By Pastor Brian Archibald
I met Beverly through a brother of mine named George who happens to be the producer of my Cable TV show. She’s from Boston Massachusetts, but currently resides in Fall River. At 51 years of age, Beverly has become quite the survivor. At nineteen she lost her mother due to some very unfortunate circumstances. In fact, her mother’s tragedy was what triggered her passion for writing poetry. Her first of many works is named after her mother, ‘A Mother Remembered,’ which will be featured at the end of this article.
Her six books are a collective body of works that deal with everything from her own mental health issues to the experiences of abuse that she has had the opportunity to have been the sounding board for other women who have gone through the horrors of being abused. Her works also contain many of her personal struggles as she matured into the beautiful and talented woman that she is today. As I spoke to her, I found out that her focus in her writings goes very deep. The message in her writings is that of empowerment, as well as the hope to educate people from her personal experiences throughout her life.
As a poet and writer, I could feel the sincerity in her voice as we spoke. The passion that was and is her focus. The emotion that she has put in her work shined through as she explained to me what each of the works that she shared with me meant. Her poems, I could tell, were written with power, and came from deep within. She is a quintessential example of women like Sylvia Plath and the late Dr. Maya Angelou.
There is a sincerity in her words, and a simplicity that rings out each message clearly and distinctly. Her messages are potent and pure. Her words are captivating. Each weight that she has carried over the years has given her the mental fortitude and creative enrichment to be able to leave a literary imprint on those who are privileged enough to read it. Which I hope that this paper is going to share with you throughout the issues to come.
It was amazing to sit and talk with this woman who is so accomplished but hasn’t had the opportunity to share her wisdom with anyone but the few people that are close to her. I personally know this struggle because I too have had my own personal struggles showcasing my creativity. If it wasn’t for Street Sights allowing me to do what I do for this amazing paper, I would be in the same position as Beverly. Unseen, and unheard. And this is why we are doing what we are doing here at Street Sights with the POETRY SLAM.
We are trying to create an opportunity for you, the voiceless, to be heard. To be counted. To be given the chance to let the community here in Rhode Island and other surrounding communities at large know how you feel. To give an ear to the truth of your struggles and challenges, and victories. Like Beverly, who has struggled so long, and waited so long to be heard, THIS PAPER IS YOUR CHANCE! MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT! This is what we are here for. Show us who you are.
The truth of what you are capable of. Use your talent to shine like the sun on a warm summer day for everyone to see. That way you can tell the world.
Street Sights 