Mic Nightlife: Dare to Speak, The Libra Theatre Cafe, Camden

This was it. Everything the poetry scene should be. Innovation, debuts, tears, standing ovations, all the hugs, all the love. Words dancing into minds, magic reverberating from the walls, sewing a blanket of care. Yes, this was it.

We stitch our stories
Our tapestry of tales
Love woven into ends

Why did you start the poetry night?
Sakinah Frederica, Founder - I started DTS during a time where I was dealing with very bad anxiety and a AuHD diagnosis. I began performing poetry as a way to gain confidence and find expression in my creativity and I’d find that there were many poets in the crowd, just like me, who wanted to perform but were scared by anxiousness or fear of ultimately not being good enough. I thought to myself in a sea of well curated London Open Mic nights, where do the beginners go to just try scared and mess up (which they rarely do). I’ve been very blessed to meet so many experienced poets which helps bridge a gap between those wanting to be in the Poetry world and those already in it.

How would you describe the vibe of the nights?
I’d describe it as welcoming, supportive, inclusive to everyone, bold, vibrant, loving, uplifting. I want people to feel better when they leave. As a performer or audience member.

What do you love most about the poetry scene?
I love the community, the friends and connections you can make through a shared love of words and art, I love the honesty and vulnerability that are brought to the front with poetry, that people tend to hide. I love the learning. I learn something new with every poem I listen, watch or read, and also the creativity. The way people use word play , metaphors, similes - it excites me! I’m a big “say it again” advocate!

And, please may you share a poem with us?

The Introduction. 

Say You have a page 
2 pages in fact 
Dots dotted around the canvas 
Numbered 1 to lets say 100

the pencil is bounded by thumb, index and the middle finger 
with the goal 
to find each number and draw a line between each dot in its chronological order
1 2 3 4
Upon success you’ll be gifted with a perfectly crafted picture
A reward for your committed grip to this lead 

Sakinah
Sokinahtou
Sukaina
Derived from the Arabic word Sukoon
A name of truly mentioned by He
Definition- serenity, inner peace and tranquility

Excuse me if the inner voice Freddy is a little sharp
She weathers the storm so I can  play within the calm

Frederica -
Freddy’s real name
Written in Middle Name section of my passport
The middle man of my brain
She wears a  glove of 5 razors dressed in grace, decorated with orchids that bloom 
with a  deadly lace
I keep her at bay
Watching, Noted
A homage to my Jamaican Nan,
Bringing confusion from the Italians
I don’t know either
But from the old tongue,
Germanic and grand,
Fred for peace,
Rick for command.
A name meaning “she who leads with a steady, open hand” —
soft in approach,
built to withstand.

I am 

The beginning
The Middle
The End is the reminder 

Rahman
A Reminder it never is truly mine
The 1st of the 99
mercy with no condition
Love with no line 

I was asked do you believe in unconditional love now
I’d  say the love from the creator of design
Who has formulated a piece of art
With the art of  searching as it’s fine

So if lose my place in this picture
And I can’t find the next number
I can find the path of the next line
I need only to write my name down
To connect to realign
To seek what I assume was lost 

Because
from ink
to print
Mukthub
It’s already mine 

-       Sakinah Frederica

Mic Nightlife is a photography, poetry and storytelling series celebrating the places people share words. Please invite us to your night!

We're constantly on the look out for new artists, creatives and initiatives to feature in TheNeverZine - so if you are, or know someone who is going their own way and doing their own thing on their own terms and would be a good fit to feature please smash that button below and get in contact. By talking to each other, and sharing our journeys, ideas and insights on creativity, art, mental health and resilience we can all create, share and thrive together. Nice thought that.

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