Cici Felton

4/3/2015

National Poetry Month Celebration 2015

Bio: Cici Felton is a high school senior residing in Maryland and is a creative poet and activist. She has been writing since age 9 and is a two-time member of the DC Youth Slam Team, as well as President of her school’s poetry club Lyrikal Storm. She has performed in various venues all over the world including South Africa, the Kennedy Center, George Washington University, and the Harlem Renaissance Festival, to name a few. She has her own book “Daddy’s Little Girl: Gone in 3 Minutes” which consists of her own original poems. Her goal is to touch others with her story and let the audience know her truth. She enjoys mentoring youth and changing lives with her words and believes poetry is therapeutic and saves lives.

The interview

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from my real life experiences as well as from the problems I see in the world that need to be changed.

What inspired you to write?
Throughout my childhood I was a victim of bullying which led me to have low self esteem as well as a lack of confidence. I turned to poetry as an outlet and a way for me to release my feelings without actually having someone to talk to, writing was almost therapeutic for me.

What do you think is the most important tool for a poet?
Using words in such a way that you display the truth in all aspects and make people feel what you are saying. You have to touch others with your words, because if we don’t speak up and say something about what’s going on, no one else will.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a poet?
There is no such thing as “not good enough”, you need no validation for your truth. You have the power to touch others with your words and that is the greatest gift. Writing is a muscle, you have to put in endless work to be a great poet. Write every chance you get, and never stop writing, it will take you far.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I am a member of the 2014 DC Youth Slam Team and I wrote my own book “Daddy’s Little Girl..”. I also went on a trip to South Africa with some other students along with my coaches and we performed at the State Theatre, led workshops, and interacted with other youth.

Where are you from/ where do you live?
PG County.

Who is your favorite poet?
Saul Williams; he’s always been able to touch others with his words and make people feel his poetry. Everything he says is the truth, and he writes in such a phenomenal way that can never be duplicated.

A Poet in Action

Please share your reaction below.
The energy you contribute transcends your imagination.

50 Comments

larry

4/3/2015 01:41:53 pm

Wow. That took me back to a time when my world was dark and I begged for just the hope of a better tomorrow. When he answers, don't hang up.

Akorede.O

4/22/2015 09:04:14 am

Cici is phenomenal, her words and tone of voice are able to shake and pierce your emotions and allow you to perceive from her perspective telling a story from a new angle. She is also able to talk about contemporary times and able to relate to social differences and expectations which allow the audience to relate as well.

Neville Adams link

4/4/2015 12:15:17 pm

A true phenom!

Yajayra Morales

4/14/2015 05:45:30 am

I believe that Cici has achieved many things already and she is still young. I think she is doing a great job in becoming a successful person. She should continue to follow her dreams and reach out to people.

Alonzo Clarke

4/23/2015 03:54:11 am

Cici is young and confident and has a future ahead of her in public speaking or poetry. Very good orator and draws a connection with the audience

Natalie Rodriguez

4/5/2015 04:20:44 am

Cici is a very remarkable young lady who’s becoming one of the great voices of contemporary literature in high school. She has demonstrates the attitude towards the writing of her poetry that enables her to express her own emotions about freedom and self esteem. Her direct approach towards African American on how to be proud of their ancestors, themselves, and their overall appearance. The struggles she went through in her early life increasingly deepened and forced her to become a stronger person. I think that Cici takes pride in herself and doesn’t let anyone put her down. She’s proof that with determination anything can be possible.

Sanjo jendayi link

4/5/2015 06:42:37 am

CiCi is a beautiful inspiration to others and a voice for so many who feel voiceless! Love this article!

Kelly Zheng

4/5/2015 10:07:39 am

Cici is an inspiring piece of art! Her poetry is only words, but emotions. The words Cici uses speaks to one's soul. It is wonderful to see her do something she enjoys and be able to help others as well. I truly believe that writing is an escape not everyone realizes.

Jocelyn

4/8/2015 06:09:17 am

Wow ! Cici has defitnetly grown into such an amazing poet and person overall. I can't wait to see her future.

Tunji O.

4/9/2015 11:48:21 pm

Cici is very talented and artistic with her poetry. She does an amazing job at getting a message across the table vividly. This is only the beginning for her. More great things will be coming in the future from her, I can see it.

Stephanie Martinez

4/12/2015 04:26:00 am

Cici's voice of words are amazing with such a great deep meaning with what her words are portraying in emotion truly inspiring!

Constance H

4/13/2015 03:58:12 am

CiCi has come a long way since middle school and has had to battle much adversity. This reflects in the depth and feeling in her poetry. Everything she says has a weight to it and the methods she uses to deliver her work is effective and captivating.

CJ Campbell Jr.

4/14/2015 07:48:38 am

I think that Cici did a terrific job with establishing a certain issue into the form of poetry. Not only was her performance great bhut it was touching as well.

Sixx Lee

4/15/2015 05:28:04 am

CiCi is a very talented person with a lot of things going her way. When she does her poetry she is really feeling it and can present it in a well way. She is perfect to be on stage speaking and doing poetry.

Warren Watson

4/15/2015 03:47:59 am

Truly inspiring messages here.

4/15/2015 03:48:22 am

Adriana H.

4/15/2015 09:43:03 am

CiCi really delivered the message in her poem! I'm not religious but I really felt and understood what she was trying to convey.

Uchechi

4/16/2015 01:09:08 pm

Cici is a great poet. She does a phenomenal job at captivating her audience by intertwining her unique mind, heart, and real life situations in order to create unique works. She is able to sing too. It is almost impossible for a great poet to beat a great singer who has the advantage of doing covers and involving the audience but she is definitely on her way.

Christel Mays

4/16/2015 11:38:58 pm

I understood the message that Cici was trying to deliver. Watching and listening to her recite her poem gave me the chills because some of the things that she talked about I could relate to. This is such a wonderful poem.

Walter Ramirez

4/17/2015 05:32:21 am

I had the privilege to witness her recite one of her original works. It is no understatement saying that her words truly touches others.

Asia W.

4/18/2015 07:30:04 am

Cici helped me understand the fact that it is possible to convey personal and deep messages through poetry. Her work is truly capable of touching others throughout the world. Because of her, I have gained more interest in poetry. She deserves more recognition.

Myron A.

4/18/2015 10:56:08 pm

CiCi did an amazing job. She deserves success not only in poetry, but in all other aspects of her life as well.

Naila Naeem

4/19/2015 04:49:09 am

CiCi is very talented young girl and her poetry has a deep meaning inside it. She expresses her feeling in a different way and she has a bright future ahead.

lashawnda

4/19/2015 07:55:02 am

Her appreciation and growth in poetry is so amazing that it echos across mountains. She shows people who they can be and where they can go if they allow themselves. She shows how her moment of truth could turn into a moment of truth for others. I hope to see much more in the future. :)

Dominique michel

4/19/2015 08:02:02 am

Her poem just opened my eyes and made me think about a lot if things. I loved it !

Chauncey Brown

4/20/2015 12:29:22 am

Her poetry is very good and very inspiring. Awesome work, she expresses her feelings in a very unique way.

giovani rodriguez

4/20/2015 10:57:33 am

cici's words are truly inspirational, she expresses her feelings in a passionate way. i feel like she is trying to reach out to her dad maybe because she didn't have his support as a child. Her words are truly inspiring especially since people can relate to her. She uses her poetry efficiently to communicate her message

Jazmine James

4/20/2015 12:26:49 pm

The poem honestly touched me because I wish I would've had the chance to build a relationship with my father before his death. The emotion and vibe she created in her poem was excellent and truly work of art. Her work shows maturity beyond her years. I really hope she continues with her poetry because her future is bright and her passion is evident.

leon crichton

4/21/2015 12:36:49 am

Her poems are inspirational . it makes me open my eyes and whats truly in front of me and to appreciate what i have.

Lupita Rubio

4/21/2015 12:37:29 am

I'm just amazed by her. She's so young to be an inspiration for so many people. And her poem is touching and lovely.

Benny Pheth

4/21/2015 07:06:47 am

Cici's inspiring, like how pianists play a piece you would probably just fall in love with it. With Cici's poetry it's almost the same thing and would have a lot of feelings and hard work into making them.

Jemuel Santos

4/21/2015 12:32:21 pm

CiCi has a great talent that she has been honing for years. She is a great artist with boundless possibilities due to the connection that she has with whatever she presents. Her presentation is top-notch and she will surely become a renowned poet. Whenever I see CiCi present, I can't help but pay attention and listen to her words and to the moves that she makes to emphasize her meaning.

Ephraim Alfa

4/21/2015 07:27:03 pm

CiCi's creativity with her poems has always impressed me. I love how she uses her past as inspiration for her poems. While she is performing her poems, I can actually feel the emotions. Her passion will provide many opportunities for her.

Alyssa D.

4/21/2015 09:37:22 pm

I remember when I first heard Cici speak and I remember thinking, wow like she's so good. And she's grown even more since then. She continually gets better and better and I can see her doing big things in the future. One thing I understand is words and emotions and how they can make you feel. I absolutely love when someone can use words to spark emotions and make you feel something. It's a powerful gift and Cici has it. She's going to be really successful and I wish for her nothing but the best.

jenniffer robles link

4/21/2015 10:22:55 pm

I believe cici did a great job of expressing herself about how she felt about certain issue through poetry. Shes also very young and talented.

Kayla Jones

4/21/2015 10:27:44 pm

Cici is amazing. I remember when I first met her I was impressed with the way she was able to create poems so well. She has a great style and flow to her work. You can feel the passion she has when she performs it's refreshing. The topics she speaks about have deep emotional connection that she can display easily. I hope to see more of her work published and much more praise received for her past works.

Gabriela Lira

4/21/2015 10:28:18 pm

I hope she continues to write and perform her poems, because they're so personal and they can connect to so many people. They're so full of emotion and she delivers them so beautifully.

Obichi O

4/22/2015 03:15:21 am

Cici is a phenomenal young woman. Her ability to manipulate words and transform them into something much more than scribbles is amazing. She creates a message and is not afraid to explore the controversial. She is more than just a poet, she's an artist and is truly an inspiration to me. I urge her to never abandon her talent and never stop being herself because in doing so, she challenges others to love themselves while being fearless.

Fetsum

4/22/2015 03:21:48 am

CiCi is a wonderful poet and is a rare gem in our school. I think that the school should be very ashamed for not giving recognition to someone as accomplished as CiCi. I feel as if we have many people just like CiCi walking among us in school who's talent hasn't been brought to light. I really commend CiCi on her accomplishments as a writen and as a young female striving to get her education despite all of her struggles.

Fetsum C

4/22/2015 03:23:58 am

Rahjané Wheeler

4/22/2015 01:29:11 pm

Cici has a great mind setting & continue to write.

Natalia C.

4/22/2015 01:39:35 pm

Cici has achieved many things at a young age. I think she is doing a great job in becoming a successful person. She is very talented and inspiring, has the potential to influence others through her spoken words. Her words get to everyone who hears her. Her poems aren't just poems, they are words that flow within in the soul and wrap us around her words are great no matter what we are going through her poems and words help us.

Ife

4/22/2015 10:49:36 pm

A very young inspirational poet. She really is aiming for a lot for just a high school senior and I say that with respect.

Go Cici!!!!!! :D

Demi Pedley

4/23/2015 01:31:59 am

I was very moved by this poem because as a Christian who is trying to get closer to God I often feel this way. Many Christians will agree. Ci Ci did a good job as always.

Gerardo Quintanilla

4/23/2015 02:36:43 am

Cici has accomplished so much as such a young age. She is a really talented young lady & I'm sure you'll continue growing & developing her skills more & more

Ruth Omolola

4/23/2015 02:43:25 am

Cici is a very inspiring person , her poetry is inspiring and uplifting. I cannot wait to see what she does in the future .

Kevin Gonzales

4/23/2015 05:08:25 am

4/23/2015 05:08:47 am

Cici is really talented. She has been growing in her choice of words and how she expresses herself. The poem really was amazing. Idk if she was referring to our father in heaven but if she was, really good. She needs to continue with her talent because it will mean something in future.

Ashley Gbedo

4/23/2015 12:16:01 pm

Everytime Cici performs I always get the chills. Is is a magnificent poet, and is able to touch the hearts of anyone that is listening. She tells the truth of modern society, the truths we wish to hide, or the ones we choose to ignore. I can always feel the emotions in her poems, and I get teary every time she performs. When she performs you can not help but listen. I am really excited for her for her endeavors and her future.

Abdul Ismail

4/23/2015 01:07:32 pm

I think that Cici has a good talent and she also has energy

Cici Felton

National Poetry Month Celebration 2015

The interview

A Poet in Action

Please share your reaction below.
The energy you contribute transcends your imagination.

Leave a Reply.

Yvonne Brown

Archives

Cici Felton

National Poetry Month Celebration 2015

The interview

A Poet in Action

Please share your reaction below. The energy you contribute transcends your imagination.

Leave a Reply.

Yvonne Brown

Archives

Please share your reaction below.
The energy you contribute transcends your imagination.