The Beauty of a Rose: An Interview with Poet and Spoken Word Artist Adeke Rose

The stage spotlight shines on a short lady sitting on a stool. She is dressed in a blouse and pants set made of African Kente material. Her head is bowed and the audience in the small café sit attentively waiting. A man starts playing a bass guitar. She slowly raises her head and her passionate poetic words fill the room. The last word escapes her lips. The guitarist plays the last note. The room is filled with the sound of clapping hands, people whistling and snapping their fingers. She humbly smiles, grabs her crutches and exit the stage.

This is the life of poet/spoken word artist Adeke Rose. Mrs. Rose is based in Baltimore, MD but performs in venues across the country. She has an inviting smile and sweet disposition, but once she steps in front of the mic, the electricity in her voice takes over the room.

I was able to sit with Mrs. Rose recently to speak with her about the art of poetry and the spoken word along with a few other subjects.

MR: Hello Mrs. Rose. Thank you for taking a moment to share your thoughts and ideas about poetry and spoken word. My first question is how did you come about choosing the stage name Adeke Rose?

AR: When I was performing in college a friend named me Adeke, which is an African name, because of my many afrocentric pieces. I later added Rose; petals representing my vulnerability, thorns representing my tendency to self-protect and flower representing beauty I hope to bring into the heart of others.

MR: That's a beautiful thought. How long have you been writing and performing?

AR: I have been writing poetry since the fourth grade when I wrote a poem about Columbus day for a class assignment. I began performing in 9th grade.

MR: Do you still have the first poem your wrote? What was the name of it? What was it about?

AR: The first poem I wrote outside of school was in elementary school. It was called "War". I remember it was pretty radical for a military brat. It expressed concerned about all the victims of war and questioned whether the benefits were worth the losses. I still remember the lines.

MR: Tell us about your first performance.

AR: My first performance was in junior high. I memorized several stanzas of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" (of course including the verses regarding "that which we call a rose... "). My teachers were shocked because I was extremely shy and never talked, but recited these lines clearly and flawlessly.

MR: When Gil Scott Heron died last year, there were many post on Facebook about him from you and other poets. What was it about Mr. Heron that touch so many artists?

AR: Gil dared to speak from his heart when few wanted to take the risk and did so in a bold and unique way. He also demonstrates that we can still battle our own demons yet make a difference for others. He blended music and spoken word in a way that educated and informed across educational levels and generations. My father played his albums for me when I was a young teen. I passed his work on to my children. I still listen to him regularly. His work keeps me grounded. He will truly be missed.

MR: Who are the other writers or performances to influence you?

AR: In terms of traditional poets/writers; Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, Ntozake Shange, Dr. Acklyn Lynch, Gil Scott Heron, Last Poets, and many others of all races, genders and styles. I have an extensive library.

In terms of independent artists; Taalam Acey, Lamar Hill, Michelle "Love the Poet" Nelson, Rebecca Dupas,13 of Nazareth, Gloria Green (from my college days), Shelby Jade and Ethepoetemcee.

MR: Like many things in life, there is a cycle of what's "in". Spoken word has gone through its cycles. When you mention spoken word performances to people, the first thought is usually of hippies in a small smokey cafe with jazz music playing. Shows like Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam has increased the audience for spoken word, but what do you think is needed to elevate it to a status of appreciation like music?

AR: Poetry is frequently seen as second class to fiction/nonfiction in literary circles and to music in music venues. As a result poetry venues often become wandering nomads searching for residence in bars or coffee shops only to be bumped because they don't sell enough alcohol, or because of content, hours or dollars in general. Promoters/publishers often buy into the myth that poetry is a dying art and don't see the money and therefore value in it.

When consumers begin contacting radio stations, publishers and producers asking for spoken word/poetry thereby creating a demand, that is what fuels the industry. My concern about tv regarding spoken word/poetry, as in the descriptions you provided, is that they often paint a rigid and narrow picture of what a good poet looks, sounds and acts like. As a result we lose perspective regarding the amazing diversity of styles, content, venues and artists that are present in the poetry world.

MR: I read your book "Wounded Kings and Warrior Queens". A few poems grabbed my attention: "Mirrors Lie", "Soft Heart", and "Juvenile Justice". Please share with our audience your thoughts/messages behind each of these poems.

AR: "Mirrors Lie" is about my struggle with self image after a rare disease and medication left me physically disabled and 60 lbs heavier. I come to terms with my internal and natural beauty and rebuke superficial conditions of beauty.

"Soft Heart" speaks to my battle with severe shyness and recurrent loss, having spent my childhood moving from one military base after another, both in and out of the U.S.

"Juvenile Justice" comes out of my extensive experience working with youth involved in the justice/delinquency system and their families. I loved working with these kids. Unfortunately, as with many child focused services, they were extremely under-funded, understaffed and facilities overcrowded. Many people protest expansion of services on the back end (ie placement), but don't have any understanding of the disproportionate representation of minority youth entering the system nor what we can do to advocate and support our youth early. This poem was written to help others understand the needs and issues.

MR: I have seen you perform a number of times and the passion you bring is undeniable. Listening to your CD "Autobiography of a Rose", the poems that stick out to me are "On Love and Energy", "Poem For My Sisters", "Bang Bang" and "Autobiography of a Rose". Please share your thoughts behind these poems.

AR: "On Love and Energy" speaks to my belief that true love never dies. Strong emotion such as anger or hate often comes from hurt or loss. This poem goes through the stages of love, loss, and loving again. It is my most frequently requested poem to perform.

"Poem for my Sisters" was written to encourage and educate young women about both the importance of education and the brave young women that broke through segregated doors to open them to the rest of us.

"Bang Bang" was based on true stories of youth gun violence that resulted in death, suicide and/or incarceration. It is a painful wake up call to us all.

"Autobiography of a Rose" was about my search for identity and peace as a young black woman after being raised overseas, on military bases and in a predominantly white, middle class community. The contrast of the identity challenges with the roses to speak the feelings I was unable to voice.

MR: I can tell from your poetry that you are concerned about the state of the African-American community as well as our world as a whole. As we near Black History month, what do you believe is needed to get us back to the unity we had during the time of Martin and Malcolm?

AR: We have been sold a bill of goods that suggest we live in a post racial America. In the days of Malcolm and Dr. King, most could agree we faced racism issues. Now, divisions of class, gender, social status, sexuality, politics, geographic location, etc. confound issues of race. Those who are more comfortable sometimes discount the impact racism still has today.

We as a racial group allow our differences to divide us rather than rejoice in our diversity and unify in our common purpose. We must stop "blaming the victim" and enabling the perpetrator. All "isms" exist and are wrong. Subtle racism is a symptom-less cancer. You have no clear sign it is there, but it will eventually destroy you if it is not identified and treated.

MR: On a lighter note, besides poetry, do you have any other creative outlets? What do you do for fun?

AR: I LOVE music - jazz, blues, R&B the most - but I love all types of music. I also love aquariums, cooking and travel. I'm also finishing up writing my first novel.

MR: I look forward to reading your first novel. Thank you again for taking time for this interview. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and ideas with us. Is there any final message you would like to share with our readers?

AR: Our greatest gift, regardless of race, gender, sex, etc., is our ability to love. Love strengthens, heals and connects. When we come from a place of love for people, country, family, faith without conditions, we unify rather than divide. I hope my love for others will be healing for you.

Visit http://www.adekerose.com to keep up to date on appearances or to book Adeke Rose for your next event. She performs at many area poetry shows including: Blessing the Arts at Bohemian Café, Acoustic Thursdays at Peace and a Cup of Joe and Be Free Fridays at Eubie Blake Center. Her books "Dancing in Darkness"(poetry for healing) and "I'm Not Afraid of the Dark…Anymore" (a book for children) along with a CD version of "Wounded Kings and Warrior Women" are scheduled for release this spring.