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Political Emotions

by  ToriYah Marshall

 

I used to have politically correct emotions,

ones that went with the flow of emotional polls,

but it began to take a toll on my soul, 

so I began to vote for myself and at first

it was a challenge, 

because I couldn’t find myself on the ballot, 

I had been left off and my emotions were invalidated, 

not enough rallied support, not enough endorsements, 

my concerns were not important enough to render mass consideration, 

until I began to raise my voice, 

to raise awareness of my causes, my motivations, 

to create emotional space on soapbox stages,

with only heaven’s applause and standing ovations, 

God’s love was my one and only motivation,

and with his vote I knew I could take precedence, 

making decisions not so political yet still resonate, 

keeping my emotions in check, and balancing them with good reasoning, 

impeaching deceitful feelings

and leaving the ego as a lame duck, 

Unable to make amendments in God’s laws,

making my life surrender to his clauses, 

putting things in proper law and order.

Poem of The Week 
News

Sekou Black - The 2025 Poetry Is Life Book Award Winner

 

Each year Poetry Is Life Publishing will award one poet with the Poetry Is Life Book Award for their original poetry manuscript. The 2025 Poetry Is Life Book Award Winner is Sekou Black. More info on his book to come. I would like to thank each poet who submitted their work for consideration for this award. All of them are wonderful writers and it was an honor to read their work.

Audacity 2 Speak! by Alicia M. Hopkins 

Audacity 2 Speak! is a book that shines light on the real issues within Ohio’s healthcare system, criminal justice system and the challenges people with disabilities face in America. It challenges the stigmas and stereotypes around prison reform, victims rights, disability rights, mental health, and healthcare access. This book while written in an autobiography format, shares about how social detriments of health and the red tape on multiple social service systems influences and unites communities in advocacy. It pushes people out of their comfort zone to find the audacity to speak.

Featured Poet - Joshua David Halley
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Joshua David Halley is the 2024 Poetry Is Life Book Award Winner. His manuscript, Feral Thoughts, will be available for purchase on July 13, 2024. Halley says, if my words can help even one veteran see another day with some hope, I have succeeded. Stay tuned for more info.

Quote Of The Month

Being real has nothing to do with the world. 
But, the world has a lot to do with the real you.

- Hiral Nagda

Poetic Recordings

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If He Told YouJoshua David Halley
00:00 / 00:49
Honey And VinegarCarolyn June-Jackson
00:00 / 00:57

Community Partnerships & Projects

Part of being a positive, active part of the community is working with local businesses and the people in the community to enhance the quality of life, through the gifts and talents of the people in a creative way. When businesses invest in and support community projects, it shows that they care about what is happening in that community. Creating opportunity for community partnerships and projects gives a sense of pride, hope and responsibility. It gives the people of that community something they can be proud of.

 

Poetry Is Life Publishing is honored to be working with local businesses and the people of the community to bring poetry and other creative projects to the people. As part of the mission and vision, we want to be able to use poetry as a way to enhance the life of the poet, the listener and the overall community by bringing awareness to issues that impact people, directly or indirectly. If you are interested in partnering on a creative project, Poetry Is Life Publishing would like to partner with you. To see what businesses we have partnered with, click the button below. Thank you. Now! They Will Listen To Us!

Publishing Opportunities

In the contest tab, there are contests that feature motherhood, fatherhood. There are also contest focused on youth and their writing. New contests are in the works. 

Compilation Books

You've taken the time to write down your thoughts, your feelings and your experiences on paper bags, on the back of grocery receipts, on take out menus, on utility, credit card and medical bills, you've even temporarily tattooed your skin with ink so you wouldn't forget that thought, that feeling or that experience. Inspiration, like life, cannot be predicted. You have made yourself vulnerable and open to criticism,...

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The Winner of the 2024 Poetry Is Life Book Award
is Joshua David Halley for his manuscript

"Feral Thoughts"


Book will be available July 13, 2024.

Featured Books

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Pieces Of Me - $12
Carol Mullins

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If There's No Heaven - $12
Barbara Marie Minney

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The Voices of Real 4 - $10
A Poetry Compilation

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The End Is Near - $10
Marjorie F. Burr

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Just Like Me - $12
Emma J. Harris

Testimonials

My mother would say all the time how blessed she was to have met Jason. She had been writing songs and poetry since she was a teenager and it was always her dream to be published. I remember being young and retrieving manilla envelopes from the mailbox that were self addressed. When I asked her about she tried to explain that since she neither knew nor could afford a publisher, this was the only way she knew to get some type of protection for her work. 

-Nyiesha Peake, daughter of Valarie Pugh Peake; author of A Time To Heal.

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The End Is Near - $10

Marjorie F. Burr

Just Like Me - $12

Emma J. Harris

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Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

 

Poetry Is Life Publishing is a book publishing company that takes great pride in helping poets turn their lives into books, while also helping poets turn their books into life. This is achieved by providing affordable, quality, personalized, professional and genuine book publishing and related services. ​​

 

Vision Statement

 

 

To bring awareness & change to sensitive issues in society through poetry. To create and promote programs that feature poetry, other forms of creative writing and art centered around a specific topic, theme or cause. To provide a creative platform to showcase poetry that challenges life, creates a community, a culture of listening, with the ears of the heart.

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To stay up to date on what we are doing, join us. Now! They Will Listen To Us!

Thanks for submitting!

Now! They Will Listen To Us!

Poetry Is Life Publishing    P.O. Box 228    Akron, Ohio 44309     poetryislifepublishing@gmail.com

Now! They Will Listen To Us!

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