P.O.E.T.I.C.A  

Blessings.

What is P.O.E.T.I.C.A, and who is AMenace2POEtry?

P.O.E.T.I.C.A (Prophetic Oral Examinations That Invigorate Cultural Awareness) is a writing excursion I embarked upon in 2001. God blessed me with the talent to pen thoughts when I was in the 6th grade; yet, it wasn't until I was in college that I was able to perceive that blessing and use it for the advancement of others. I'm a bit perturbed when sharing my poetry with others, so little by little, you will come to see more of it (as I become used to this new system of sharing). I've started you off with two poems (and God knows, that was hard enough to do in itSelf). This gift, this talent, that God gave me... the world didn't give it, and the world can't take it away. I was silent for so long, always writing but never speaking. I now both write and speak the words that God gives me, and if you don't like what He has given me, then you either need to transform your Selves to His will or step.

P.O.E.T.I.C.A isn't about being soft or hardcore. P.O.E.T.I.C.A isn't about exalting our Selves through sexual sin -- fornication, adultery, etc. P.O.E.T.I.C.A isn't about slamming or being slammed, though at times you may feel as if you have been slammed. No, P.O.E.T.I.C.A isn't about any of that. It's about being real in a world plagued with liars and deceivers. It's about evaluating our Selves to elevate our Selves. It's about using God's talents, not our bodies, our monies, our prestige, etc., to glorify Him and receive His blessings for us. It's about Loving Him to Love Self in order to Love another. It's about YOU, and it's about ME. Can you handle that?

Now that I've explained P.O.E.T.I.C.A, I'll introduce you to the poet -- AMenace2POEtry. I was born as Shannon Upperman, and yes, I still go by that name. Yet, in poetical prophecies, you will come to know me as AMenace2POEtry, or as I like to be called, just Poe. I'm a 29-year-old female, aspiring writer/teacher, living in North Carolina, USA. I'm not married, but I'm not single. Someone owns this heart, and if you have to ask "Who?", perhaps you should re-read the introduction of P.O.E.T.I.C.A. I do not have any children that I've birthed, but I do have a lot of children that claim me as "mother." I have two beautiful nieces, Victoria (6) and Kennedy (2 months); but, I also teach Sunday school and Bible Study to the children at Mill Hill Missionary Baptist Church (and they call me "mother" as well).

I am a living testimony. I attempted suicide twice, and, as you can see, my Y! name is "aselfcutter;" but, what does that mean? A self-cutter is someone who purposefully inflicts pain on them Selves, either through knives, scissors, burnings, etc. Well, I am a self-cutter, and my choice of weaponry is a pair of scissors. Don't get me wrong; it's not something I'm pleased to tell you. If it were left up to me, I'd keep it a secret like Princess Diana (oh yeah, she was a self-cutter, too!). But God would have me not to keep it a secret, for it is only through revealing the hidden that we can be delivered. To some, this may not seem like much, but it has been 6 months since I last cut. For me, it is a miracle. Why? I did it on an everyday basis. To go 6 months without inflicting pain on Self? Wow. Talk about a living testimony. As I become closer and closer to the Master, I realize just how much more I am important to Him, and how He created me the way He saw fit. When He created me, He did so because He wanted someone JUST LIKE ME. And here I am, Lord, stretching my bruised, discolored and mutilated arms up to you. I am a living testimony.

But it doesn't just stop there. I can't be truly delivered until I help someone else with their deliverance. When I told God to use me as He saw fit, I didn't mean "Deliver me and screw the rest of the world." Maybe you or someone you know is going through a "moment," which is what I like to call my episodes, at this time. We all need prayer, but if you or someone you know is having a "moment," don't hesitate to send me a name (or names). I will boldly go before the Throne, seeking out the Most High God, to supplicate on his/her behalf.

And that's not just for self-cutters or for those who are suicidal. That's for anyone! God didn't come to save the righteous and the believers, He came to save us sinners, we that need the healing power of God. But everybody needs prayer, amen? It is so! So, if you would like prayer, and please don't feel you have to tell me your "business" (but if you do, realize that it goes no further than the Master and my Self), please feel free to leave your name. Again, I will go boldly before the Throne in supplication for you.

Now, as a professed Christian, with professed ideals and beliefs, there are some things you should know. Number One: I haven't always walked this journey. Trust and believe that if you've done it, I've probably done it. Trust and believe that if you've said it, I've probably said it. Trust and believe that if you've thought it, I've probably thought it. I am a sinner, saved my His grace. I wasn't born righteous while everyone else was birthed in iniquity. Trust and believe that if you believe nothing else I've written. Number Two: Because I haven't always walked this journey, I am quite ignorant when it comes to God's Word. Well, I'm not completely laughable, but I do not profess to know God's Word or His will for ANY of you any better than YOU do. I am only sharing what I know; in areas that I feel brainless, I will let you know. Number Three: I'm not God, nor can I save any of you. YOU have to work that out with God Him Self, not poor old Poe. Poe will pray and help you slay those demons, but Poe cannot get you into Heaven. That being said, I cannot also place you in Hell. Again, YOU have to do that Your Self! Number Four: I am a Christian, professing the Word of God through His Holy manuscript aka the Bible. That being said, I don't "knock down" or disregard anyone's faith. If you are a believer in God, amazing. If you are a believer in Buddha, Mohammed or anyone else, that's between your gods and YOU. I am quite open-minded when it comes to listening to others' beliefs. I don't spend all of my days attempting to convert people, if that's what you're wondering. Sure, I'd love for everyone to be in God's army; but the fact is that, not everyone is and not everyone will be. Still, that doesn't stop me from speaking positivity in your life or the lives of others. I imagine we're all here doing the same thing -- living life -- and whatever gets you through, then that's on YOU. Number Five: I am very spiritual, but I am also human. I sin each and every day just like the rest of you. I lust, sometimes I cuss, and a lot of the time, I fuss. I smoke almost a pack of Newports a day, and no, I am not proud of sharing that, either, but it is what it is. I get an attitude when things aren't going my way because I'm a spoiled brat, but God is working on me. I said all of that to say this: I, too, am in dire need of prayer. If you trust in the Most High God, believing and knowing that He will hear your prayers, will you please pray for me?

If I haven't scared you off yet, then praise God, from Whom all blessings flow. I do hope you enjoy your visit here, and I do pray that we can become friends.

Peace within and God bless you, Loves.