
Embark on a poetic journey with Marlo/literary artist/inspirational poems
As a word artist, I infuse truth and hope by engaging and inspiring shared experiences through literary art. Words Matter!

As a word artist, I infuse truth and hope by engaging and inspiring shared experiences through literary art. Words Matter!

Poetry is Power!
Poetry is a powerful form of art and art is expression. Art is healing, art is medicine, art is therapeutic. Most important, art can unite the divided making it a powerful force which is why I use poetry to engage. The communal aspect of being able to have someone else who relates to your shared experience through a work of literary art is priceless. Words matter!
Specifically, I have found that poetry is the most freeing form of expression for me. When emotions that I find hard to grapple with come to the surface, I find relief by drafting a poem to express and rid myself of sadness, anxiety, or grief. Although I was a teenager when I began writing poetry, during the 2020 pandemic and period of protests during that time, writing truly was my therapy. It's what got me through. Creating poems is the primary way to make sense of the senseless things happening around me, which is the most important reason I continue to write poetry.
Art is healing and brings hope that change is possible from looking at a fresh perspective.

There are many reasons why I am a writer. The freedom that comes with expression through writing is important. The communal aspect of being able have someone to relate to with a shared experience through a work of literary art is priceless.

Timely and moving, Marlo's poetry will draw you in with a balance of candor and truth while she opens up subjects and lays them bare for all to examine.

Discover The art of the Poet with the recommendations of good reads by emerging and established poets.
My daughter, my first born, 6 months old with fair skin, my kin.
Fairer than the white women who stare, examine and question
her skin with my features, my features with her skin
as if together they are a sin.
Race-related assumptions behind the implications.
We don’t “match” preconceived notions of what my family should look like.
Silently questioning what kind of daughter, I can produce
with these thighs, with these hips, with these lips
that tickle her sweet little cheeks while I bounce her on those cute little feet.
So, they ask, as if the answer will give them closure.
A puzzle their minds just can’t put together.
How can they dare? They don’t care about us.
They don’t know me, but they could have known me.
In the past, they could have owned me.
Therein lie their problems and explains why they feel entitled to solve them.
So, I answer, “After 30 hours of labor it’s safe to say she’s mine.”
I
I am
I am a
I am a work
I am a work in
I am a work in progress
I am a work in progress and
I am a work in progress and I
I am a work in progress and I know
I am a work in progress and I know this.
Black Don’t Crack
Yes, I have heard all these silly phrases
attempt to address various people’s ages.
Black Don’t Crack
and Asian doesn’t raisin.
brown sticks around
while yellow stays mellow.
But these observations
exclude the Caucasians.
People obsessed that we don’t look our age.
This is the way that they choose to engage.
“But you look so young!” say some slightly enraged
while inspecting the book, trying to turn every page.
Attempting to crack it open, reveal what’s tattered, torn
in a book that was well read so it should be well worn,
not showing wear and tear, it's outrageously unfair.
May I offer a confession?
Sometimes it feels like a micro-aggression.
A seemingly harmless expression,
but it’s a complicated phrase.
A backhanded compliment
undermining the depth of our days.
The ways we’ve endured more than most
sitting at the feet of a complicated post in life
while reflecting our tenacity, bravery, and strength
in a mirror that has the gall to be full-length.
Yes, it seems to be the fact that Black don't crack,
but perhaps we should all be a bit on guard
because when Black finally cracks,
it’s going to crack hard!
Bechtler Museum of Modern 420 South Tryon Steet, Charlotte, NC 28202
Celebrating Queens, Honoring Legacy, Amplifying Voices, and Protecting the Narrative. Join me for a live performance of my poetry on the Cul...
Bechtler Museum of Modern 420 South Tryon Steet, Charlotte, NC 28202
North Regional Library, Durham, NC
The North Carolina's Poetry Society will host readings of this year's winner's poetry by featured poets, and an open mic. As a winner, Marlo...
North Regional Library, Durham, NC
Belmont Bookshop 7 N Main Street, Belmont, NC 28012
Poetry Night Out: Join us as we kick off National Poetry Month with an Ekphrastic experience featuring poets' art inspired readings. Feature...
Belmont Bookshop 7 N Main Street, Belmont, NC 28012
Yancey County Library 321 School Circle, Burnsville, NC 28714
3rd Annual PIPS Poetry Reading where Marlo will be one of the Poster Poets from April 2024 - March 2026 who are invited to read their chose...
Yancey County Library 321 School Circle, Burnsville, NC 28714
The Hop West 721 Haywood Rd. Asheville, NC
Let's gather this year and celebrate spring and poetry. Marlo will be one of the featured readers and there will be poetry and ice cream!
The Hop West 721 Haywood Rd. Asheville, NC
"Your poems speak to me because they paint a picture that is showing me in my mind rather than just telling me a story which is a breath of fresh air - educational and entertaining. Poetry has never been more enjoyable!"
"Her poet activist work is flawless and helped me break down barriers in my project with precision and expertise by allowing me to see things from a new perspective."
"The world needs to see your words and your artistry, so we hope you'll come back to DWCC! Thank you for giving us a voice to speak to what we all have been experiencing but couldn't articulate."
Words connect us, just like poetry does. Whether you have a thought, a question, or simply wish to share a moment—drop me a line below. Let’s turn words into conversations.
Are you ready for your Poetic journey, or do you need the services of a word smith to make an impactful opening or closing at your event? Do you have questions or want to schedule a poetry reading? Would you like to collaborate on your next big art project? Contact me, and let's start this exciting adventure together!

For bookings, please reach out to me at contact@marlothepoet.net
Marlo fell in love with great literary works in middle school. She discovered Shel Silverstein, Edgar Allan Poe, Maya Angelou, and Alice Walker as favorite writers and began crafting poetry as a teenager but stopped in college years while earning her BSW and MSW from East Carolina University. She started writing children’s stories inspired by raising two daughters. She returned to poetry during the pandemic when there were protests after the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. Writing again provided a voice and place to express feelings when emotions bubbled up during sleepless nights. As a woman and person of color, Marlo is inspired by issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Poetry is power! Power to engage, heal, and unite by providing fresh perspectives. Marlo’s poetry addresses racial identity, social justice, and personal reliance. It offers a powerful and heartfelt reflection on contemporary struggles and strength.
Marlo is attending a year-long low-residency program with Charlotte Lit's Poetry Chapbook Lab 2025. Designed to help her to produce a cohesive, well-crafted manuscript of 12 -20 poems with the goal to publish in 2026. This competitive and comprehensive academic pursuit enriches her understanding of language use and communication as she crafts her debut.
🔗Charlotte Lit
🔗Charotte Writers Club (CWC)
🔗Poetry Foundation
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