You are a writer, so write. I will never tire of saying this. What I will leave you with as this series closes is just that—write. Be willing to stand on what you believe in, what you know, what you want to know more about—and … Continue reading The Burden Of The Pen: “Here Is What I Have To Say…”
The Burden Of The Pen: “I Don’t Know What to Say…”
Writers are people. We have emotions, thoughts, biases, hangups and issues. Sometimes the hardest thing—especially now!—as the world is spinning towards the sun that we don’t know what to say. Or what to write. Being known as a writer (especially in the social media age) … Continue reading The Burden Of The Pen: “I Don’t Know What to Say…”
The Burden of The Pen: Say Something
There is a power in saying, “I am a writer.”
In the right circumstances, that title is both intimidating and completely discouraging. This is the dichotomy that writers encounter. It is a calling most odd: you have things in your head (ideas, concepts, characters), and you want to tell people about them.
Yet, when you tell people those magical four words, the reactions you get run a gamut! Either you have people whom think you’re immediately going to be published and win an Oscar; people who think that you have no talent and can’t believe you want to write; people who think they should be your personal muse.
Yet, with being pulled in multiple directions, you must have the wherewithal to own your pen. And push doubt away, while keeping focus on what it is you want to create. You have a right to that…don’t relinquish it to the people whom have no idea how powerful you are, and may never read your work anyway.
Treat the naysayers accordingly.
The Burden Of The Pen: Say Anything
I have been at the ‘writing thing’ professionally for about 8 years now. And when I was in my last serious relationship, he had the habit of telling me “Babe, you gotta say something about this!” I will give him this credit: he forever was telling me that I could write. For that, I am grateful.
Yet, that is the most powerful thing of this mystical art. You have the command of an alphabet, of a language (one or more if you are one of the cool kids! Shouts to the multilingual writers!), with the ability to say anything. From the dynamic to the controversial, to the hot takes or cold, hard facts–you have the ability to say everything you see to say.
So…say it. Write it down. Publish it. Share it.
But, say it–because it just might need to be said.
WEAR RED
May 5th is MMIW Day. I am not a Native/Indigenous woman, but I support Native/Indigenous women. This piece is dedicated to Native/Indigenous women who survive, who thrive, and whom we are all looking to bring home. -JBH
If oppression
had a color
it would be red–
to tell you when
to stop,
how to be,
to tell
you where you
cannot go–
to erase you.
By making you
unapproachable.
There are women
whom are
my mirror on
this land that
was both stolen
from them and
was chained to me.
I look for them.
Remember them
because their face
is my face!
Being seen and unseen.
I will wear read
to be seen!
I will wear red to look.
I wear red to
remind myself
that they, too,
are my sisters.
I will never forget.
Neither will I
abandon them.
I will always wear red.
-JBHarris, May 2022
The Burden of The Pen-Overview
The thing that is interesting about being a writer–and not even a ‘famous’ writer!–is there is always this desire to chime in on the world around you.
And when people know you write, that desire increases ten-fold!
I call this: The Burden Of The Pen.
The Burden Of The Pen.
Noun. The desire to write about all that you see which may be pertinent or pervasive to culture, policy or to add to greater conversations.
-coined by JBHarris, March 2022
This mini-series will reflect on this desire to say everything, when to say anything, and how dangerous it is to say nothing.
May 9: Say Anything
May 16: Say Something
May 23: I Don’t Know What to Say
May 30: Here Is What I Have To Say
30 DAYS OF JAYE-2022 FINAL THOUGHTS
This collection of poetry for this particular April 2022 was personal and freeing. As these pieces were published here, I did 30 days of poetry on TikTok as well (look for the playlist 30 Days of Jaye 2022). This was needed and necessary.
This year I have become the personification of this quote:
“I have so completely given over to the talent, that I cannot bare to doubt its power.”
-JBHarris, April 2022
There were ideas that bubbled up this month, poems written in the matter of hours, and books of poetry found on my phone.
Yes, my phone.
This month was a reminder to do what Baldwin said: do my work. My job as a writer, as a keeper of space, is to fill that space. My job is to keep going, keep creating, keep sharpening the weapons of my warfare.
There is much left to do, much more to say, and there is work indeed to do.
30 DAYS OF JAYE-DAY 30: The Hymn of Black Like Me
When they see us
they want to be us
knowing that only we can be us!
from the swivel of hip
to haircuts
to the box braids
to the colors that
inhabit our skin
are melanin and
I hear that springs forth
as halos from the top of our heads?
only we can be us
because we got us
cause we came from us
the ancestors are
about the future at
our forward and
our eyes are still yet
watching God from
the belly of ships
to the White House
on the front steps—-
we are indeed everywhere!
there was no space
for blackness cannot touch!
and it is irredeemable
from whiteness,
but distinct from whiteness
yet black as where the unnecessary
Thinks is where whiteness
goes to die there—
There is no peace
of my blackness as
they wipe your skin
and have it and not
be touched and transform
The I am straight
with no I am straight
with no pay with
no chase a clear without
apology and I staying
as a non-binary
with me being necessary
the we that got us
is the way they got me
in the way that is
inside of me takes care
of all enemies when
the ancestor said as
we were taken from Shores
I am we
the I In the I AM
with was identity
the we was always their company
we are never by ourselves.
-JBHarris, March 2022
30 DAYS OF JAYE-DAY 29: Grand Rising
We can trace
The fall of any
Kingdom to
Once held together
By love—
Both its power
It’s devotion,
And secrets
The moment
The queen rose,
Seeing the king
Not as comfort
——but as enemy.
Determined to free
Herself from what
Was love
Now made trap
By the bed made
By selfishness,
Indifference and
Apathy which try
To maintain holds
Over hearts and
Minds through the
Joining of body
With the familiar
Lift and lilt of
Love making which
Allows body and
Mind to separate
So both don’t have
To endure the affliction
Of the lie that is
This I love you
At the same time.
For freedom, she must choose violence.
For freedom, she must choose herself.
–JBHarris, May 2021
30 DAYS OF JAYE-DAY 28: When Zhane Sang Sending My Love
1990s R&B will have you thinking Anyone would love To be chosen by you it would have you thinking that every man that has lost you is somewhere with a pen and a paper crying as he remembers your face the curve of your back … Continue reading 30 DAYS OF JAYE-DAY 28: When Zhane Sang Sending My Love
I Breathe Fire 