Rare Spotlight: Rachel Benson

Welcome to the Rare Spotlight, a place to shine light on those rare gems that illuminate the world, unnoticed.  They are poets.  They are artists. They are singers.  They are musicians. They are visionaries molding beauty against the backdrops of their passions.  They are beautiful, and we should pay attention.  Welcome to the Rare Spotlight.

Often times we are introduced to a person who just has that down-to-earth appeal that makes you desire to know more and more.  This would certainly be true when describing Rachel Benson.  Currently hailing from College Park, GA, she is a delightful twisting adventure along verb avenues and adjective miles  (I mean, there's some serious wordplay!!).  Also a talented singer, Ms. Benson is self described as "...a woman, deeply defined.. far beyond the simplicity of Webster's kind. A creature of femininity.. misunderstood because the sex of me.. represents many levels of complexity. I am a woman of authenticity, falsified by society's unyielding critique.. of who I should be....."  Hopefully, this helps shed some light on who she really is.  Introducing Ms. Rachel Benson.

Questions:
1) Name/ Stage Name
Rachel Benson aka Poetic Ray

2) Current City/Hometown
Hi Marcus College Park, Georgia

3) Right now, you are (literally).....
Filling out this questionnaire!

4) When did you fall in love with poetry?
At the age of 17

5) Describe yourself in one paragraph
I am a single, proud auntie, with no kids of my own. I take pride in knowing that I play a significant role in the lives of my siblings’ kids. I’m somewhat of a loner who doesn’t really get out much. My aspirations in life are greater than what I am right now. I hope to travel and teach English in my near future. Poetry gets me through many hurdles, while writing fiction extends my stay in the world of writing. My story is still in the making, so stay tuned for what’s to come!

6) Five years ago, you were.....
Going to school for business

7) Five years from now, you want to be.....Traveling with my many books and plays

8) Your entire day is ruined unless you can.....Get some kind of writing done

9) If you were a color, which would you be, and why? (Lol..I had to throw in one of these type questions)I’d be black.. Simply because no matter what colors life throws at me, my foundation cannot be denied.. But still recognized.

10) One moment in your life, when you were the proudestWhen I received my 1st check in the mail from my online book purchases!

11) One moment in your life, which you regret mostI regret not finishing school when I was younger

12) Write whatever you feelI’ve studied my reflection
Found many results to my inspection
But what holds true with no discretion
Are the flaws that show with no protection
~I am who I say I am~

13) Links/websites/places where the readers can check out your work
http://www.poeticray.ning.com/, www.myspace.com/poeticray, http://www.reverbnation.com/poeticray, and poeticra25@yahoo.com

I'd like to say thanks to Ms. Benson, for completing this.

She can be found on facebook, here:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000838651871

And I'll leave you with a taste of a creative poetic soul.  Enjoy.

the Rare Poet

Rare Spotlight: Joyce Lee

Welcome to the Rare Spotlight, a place to shine light on those rare gems that illuminate the world, unnoticed.  They are poets.  They are artists. They are singers.  They are musicians. They are visionaries molding beauty against the backdrops of their passions.  They are beautiful, and we should pay attention.  Welcome to the Rare Spotlight.


I wish I could remember exactly what I was doing when I first discovered the poetry of Joyce Lee, because it is definitely something worth repeating.  An extremely talented spoken word artist from Oakland, California, Ms. Lee is a stick of dynamite set off in a room full of glass.  The passion delivered in each of her pieces has set crowds on fire.  Crowned Oakland, California's 2009 Grand Slam Champion, it is my pleasure and priviledge to introduce the inferno that is Ms. Joyce Lee.

Questions:

1) Name/ Stage Name
Joyce Lee

2) Current City/Hometown
Oakland, Ca

3) Right now, you are (literally).....
staying over a heartbroken friends house after taken her to dinner and a slasher movie and calmin her down with wine.

4) When did you fall in love with poetry?
When I first interpreted Biblical scripture for myself.

5) Describe yourself in one paragraph
I am human. I am ever changing. I AM.

6) Five years ago, you were.....
Newly divorced and just stepped down from being a minister.

7) Five years from now, you want to be.....
Whatever I will be five years from now.

8) Your entire day is ruined unless you can.....

Nothing, not even death can ruin an entire day.

9) If you were a color, which would you be, and why? (Lol..I had to throw in one of these type questions)
The color I am. Its absolutely gorgeous. Brown with red highlights. Just the right amount of death and life made me. I wouldnt change one thing.

10) One moment in your life, when you were the proudest
When I went against religion and sided with my gut. Everyone told me I would go to Hell for leaving my ex husband, but I stepped out on faith and it established a life long relationship with my Creator. I thought I would die - that I would literally burst into flames and God would ball me into a stone and crack the gates of hell open with my body. But God is Truth and Love. I would've NEVER known that had I stayed miserably married and praying in pews.

11) One moment in your life, which you regret most
Being an obedient child. I shouldve given the women in my family way more Hell much sooner. Haha!

12) Write whatever you feel.

Alive.

13) Links/websites/places where the readers can check out your work
Facebook in my notes section or www.youtube.com/justjoycelee

I would like to thank Ms. Lee for taking the time to complete these questions. 

Check her out on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=101800708

And I'd like to close with just one of my many favorite performances by a truly outstanding poet.  Enjoy

the Rare Poet

Tolerance Isn't the Acceptance of Something You Think is Wrong, But the Understanding that Different is Okay

This is a poem dedicated to all those, who after years of surviving the tortures of nonacceptance decided you would no longer sacrifice self.  I see you....and you are absolutely beautiful, just the way you are.

Hollowed Bones

there should be a bit more substance here
but it keeps getting syphoned out
sucked from the recesses, hidden behind
all the things which fear stresses
their eyes look way too fragile
don't want to point their weaknesses out
tear ducts brimming from being beat into submission
swimming up shit's stream in awkward positions
it's been
piled upon them, it's been poured into their brains
the world twisted their existence when they
labeled them as strange, contorted
into feeling different, as if different were some
scarlet lettering for which they should be socially hanged
but haven't we had enough necks broken
too many dreams used as branches
and self-esteems turned to roping
constricting the images of hollowed out beings
what a shame
that they've become such fragile, broken things
bent into positions where they must contemplate being
true to self or become something else
something more acceptable, so the whispers don't stab
something that won't cause the so called normal to jab holes into the few
inches of stability that they still have
left, a word thought opposite of right
but is it really wrong if it's all they've ever known?
we've all been something somebody didn't approve of
sick of keeping hands gloved, and hearts closeted
lying just to fit in, there's been massive suicide to self-awareness
and we're the ones who caused it
screaming fag, dike, geek, bitch, kike, spic, nigger
because bigotry is bigotry
any way you figure and
so called bottom boys and jungle bunnies can both relate to
hoods of oppression
we just choose to talk about one much less, maybe we should
stop trying to force confessions and instead enforce acceptance
look at difference as a state of being and not make it
some problem, screaming heaven help them
because I've been them, and you've been me
all of us, trapped into the box of some label
that squeezed so tight the walls bled
spilling pints of who we are against
who society said we had to be
there should be a bit more substance here
but it keeps getting syphoned out
keeps getting stripped from minds that always find
it hard to have peace or build up the spine
to simply be self, so instead rattle off lines
actors, worried because the weight of the world
keeps yelling for them
to straighten up


[END POEM]

Racism, sexism, homophobia, etc....nontolerance is the antecedent of hate, and we all know how hate works out.  Open your hearts and minds.

the Rare Poet

There's a Great Big World Out There....Go See For Yourself

I am always one who is complaining about the lack of interesting things to do in my area.  Since I reside in the huge metropolitan area of Hamlet, NC (and yes, that's sarcasm), there are usually not nearly enough options available for an evening of great entertainment and fun.  Luckily, I've stumbled across an amazing site for those in the NC area (visitors to the area are always welcomed), that offers information on several events.  What's the 411 NC is a great tool to local an entire calendars worth of fun in the NC area.  From open mics to concerts, plays to special events, there is sure to be something for everyone.  Do yourself a favor, and check this site out.

http://whatsthe411nc.com/

Also, if any readers know of similar websites available in other states, please send me the links at rarepoetiks@yahoo.com.  So get out there and enjoy!!

the Rare Poet

If Cool had a Radio Station, This Would Make the Playlist

As most of you will soon learn, I am a big time music fan.  I don't just scan the charts, I look for songs that I enjoy, no matter when they were recorded, or who recorded them.  Kings of Leon, a very awesome band, has released a new album in 2010 called Come Around Sundown.  Definitely worth checking out, I ran across a song that made me picture three or four good friends, hanging out in a loft, drinking margaritas, and strumming air guitars along to the bass line.  Such a great song!!

the Rare Poet

	Kings Of Leon - Mi Amigo .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

"Mi Amigo" --- Kings of Leon