Lawrence Nicol

National Poetry Month Celebration 2015

Bio: Lawrence Nicol is also known as Tuesday, a poet who writes mostly about love or life experiences. He has been writing since he was a sophomore in high school. Lawrence is currently preparing a collection of poetry for publication in the winter of 2015. 

The Interview

1.Where do you draw your inspiration from to write poetry? 
My inspiration to write poetry comes from love and life experiences. Whenever I find something I love (mostly music) I try my best to let it inspire me through words. 

2.  What advice do you have for someone that is threatened by poetry?
If someone is threatened by poetry, they shouldn't be. My biggest advice to anyone is if you're scared the best thing you can do is at least try. Writing is therapeutic so even if you don't get the outcome you want at least you can relieve some stress in the process.

3. What is an interesting fact about you? 
I got my poetry name from my nephew.  My middle name is Babatunde and he could never say that so he would always say Babatuesday so I shortened it and got Tuesday.  Another fun fact?  I was also born on a Tuesday!!!

4. Where are you from/Where do you live?
Born from parents of West African decent (Sierra Leone and Guinea) I was raised in Prince Georges County and lived in Lanham for the past 22 years. 

5. Who is your favorite poet?
My favorite poet is Jasmine Mans, her ability to make me feel her words in the pit of my stomach move me tremendously. My favorite poet from her is "Dear Ex Lover." She also has a mixtape "Black Boy Gold." 

A Poem

"Don't Shoot" (Stand for Something)

I see you're willing to stand for something 
But will you still raise your hands in protest 
When the news loses interest in the slaying of young black boys 
Will you march in solidarity if there is no one to document your movements 
See what are you really fighting for 
But the opportunity to say you were there 

When will enough be enough 
How much more blood will be shed in the name of the law 
The very same law that swore to serve and protect you
What stories must you tell your child when you send him off into this world 
A world that wants nothing more 
Than to see him as a man who fits the description 
A description he often knows nothing about but somehow was born with

See this is my reality
Somehow our melanin became a target
For those who harbor hatred for a race of men who want nothing more than to be equals

Equal enough to walk the streets and make it home without 
making a national headline black man slain before his time
See this is now becoming the norm 
And we can no longer choose to ignore
They are picking us off one by one 
Till we are no more

I see you're willing to stand for something
But please do more than raise your hands in protest.  
They say the revolution will not be televised 
Nor will it wait for those who stand on the sidelines

It is time to make a change
Lift up your voices and be heard
Let them know we are worth more than make shift memorials and teddy bears on corners
Liquor poured over concrete 
We have seen to many mothers mourning 
And we tired
I am tired
Tired that our lives mean little next to nothing 
In a world where our legacies are forced to scream martyrs for causes we choose not to die for 

And to the next brother who won't make it home due to the unjust balance of power I pray to the almighty God your death will not be in vain 

And for those us who are left to remain to endure this pain I pray you do SOMETHING. 

A Poet in Action

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