"Before you love
first learn to walk on snow
without leaving a footprint".
This was the first poem I ever read in front of a classroom full of people. I don't remember who the author is but I do remember that when I finally understood what the poem meant I fell in love with poetry.
Background
Information
My name is Roshawn T. Ford - Bryant, and I was born on December 25th 1976 in Denver, CO. I remember at a young age loving to write stories. English was always my favorite subject, and I especially enjoyed book reports as a child and creative writing as a young adult. I always knew about poetry but never saw the beauty in it unitl I had to find a poem and recite it for my english class in high school.
"Poetry is an evolving expression".
- Nikki Giovanni
I always loved to express myself through a journal that I started in high school, but I wanted other poeple to hear me. So I turned the journal into poetry and it would eventually become my first published poetry book titled " Loved Child". I remember the first poetry book I read, "Like the Singing Coming Off the Drums", by Sonia Sanchez. I fell deeper in love with poetry. Then I read a book titled " Love Poems" by Nikki Giovanni. She became a great inspiration for me, and even though I wasn't on her level I knew I wanted to get on her level one day.
Birth Place
Denver, CO USA
Accomplishments
I'm honored to say that after sending a copy of "Love Child" to Ms. Nikki Giovanni she responded in a very positive way and she will always be a big influence and inspiration to me.