Every voice writes a story.
"Dear Master"
by Fredreka "Dreka" Irvine
🎙 Listen - Read by Dr. Carolyn Irvine
The Story Behind the Poem
I wrote "Dear Master" as a reflection of the resilience of those who endured slavery. As I imagined the speaker's voice, I kept returning to one question: What if someone tried to erase every outward part of who you are, yet could never destroy the essence of who you are?
This poem explores the tension between attempted erasure and enduring identity. While slavery sought to strip people of their names, culture, and humanity, it could not extinguish their faith, dignity, or the strength of the human spirit.
The title is intentional. Although the poem is addressed to the enslaver, the true voice belongs to the one who refuses to be defined by oppression. By the end, the speaker reclaims power not through revenge, but through resilience, hope, and the promise that identity and legacy will continue long after hatred has had its say.
Above all, this poem is a tribute to the enduring strength of the human spirit. A face may be hidden, but a soul cannot be erased.
Dear Master,
You hated me so much,
you erased my face.
You took away my features,
and tried to hide my race.
But I knew you before this.
Can't you see it's too late?
I know everything about you.
You cannot clear the slate.
You stole my eyes,
which took away my sight.
But I saw what you did.
Your evil was in the light.
I can't smell your trash,
because you took my nose.
But this is fine by me,
My soul still freely grows.
My soul still freely grows.
My ears, they are gone.
But I heard what you said,
Those foul things you called me.
I could not raise my head.
But God gave me a word,
because my heart was still there.
He'll never put more on me
than I am able to bear.
So I took my power back
and decided to multiply.
Now there are two of me.
It looks like I will never die.
I am blues,
I am reds,
I am browns,
I am all.
You took away my face,
but still I'm standing tall.
My Fluffy Poem (The antiPOEM)
by Fredreka "Dreka" Irvine
🎙 Listen - Read by Fredreka
The Story Behind the Poem
I wrote "My Fluffy Poem (the antiPOEM)" during a season when I felt overwhelmed by opinions about how poetry should be written. It seemed there was always another rule to follow, another technique to master, or another reason my words weren't quite "poetic" enough.
So I decided to do something completely different.
Every grammatical error, missing capital letter, unconventional sentence, and punctuation choice in this poem is intentional. Rather than breaking the rules out of carelessness, I broke them as a creative exercise—and as a reminder that sometimes the most honest writing comes from giving yourself permission to sound like yourself.
This poem isn't a rejection of craft. It's a celebration of artistic freedom. It asks a simple question: What happens when we stop trying to impress people and start telling the truth in our own voice?
For me, that's where poetry begins.
do I have to be all flowery when I write a poem? cant i just use words that regular people understand? must my syntax compliment the highly complicated. must my adjectives come before the words they are modifying. do my verbs need to have properties. can't they just rent instead. do I have to pause just for effect? i start with "it's…as if" and I wait for it and then stare into the middle of space. right on cue. sounds all wrong to me. I mean, really, must i impress you with my words? in this little poem of mine, the grammar ain't all right. The punctuation is on strike, and I don't know what the capital of this state is. but, do I really care that much? or can I just do whatever, and use words that the rest of us understand? think whatever you want..i’m about to be free…in my little poem. Whether you like it or not.
My Safe Place
by Fredreka "Dreka" Irvine
🎙 Listen - Read by Dr. Carolyn Irvine
The Story Behind the Poem
I wrote "My Safe Place" while reflecting on the quiet refuge that solitude and imagination can provide. Sometimes a room becomes more than four walls, it becomes a place where peace begins to grow and ordinary things become extraordinary.
This poem is an invitation to pause, imagine, and remember the places where we have felt safe enough to simply be.
These walls are my safe place
I haven't spoken all day
I have a room with so much space
The house knows what I want to say
Look around and don't be afraid
There's no need to be so shy
Let's, us, have our own parade
The ceiling is pretending it's the sky
Pretend with me
No need to fear
What do you see?
The beginning is so near
This is what peace feels like
My joy is springing up
My happiness is about to strike
This love must be corrupt
I know it just started
But it's time for this to end
But once we've departed
Friend,
You can come again.