Allison Sylvia: Word Artist / Poet / Singer / Virtuoso

Allison Sylvia: spoken word artist / poet / singer / virtuoso / AWoW member
(Mitch Traphagen Photo)

By Allison Sylvia

I was faced with the reality 

that my life is not marked 

by romantic love

but rather 

love of the earth, ritual practice,

artistic community and inspiring words.

The poem that came out of this understanding

is one that includes my daily liturgy (shower ritual)

with quotes – not only from the AWOW members

present&performing – but also from poets George Watsky,

Hafiz, William Carlos Williams and my own past works.

Two sonnets found their way to the middle – they are reworked

from a sonnet crown for unrequited.projected love – 

here I turn the light around

and find the love I long to give

is always right inside of me.

i like to think

of every subway car

& late night performance

space as an absolutely

unique collection of beings

in a time&place that has

never been before

&will never be

again so in

honor of

this community

sharing this space

this evening

let’s take a

collective breath

everyone exhale

empty.empty

lungs

fill yourself

from toes

to hips

to fingertips

exhale

let it go

like

the wind

now that

we’re

all together

it’s time i begin

with a little poem

some here

already know

the song of my heART

from which all new

works flow

love

love

love

it’s such a relief

to sing the word

true love

wherever

you might be

listen to me

i got a feeling

we are gonna

win

rejoicing

destined

for this age

our bodies

make it

perfect

first

turn to me

&your eyes

can make me

swim

my warrior

my muse

though i cannot

see how you

move your wings

&from above you

how i sank into

your soul

the space between

then again

everything

seems new

my tongue

&roof

to say the least

i’m into you

what i want

you’ve got

it might be hard

to handle

love is telepathic

&our eyes

tragic the way

i feel

how long

until

(yOu)

drink me up

again

this dream

pays for its

space in my

heART

i can hear

a rhythm start

each embrace

faith/surrender

&yes

i say yes

i am

yes

fool

holding you

never be alone

i never learn

kissing you

tell me i belong

please tell me

i belong

here is my hand

do you trust me

i pledge allegiance

to your heart

come place yours

beside mine

will you let me

write you

poetry?

please

please

please

this time

sAy

yes

.

i take

your applause

to signify consent

in gratitude

i invite you

to join me

in a dance

it goes

Here

(stomp.stomp)

Love

(reach out&touch)

Home

(hand2heart)

My feet

meet the street

to this mantra’s beat

each time

you reach for love

can you touch

a different

friend

what the world

needs now

is all the

good vibrations

we can send

Let’s try again

it goes :

Here.love.home

Here.love.home

Where do I begin

to tell the story

of how great

awow can be?

i know

the ground

from which

i rise

it’s here

with you

before your

eyes

i find my feet

are always home

through rituals

i practice life

in reverence

is power

each shower

i have some

good clean fun

i do my best

to make a prayer

of every single one

thank you

for the water

that always

comes out

of the faucet

thank you that

it is as hot as

i want it

water

is sacred

water is life

may i use

its energy

wisely

as i move

through the

rest of my

night&

day

you are

the one

only you

beneath

the moon

&under

the sUn

whether near

to me or far

it’s no matter

darling where

you are

i dream

of you

don’t fall

asleep yet

contrary to

popular

belief

that’s not

where dreams

get accomplished

a curious force

awakens

it is hope

aroused once

more

lOve

is what

we’re here

for

it’s what

i got

i said

remember

that

i am not

enlightened

yet

i

respect

the human

being

i

am

great

ful

for

the

body

I

call

hOMe

the

mInd

I

fInd

the

hEARt

I

hOLD

I

am

hOno

rEd

by

my

hANDs

that

tOUch

my

tOn

gUe

thAt

tAstes

my

fEEt

bless

me

dAIly

wIth

aMAzIng

grAce

I

am

grOUn

ded

&

sec

Ure

I

cAn

mAke

my

sUn

rIse

heresy

of my soul

love is truth.i want.to sing.mine.out loud

to she(that ME)the star I always see

wish to stand.brave.heart beam.hand.head high.prOUd.**

i lovingly persist.i sing of thee

not allowed to force.let(go)with the flow

i can be taught.promise.i yearn to learn

i’m here.a space.a home.where i can grow

pattern returns.to dance.little light.burn

through rabbit holes.rainbows.one dream.i chase

i trust my feet.over bridges.i roam

when there’s nothing but time.there’s only pace

i know however far.all roads lead home

beloved.mother.whispers from the rock

[ ‘girl.put fingertips o’er keys&unlOck’ ]

all : one.muse.mirror.divine.love.mind

slow down.baby girl.sit.breathe.take stock

i am always here.what i need.i find

I want everything.now&then.begin

certain.i take part.in the work.outside

be.sing.dance.speak.create.recite.listen

in every one I meet.I see.my pride

yearn.turn.create life.midas touch.sure of

the path i chose.true.always.find(a)way

forever.dance.w/trees&stars above

venus.morning star.sun.heralds.each day

here.now.may i be.the change.i wish to

{see.there is only (eye) dreaming of me}

in the

constant

celestial

gaze

i honor

the friends

who give me

breath

as i cross

the threshold

of every

public park

i sign

thank you

i love you

then bring

hands to my

heART

have

you heard

the secrets

of the earth

green space

soil&rain

is sacred

common

ground

communities

gather

salvation

found

guiding light

of you

first

love&respect

myself

only then

extend

to chosen

family

i find

BELOVED

all around

welcome

to this

dynamic

space

where

great art

flourishes

how do

i love thee

here

we

really

are

let me

count

the ways

as one

shoulder

to

shoulder

create

our future

Faithful friends

who are dear to us

Gather near to us

once more

conscious

dreamer

gotta fight

for the

life

you love

reinvent

self

show them

what you’re

made of

follow

your heart

trust

the buzz

in your

belly

hOpe

to achieve

hold on

let go

believe

lightness

lift

resonance

identify

with creators

around the world

Lately, I’ve been

having the same old

dreams

manifest one

right now&here

the right track

No time

Like the

Present

Elect

Star of Hope

President

Unity of

body.mind.soul

art.love.home

Is the goal

AWOW

I find heaven

in what you

mean to me

a feeling

without words

a bird will sing

Day by day

Step by step

Walk the way

Promise kept

coming

home

again

keep calm

bound for

my kin

create on

that’s the

story of

that’s the

glory of

when i say

ARTISTS

you say

WOW

ARTISTS

WOW

ARTISTS

WOW

when you say

I LOVE

i say

YOU

I LOVE

YOU

I LOVE

YOU

here.love.home

here.love.home

peace.love.respect

thank you

for playing

along

together

we are

strong

that’s the

power

of

song