A couple weeks back I went to Pittsburgh where I met today's special guest, Jas Too Spoken. I was so anxious about asking this perfect stranger if they wanted to hop on my small platform and read a poem, especially since I was just getting back to being consistent. But luckily for me, Jas is an absolute sweetheart that graciously agreed and matched my excitement about the opportunity! This episode and newsletter is formated a little different but the essence is still the same. Hope you enjoy and be sure to check her out JasTooSpoken!
GRATITUDE LETTER FROM JAS
Gratitude Letter For Natasha
I genuinely appreciate your essence and your aura! I am so glad we clicked the way we did, and we both have something of substance to offer! Creation between communities is extremely important to me, and I’m grateful to contribute to yours as you reciprocally do to mine. Thank you again for having me on your podcast, I speak prosperity over you and your endeavors!
PS: Patiently waiting for a part 2!
Ase’
Jasmin Hope, JastooSpoken, Jasalina Flower
THE POEM
…you give so much credit to 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 but don’t 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝓎ℴ𝓊𝓇𝓈ℯ𝓁𝒻 and ．．wonder why you’re not 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝓊𝓂𝓊𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌ℯ𝒶𝓁𝓉𝒽 you have to play the game of the hand you’ve been dealt so that you may rise 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 than your shelf the shelf you put yourself on like the sky would be the 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭 but it wouldn’t be if you tapped into the 𝐊𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭 and the better part of your 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 that , doesn’t deem you 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 and 𝐟𝐥𝐲 into the 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 of your 𝒸𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓉𝓎 be 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 , be proud of your 𝒹𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎 so that you may rise high and fly into 𝒾𝓃𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭!!… you gon see it in your 𝓋𝒾𝒸𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎 and how you prayed but prayed with 𝒹𝒾𝑔𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎 i stayed in gratitude, you seen my pic, i'm out in Cali, 𝒴ℴ𝓈ℯ𝓂𝒾𝓉ℯ ima be like Yogi - Bear, 𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭 , all bread but make sure them fruits and vegetables in there for my head i gotta eat right i eat to live not eat for dead cause them benjamin’s and washington’s still tryna take control of the land we standing on stolen ground my family was taken here i’m still thanking my gram’s gram and we in modern slavery even though we had Abraham ya never know what ya buddy do for a grand thinking he a celebrity lost soul with no integrity but i’m in it for the longevity
*Happy Juneteenth , Give Gratitude to those you came from and stay abundant
THE INTERVIEW
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first got into writing poetry?
Do you remember the first poem you ever wrote? What inspired it?
Was there a particular moment or experience that made you realize poetry was for you?
What inspires you most when writing poetry? Are there specific experiences, emotions, or other poets that influence your work?
How do you balance the desire to be authentic in your work with the vulnerability that comes with sharing personal experiences?
Why do you choose to share your work with others? What do you hope your readers or listeners take away from your poems?
Can you walk us through your creative process?
What role do revision and editing play in your process? How do you know when a poem is truly finished?
How do you handle writer's block, if you've ever experienced it?
Do you have any tips that helped you grow as a writer?
THE PROMPTS
Journal Prompt: Write about the origin of your name. Who chose it, and why? How does it shape your identity today?
Creative Writing Prompt: Write a letter to yourself from the perspective of someone who loves and supports you. What would they say to encourage you?
Journal Prompt: Reflect on your favorite childhood cartoon. What drew you to it, and what lessons or messages did you take away from it?
As always, take what resonates and leave what doesn’t!
With love, always
Natasha K
Jasmin Flowers