I got to meet Starlight in Brixton Library, where apparently you need a council permit to take photos! So, we took a sneaky one and went for a cup of ginger agave tea across from where we first met at the original home of Write B4 the Mic. Here’s Starlight's story in her words...
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I am a creative illuminator, a published author, an artist and a poet. I founded, developed and built a creative community initiative by hosting and facilitating Write B4 The Mic which is a writer's workshop and Open Mic space initially supported by Poetry Luv in the heart of Brixton. I am driven by a passion to provide and allow organic creative engagement in safer spaces for healthy human connections which can establish equality and autonomy for all.
Write B4 The Mic has been curated to provide an inspiring space for creatives ranging from the new, never-been-before writer to well-seasoned poets, lyricists, songwriters and published authors. They come together to connect and flourish through respectful, playful games, debates, open and thought-provoking conversations. These purposeful discussions are focused around themes of self; the way we view ourselves, the systems around us and our place in the world.
I have created this safer space by utilising safeguarding training and by working with in-house counsellors, who are present to support any concerns around trauma/triggers. These events are for one and all, with an empathetic approach to neurodiversity and to those who are building the confidence to start or return to the mic. We welcome intergenerational creativity, with a real sense of togetherness. By building foundations with a necessary need in community belonging we have created a place for all - whether in recovery, on the journey of recovery or those who feel they have recovered.
It's a very different creative space within the poetic community, where I hope to build better collaborative eco-systems in communities that will inspire everyone to empower someone else and hopefully change the status quo in systems, especially around young people in London today.
Self Reflection #1
It's funny when so many think of Money,
I think of my wealth as my soul evolving, my learning and ability to connect Universally,
We've spent years Collectively searching for Serenity,
In others' Validity,
Now in Reality,
I actually feel all that I needed was to seek solace and Elevation within Me, Intentionally,
Knowing I Actually
Was given an Opportunity,
Each day to live again and build on my Self-Efficacy,
So I could break cycles cemented in Ancestry,
So I could give my daughter a different Legacy,
So my Children and my Village could be supported Differently,
I never knew a mother or father's love with Sincerity,
Only with Sin B4 Prayer and Catastrophe,
I lived Daily,
Taking the crumbs pouring out of Me,
Even in my 30s, then at Forty,
I woke up and I smelt God's Coffee,
Realising it all starts with my Submission and service to Me,
I had to visit myself Repeatedly,
The 7 Star Residency rated 1 residing in Me,
To battle imposters throwing bricks, taking each hit, to love every scar Wholeheartedly,
I had to become Faith-Full and work on me Internally,
Trusting the Almighty to carry and cover Me,
Sending Angels in Human form to hold and be tools for Me,
So I could repair and rebuild a home in my body Firstly,
Believing in me to become and live Purposefully,
No matter the inner or outer noise or its Consistency,
I had to really recognise it was all about my Journey,
All the lessons and blessings residing in Me,
That Really and Truly, Made Me,
My strength came from submission to save Me,
Mentally and Emotionally,
Where Confidence and Self-Esteem visited Inconsistently,
As if they were Family,
I felt pain and I definitely loved in Vain,
I had to become my own Bruce Wayne to fight every single Baine,
So I made sure there is no repeat of this neglect in History,
The books paid forward were rewritten so each page lead to another chapter of evolution in Me,
I see that the real Destiny is Daily to uncover another part of Me,
Though I may present as an Enigma and Mystery,
In reality,
I dreamt of the woman that stand here that you See,
Just like you I had to learn to survive to stay alive and say "yes" to my Journey,
I am grateful for every lesson, every experience and building resilience to regulate Differently,
So I could navigate and embrace my life living Respectfully,
I learnt to love Unconditionally, Organically,
By honouring the Love of those who gave Intentionally, without any return on their investment in Me,
I learnt to laugh hard, I learnt to pour back into me and visit my Inner child regularly, in fact Daily,
So we talk and we play and we plan Harmony,
There's something Beautiful in Becoming a Sanctuary,
In being a beacon of hope Inactively,
Having compassion and Empathy,
I Now Nurture those parts of this Home Daily,
By living Introspectively, selflessly and Purposefully for Me,
I share parts of me Openly,
So that others in my family and Community,
Allow themselves to access and share their Vulnerability,
So that together we can connect, create, build, and work Collaboratively,
To help our Legacies build better Communities,
Self-love taught me how to be free,
To let hope in and build together for Unity,
Letting go of others that did not serve Me,
I breathe life back into Me,
By choosing a different path, what you see in me is in you for your Recovery,
Please just take a step forward and Choose You, for Your Peace and Tranquillity.
On the writing process
The poetry I write is birthed from my personal lived experiences. Through my writing I can share my vulnerability safely, being in the present, in the now - sharing parts of my history, reflecting on my human emotions and feelings, lessons learnt through tough times, to show the growth through challenges and situations meant to shape me. My poetry explores the need for human connections and the power of love.
Sometimes my poems are affirmative in offering inspiration and wisdom to others, that can relate and connect with my pieces, that allows hope for better times ahead where awareness of the light from within will see you through the darkness felt.
My poetry allows for a journey of healing to be witnessed from the perspective of the reader or listener, using their imagination to read between the lines of what is written, what is yet to be written and what has been left unsaid, remaining in my head.
Writing helped me open up and connect to parts of me that could not speak, parts that needed poetic therapy. Like so many artists, poetry empowered me by providing a safe self-care routine in releasing my feelings onto pages sometimes daily, where my emotions can flow freely from the darkest parts to free me - to release those parts that no longer serve me. Writing allows me to have a private space to let go of the past that played a part in shaping me, to be in the now, to witness how far I have come in unravelling parts of me, to connect with self for inner understanding, cathartically.
Favourite poets, poetry nights, books or other resources
Write B4 The Mic (not just because I created and host it.) I love the community spirit of this space - building genuine human connections, with positive vibrations in a holistic process for creative collaborations. I'm proud to facilitate very unique writer's workshops in London where so many people find belonging, with a freedom to explore their style of writing in becoming the creative they were meant too. I prayed to walk in my purpose with a deep love for poetry in being a source of art and an unorthodox form of therapy. I dreamt of creating a safer space for all levels of artistry to just be, the almighty heard my intentions and the universe provided.
I am grateful and humbled by the beautiful souls that attend. Honestly, when you truly step into who you were always meant to become in your self-discovery journey, everything will align in your favour. When you are in service of humanity with love, building foundations of community with others, offering equity will come naturally.
My favourite poets are Rumi, especially The Love Poems and the Spiritual Poems. Maya Angelou's And I Still Rise and the Heart of a Woman, and I take inspiration from Rupi Kaur. I am currently studying Kalil Gibran's The Prophet.
Other Events
Poplar Poetry Evening organised by R.V. J for Poplar Union, in East London, which is wholesome evening with set headliners and Open Mics, open to all, in a relaxing setting with caribbean cuisine on sale, provided by R.V.J catering.
Writerz n Scribez, which I attended for 2 years on and off developing my style of poetry, following on from becoming a published author, whilst attending a workshop with the founder.
Scratch That -an intimate poetic event, sitting in discussion with 2 poets, facilitated by the Metaphorest, in London . B.Y.O.B Croydon, and my return to poetry started with Flo Vortex in Streatham, at the Hideaway.
Follow Starlight
Write Before The Mic: Writeb4themic@gmail.com
General Enquiries: Starlight.illuminating@gmail.com
Write Speak Recover, in collaboration with TheNeverPress is an open, free collection of original portraits of poets using their art to find strength in their recovery journey from any form of dis-ease.
We invite you to follow Write Speak Recover on instagram and to reach out to Tim Foley at WSR or us directly at the zine to learn more, or put yourself forward to be featured in this initiative.
Be kind. Stay present. One moment after the next.
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