Link Or
email your full name, profile name, and poem to: poetry@blackauthorshowcase.com
Subject: Poetry Month Submission

We are also looking for works from our many artists on this site. Artwork will be chosen to accompany the poetry pages. This is an annual yearbook of members poetry and artwork.

No, it doesn't matter if you were featured last year. However, we do want to see your newest and best works. You can submit more than one poem - in fact we encourage it. As with last year, we will compile the works in a book to be published for 2010

Poetry and artwork will be posted on the front page of the site on a 'first come, first serve' basis after being selected by the editors.

Make sure you have your site profile page and photo up to date, as we will link to your profile. This includes making sure you have the poetry posted in your blog (especially if it is a long piece) and links to your other websites are working.

One of the lessons I've learned in my illness is that you can't do it alone. We've got a large community here and I'd like to invite you all to participate. Black Author Showcase needs editors for our upcoming member shows, features, events and anthologies. If you are interested in helping out, email: diane@blackauthorshowcase.com

The revised calendar for the year is:
April National Poetry Month celebration with new member poetry each day.
May Celebrate Children's Book Week - May 11-17th - members should submit their children's book titles to be featured. Send title information along with cover jpg to: cbw@blackauthorshowcase.com
October Speculative Fiction Month returns! To be featured send your title, brief bio, story synapsis, and book cover to: specfiction@blackauthorshowcase.com
December Authors that appear at the annual Holiday Book Fair will be featured.

Thank you to all who tried to reach out to me during the past months. You are greatly appreciated. It's never easy, because I can be a difficult person to deal with - even more so when I'm depressed. However, your caring, concern and dedication to this site are extremely uplifting.

Diane W.

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I am extremely sorry to announce the passing of Henriette 'Henri' Edmonds author of "The Georgia Avenue Bus" this past March 12th. Howard University has a celebration of life event planned and I will keep you posted.

Henri and a group of her drama students performed at the second Black Author Showcase event and was much loved.

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Listen to our conversation with Bennie Randal of Black Talk Radio about the Kenyan Book Drive.