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Sandra Sedgwick Williams From "The Good News Poet"
To
The Quiet Storme!
SANDRA SEDGWICK WILLIAMS is no stranger to the world of poetry or the art of Spoken Word. She’s been writing poetry for so long she sometimes jokes, "When I came out of my mother’s womb, I asked the doctor for a pen and paper"
Her writing career actually began back in elementary school when she would write short stories and share them with her best friend at that time, Debbie Ott. When Debbie suddenly passed away, Sandra’s passion for writing also left momentarily.
In High School, Sandra began writing love poems for her friends to help solidify the success of their quest to capture the hearts of the ones they loved. Her success rate was 100% and eventually helped lead a couple down the aisle and across the broom to the land of Holy Matrimony.
When Sandra married in 1975, her desire to write poetry surfaced again. When she was invited to attend a meeting with the publishers of Vanity Press who gave very good reviews to a manuscript she had submitted to them for consideration. Her husband at that time remarked, "If I wanted a wife with a career, I would have married one." Reluctantly her pen an pad were quietly folded and put away once again. The marriage proved to be both physical and verbally abusive and ended with Sandra taking their 4 sons and returning back to their long time home in Virginia. Upon returning to Virginia, Sandra joined Beth-el Church Of God In Christ where her Pastor Melvin Lee Austin encouraged her creative juices to flow once again. And flow they did. She became "The Good News Poet" and would, at the drop of a hat, produce the most amazing poetry that would move the congregation to foot stomping, hand clapping, laughing and singing. Her first book "A Different Direction" was published in 1989 and was donated to the Church to help with the building fund. Other works followed such as publications in Anthologies and local news papers as well as Church News Papers. Sandra became Editor of the Church’s news paper that she created that quickly became a welcomed edition to her Churches’ weekly agenda.
In 2003 and married again, with her newly adopted children Sandra relocated to Atlanta Georgia.. With a second marriage on the rocks and sinking rapidly, comfort came in the form of what Sandra lovingly calls "Song of Solomon" poems. In the beginning the poems were shared with a very few of Sandra’s friends. The idea remained in the back of her head about taking the poetry on the road again but to a different audience. The best part is she was now in the perfect place. SPOKEN WORD COUNTRY. Atlanta Georgia.
In 2007 with a ton of passion seeking poetry under her belt, The Quiet Storme was born. Sandra became a part of the MySpace.com community and found a solid faithful following for her poetry there. Grateful for the number of Christians within the on line community who found comfort and identity with the soft spoken words the artist would share. It didn’t take long for the word "hit" to
become associated with the writer. Putting her head together with one of the founders of BSG Entertainment, Benjamin Sedgwick, her youngest son and oldest fan, Sandra began working on the idea of just how her work was suppose to sound. The co engineer of Under 5'9 productions, Sara Gibson, began to develop the perfect music to match the soft spoken poetic stylings of this gifted writer. The project began to quickly unfold right before their eyes. Sandra registered with ASCAP as a writer/composer and got to work. Her first CD "Sweet Surrender" is a collection of " very" soft spoken word poetry unlike any she’s done before. She tested a sample of the work and received an ovation of positive feedback followed by request for pre sales. The first air play was on Author Speaks hosted by Michele Green the gifted author of "The Passion Within" Sandra’s poetry quickly found it’s way onto the playlist of Madison Radio. With the CD nearing completion, the work has just begun. The buzz has grown for this artist who states proudly that, "This work is Psoemetry designed for the Grown and Sexy"
Speaking to one of her fans, Mrs. Shirley Godfrey of Newport News, Virginia, Sandra was told, "There is a market for this type of poetry. It’s different in a way. We older people need and want something we can relate to in this game called LOVE. We’ve been waiting for you for a very long time and now you’re here. What took you so long and how much longer must we wait?"
"I’m here now," Sandra replied. "And I promise you, the wait will be worth it. Thank you for your patience" When asked what Ms Williams inspiration was for this almost intoxicating poetry. Sandra smiled and directed my attention to a photo sitting on her shelf. "Between my friend Carney and hours of listening to my favorite artist, Anita Baker" you can’t help but feel passionate. When you listen to Anita Baker...her songs have gotten "it" right. You know, that crazy little thing called love. After missing the boat so many times, you want to get "it" right as well. Carney might be my chance at getting "it" right. But, you know that life is not always such a good sport and love seldom plays fair. But you keep getting back in the game and hope for the best. You hope the players will keep it real and have the same goals as you have. Deep inside of my heart I long for the love and passion I write about to be very real in my life. And it turns out that there are a lot of people who feel the same way I do. When I write, we embrace spirits and comfort one another and if I’m hurting....I then feel better. And I can write because I have suffered enough to."
Along with the CD due to hit the market in May, Sandra will also introduce her own line of perfumes and oils, "The Quiet Storme Collection for men and women" The fragrances promise to be every bit as sensual as her soft spoken word poetry. Sandra smiles, "I write the poems that make the whole world embrace....I’m not responsible for what happens after that." And with that, the interview was over. The next day is photo day for the CD project. This poet is certainly someone to take a look at.
WILLIAMS * SEDGWICK* GIBSON * 1964 Maplewood Trail * Decatur * Georgia * (678) 793-2582
WHEN TROUBLE CAME TO TOWN
Trouble is that brother related to Sadie Mae
You remember that fiiiine one I met the other day?
He was tall as an oak tree, strong as a bull
and when I laid eyes on him sistah gurl
my heart started to pull.
I wasnʼt for sure if he was looking at me too
til he wink his fine eye and said, "Whatʼs up boo?".
Gurrrrl he was SO fine Iʼd drink the perspiration
right off his nose
he was SOOOO fine I felt a wiggling in my toes.
And I think he knew, so I tried to keep my cool.
So I said, in my hardest voice, "what you want fool?"
Then he chuckled, an I thought I would just faint.
He said, "Might be alotta thangs, but a fool I aint."
I felt so silly and sooo giddy and oouuuu
then he came closer and said, "I just wanna get close to you."
Then my hands, and my knees and my legs started a shakin
I was about to loose my cool points,
so I had to start fakin.
He asked, "You cold?" and I told him, "Yeah, a little bit"
He said, "Let me hold you and warm you..." then I said,
"Donʼt think of it.
Iʼll be just fine soon as I get to a fire."
He smiled, "Iʼll be your fireman,
let my ladder take you higher."
Gurrrrrl, I couldnʼt believe it so I slapped him in his face.
Then I said, "Fresh" then he gently took me by my waist.
He looked deeply into my eyes as far as his eyes could see
then he whispered, "Girl all I see is you right here lovin me."
Chillllle the brotha was tooo smooth Iʼve got ta give it to him
then he kissed me on my cheek, and then, and then
he kissed me on my eye lids, then he kissed me on my face
then he kissed me on my shoulder and then just one other place.
Then I felt a rushy feeling running hot right up my spine.
Then I said, "Hold it baby, I gotta man, so if you donʼt mind."
Then he stood right up and smiled, "I suppose you do.
But can your man do the things that I can do for you?"
So I asked him, "Just what kind of things you talkin about?"
"When he touches you with his thunder,
can he make your body shout?"
Iʼll admit, I was a little embarrased so I pushed 'Tall Fine' away
and said, "You need to save that conversation for someone else
some other day."
So I acted like I didnʼt like it, but gurl you know I really did.
Had to keep my self composure, had to keep my feelings hid.
Then he took me by my hand and then he shook his bowl leg
Uhhhhhh. Then he whispered in my ear,
gurl let me tell you what he said.
Oh second thought, Iʼd better not...I ainʼt tryin to get in trouble.
But the words that brother said made my heart, skip, beat and bubble.
Ohhhh. Iʼm getting hot, did you turn the heat up high?
Donʼt you dare tell my boyfriend. If you do I will just die.
No for real, Iʼll die for real, cause dude will kill me.
Donʼt believe that song no more, gurl all butterflies aint free.
Whew ahhhhhh gurl that man could certainly
lay some lovin down.
Iʼll never forget that day
WHEN TROUBLE CAME TO TOWN
© January 17, 2009
Sandra Sedgwick Williams
The Art Of Psoemetry
Author statement:
There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. I want to show a flip side of the coin. There is much to love about this much maligned and misumderstood part of our country. In my book, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life.
No Child Left Behind