Happy National Poetry Month!
April has been a busy time for poets and writers everywhere. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share my writings and creativity with the world. I have been inspired by the writings of many poets including Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, USA National Youth Poet: Amanda Gorman,  the spoken-word poetry of Canadian Dwayne Morgan, to the Jamaican folklore and poet Louise Bennett-Coverly "Miss Lou", to now, Ontario's first poet laureate: Randell Adjei. Poets are blazing a trail with their writings and expression from social to political platforms.
From I was a child, I knew the love of words and felt the power behind capturing my emotions on paper through poetry. When I began to share those words with others and witnessed how they resonated, it was in that moment I knew that poetry would forever be "the soul to my heart and the calm to my mind." I love writing poems because it allows me to share the most vulnerable, honest and genuine parts of myself in fearlessness. It is my medium of therapy and creative expression. So to all the poets who fearlessly share their truth, I salute you!
​© 2021 Shemique Blair

Welcome to April! Despite the challenges faced during this uncertain time in our world, the Spring season reminds us that brighter days are on the horizon. With a positive outlook, we will all be able to overcome the challenges we are facing and have a story of hope, and resilience to share with others.
I was honoured to have a couple of my poems published by my Alma-Mater: Founders College Phoenix Newsletter at York University this past month!
When the editors reached out seeking positive, encouraging content for their COVID-19 focused edition, I was more than happy to share poems written in my book: ‘Love, Marriage, Divorce and Growth: A poem anthology’.
My poems Letting Go and Growing Pains were chosen to be included in this publication. To read the Newsletter, go to The Phoenix Vol 1 Issue 8 (PDF)   or click this  link.
If you would like to view the animated version instead, click here.

March is a month of transition. In my part of the world it signals the beginnings of change: change in season from winter to spring. Families and communities begin planning for warmer weather, stocking up on goods, materials for camping, hunting season and Spring Break. It can often be called a month of mad activity! As the phrase 'March Madness' implies. Yet, it is a time of excitement! We smell the change about to take place in the air, the ground beginning to thaw and the sounds of wildlife awakening in nature. To celebrate this transition, I am having a giveaway! I have been busy exploring my creativity and I started my own online store featuring originally created graphic design images printed on clothing, accessories and more.
To check out my merchandise visit: 
 https://teespring.com/stores/sblairwritings

My March Madness Giveaway Bundle includes a t-shirt from my store, a signed copy of my book and a $15 Indigo Gift Card! If you would like to get your hands on this bundle: 

• Follow on Instagram
• Like Page on Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Tag a friend in the comments who would be interested in this bundle (Instagram)
• 1 entry per task, including 1 entry per friend tagged (Instagram)
• The contest ends on Sunday, April 4th, 2021 
• For each entry, a donation will be made to Girls Action Foundation which is dedicated to girls’ healthy development, leadership and empowerment in Canada

This quote speaks volumes. After having gone through my own period of transition and discomfort, I can attest to the fact that tragedy will either break you or grow you. I chose to grow. Life is not fair. But  life is a journey that happens once, and it is up to you and I to decide what that journey will look like and what legacy will be marked by our lives. I decided to turn my tragedy into a collection of poems which I hope will encourage and inspire others. Writing my truth and sharing that vulnerability in the pages of "Love, Marriage, Divorce & Growth" wasn't always easy but the process  has been well worth it and continues to provide healing and hope. So, to whatever comes your way in life, I encourage you to choose better. As I say in my poem, "I let go to allow room for new growth..." Enjoy listening to my live reading of Letting Go!
​© 2021 Shemique Blair

Sunday February 2, 2021 was a joyous day! Thank you to everyone who attended my live virtual Book Signing Event. It was wonderful to share both my story and my poetry with you. I hope that my life lessons have inspired and encouraged you in your own journey. Don't be afraid to explore your creative space! It is with deep gratitude that I thank you for sharing your time with me and supporting this passion of mine. Autographed copies of my book will continue to be available for purchase through my website at sblairwritings.com/store. Get your copy today! Stay tuned for more poetry readings to come!

Thank you to Dawell Consulting for doing an awesome job organizing my virtual book signing event. A huge thanks to Sarah and her team! It was a pleasure to work with them and their efforts made the process very easy. I highly recommend them! Check out images of the event, coordinated by Dawell Consulting,  below on my YouTube Channel:

What a year this has been! Writing and publishing my first book has taught me a lot this year and sharing with readers is my honour. I am looking forward to my first virtual book signing event planned for next month, February 2021. Stay tuned for more details to come! 

To share more about the details behind writing my book, "Love, Marriage, Divorce and Growth: A poem anthology", I recently did an interview with literary ambassador and reviewer Queenie Clem. I was very excited by the opportunity to share a bit about my journey as an indie author and to delve into the significance behind my poetry.  Feel free to watch  the full interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP5RDzLVRAk&t=3s

So we are in the year 2021! So many things have changed and yet so many things still remain the same. The historical COVID-19 pandemic continues to boggle the minds of scientists and experts around the world. With the desperate hope of a vaccine on the horizon to try to combat the bewilderment this virus has wrought― Life as we knew it prior to the outbreak is a distant memory. Gone are the crowds and throngs. Gone are the festivals and large frivolous gatherings. The live spectator sporting events, crowded stadiums, concert halls and auditoriums are barren and silent. If anything, the past year has taught us that the monetary things of this world pale in comparison to the health and lives of ourselves and our loved ones. As elders often say, “You can’t take your money with you to the grave.” So as we embark on an uncertain year of 2021, let us savor the time we spend with family and at home. Let us cultivate brighter friendships and more positive connections. Walk into the new year with gratitude and humility. As my sister likes to say, “Cheers to new beginnings and the chance to keep growing and moving one step forward.”
Happy New Year, everyone!

​© 2021 Shemique Blair

So my creative ideas have been flowing and as always, poetry and writing, are at the forefront. I have recently written a new poem entitled " A Goodbye Poem". It is inspired by the idea of saying the final goodbye. I hope the words can do such a task justice. Ending any relationship is a difficult task. Sometimes there is closure and sometimes there isn't. Either way,  a final goodbye indicates the end of a thing and the beginning of a new journey. Feel free to share your own thoughts on this subject, and sign up to my YouTube channel to find more of my content. Enjoy!
​© 2020 Shemique Blair