Northside's Coming Out (the cover)

Ladies and Gents, here is the cover to my second collection of poetry....

Being that I am completely self-publishing this book, the cover was designed and created by me under Aslin V. Designs (yes, I wear many hats).

Besides what is printed on the pages, the book cover is one of the most important aspects of any book. It's the first thing the reader will see, so you have to make a great first impression. I choice this design because I think it is a perfect reflection of the poems I selected for this book. Many of the poems talk about the urban surroundings and struggles of my neighborhood in North Philly (Northside). The collection is really not only about my growth as a woman, lover, poet and artist, but it's also a tribute to the place where the growth happens - my neighborhood. I thought it would only be right that I put a shot of the Northside on the cover. Shout outs to Google Maps for providing me an aerial picture of my hood!

And...if you get a chance, please check out my WEBSITE.

Thanks for all the love & support. It means the world to me. I can't wait for you guys to read it!!!

xo

The Divine Principles of the Goddess...Me

Ma'at was the goddess of Truth, Balance and Order. The Egyptians believed that Ma'at balanced everything. They lived their lives following her 42 principles with the hopes of dying with a weighless heart - free of worry and sin. The Egyptians also believed that without the following laws, the universe would become chaotic...

The 42 Divine Principles of the Goddess Ma'at

1. I have not committed sin.
2. I have not committed robbery with violence.
3. I have not stolen.
4. I have not slain men or women
5. I have not stolen food.
6. I have not swindled offerings.
7. I have not stolen from God/Goddess.
8. I have not told lies.
9. I have not carried away food.
10. I have not cursed.
11. I have not closed my ears to truth
12. I have not committed adultery.
13. I have not made anyone cry.
14. I have not felt sorrow without reason
15. I have not assaulted anyone
16. I am not deceitful.
17. I have not stolen anyone’s land
18. I have not been an eavesdropper
19. I have not falsely accused anyone.
20. I have not been angry without reason.
21. I have not seduced anyone’s wife.
22. I have not polluted myself.
23. I have not terrorized anyone.
24. I have not disobeyed the Law.
25. I have not been exclusively angry.
26. I have not cursed God/Goddess.
27. I have not behaved with violence.
28. I have not caused disruption of peace.
29. I have not acted hastily or without thought.
30. I have not overstepped my boundaries of concern
31. I have not exaggerated my words when speaking.
32. I have not worked evil.
33. I have not used evil thoughts, words or deeds
34. I have not polluted the water
35. I have not spoken angrily or arrogantly.
36. I have not cursed anyone in thought, word or deeds.
37. I have not placed myself on a Pedestal.
38. I have not stolen what belongs to God/Goddess.
39. I have not stolen from or disrespected the deceased.
40. I have not taken food from a child.
41. I have not acted with insolence.
42. I have not destroyed property belonging to God/Goddess.

I have to say, one of the reasons why I am so intrigued by these 42 principles is because I am the type of person that finds comfort and security in structure. I like rules (as along as they are my own rules) which is why while reading the 42 divine principles of the Goddess Ma'at, I felt inspired to write my own principles of living because after all I am a goddess.....at least of my own universe ;)

So here they are: my very own divine principles of living and of keeping my own little universe in order. It's a work in progress, but I plan on adding more principles as I move along in life learning, experiencing and growing...

The Divine Principles of the Goddess V

1. I will create art and beauty from nothing.
2. I will share with the world, and become an open vessel so the world can share with me.
3. I will be the best at everything I do, no matter how small or big the task.
4. I will love God first and always.
5. I will love my Goddess I will myself.
6. I will love my family, friends, and lovers unconditionally.
7. I will love my colleagues and acquaintances.
8. I will love my enemies with one eye open.
9. I will be brave.
10. I will be genuine - I will always be me.
11. I will be proud but never too proud to pray.
12. I will be humble and connected to the Earth.
13. I will be loyal and mindful of my roots no matter where the wind takes me.
14. I will question everything.
15. I will never settle for a stone if I desire a diamond.
16. I will be a follower of my own standards so long as my feet touch the Earth.

Ok. I may not have 42 but 16 is a good start, no?
I'm going to write more, but so far....this is it.

Still crying for parts lost and long gone

When caught up in a good feeling, consequences are so far from our minds.

We take advantage of the sensation - licking it clean and taking whatever we can from it. Some of us know a good thing doesn't linger for long so the intake is always fast and dramatic, but satisfying. And for some of us the consumption is smoother, longer, but we barely survive the withdrawal period when it goes away. And then, when that good old feeling comes around again, we fall into our old habits. Do we ever learn?

My point: There are consequences to everything, even if its good.

If we consume too much of something that is good, we leave no space for the things that are bad. The potential for growth, improvement - the lessons learned - become the last drops at the bottom of the cup. Suddenly, at the end we see it all.

And now.....a poem.


still crying for parts lost and long gone
still mourning us
in the opening

we swallowed the splendor
opened wide while
it's juices trickled
dangerously
down the sides of our cheeks
we laughed

we were so thirsty darling
we were a bad combination

we were

untamed
starved
lonely and aching.

Remembering the Sabores of My Cocina Cookbook

Remembering the Sabores of My Cocina is a book of recipes compiled by the National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (ALIANZA). This cookbook is a collection of various Latino dishes submitted by people all over the Unites States, including my own contribution. I submitted my mother's Sancocho recipe in memory of my cousin, Sharleen Santiago who was a victim of Domestic Violence.


The purpose of this project is raise awareness for Domestic Violence with all proceeds going directly to ALIANZA.

Click HERE to learn more.
Help support this important cause!

October's Baby (A Short Story)

I sat in the bathroom counting down the months with my fingers. February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September…October. October!

“Aw honey, she’ll be here in October!” I yelled out to Jonathon while walking into the bedroom.

There he was, my husband of five wonderful years, sitting at the edge of the bed. He did this every morning before heading to his job over at the hospital. I noticed a change in Jonathon’s behavior three weeks ago when I told him I was pregnant. Ever since he has been somewhat distant - always in his head. One morning I asked him what he was doing sitting there looking into space, and he said “Nothing. Just thinking”.

I jumped back under the warm covers and made myself comfortable next to him.

“I’m due in October! That means we could have conceived on our Valentine’s Day getaway or the night you made that beautiful dinner”.

I chuckled, “Or the weekend we were at your parent’s house…”

Me, Northside Cries and Lullabies, and a Pimp

Been a minute, huh?

First, I haven't been around much because (1) Having technical issues (aka my computer is down and my tech guy isn't really feeling me at the moment) (2) Writing has been put on the back burner for the last few weeks. I was busy doing some soul searching - talking to God, talking to myself and stuff. Yeah, and I'm in the process of going back to school in January for Early Childhood Education :)

Excuses, excuses...I know. However, since then I've been trying to get this train rolling on my second collection of poetry, Northside Cries & Lullabies. I know I keep pushing back the release date but it just doesn't feel ready yet. Every day a new idea hits me and I fall back into it like an ex-lover I can't let go of. So I decided not to rush it. It's done when it's done! sigh. That's the advantage of self-publishing.

But seriously, words fail to express how nervous and excited I am about releasing this collection...

Nerves: As a writer, most of my inspiration comes from my own real life and from the things and people around me. It isn't easy for me to put myself out there and there are a lot of personal pieces in this collection - true thoughts and feeling; real life experiences.

Excitement: Once again, putting myself back out into the universe and improving my skills in book marketing and self-promotion (which I SUCK at so ideas are always welcomed).

I'm also excited about the several collaborative poems I decided to add to the book. It was truly a last minute idea, but I think it's a good way to display some of my collaborations with the cool, talented poets I met via writing communities and open mics.

My new month resolutions (I know we're already a week into November, but work with me):

*Get a new tech guy
*Finish up collaborative poems, and editing.
*Develop a GOOD marketing plan (aye aye aye)
*Show my blog some more lovin' (blog more often)

November has brought me a whole new wave of positive energy. I think I'm finally learning that I have to put out what I want to receive :) I'm feeling good, ya'll! It's going to be a long ride for sure.
Hold tight!


In the mean time, you can enjoy this video blog by my MetroLine Media partner and homeskillet, Mr. Angel Lozada! Aside from his awesome sense of humor, dude is hella talented, smart and has a great future in telecommunications ahead of him. Make sure you subscribe to his BLOG and YouTube Channel.