zorAZgal the pOH8t

www.myspace.com/zorasgal

Give Thanks for God, family, and friends who are always there for you!Mood: grateful Posted at 4:05 PM Nov 26 view more

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zorAZgal the pOH8t
56 / Female
PHOENIX Metro, Arizona, US
Last Login: 11/27/2009

375850021|56|11111|http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/60/m_3aa73edb28434f919344ce5f55afaaa8.jpg

Music Player

Interests

General
I appeared in this BlackPoet Ventures production, October 15-18, 2009 in downtown Phoenix. See me in the top right photo??? It is a tribute to the late, great Donny Hathaway told through drama, poetry, music, and dance. Besides my supporting roles as Voices and Fans, I got to sing. Most of us cast members also performed as "dancers" too. It is a wonderful show, a real crowd pleaser, thought-provoking too by dealing with the subjects of mental illness and suicide. Go to blackpoetventures.com for more details.
Music

All kinds. Have a special fondness for Jazz, Blues, and Classical music, though. My favorite artists include Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Al Jarreau, Diana Krall, Cassandra Wilson, Anita Baker, Tony Bennett, Pavarotti, Jessye Norman, Yolanda Adams, Take 6, George Gershwin, Wynton Marsalis, YoYo Ma, the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Michael Jackson.

I used to play the piano and the cello, but still sing, usually alto. Music, especially singing, is in my family's blood.

Listen to me sing some of my favorites on MySpace Karaoke when you have time.
Movies
Television

I am watching less, doing more all of the time so television is generally escapism. With that said, I enjoy watching Dancing With The Stars. Will always love 60 Minutes, Law and Order programs, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. A new favorite is The Closer. I also watch ice skating, tennis, and basketball seasonally. LET'S GO CAVS!
Books

Several favorites. The list includes: The Bible, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, Walden by Henry David Thoreau, On Love by Emily Dickinson, The Complete Signet Classic Shakespeare, The Best Short Stories by Negro Writers, and the Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.

All serious writers need a good Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White is an essential writer's tool too...

*************
1263
by Emily Dickinson

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry--
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll--
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soul. *********************

********
***************
DREAMS
by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow. *****************************

****************
The Red Wheelbarrow
by William Carlos Williams

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens. *********************
Heroes
Top 26 Heroes: Jesus Christ, My parents, Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Gandhi, Jesse Owens, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Mary McLeod Bethune, Mother Teresa, Jackie Kennedy, Coretta Scott King, Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Audrey Hepburn, Diahann Carroll & Oprah Winfrey.

Add to that, all of my former students who listened to me long enough to graduate on time. Anyone who is now striving to make this world a better place. Also people who still love books and the beauty of spoken words.

Details

Status: Single
Here for: Networking, Friends
Hometown: Cleveland
Orientation: Straight
Ethnicity: Black / African descent
Religion: Protestant
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Education: Post grad
Occupation: Poet/Writer, Actress/Singer, & Educator

Blurbs

About me:

____________________________

Hello, Zorasgal (aka zorAZgal the pOH8t, ZG, ZeeGee) is the pseudonym I created in homage to Zora Neale Hurston. My birth name is Marlana, after film/entertainment legend Marlene Dietrich. Marlana means "Magnificent One." I believe that any given name can be prophetic. Therefore, on a daily basis, I try to be worthy of both names.

Also worth noting here is that my original middle name is Patrice. I was named after a lesser known actress too, Patrice Munsel. Something I just learned recently, Patrice is best remembered as the youngest American singer, a coloratura soprano, to ever star in the Metropolitan Opera. Consequently, she was nicknamed "Princess Pat." Sometimes I call myself Pat too. But when I write, I often call myself Marlana-Patrice.

I am a woman who answers to many names. Then you might ask: Who is she? Really?

By fate if not by design, I am a person of many nuances, someone who lives in both light and shade. (Be forewarned that sometimes tongue-in-cheek is one of my specialties.) On the lighter side, I have always enjoyed dressing up. Like Zora and Marlene, I love accessorizing, especially wearing hats. I inherited that propensity from my mother too. My favorite accessory is a good man. I had to say that!

Photos also reveal that both Zora and Marlene smoked. It looks glamorous in pictures, but the only times I have ever had cigarettes was when I had a bad toothache. One of my mother's old home remedies. My students always doubt me when I say I never smoked marijuana back in the 60's. Do you believe me?

There is also a Biblical connection to my birth name: Mary Magdalene. Yes, I am a Christian. Close family members call me Marti. I guess that name reflects the casual and laid-back tomboy side of me.

How then do I define myself in a meaningful way? "I am an Urban Poet, Writer, Performance Artist, Activist, & Educator.. (hate labels though), born and bred in Cleveland, who likes to keep smiling." (Terrible sentence structure!)

Then the first question you might ask me: "What is your MISSION as a Poet and Writer?" To quote the late Icon Gwendolyn Brooks whom I met while in college: POETRY IS LIFE DISTILLED. Consequently, I write primarily about weighty subjects related to URBAN LIFE, LOVE, and DEATH.

However, the WISE say it takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown (Actually 13 versus 64). Smiling makes me feel better, especially when I am dealing with stress or tragedy. To quote Brooks again, the aim of a POET is not just to TEACH but OFTEN TO ENTERTAIN, TO ILLUMINE.

With that in mind, when I first joined MySpace in 2008, I deliberately lightened up some of my subject matter. For instance, my earliest blog entries have often been about BASKETBALL, specifically the CLEVELAND CAVALIERS. Please read these as well as my later ones . Then please give me feedback. I NEED AN ONLINE AUDIENCE! Where would I be without one? That's essential for helping any artist hone his craft. Thanks in advance for giving me your intellectual support.

My experiences as a Poet/Writer and a Performance Artist have taken me down rather unique, often circuitous paths. I have been a Poet since I was 9 years old, writing on and off, however, mostly for my own edification. Along the way, I have had some poems published locally, most recently in the 2008 Hessler Street Fair Poetry Anthology. My Hessler poem appears on this page. Read more details in two of my blog entries.

I majored in English as an undergrad and in graduate school, so I have taken several creative writing classes. One of my favorite undergrad professors was the late Poet James Magner. He was the one who arranged to have Gwendolyn Brooks speak on campus. That was a highlight of my undergrad days. I even got Mrs. Brooks to autograph an Essence article about her.

After college, I continued to attend workshops. For example, Poet Russell Adkins taught me during a Summer Creative Writing Workshop at Karamu House. James C. Kilgore was also my poetry instructor when I attended Cuyahoga Community College's Writers' Conferences. For graduate credits, I attended Cleveland State University's Imagination 1997. My instructors included accomplished Poets Toi Derricotte and David Mura. All four of these writers were very helpful and encouraging.

As for my nonfiction experiences, they include my being a contributing writer for the New Day Press' children's book called A Galaxy of Cleveland Black Stars: 1796-1996. I did the section about Jesse Owens, even the Math activity.

My nonfiction background also includes extensive experience writing newspaper articles albeit not for profit. For instance, I have served as the Public Relations Director for my sorority, the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa (Alpha Xi Chapter). (Incidentally, my sorority was founded solely for educators.) My Public Relations duties included writing press releases and articles as well as arranging for photographers to take pictures at our many public events.

In actuality, I often took the photographs myself. My training in photography includes workshops at Karamu House and Cleveland State University. I probably love photography as much as I do writing. Now I consider the former as strictly a leisure activity.

Last but not least, my success as a Performance Artist can be traced back to church programs and high school plays. Even before that, my siblings and I used to put on plays in our backyard. Sometimes impromptu. I once even aspired to be a professional Actress/Singer.

Instead, I became an English Teacher.

As a form of compensation, I eventually became a member of Toastmasters International. In 1994, I won the District 10 Annual Humorous Speech Contest. That meant I was deemed a STAR, The Funniest Speaker in Northeast Ohio.

Fast forward to 2008, performing is considered part of what Poets do on a regular basis. Who knew that I would once again be able to revisit my dream to perform professionally? How karmic.

A few more important things you should know now...People often tell me that I have a beautiful smile and that I am very photogenic--Dimples too (LOL). I hope my smile is contagious on MySpace. I joined this community in order to spread more SMILES...JOY...& especially L-O-V-E in this Universe.

I also want to strengthen my bonds with extended family members and old friends. Networking with Fellow Writers and Making New Friends are exciting primary goals too. No kidding.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: BlackPoet Ventures, University of Arizona Poetry Center, ASU Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, The Lit (formerly The Poets' and Writers' League of Greater Cleveland), The Langston Hughes Society, Poetry Society of America, The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), The International Reading Association (IRA), The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (Alpha Xi Chapter), Toastmasters International, The Cleveland Film Society, The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA).

______________________________________________________ MY FAVORITE POEMS___________

I would be remiss if I did not include my favorite Gwendolyn Brooks poem. WE REAL COOL, a classic, must be shared immediately with my students as well as new FRIENDS. Oft-Quoted. Anthologized. Still so P-O-W-E-R-F-U-L. It is a M-A-S-T-E-R-F-U-L epigram of L-I-F-E-D-I-S-T-I-L-L-E-D. Kudos to Langston Hughes too, especially for his DREAMS and HARLEM poems.

Please also listen to the animated WE REAL COOL video and related ones below. That is actually Gwendolyn's voice. If you are incredulous, you can find her original audio on www.poets.org.

Marlana - Possessions part 2

Possessions, Part II
by
Marlana-Patrice
(2008 Hessler Street Fair Poetry Contest, Second Place Winner)

Past 7:00.
Men in sun visors and brown suit coats,
Procrastinate…
In shoes needing new heels…
Sporting, bopping, stopping at the Convenient…
Across Cedar, or Shell on Chester…
The machine will pop jaws shut at 7:30 sharp! Sharper than these men will ever be.

Calling out numbers like speaking in tongues,
"Give me 411 straight…..and boxed…Wheel it…
A kicker too…"
"Regulars okay. The rest must write them down."
Lists jitterbugging lists filled with
Digits, digits, digits…

Shielded by the plastic partition
Fogged with breaths, dirt, and
Dreams,
The cashier blows her stale bubblegum,
Pops it in unison with the machine. Then
Twirls the last slips of redemption onto the turntable.

***************************************

We Real Cool
by Gwendolyn Brooks (1960)

The Pool Players.
Seven at the Golden Shovel.

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Jazz June. We
Die soon.

Who I'd like to meet:

Extended Network Banners from MySpace Editor.

As many of my photos attest, I have already met several people worth meeting. The usual criterion: People who like to THINK as well as CREATE. In other words, interesting people such as Intellectuals and Artists (Writers, Poets, Actors, Storytellers, Painters, Filmmakers, Photographers, Musicians, Singers, Dancers, etc.).

At the top of my list of famous people/duos I would like to meet are the following: Nelson Mandela, The Obamas, the Bidens, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Sandra Cisneros, Amy Tan, Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Diahann Carroll, Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Joanne Woodward, Diane Keaton, Terrence Howard, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Richie Havens, Carly Simon, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Russell Simmons, the Gates, Michael Jordan, & Oprah Winfrey.

To sum up, I would very much like to meet people who are in various ways consciously making this world a better place for the current inhabitants as well as future generations. People who fit this distinction come from all walks of life and are all ages. They are Educators, Activists, Volunteers...even Professional Athletes, like LeBron James. I would definitely love meeting LBJ! LET'S GO CAVS!

---------------------------------------------------
PERSONAL CAUSES: American Diabetes Association, the United Negro College Fund, the Salvation Army, Dress for Success, & Cell Phones for Soldiers. Recycling should be everyone's passion now!

Most recently, I was active in the Obama 2008 Presidential Campaign for Change. In addition to donating money and making phone calls, I did field work during both the Ohio primary and the General election on Obama's behalf.

Now that Senator Obama has officially become the 44th President, he is counting on all of us to play active roles in our country's metamorphosis. For instance, in January 2009, I donated dry goods to Food for Change. In many other ways, I will continue to actively participate.

Find causes you believe in and support them too on an ongoing basis. Let us continue to celebrate America's rebirth and renewal that officially began on November 4th. Moreover, let's be proud and thankful that millions of us made a bodacious DREAM become a beautiful, shining REALITY.

YES, WE DID!!!

Friend Space (Randomized)

Comments

MichaelMichael Paris

Nov 25 2009 3:52 PM

FREAKYPEACH.COM
Happy thanksgiving
GinaGina Tabasso

Nov 19 2009 10:07 PM

The tribute looked like a great time! All those gorgeous, stylin' artists!
ASIAN PERSUASION FOR U…

Nov 11 2009 5:02 AM
MichaelMichael Paris

Nov 9 2009 1:51 PM

MyHotComments
Romell (SWAGG UP! swagg…

Oct 29 2009 4:23 AM

Thanks alot

It was nice seeing you perform with my girl friend.

Much Love
Margie

Oct 26 2009 11:47 AM

Please enjoy.
Blessings,
Margie
MichaelMichael Paris

Oct 25 2009 11:20 AM

MyHotComments and happiness
Sage

Oct 21 2009 12:59 AM

Have a wonderful week!
Bless!

Sage
VLADA

Oct 5 2009 10:15 AM

Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
MichaelMichael Paris

Oct 3 2009 4:11 AM

MySpace Comments - MySpace Layouts - Photobucket
Soni

Sep 24 2009 2:52 PM

have a GREAT weekend...xxxx
Mrs. Jesus Crisis - GR…

Sep 15 2009 1:50 PM

Thank you!
Sweet Tee

Sep 15 2009 1:50 PM

Hi! Just stopping by to wish you a really good day!

MyHotComments
jsound

Sep 12 2009 3:29 PM

much luv!
Margie

Sep 12 2009 1:43 PM
Myrlin

Sep 11 2009 12:34 PM

no probs look forward to seeing you around
SouthernQuill

Sep 7 2009 1:37 PM

Labor Day the Right Way
Margie

Sep 7 2009 1:36 PM

Thinking of you this holiday.
Blessings,
Margie

MySpace Graphics
Soni

Sep 4 2009 4:44 PM

thanx for sharing your space....have a great long wknd..xx
Shaikh Sammad

Sep 4 2009 6:34 AM

Good Detective Work!!!!! Thanks for adding me!

I look forward to working with you on the show!
alford g. harris ::::: …Alford g. Harris

Sep 3 2009 2:39 PM

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ms. Zora... Much respects...
Marcus Page*POET*AUTHORMarcus Page

Sep 2 2009 11:51 AM

BLACK IS LOVE(A COLLECTION OF POEMS) AVAILABLE ONLINE@

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Love-Collection-Marcus-Page/
THIS BOOK IS ABOUT BLACK EMPOWERMENT AND ABOUT DIFFERENT
REALITIES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

I place you on a pedestal
Because that’s where you belong
Some people write raps
Others write songs
But I write poems
And I will fill your thought’s
With beautiful symmetries
And queen like comparisons
Cast all doubt that you are what I live for
I only exist to see you smile
And although It took quite awhile
You will be honored for the strength you possess
To witness your achievements we must be blessed
In a man’s world
You are a black woman exceeding all expectation’s
Holding a race together through all trials and tribulations
You are the most high of heavenly creations
And I just want to say Thank You
Ms. Wisdom

Aug 31 2009 11:33 PM

Back AGAIN this & every THURSDAY The VYBe POETRY LOUNGE @Coachandwillies 412 S. 3rd St. 8pm more than just poetry! Come get UR mind right!!!
Ms. Wisdom

Aug 26 2009 12:45 PM

Peace and Welcome!
Margie

Aug 26 2009 12:45 PM

Just wanted to say hello and wish you a blessed day.
Hope all is going well,
Margie

------
If you like my default pic, here's how you can obtain your very own photo!
First, go and add Vegas
http://www.myspace.com/Furious_Vegas

Or, you can visit his Blog
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?.fuseaction=.blog.ListAll&.friendId=9064234

On his blog he explains all that you need to know to obtain your very own photo.
We're starting a Grassroot campaign for revamping our Healthcare system, in
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For more information on the truth visit www.whitehouse.gov
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