Wednesday Night Poetry features English teacher, poet
Conway English teacher and poet Jasmine Harris will be this week’s feature for Wednesday Night Poetry at Kollective Coffee+Tea, 110 Central Ave.
The weekly open mic session for all poets begins at 6:30 p.m. and Harris will perform at 7 p.m., followed by a second open mic. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Born in Germany, Harris spent most of her childhood in Morrilton, which is where she began writing poetry. She was 11 years old at the time and it was after writing a biography about Maya Angelou. “Ms. Angelou taught me to write passionately about life and I do,” Harris said in a news release. “I am inspired by stories of growth, persistence and tenacity.”
Harris writes about her own experiences and the climate of society regarding women and minorities. She describes her poetry as soulful, feminine and witty. It is her hope to inspire and encourage women in the importance of self-care. Harris recently published a collection of her poems titled “I May Have Been In My Feelings.” The book details the diverse experiences and growth journey of a woman. Copies of the book will be available Wednesday night.
She received her B.A. in linguistics and master’s in education from the University of Central Arkansas. Presently she is in graduate school studying how to further educational equity for women and minorities, while teaching literature and English at a secondary school in Central Arkansas. Harris is currently working on a novel based on some of her unpublished poems.
In addition to her book, her poetry has been published by the International Poetry Digest. Her favorite poets include Angelou, Ntozake Shange and Tupac Shakur
More information about Harris can be found online at http://www. crownpressbooks.squarespace.com.
Email budonfoot@yahoo.com for more information about Wednesday Night Poetry.