If you’re like me, the first few months of this year hit hard and I feel like I’ve just gotten off of a rollercoaster. The constant influx of shocking news was debilitating and I had a difficult time connecting with my creativity. Luckily my short play and other opportunities had already been planned or I would have drowned in a sea of fading hope.
I say all that to say I am coming up for air and will be writing more often. I am now on Substack and you can find me @tonisroom
I’ve always been torn between using this blog space for poetry or for writing about my life and my thoughts . I didn’t want it to be difficult for those looking for poetry to have to sort through other writings, and vice versa. I’ve decided that my prose writing/essays etc will be on my Substack and this blog will be used to share my poetry and poetry events.
Here’s more info from the production company. I’ll share more about the process later. 😍
Hello Friends of Theater and Art: We want to let you know about March 2, 2025, at 4 PM. The Collective Mic Productions will host our 2nd Annual “An Evening of Shorts” at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center, located at 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127 (Manayunk). There’s PPA Kiosk parking available on site.
The Collective Mic, LLC, and its Productions, founded by artists Jody Austin and Tiffani Dean, are dedicated to inspiring both adults and youth through the visual arts, literary arts, literacy, and performance arts. Serving communities in Philadelphia, Tri-State area and beyond, we bring the transformative power of the arts into schools and community spaces, empowering young people and fostering creativity at every step. We are also an all-woman BIPOC and veteran owned organization.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THE ARTS ✨️
Our commitment to theater, film, and performing arts has driven us to create productions that celebrate poetry, literacy, community engagement, and inclusivity, allowing us to provide a platform for artists of diverse backgrounds. Each production, festival selection, and community initiative extends our mission to enrich Philadelphia’s cultural landscape, fostering a network of artists and encouraging impactful community service.
By becoming a sponsor, your business will gain valuable visibility across our social media platforms, promotional materials, and email outreach, which currently includes over 2500 contacts. Your support will help over essential costs like venue, housing, and transportation for our dedicated cast and crew, contributing directly to the success of our programs. Noncontribution is too small, and every bit helps us continue our mission to inspire and empower.
We are pleased to offer a variety of sponsorship packages, including:
Gold Sponsor $1000: Includes 5 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Silver Sponsor $500: Includes 4 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Pewter Sponsor $250: Includes 3 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Bronze Sponsor $100: Includes 2 tickets, logo and business information on all platforms, recognition at events, placement in programs, and promotional opportunities. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Copper Sponsor $75: Get a half-page ad in our beautifully designed digital program booklet to showcase your business logo and send a shout-out to your favorite actors or family members. This ad will be shared widely across our social media platforms and with our live audience, providing great exposure! Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
Nickel Sponsor $50: Receive a quarter-page ad in our beautifully designed digital program booklet to showcase your business logo or send a shout-out to friends and family. This ad will be widely shared across our social media platforms, helping to maximize your brand visibility. Shout out your friends, family or business with your logo in our beautiful digital program book that will be seen all over our social media platforms to also maximize your brand visibility.
We would be delighted to discuss how we can collaborate with you to make a meaningful impact. If interested, please reach out at TheCollective2014@gmail.com. Contributions can be sent via Cash App @TheCollectiveMic, PayPal @https://www.paypal.me/TheCollectiveMic or our GoFundme link
My beloved wisdom womb surrounded by soft, brown flesh protecting magic forgive me for wishing you away
For cursing you and shaming you as I wrestled you into the jeans bought too tight just to impress that boy stuffing you inside girdles and other undergarments designed to control and confine your beauty
succumbing to the misogynist media narrative seeking to dissolve you in the name of purity and perfectionism I was taught the process of dissipating you never the power of your sacred protest
Forgive me for forgetting your sacrifice during the abortion
The day you held and protected my first born as I laid stretched out over my mother's casket
I, for a moment, failed to remember the grace and light you allowed when I only saw darkness
Growing and cradling my grandmother's eggs to bring forth life when I didn't know how I would even live
Your strength and determination to hold two nine pound babies to term How you held my sorrow for the three who I would never see My rainbow child still recalls the soft and calming swish of your cascading melodies / music she continues to push out into the world on her own
Even sliced and laced after two cesarean section, you still hold move beautifully How could I be ashamed of your capacity to heal and nurture us all If I never cried for you, I should never try to hide you
So I vow now
No more 'Spanx' or disgusted gazes in the mirror when you show yourself to the world You are my lifesaver My miracle maker My healer and the source of all my creation I love you and thank you My wisdom womb
“The Mad Poets Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt arts organization, is an integral part of the Philadelphia writing community. Mad Poets has grown from humble roots and a handful of poets at Media Borough Hall in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, to over 100 members in six states. It is an active organization of poets and writers who have joined together for camaraderie and critique with heart, to celebrate the creative soul and to promote the literary arts. “
In just a few months, I will have to give up my crown to another worthy poet. Each year they choose a poet who is given the opportunity to feature their work on their blog along with insight into their inspiration for the poem that they choose for the month. I am proud to be a mad poet and I thoroughly enjoy every event, poetry reading and book review that I’ve experienced and am in awe of the creativity, brilliance and compassion of the poets I’ve met.
It has been an honor and challenge to choose 12 poems out of all that I have written, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I hope you hop over to their blog to check out the poem that was featured in January, as I think about what I will choose for February. Which love poem should I choose?
Mother’s day is not all candy and roses for everyone. It’s okay to be angry at God; she/he can take it and will still help you heal.
I hope my May poem choice for the Mad Poets Society PA blog helps those who are in need of healing from their own personal grief during this time so that you can welcome the love.
I’m thrilled and honored that The Mad Poets Society of PA chose me as their 2023 Poet of the year! I’m looking forward to sharing insight into my poems and new work on their blog starting in April (Poetry Month). ❤️
Starting in April, I’ll be posting a poem each month along with insight into the poem. Some will be old favorites and some will be unpublished. I hope you subscribe to their blog and share with another poetry lover.
Sometimes you have to forget that you’re somebody’s momma, someone else’s nurturer, someone else’s provider, boss, therapist, housecleaner, mentor, hero and role model and just be.
Be free.
Be in spaces and places no one would expect you to be.
Hair and toes out, dancing /swaying/moving/ calling in joy
Calling in Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, and every ancestor who conspired to form your hips, lips, and freedom.
Be seen, be joyfilled, be unapologetic
Be around people eager to give without expectation of receiving.
Sewey Hole Family presents Bruiz and Friends , a Live poetry reading filmed at the infamous Pen and Pencil club in Philadelphia. The event including poetry readings from James Feichthaler, Bob Zell and myself, Toni Love will ONLY be viewed on the Facebook page of Keith Outlaw so visit the Event page to access the link to watch us live.
I hope you are able to check out the show. I will be reading a few new poems but please support and grab a copy of my poetry book or CD from my website and I’d be happy to autograph it for you.
Live Poetry Event: Tonita Austin, Sibelan Forrester, Alison Lubar Wednesday May 18, 2022 – 7pm Fergie’s Pub 1214 Sansom Street and on zoom – Registration Required
Come out and hang with me in the City!
I’m excited to share my poetry for the first time at a Moonstone Arts Center event with these gifted poets! There will be an open mic and loads of fun and poetry ❤️. I will also have copies of my book “Toni’s Room” for sale and if you already have a copy and want it signed, please bring it with you. They make wonderful Mother’s day gifts.
Toni's Room 
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