Southern Fried Top 25
Everything after #1 is in no particular order.
1) Sharing final stage with The Misfits, after losing 2 members and deciding
that we would leave it to fate, then fate gave us Ben B. and it was just like
home again. I never expected us to make it to final stage, but I am so proud
that we did and honored to have done it with you guys!
2) Those crab cakes at Hobnobbers, beignets from Café Du Monde and Po’ Boys &
daiquiris at Gene’s.
3) The random skateboarders that latched on to the truck we were riding back
to the hotel in.
4) Gypsee Yo’s poem on final stage, ugh!
5) Sania’s daily commentary on my wardrobe choices.
6) Walking down the street singing random songs with Brittany, Jessica, Nia
and Tasha to help the time pass.
7) Seeing Lizz and Sania perform some of my favorite poems by them.
8) Watching Giddy and Made Son try to out love each other in the compliment
battle before the cypher at The Healing Center.
9) The random facebook shout outs and text messages from back home with love
and support.
10) The live band that we ran into after abandoning our trip to Armstrong Park
to watch live jazz because it looked like the sky was about to fall on us.
11) The Thursday parade.
12) Watching Brittany perform her poem for her mother in the cypher, then
crying with her afterwards and hearing about Jessica singing for the SoFri
video.
13) Watching all the poets dance their hearts out at the after party.
14) The goodbye with Tank.
15) My “I Am Spoken” earrings made by Janelle.
16) Ha Sizzle giving us a taste of his bounce music hits while we were waiting
for our daiquiris.
17) Deep’s poem about her daughter.
18) Denise’s poem about her grandmother.
19) Hannah’s poem about the little girl victimized in Ohio.
20) Aleasha Harris’ pussy poem.
21) Sharing this experience with two people I have known nearly my whole life,
and one who will hopefully be around for the rest of it and having them
finally fully understand my love not only for poetry but for the family that I
have found through poetry.
22) The beautiful undisturbed look of the city.
23) Friday night’s bout against 215th which included two poets that I was so
intimidated and in awe of when I first showed up on the poetry scene, and
receiving so much love and support from them.
24) All the gratitude that Wally B showed us, although if it wasn’t for him
and what he created in Tampa there would most likely be no Misfits and knowing
that he was proud of us was one of the greatest things that I left Southern
Fried with.
25) Not feeling like I wasted one moment sleeping that could’ve been spent
roaming the city or with the poets.
*bonus moment* Getting my first Southern Fried 30!
Lucille Clifton
"THEY WHO FEEL DEATH"
