What does Black History Month and Reggae Month have in common?! Besides being celebrated in February, both exist to remember out loud the history, resistance, creativity, and enduring connection of Africans in the diaspora to our roots.
Tag: #writers
Ever wondered what it’s like at a Maroon celebration? ©Dawn Minott
A visit to a Jamaican Maroon town Accompong, where people still practicing freedom on their own terms and history is lived through land, ritual, and resilience.
Apprecilove: Held While Helping |a Haibun ©Dawn Minott
When saying “I appreciate” is not enough—apprecilove!
Finally Home and Why It Matters—Jamaica 3 Months After Hurricane Melissa ©Dawn Minott
A firsthand account of Jamaica’s recovery after category 5 Hurricane Melissa, highlighting the resilience of its people, the ongoing challenges of rebuilding, and the urgent need for climate justice and long-term support.
A New Year Resolution Worth Keeping©️ Dawn Minott
The new year will bring us 365 opportunities, how will we use them?!
JamaiCAN: The Will That Refuses to Quit ©Dawn Minott
From Cool Runnings to a historic bobsleigh win a day after Jimmy Cliff’s passing, this is about the will that keeps showing up.
we are JamaiCAN, we CAN rise again — a tribute poem for Jamaica ©Dawn Minott
A tribute poem for Jamaica post Hurricane Melissa (category 5) which devastated the country.
Jamaica Strong ©Dawn Minott
Through it all, we will rise and rebuild—Jamaica strong.
David & The Bully ©Dawn Minott
Beforeword: You may be familiar with the Bible story of a young shepherd boy, David, who defeated a mighty giant, Goliath, with nothing more than a sling and a stone. I chose that story as the inspiration for a children’s lesson I was asked to teach at church about bullying. To bring it to life, …
Your Future Is Starving For You ©Dawn Minott
Tomorrow’s you is waiting for the true you to show up—authentic, unapologetic, bold!
Gucci Cross: written by Fragile Dogubo, recited by Cherry Paul Ede
Grateful for the old rugged cross! Nothing boogie about it.
He Hears Me ©Dawn Minott
God hears me louder in the silence.
Enough ©Dawn Minott
Living silence – a silence that breathes and holds life.
The interval, or: A rengay ©️Dawn Minott
Rengay—two minds working in synchronicity to create a single piece of art!
Echoes of A Silent City ©Dawn Minott
The unexpected ways a city can speak—even when it’s silent.
Milestone: 1,000 Posts ©Dawn Minott
1,000 posts and counting ‼️
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares — Reflect. Pray. Release. ©Dawn Minott
Timeless prayers from the Bible reflected on, reimagined for today, and released into God’s hands.
The Introvert & the Mask ©Dawn Minott
The mask is like a superpower, not to disguise but to buffer.
Introverted ©Dawn Minott
Don’t mistake reservation for lackluster. Sincerely, an Introvert
Soul Cry: Hiraeth! ©️Dawn Minott | Loop Poetry with audio
Hiraeth: an unaccountable homesickness for a place you’ve never visited.
Midweek Boost: Life’s Rescue Plan ©Dawn Minott
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge to get over the hump.
Midweek Boost: Laughter ©Dawn Minott
Laughter is the only emotion that cannot be forced or faked for long.
More Than Enough ©Dawn Minott |with audio
You are and have more than enough for what you’ve been called to do!
Midweek Boost: You’ve Got Everything ©Dawn Minott
You likely already have everything!
The Quiet Strength of Later ©Dawn Minott |a Haibun
Waiting is a quiet strength, the courage to pause long enough to discern, to seek light.
True Independence: Free-not-Free ©Dawn Minott |a Shadorma
In any land, til every soul finds solace and glee, none of us are truly free. Independence/freedom for one and all.
My Roots, My Crown, My Hair-a-tage ©️Dawn Minott |in honor of National Crown Day, July 3rd
National Crown Day commemorates the inaugural signing of the first CROWN—Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair—Act legislation, which passed in California on July 3, 2019.
Shabbat Shalom: The God of Piece ©Dawn Minott
In a world where peace feels fragile and our lives can feel like scattered pieces, this poem invites us to remember the God of Shalom—who lovingly restores us piece by piece.
Free Not Free ©Dawn Minott
Freedom Day in the USA!!
Midweek Boost: Enjoy Where You Currently Are ©Dawn Minott
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge to get over the hump.
Father ©Dawn Minott |an Abecedarian
Happy Fathers’ Day from A to Z
To Hurt IS To Steal ©Dawn Minott
Conversations were awkward at first. But slowly, honesty grew. They showed up. They listened. They prayed.
WELCOME: WHY I CREATED THIS BLOG
Welcome. This blog provides a space for my voice to be heard.
Dot The “i” of LiFE ©Dawn Minott
Life’s simple pleasures.
Reflection: Five Years Since George Floyd’s Murder ©Dawn Minott
Five years on from George Floyd’s murder, we need united movements, true allyship, and deeper change to honor lives lost to and affected by injustices in all its form.
Honoring the Life of George Floyd, 5 Years Later: I Can’t Breathe ©Dawn Minott |with audio
George Floyd your life mattered. Your death sparked a movement. We will not forget.
Cleared for Takeoff: A Welcome for the Women Who Lead ©Dawn Minott
A testament to resilience, faith, and the evolving role of women in the body of Christ.
darkness ©Dawn Minott for Mental Health Awareness Month| with audio
Darkness can be from issues that you dare not let anyone see or know about, the issues you struggle with alone and silently … it’s time to open the door, let in the light!
Daughter ©Dawn Minott
A bold, desperate, and unshakeable faith earned her the bestowal of “daughter”—used only ONCE by Jesus!
Power In Quiet Strength ©Dawn Minott — Tribute To My Mom |Quatrain with audio
Honoring the strength and power of a mother. The power and strength of mothers, grandmothers, other-mothers and motherhood have been historically overlooked. I honor and celebrate my mother and mothers everywhere.
When the Contacts Go Quiet ©Dawn Minott
Life is fragile. I knew it. But now I feel it—in every quiet reminder that I am still here and they are not.
Organically Grown Smile: Flash Fiction ©️Dawn Minott
A playful flash fiction about timing, charm, and the little surprises that make a big city feel human.
Dear Mother Earth ©Dawn Minott | a Haibun for Earth Day
There’s no Planet-B, cherish Mother Earth.
Easter: More Than Bunnies & Chocolate ©Dawn Minott
Easter is about conquering sin, defeating death, and offering new life!
Jamaica: Travelogue 4—birthMONTH 2025 ©Dawn Minott
A rich mosaic of Jamaican culture, flavor, nature, and nostalgia.
A Gastronomy Discovery in Ocho Rios, Jamaica—birthMONTH 2025 Travelogue 3 ©Dawn Minott
There are the 5 love languages, then there’s Jamaican food the 6th love language!
Pretty Close, Jamaica—birthMONTH 2025 Travelogue 2 ©Dawn Minott
It’s that time again—when I quench my wanderlust with my annual birthMONTH explorations.
Midweek Boost: Let Go ©Dawn Minott
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge to get over the hump. Happy hump day!
Black Don’t Crack ©Dawn Minott | Black History Celebration, with audio
Black sisters, our beautiful is black!
You! ©Dawn Minott|for Black History Month
Not bound by rules the world once drew, imperfectly perfect is perfectly you!
UPDATE//Convergence of Severe Weather and Aviation ©Dawn Minott
UPDATE: What a difference 5 days make. After experiencing a horrifying flight during a windstorm, four aborted landings, today was a picture-perfect landing!! #Grateful
Convergence of Severe Weather and Aviation —my Experience of Terror in the Sky ©Dawn Minott
Experience the chills of a flight during a snowstorm! Read my journey of survival in the sky.
I Am Enough! on Spillwords ©Dawn Minott
A declaration of self-worth, unapologetically claiming space and authenticity in a world rushing to erase diversity.
Sabbath is a Blessing |a Poem ©️Dawn Minott
Sabbath—a sacred rhythm calling all to restoration, justice, and peace.
Da Curls In My Hair ©Dawn Minott |Black History Month |with video
Black hair is black resistance. Black hair has a uniquely meaningful history as a symbol of survival, resistance and celebration and as such is an important part of Black history.
The Morning Chase: Encounters on the Run ©Dawn Minott
The unexpected encounter that added a twist to my daily dash.
Life Lessons ©Dawn Minott
Life lessons drawn from Charlie Chaplin.
This Old House, This Old Year ©Dawn Minott
Step into the new year ready to build with love, hope, and strength.
New Chapter ©Dawn Minott
365 opportunities to make a difference in the spaces where purpose meets the pulsating of fresh start.
‘Twas The Days After Christmas ©Dawn Minott
…and just like that, Christmas is over. Or, is it?! What if we kept the spirit of Christmas with us all year!!
Finesse ©Dawn Minott | a Senryu
Dripping in finesse!
Spillwords: Spotlight On Writer
Spillwords highlights my craft! #grateful
Eclipsed By Love ©Dawn Minott
When heart overrules head, love eclipses logic.
Midweek Boost ©Dawn Minott
God cannot bless who you pretend to be.
What’s Old Is New ©Dawn Minott
There’s nothing new under the sun. What was will be again.
The First Time ©Dawn Minott
A moment of connection through words.
In The In-Between ©Dawn Minott
Transforming. Emerging. In the in-between.
Be Encouraged ©Dawn Minott | Mental Health Awareness
Life gets hard sometimes. In those moments stay encouraged.
Strength in Surrender ©Dawn Minott |for Mental Health Awareness
Sometimes being strong is just surrendering…
4th Blogiversary: Bloom From Heart to Hand |a Dectina Refrain
Four years and counting.
October: Mental Health Awareness Month ©Dawn Minott |a Haibun
Mental health, the compass guiding our way. In its embrace, we find strength to face each day.
Ode to Muse ©Dawn Minott
What/who is your muse, your inspiration? What do you do when you lose your muse?
Love Can’t Live In The Dark ©Dawn Minott
Love can’t live hidden, behind closed doors.
Thought: The Final Frontier ©️Dawn Minott
Thoughts in their purest form are the final frontier of our personhood.
The Lost Art of Listening ©Dawn Minott
Listen—give attention in order to hear.
Moment ©Dawn Minott |a Tanka
The moment is not too big!
Freedom or Safety? ©Dawn Minott |a Tanka
Freedom or safety? Not a zero-sum game.
We Are One ©Dawn Minott |a Tanka
Live in harmony.
Cycles & Seasons ©Dawn Minott
Cycles are to humans what seasons are to nature.
BirthMONTH Day 1: I Affirm Today I’m A Work in Progress | a Senryu
Happy birthMONTH to me!
Of Rain & Tears ©Dawn Minott
Tears and rain—both born of nature to nurture.
Praise & Worship ©Dawn Minott
A poetry-music collab with the words of Kirk Franklin.
The Cocoon & The Crucible ©Dawn Minott
… honoring what cocoon us and celebrating the crucibles that challenge us to transform.
Time Won ©Dawn Minott
A lot to say, little time to write it all.
Living ©Dawn Minott
Living like you’re on borrowed time!!
Edge of Paradise ©Dawn Minott |an Etheree
Love is paradise.
Love on Horizon ©Dawn Minott | a Etheree
On the horizon is where love’s journey is spread.
Two As One In Love ©Dawn Minott
Two lives entwined together as one. Two as one in love.
The Landing: Jamaica Travelogue ©Dawn Minott
The excitement of flying into Jamaica.
Love Thrives ©Dawn Minott |a Quatrain
Love will grow anywhere it finds a place to thrive.
Everlasting-remember Love ©Dawn Minott
In that other life will your love search for me, find me, love no other but me?
Body to Heart Align ©Dawn Minott
Profound body-to-heart alignment upon return to the land of my fore parents, Africa.
The Tiger & The Donkey ©Dawn Minott |a Limerick
Pointless to argue with someone unwilling to see reason.
Self Love—Becoming ©Dawn Minott
To the woman I was, I am, I’m becoming—I am committed to you, I honor you.
Self-Love, Imperfect Perfection ©Dawn Minott
Self love—loving yourself in your imperfect perfection.
Self Love ©Dawn Minott
Self love—looking in the mirror and knowing that you are worthy, you are capable, you are beautiful.
Philautia (Self-Love) ©Dawn Minott
Self love—being in love with every part of yourself - body and personality.
God’s SO Love, Unconditionally ©Dawn Minott |with audio
God thought you were to die for, so He did.
God Is, Love Unconditionally ©Dawn Minott
Jesus Messiah, the Son of God yet as human as brother and friend
Love ©Dawn Minott |a Cento
This cento blends lines and concepts from the works of bell hooks and Maya Angelou, celebrating love as an enduring, powerful force.
Poems & More 