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Friends: Annette, have you ever considered doing an audibook?
Me: I'm marinating in joy and gratitude! This afternoon, with the incredible assistance of Carlos Velez/#Topcityrecords uploaded the contents of what will be my first audiobook! Stay tuned for more details here and on my website for further information about its availability.
**Update***: We've received notice that the upload met all required specifications–to that I say "Sqeeeeeeeeee!"
My heart is bursting with appreciation for all your support! I feel thoroughly hugged!
Friends: Add this to your website as well...
Me: “I was honored to read original poetry at Highland Park High School at the dedication of a bench placed in memory of a friend's mother, Mrs. Joyce Martin.”
https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/students-celebrate-life-of-longtime-topeka-educator/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR11wya6n-xwhSGKm0OoIa87WzdcO9ZOuYZFPf8mxPXHei0XoRRLTN0XOT0_aem_eTQBBVjpJ_A2VraLLZbQBQ
~ May you find grace in every space. ~
“Wail”
A daughter will be at Sunday dinner,
somewhere after grace and
before her mother’s recipe potato salad,
her kinfolk will be startled to see
her chest splayed open,
ribs askew, all its contents laid bare,
heart most prominent,
each coronary artery poised to deliver oxygen
like it was gospel
and each beat was church.
There will be a collective gasp to see
her heart not pumping blood,
but hot tears.
Then, they will understand
“broken-hearted” is a bona fide diagnosis
not just a figure of speech
to describe some motherless child.
Opinion had been the daughter was mostly done
with grief over a decade old,
so they are startled to see her
still so hurt.
The daughter will rise,
use an heirloom dinner napkin
to hold her insides in place,
she will excuse herself,
flee to her mother’s room,
throw herself
across the bed
and wail.
Annette Hope Billings
See more here... (opens in new window.)
In bookstores, on stages, and in our own backyards.
Witness Annette Hope Billings, who grew up and lives in Topeka, Kansas. Population 127,000, Topeka is the capital of Kansas. The town is known as being the site of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, the home of the queer-bashing Westboro Baptist Church, and the location of a Frito-Lay chip factory, among many other mundane things.
Topeka also is the birthplace of one of the most significant poets of the modern era, Gwendolyn Brooks, and it has a vibrant poetry scene.
Among the most well-known and beloved poets of Topeka is Annette—a dear friend who recently became much more than a friend to me. Yes, I’m biased, but you should also know that I loved Annette’s poetry long before I loved her.
Read the rest of the article on Diane Silver's blog including full texts of some of Annette's work.
Also, listen to Annette's poem, "What you allow lingers" here on Facebook.
Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
May 3 to August 11, 2024
Annette Billings will be teaching poetry workshops at the event! Click here or the image below to learn more.
Join us in the Rita Blitt Gallery in White Concert Hall for a celebration of community as we host both an art unveiling and an open mic poetry slam.
White Concert Hall, Rita Blitt Gallery
Thursday, May 2, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Click here for the Facebook event page.
Join artist Vanessa German and an intergenerational community choir of Topekans as they undertake the premiere performance of the Sound of Courage Spoken Word Operetta.
A reception will take place prior to the performance and will begin at 6:30p with an exhibit of sculptural works that are part of the "Love & Justice: 70 Years & A Reckoning" project commissioned by ArtsConnect. The operetta performance will begin at 8p and will be followed by a "talk back" about the creation of these works of art.
White Concert Hall
Friday, May 24, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Click here for the Facebook event page.
I thoroughly enjoyed traveling to Ft. Scott and writing this article for Kansas Magazine. - AHB
During a recent visit to Fort Scott, Kansas, I learned the multi-talented, award-winning Kansan whom I thought was named Gordon Parks was actually named Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks. It seems fitting that a man of many talents would have many names, and nothing but an impressive name suited such an impressive person. (And speaking of impressive, I smile to think that his mother—who had already named his 14 older siblings—still had such a stock of names left.)
Sponsored by Poet, HELEN TOWNSEND and TRABAR & ASSOCIATES
THEME: "Family, Home and Roots"
Gordon Parks - Photo by Michael Henry
This poetry contest is inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing. This is open to any emerging poet. Poets are invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Who can participate?
Emerging poets of all ages and skill levels who have not yet been published in a book are invited to write a poem for this contest.
The International Women’s Day Poetry Reading happened on March 8 from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Here are some of the highlights and photos of la noche de poesía. Words by Nurehşan Guneri, the Intercultural Dialogue Student Association President, the first woman ISDA president, and a recent graduate of UMKC.
Sponsored by: UMKC Intercultural Dialogue Student Association, and Dialogue Institute of Kansas City
Co-sponsored by: UMKC Women's Center, & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
When: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 @ 7.00 to 8.15 p.m.
Where: Zoom (Registration in advance needed)
I would describe myself as a woman of immense warmth with deep compassion for people. I would add to those qualities creativity, tenacity and a generous dollop of humor. My greatest joys spring from interacting with people through physical presence and through sharing art. I consider myself a survivor. I’ve been able to answer trauma with grace and a determination to help others. I believe art saves humanity from itself. I'm a gentle jokester who relishes laughter and loves to have others join me in it. I enjoy happy surprises and things that make me giggle (which feels distinctly different than laughter to me).
Poetry can express volumes of our lives with an economy of words.
Annette Hope Billings is an African-American Kansas poet, playwright, actress and nurse, who now offers by sharing her poetry and prose. She has written two collections of poetry, one-act plays and numerous short stories.
Her book of poems, A Net Full of Hope, garnered the Topeka, Kansas, 2015 ARTSConnect Arty Award for Literature.
Annette’s readers have dubbed her "the Maya of the Midwest," a moniker she allows with all due humility and gratitude. Known for her performance delivery style, she has been received enthusiastically in many diverse venues.
Her newly-released book, Descants for a Daughter, is a collection of affirmations/meditations and very timely. If you would like to purchase autographed copies of any of Annette's books, please click here.
To view more of Annette's performances, click here.
Watch this amazing video from the 2017 KU Chancellor's Report featuring Annette's unique voiceover work: