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.
Tag: writing
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.
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.
Echoes of A Silent City ©Dawn Minott
The unexpected ways a city can speak—even when it’s silent.
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: DELIVERANCE ©Dawn Minott
A bold appeal for God’s deliverance, offered so that His power and glory would be known to all.
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!
The Gift Leads The Way ©Dawn Minott |a Haibun with audiovisual
A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” — Proverbs 18:16 (NKJV)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
HOLY WEEK: The Last Week to Easter
Hi WPers! I’ll be reciting this poem live on April 19th as part of a Easter program. You’re invited to join starting 11 AM EST on this channel: https://youtube.com/@mountvernonsdaevents?si=E_JQ3EM2k2ts-tEH https://createdbydeesign.com/2024/03/30/last-week-to-easter/
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.
Shades of Black ©Dawn Minott | Black History Month
Celebrating shades of blackness, strength and spirit, ever strong!
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.
Smoothest Heist ©️Dawn Minott
Stealing back freedom, redemption, and eternal life through love and sacrifice.
The Morning Chase: Encounters on the Run ©Dawn Minott
The unexpected encounter that added a twist to my daily dash.
This Old House, This Old Year ©Dawn Minott
Step into the new year ready to build with love, hope, and strength.
‘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.
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.
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!
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.
Life All In ©Dawn Minott
Living with no regrets.
Edge of Paradise ©Dawn Minott |an Etheree
Love is paradise.
The Landing: Jamaica Travelogue ©Dawn Minott
The excitement of flying into Jamaica.
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.
I love You, Unconditionally ©Dawn Minott |an Epistolary poem
God’s don’t-want-anything-in-return kind of love—unconditionally yours!!!
Loved—Just As I Am—Unconditionally ©Dawn Minott |an Epistolary poem
Heart journey of vulnerability to unconditional love and acceptance.
Agape—Love Unconditionally ©Dawn Minott
God has a SO love for us, He gave all!
End of “Journey of Love in June” Series—Hold Heart With Both Hands ©Dawn Minott
Love has a rhythm—explore it!!
Peacocks & Palace ©Dawn Minott |Greece Travelogue (Part 2)
The beauty of peacocks from Cyprus to Crete, colorful and ethereal.
Affirming Love ©Dawn Minott
Love transcends language, a dance of souls in a universe of whispers.
Flower of the Day Challenge #84–From Disappointment to Delight: My Hydrangea Journey
Hydrangeas—pretty by nature!
The Sanctuary of Us ©Dawn Minott
Love—in this sanctuary of us we create new experiences.
Love Full Circle ©Dawn Minott
Love like poetry in motion, love full circle.
Love to Love, Stays ©Dawn Minott | with audio
Love won’t leave when love asks more of it Love to love, stays
Rio Nuevo/New River ©Dawn Minott |an ekphrastic poem
River and sea entwine in liquid whispers.
Love Rules ©️Dawn Minott
Love rules our hearts with gentle grace.
Because of You ©Dawn Minott
Love breaths new life into weary soul, awakening dreams, making one whole.
Love Affirmation ©Dawn Minott| a R&B-poetry Collaboration
If ever you believe that love is done That’s when you’ll start back at one
Love Don’t Die Easy ©Dawn Minott
In the end, love finds a way through the night, for love don’t die easy, it’s an eternal light!
Someone Else’s Someone ©Dawn Minott
Navigating the heartbreak of breaking up.
In The Name of Peace ©Dawn Minott
A call to remember and renew our commitment to peace and security for all.
Love Lost ©Dawn Minott | a Sexain
You are the love that didn’t last A fleeting flame, a fading ember’s glow
Echoes of Surrender ©Dawn Minott
Surrender expectations.
Thank You: 50K Views ©Dawn Minott
Thank you for the views!!!! 50K and growing.
Love’s Folly ©Dawn Minott
… another heart learning to beat alone in the aftermath of love’s folly!
Poems & More 