Encyclopedia Show NYC

Prices

Advance Tix $10.00 Student Discount $8.00

Sisters (for Gwendolyn Brooks & Ntozake Shange)

by MAHOGANY L. BROWNE



Me and you be sisters

We be the same

Me and you both leaned

Against Bay Area skylines

Flirted our children's smiles

Like tremors across our hips

Danced like everyone was watching

Cuz they was and still are

Look at them, all nosey

Like they aint never seen

a world spin b4



Me and you be sisters

We be the same

Kinky hair mud child

Same jazz and funk fall from our lips

Same want for slick talking man

He fall smooth up under this jazz

Our black find a hum in every girl throat

Same black girl's kink up clean

Same colored girls

All different colors of girl



Me and you be sisters

We be Bklyn, We be the same

Colored girl

Black girl, color

We be swirling our fingers

Twisting our ideas into shiny and new

We know of the wreckage

Of the women that quake into breaks

We be loving that break

We be loving that break & tide

We love a man unafraid of all this wet,

look how he stroll

A messiah

Look at him

A metaphor for stay

And protect

And sex

And we love him so loud

He laugh and crack thunder



We be the same

Daughters heart still heavy on our hips

Her legs butter smooth & strong,

like we built her into marble and stone



She walk tenement troubles across our minds

She keep our skyline in flames,

We check in

We break

We check in

We bend for this color

And this color don't give to the bend

So our mind bend into lizards

Into 8000 different centipedes

Into coasts of wine and wind



We be Paris and Brooklyn

We be josephine liliane gwendolyn shange girl



We be enough

We be enough

We been enough



We be Momma's

mothering a world

Holding sandstorms

between our teeth

(Mshogany L. Browne © 2010)

Mahogany L. Browne - Article

Upcoming Poetry Gigs - Get yo Swag in Person!!

Thursday May 13, 2010
Still Waters Open Mic
8-10:15 pm
Taste of Art Café, 4701 W. Lisbon Ave.
20-minute feature with one encore piece to close the night


Friday May 14, 2010
Voltage! Teen Spoken Word Series
6 – 8:30
Centennial Hall of Milwaukee Public Library, 733 N. Eighth St.
20-minute feature


Saturday May 15, 2010
Urban Spoken Word
7-9pm
Genna’s, 101 Main St. / Madison, WI

Saturday May 22, 2010
Kitchen Series
830pm
Mike McGee's House, Mass

Sunday May 23, 2010
Lizard Lounge
9pm
Boston, Mass

Thursday May 27, 2010
Stamford High School
6pm
Stamford, CT

Saturday, May 30, 2010
Art Sanctuary: Tribute to Nikki Giovanni
11am Panel
2pm Workshop
Performance
Temple U
Philadelphia, PA

Swag

cop it


http://poetcd.com/index.php?item=290

FormSpring Question: My First.

As of late it has doubled. So 20 inquiries. And half of that with full submissions. The best way to understand what Penmanship publishes, is to look at the catalog. Alot of people just send in their manuscript and are surprised when there is no response. Email inquiries are the best way to begin a conversation.

Ask me anything

www.twitter.com/mobrowne

Follow me on Twitter.
I'm funny. I'm fun. Sometimes
poetic ditties. Sometimes, not.

15 Books to Read

15 books...Share

"Don't take too long. Select fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. Copy the instructions into your own note & tag fifteen friends, including me please, as I'm interested in seeing what books my friends who like books choose. to copy maryann, i'm a nerd. and nerds need to know..."

I rarely (if ever) do these Facebook meme things, but I can knock this one out without thinking, so...

In no particular order:

1. Push - Sapphire
2. Drown - Junot Diaz
3. Deals w/The Devil & Other Reasons to Riot -- Pearl Cleage
4. Towelhead - Alicia Erian
5. Going Down - Jennifer Belle
6. Fledling - Octavia Butler
7. Prisoner's Daughter - Asha Bandele
8. Baby Love - Rebecca Walker
9. Miles (Autobiography) - Quincy Troupe
10. House on Mango Street - Sandra Ciscernos
11. Autobiography of Maclom X - Malcom X
12. Black Girl in Paris - Shay Youngblood
13. Lucky - Alice Sebold
14. Dark - Kenji Jasper
15. Good Bones & Other Simple Murders - Margaret Atwood

Bonus
16. Lilith's Brood - Triology - Octavia Butler
17. Coldest Winter Ever - Sister Souljah
18. The Way Forward is w/a Broken Heart - Alice Walker
19. 3 - Julie Hilden
20. Doom Fox - Iceberg Slim

Swag. Released April 1, 2010

SWAG
New Book of Poems by Mahogany L. Browne
Artwork by Amanda Mathews
Released April 1, 2010
Penmanship Books

If you like me.
You will like this.

Muy Bueno

Literary Bohemian

check me out! (CLICK ABOVE)


From the Forthcoming book:
SWAG (penmanship books.com)

Gigs in the New Year 2011

SAT - Dec 12 – Outside the Box @ Humphreys
New Haven CT 8PM

Thurs, Dec 17 - SWAP '09 @ West 78th Street Theatre
NYC, NY 7pm


THURS - Jan 7 – Bluestockings Bookstore
NYC, NY 7pm

Sat – Jan 23 – Girls Aloud,
Detroit, MI

Fri – Jan 29 – Poetraits @ Nuyorican Poets Cafe
NYC, NY 7pm

Wed – Feb 24 – Evergreen Community College
San Jose, CA 11am

Wed – Feb 24 – Bezerkeley Slam
Berkeley, CA 8pm

Thurs – Feb 25 - LACC
LA, CA 11am

Fri – Feb 26 - LACC – Regional Showcase
LA, CA 11am

Sun – Feb 28 – March 1 – Mentoring Literacy Seminar
Nashville, TN

Penmanship Books: Bklyn Bookstore Reading, TONITE! 8pm

Penmanship Books:
Brooklyn Bookstore Reading Series
w/open mic

Featuring Pemanship Authors:
Adam Falkner (Barbershop Chronicles)
Falu (His Rib & 10 Things I Want To Say To A Black Man)
Eden Connelly (Static & Other Lungless Things)

Thurs, November 19, 2009
8pm
@
Unnameable Bookstore
600 Vanderbilt Ave., bet. Prospect Pl./. St. Marks Ave
(2,3 Train to Grand Army Plaza or D/Q Train to 7th Ave)
FREE
hosted by Mahogany L. Browne


Come witness the literary movement where the artist convinces the page to swag on stage.

Limited seating!
RSVP suggested...

Monday @ Nuyorican Poets Cafe: Asha Bandele, Rosa Clemente & Iyeoka Okoawo

Destroy Rebuild & Other Reconstructions Book Review

Review By
C. O. Aptowicz (NYC, NY) -

In her latest small book (4" x 4"), New York City poetry Mahogany Browne proves her skill at mixing together seemingly disparate elements -- the poetic and the conversational, the public and the private, the heart-breaking and the hilarious, the enduring and the fleeting. Written during an election year, the book in unafraid to reference politics in numerous ways -- both overt & subtle. In "Sweet Potato Pie," Browne swears she sees Obama "boarding the A-train in Brooklyn" with his "swagger and caesar haircut." Later, she addresses poems to Michelle Obama, to Hilary Clinton and to a voter who said "I'd rather vote for a McCain than a Terrorist Lover." Not afraid to speak her mind, Browne further addresses poems to cab drivers who won't stop to pick her up, to the girl on MTV's "The Real World" who said "I don't care if you are the ghettoist person in the blackest part of Blackety Black Black Blackville," and to her ex who lingers and burns -- in part because they share a child.

But make no mistake, these aren't dismissable rants -- Browne's poems are thoughtful, engaged and honest. She writes tenderly about her daughter, her grandmother and the children she teaches. She shares both her greatest hopes and her greatest fears about what her past, present and future. She is a smart, informed writer living and working in New York City, and this pocket-sized collection is a celebration of that, and then some.

Upcoming Gigs Fall 2009

Sept 17, 2009
Adelphi University
7pm
Long Island, NY

Sept 21, 2009
Motherhood, Art & Activism w/
Asha Bandele, Rosa Clemente, Falu & MoBrowne
7pm
Nuyorican Poets Cafe (http://www.nuyorican.org/)
NYC, NY

Sept 28, 2009
Nuyorican Grand Slam Revival
Featuring: Regie Cabico, Andrew Tyree, Jamaal St. John, Ion, Aja Monet & More
7pm
Nuyorican Poets Cafe (http://www.nuyorican.org/)
NYC, NY

Oct 4, 2009
PoetCD Presents: JW BAZ One Man Show: No One Can Fix You
Special Guests: Jeanann Verlee, Adam Falkner & MoBrowne
7pm
Nuyorican Poets Cafe (http://www.nuyorican.org/)
NYC, NY

Oct 10, 2009
PoetCD Showcase
4pm - 6pm
http://www.westoaklandhostel.com/
Oakland, CA

Oct 24 2009
12:00PM
ETTYC Conference @ Hilton Pasadena
Pasadena, California

Nov 17, 2009
American Jazz Museum
Kansas City, MO

Mercury Retrograde According to CafeAstrology...

here's whats scary -- this is right now -- happening to me.

Mercury Retrograde through the Signs - September 7 to 29, 2009

Some people are more sensitive to Mercury retrograde cycles than others. Mercury-ruled Gemini and Virgo natives are likely to be particularly sensitive to the effects of Mercury Retrograde in general. This applies to anyone who has a number of planets in either sign. Also, check to see where Gemini and Virgo are found in your natal chart. If Virgo is on the third house cusp, for example, (which is often the case for Cancer Ascendant natives) communication issues may be especially strong. If either of these signs is on the fifth house, then we can expect some communication problems with people associated with the fifth house--lovers and children, for example.

Aries and Aries Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications in general and job or health-related communications because Mercury rules these areas of your life. Occurring in your solar sixth and seventh houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to negotiations, work, and one-on-one communications. Be as non-judgmental as you can with a partner and with co-workers. There may be the need to revisit old issues in a partnership, or there could be some communication problems with a partner. An ex-partner may resurface during this cycle. Misunderstandings with your partner now can do serious damage if you (or your partner) focus on words said instead of meanings behind the words. If you need to talk through problems, do your best to be as non-judgmental as possible, and don't over-react to what your partner has to say either. Mixed messages coming from a partner, or a disappointment, could occur now. You may not be as good at mediating disputes for the time being, but it's a good cycle in which to improve your negotiation skills. Re-thinking a partnership or a job is possible now, but you should avoid jumping to any premature decisions. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with partners, co-workers, and superiors, or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Taurus and Taurus Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications with lovers or children, and regarding financial affairs, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. Your judgment with regards to personal finances (Gemini-ruled for you) as well as romantic partners and creative endeavors may not be up to par just now, so do avoid "signing on the dotted line". Speculation is not advised during this cycle. Occurring in your solar fifth and sixth houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to romance, children, creativity, work, and daily routines. Be as non-judgmental as you can with co-workers, romantic partners, and your children. Re-thinking the suitability of your job and/or romantic relationships is possible now, but you should avoid jumping to any premature decisions. Work-related mess-ups can frustrate you. Double-check your work. There may be the need to revisit old issues with your children or lover, or there could be some communication problems with the same. Arguments with a lover may be blown out of proportion far too easily. Both you and your lover should avoid harping on the words used and try to get to the meaning behind the words instead. Or, a romance may not be moving forward in obvious ways. It might seem like stagnation, but it's actually a period of review and rest. Other possibilities include calls that are not returned, a lover is late for a date, or dates get cancelled. Speculation and gambling are not advised right now. Things will change once Mercury turns direct, so you might decide to try to keep status quo for the time being. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with co-workers, professors, lawyers, romantic partners, and children, or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Gemini and Gemini Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your personal presentation or image to others and communications with family because Mercury rules these areas of your life. Because Mercury is your sign's ruler, all of the Mercury Retrograde issues outlined above apply. Put off making important decisions with regards to family and domestic matters (Virgo-ruled for you) just now, and take care when it comes to communicating with family members. Occurring in your solar fourth and fifth houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to family relations, romance, children, and creativity. Be as non-judgmental as you can with family members. New initiatives surrounding home and property are best left for a better time. Re-thinking your romantic relationships or creative projects is possible now, but you should avoid jumping to any premature decisions. There may also be the need to revisit old, nagging issues with family members, or there could be some communication problems with them. Family members may be on edge. Try to hold off on household repairs if you can. Put off decision-making with regards to home improvement, moving, and family matters for the time being. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with friends, groups, intimate partners, family members, romantic partners, and children, or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Cancer and Cancer Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of personal communications in general as well as communications about the past because Mercury rules these areas of your life. Your intuition usually serves you very well, but may not be up to par for the time being. Take care when it comes to presenting ideas, writing letters, and any detail work. You may not be seeing the whole picture. Occurring in your solar third and fourth houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to composing letters, emails, phone calls, and family relations. Be as non-judgmental as you can with family members. New initiatives surrounding home and property are best left for a better time. There may be the need to revisit old, nagging issues with siblings or neighbors, errands could go wrong, you might have trouble getting from point A to point B (example, transportation problems), emails or letters get lost, and so forth. Idle chit-chatting during this period may have repercussions! People might be misunderstanding your words. You may be forgetful during this cycle, and it makes sense to allow yourself extra time to get to appointments, if they are not cancelled in the first place! It would also be wise to double-check your work and communications before sending them off.

Leo and Leo Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of personal finances, as well as communications with friends or groups, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. Major financial initiatives should be avoided. Remember that friends don't mean what they say and don't say what they mean, and take what you hear with a grain of salt. Group meetings may be delayed or cancelled. Occurring in your solar second and third houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to new financial initiatives, composing letters, emails, and phone calls, as well as communicating with neighbors and siblings. Back up your computer and allow sufficient time for delays or transportation mishaps when going for appointments. As well, it would be wise to choose your words carefully. What you say or write can too easily be misinterpreted during this period. There may be the need to revisit old, nagging issues regarding personal finances. Take this time to re-budget instead of making premature purchases. Hold off on decision-making regarding money. Instead, take the time to re-think your sources of income and how you spend your cash during this period, but put off finalizing anything important for the time being. In fact, some money-making ideas or ventures may be put on hold due to circumstances beyond your control. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances, or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Virgo and Virgo Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of your own body language and personal manner (you may feel that others misunderstand you), as well as communications involving the career or public, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. You are ruled by Mercury, so the likelihood of being misunderstood, in general, is high. Put off career decisions as well, as career matters are Gemini-ruled for you. Occurring in your solar first and second houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to new financial initiatives and body language. Reviewing your budget rather than jumping into new purchases is in order now. Go over any financial documents carefully. Others may misinterpret your body language, and you should be aware of a tendency to give off mixed signals. People in your life may complain that you seem emotionally distant. You may appear uncommunicative and hard to reach, or what you say comes out wrong. Don't worry too much if others aren't quite "getting" you for the time being. Things will change once Mercury turns direct, so you might decide to try to keep status quo for the time being. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with co-workers, lawyers, and professors; or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Libra and Libra Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications involving legal affairs, travel, and education, as well as communications about the past, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. With Virgo ruling your twelfth house sector, somebody might be deceiving you or working against you, or nagging issues from the past may crop up and demand attention. Put off making solid travel plans if possible. Occurring in your solar twelfth and first houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to body language and intuition. Others may misinterpret your body language, and you should be aware of a tendency to give off mixed signals. People in your life may complain that you seem emotionally distant. This is a time to review the manner in which you come across to others--not so much whether it truly reflects your nature, but more in terms of whether it is working for or against you. You may find that you are less able to rely on your intuition. Perhaps you're picking up the wrong cues or reading too much into situations. Whatever the case may be, for the time being, you may not feel that your intuition is serving you well. Be as non-judgmental as you can, but do keep an eye out for deceptiveness and falseness in others. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with close partners and family members; or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Scorpio and Scorpio Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications with friends or groups, as well as intimate communications and shared financial resources, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to financial transactions and personal communications with friends, or, better yet, take this time to re-budget or rethink your plans instead of taking premature action. Group meetings may be postponed or cancelled, and friends may seem distant or confused. Occurring in your solar eleventh and twelfth houses this time, your instinctual judgment may be compromised, and extra care should be used when communicating with friends. You may find that communications with friends or with groups can easily get sticky. Group meetings may be postponed or cancelled, and friends may be uncommunicative or giving off mixed signals. On the other hand, old acquaintances may appear during this cycle. You may find that you are less able to rely on your intuition. Perhaps you're picking up the wrong cues or reading too much into situations. Whatever the case may be, for the time being, you may not feel that your intuition is serving you well. Be as non-judgmental as you can, but do keep an eye out for deceptiveness and falseness in others. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with friends and co-workers during this cycle; or, better yet, take this time to rethink concerns and grievances before talking about them prematurely.

Sagittarius and Sagittarius Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications with bosses or in your career in general, as well as communications with a close partner, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. An argument over joint finances can also get you into hot water. Hold back. Because Virgo and Gemini are on the angles of your chart, you may be especially sensitive to all of the Mercury Retrograde issues outlined above. Occurring in your solar tenth and eleventh houses this time, extra care should be exercised when communicating with friends, superiors, and co-workers. You may find that communications with bosses and co-workers, and other professional matters, can be tricky. Strive to be as clear as possible so that you are not misunderstood when dealing with the public. Put off making career decisions as much as possible for the time being. You may be re-thinking things regarding your life path, but it's best to think rather than act for now, as your judgment may be compromised. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with authority figures, children, and intimate partners during this cycle; or, better yet, take this time to rethink concerns and grievances before talking about them prematurely.

Capricorn and Capricorn Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications regarding travels, legal matters, or opinions, as well as communications on the job and with co-workers, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. It's best not to sign on the dotted line for the time being, especially when it comes to making travel plans or any legal contracts. There could be irritating mess-ups on the job. You might be inclined to miss important details in your paperwork, or might experience frustrating delays that result from co-workers' errors. Travel plans may go awry, or you may have a change of heart. Occurring in your solar ninth and tenth houses this time, extra care should be used when communicating with superiors and co-workers, and regarding travel or education plans. Delays are very possible. You may be re-thinking things regarding your life path, but it's best to think rather than act for now, as your judgment may be compromised. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with co-workers, professors, lawyers, and family members, or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Aquarius and Aquarius Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications regarding intimate and financial matters, as well as communications with children or romantic partners, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. It's not a good time to file your taxes or apply for a loan. Instead, take the time to re-think your sources of income and how you spend your cash during this period, but put off finalizing anything for the time being. Speculation and gambling are not advised right now either. Occurring in your solar eighth and ninth houses this time, extra care should be exercised regarding travel or education plans, and with any financial initiatives that involve shared resources. Delays are very possible when it comes to transportation, receiving support, loans, and taxes. There may be delays regarding financial support, loans, or taxes. It may be better to side-step arguments with loved ones that revolve around intimacy and sexuality. Investments made now may not go the way you want them to, particularly those involving joint finances. It may be hard to rely on the input of your partner now, and money you were counting on may not be forthcoming. It's best to budget rather than spend. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with professors, lawyers, acquaintances, and intimate partners, or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Pisces and Pisces Ascendant: All Mercury retrograde cycles particularly affect you in terms of communications with or about partnerships, as well as communications with or about family and home, because Mercury rules these areas of your life. It will be important to avoid signing any contracts or making important partnership or family/home decisions during this cycle. Occurring in your solar seventh and eighth houses this time, extra care should be exercised when it comes to negotiations, one-on-one communications, and any financial initiatives that involve shared resources. Be as non-judgmental as you can with a partner. There may be the need to revisit old issues in a partnership, or there could be some communication problems with a partner. An ex-partner may resurface during this cycle. Delays are very possible when it comes to receiving support, loans, and taxes. It may be better to side-step arguments with loved ones that revolve around intimacy and sexuality. Investments made now may not go the way you want them to, particularly those involving joint finances. It may be hard to rely on the input of your partner now, and money you were counting on may not be forthcoming. It's best to budget rather than spend.　 Misunderstandings with your partner now can do some damage if you (or your partner) focus on words said instead of the meanings behind the words. If you need to talk through problems, do your best to be as non-judgmental as possible, and don't over-react to what your partner has to say either. Mixed messages coming from a partner, or a disappointment, could occur now. You may not be as adept at mediating disputes for the time being, but it's a good cycle in which to improve your negotiation skills. Re-thinking a partnership arrangement is possible now, but you should avoid jumping to any premature decisions. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with partners; or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely.

Womanizer - The Lily Allen Version - My Joint...

New Blog: Black Girl in Paris

Mahogany in Paris

www.mahoganyinparis.blogspot.com

de-con-struct