Creativity strolled by
Thru a kitchen door
Connection Made in Smiles
Magnetism and Allure 

Your Expressions shared
All the while you not knowing
My pen had dipped in to the ink well for many years
And at one time on parchment paper my expressions
did soar
Beginning to realize thru this exchange
I was trapped
Trapped in a self induced cage
Cruising thru my career
Wearing a fine business suit

Invitation extended
A night of Spoken Word
Panoramic Poetry
Old City Philadelphia 
Welcomed by a most gracious host, Herb
as if being invited into his own Family room
Instantly placed at ease I became by this genuine greeting
This peaceful, soothing, quiet Spirit
Unruffled and Relaxed   
Like a blossoming flower
My soul opened as I anticipated the creative vibe about to flow

Moved deeply I was by the melodious sweet, sweet verse of a beautiful soul
Michelle
Charmed I was by his uniqueness and his sensual signature piece “Sista Flava Ice Cream”
Crucial
And then there was Whisper, who did anything but whisper
Expressing passionately was this Cool She Cat
Proclamation in her Prose and on her Belt Loop
was attached a Big Old Baseball Bat
And I am not messin with that….
And then he took the stage
Reading with such Clarity and Cause
A Zealous Expressor as if on a mission
Clarence
The sophisticated messenger who was “Not an Entertainer”  

Creativity danced before me
Through out the artistic space
Connection made thru Reflection
Of my own Mirrored Face
For your Expressions shared
All the while you all not knowing
My pen had dipped into the ink well for many years
And at one time on parchment paper my expressions did soar
Realizing more and more and more
I was deeply trapped in a self-induced cage
Cruising thru my career
Wearing a fine business suit

The evening at a close
I leaned toward the creative by my side
My college aged son
Curious to hear his thoughts
Learning he to was moved and would someday like to read his art from the stage
I questioned, “Would you be comfortable? Cause as ya see we are the only Vanilla n the place?”
He chuckled and replied,
No, “I “am the only Vanilla
You, Mom, are White Chocolate 

So in a humorous moment
Between a ma and her son
A poetic name was advised
And soulfulness recognized

So tonight on my poetic debut
I say Thank You October Gallery
For welcoming me to your stage
And Thank You Herb- a most gracious Host
For inviting me into your poetic family room
And for sharing your artistry with me
Thank you also to Michelle, Crucial, Whisper,
And to Clarence
For thru all of your expressions shared
My creative Beast has been unleashed
My self induced cage has now become
CREATIVE RAGE

I am set free once again to articulate me
My pen dips again into the ink well
And on parchment paper my expressions do soar
And although I am still cruising thru my career
Still wearing a fine business suit
I have returned to the art
The art of rhythmic story
Oh, and by the way,
My real name is Lori            

©White Chocolate
Remembrance of my 1st night at October Gallery 2005