Written to prompts in the wounded Healers Brigade Room. Planks.. Who is George? If Squeek Is A Pimp. What did George want? Vinyl plants or vinyl planks. Profit from plastic, seems almost fantastic To buy or not to buy into the system Should George call again. Recycled capitalism, money On an endless merry go round. George just want you to pay, George has no tickets to give away. Some relish the hour of abuse of power. Birthed by a system. The very disgustingly Fractured system that targets, oppresses, And puts people in places of desperation. Why won't George listen to me? Don't need plastic planks, even if free. Can't feed the children George. Have you heard of food poverty? United Nations says that's fifty percent Of the reasons children are often sold. So fuck off George, please don't phone. Because in the end, unlike real wood. Plastic planks are cold, very cold. One more thing before I land my pain. What colours do they come in? Or are all planks the really same?

Aftertongue is changing. Memberships are changing. The classrooms are being rebuilt. New pathways are opening. Some familiar things are moving into better rooms. And before everything starts clicking into place, we want two live Q&A sessions where we can actually talk. Bring your questions about membership, access, pricing, Founding Member options, pathways, what’s staying, what’s changing, where your favorite things are going, and anything else currently sitting in your brain with its arms folded. 😂 We’re holding two sessions so more schedules and time zones have a fair shot. Vote for EVERY time you could realistically attend. 🗳️ Which times work for you? Can’t make any of these? Drop your best day/time in the comments. The two strongest windows become our Q&A sessions. And yes, you can come even if your entire question is: “So, where did you put everything?” Fair enough. 😂 Come see what Aftertongue is becoming before the doors finish moving. Vote below. 👇🏾

Written to the prompt... When one mother cries, we all cry? Mother Dear My childhood hero, Baroness Floella Benjamin. Doesn't know it but gave me hope with a smile. A woman. The first teacher to really open my mind Dr Rossena Bakari. ( My favourite poet too) A woman. First to encourage me to finally speak what's inside. Leah Abraham A woman First connection, real understanding of my adverse childhood times Sara Almaraz. A woman My muse, my spiritual guide Val Dupre A woman My mentor, whose words and wisdom guide me every day. Dr T Williams A woman. The love of my life, Alex my wife A woman. All amazing mothers too. Everywhere I look; Even Zen Publishers sorting my book (Fill in the blanks 🙂) Amazing women and mothers too. But the twist, you knew it was coming along. Like an itch I cannot resist. The first oil painting I ever did was of a mother A mother carved from stone. Forced to be a mother by god, when just a child. Is that why, when one mother cries, we all cry? Don't cry for mine, her tears, fake every time Perhaps I should avoid prompts about mothers? When the only example I had as a child is mine. I was trafficked by my mother as a child, before I was five. Freedom. “Freedom is no fear,” Nina was so wise, a mother too. I have no fear of what was or is. But not just because my mother beat me daily, to make me comply, Is the freedom I seek, not wholly yet mine. There is no freedom whilst in fear of what may still arrive. For the fun of others, humiliated and sold her child, Trade in children still goes on, though my mother is now gone I fear future harm, will be inflicted on children It is rooted and nurtured in society's own fear of truth. Thrown on the streets when she saw no more use Powerless? The most dangerous truths power works hardest to supress She screamed don't come crawling back. Still the exploitation of children is just a money thing. Like so many additives, acceptable sin. School said keep them informed.

The only downside to last night's workshop, I wasn't able to stay up for the whole experience and hear all the shares. Incredible opportunity to collaborate with two amazing poets, Wendy and Omari. Best summing up Omari when he said it was like shaking hands. And Wendy's delivery outstanding. Really felt as if I got to know and connect with both on another level. Thank you to all for the space. 🙏❤️