Double Lines For These Times

This work is a collaborative effort between my nephew and myself. Probably somewhere around 2007 my nephew and I began sharing poetry with one another. I always appreciated and really enjoyed his work. Back in 2017, after our conversation about psoriasis, a skin condition that I dealt with. He said, "Auntie you are God's pink leopard". He then followed it up with a poetic work, "The Pink Leopard", that truly inspired me to subsequently complete my version of "The Pink Leopard" the next day. The Pink Leopard is a very special work because for the first time I took courage and gave the skin issue (psoriasis) center stage. I talked about how I needed to embrace my skin, whatever state I was in, and I learned to view myself as a "The Pink Leopard". I imagined a pink leopard, powerful, rare and beautiful because of how different she is. Both versions, powerful and vulnerable left a great impression and beautiful memory of how when truth and power collide it can be so kingdom. In September of 2021 I reached out to my nephew to suggest that we do an entire work with same titles for each work and with our two different perspectives, one being female, and the other male. My nephew was delighted so we agreed to go forth with this new work. I then invited our niece (who is a singer/song writer and poet) to complete an "Onward" summary for our work. She too was delighted. So here you have it - Double Lines...for these times. We know you will have a take-away or two from our work - enjoy!!!

Tammy-T is a performing artist, singer/song writer, psalmist, and poet who has dedicated her life to serving others through her passion involving the arts. Her vocal performing career began at an early age when she joined the internationally acclaimed Singing Angels. Through the ensuing years, dance, music, and poetry allowed her the opportunity to share her many gifts, bringing joy and healing to others.

Tammy-T received a music scholarship and continued her education at Cuyahoga Community College where she received an Associate of Arts degree. She later went on the earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Cleveland State University. Tammy-T went on to become a Certified Music Practitioner, using her gift of song to bring comfort music to patients in hospital and hospice care centers.

Tammy-T, a native of Cleveland, Ohio appeared as Miss November on a local radio stations calendar as well as a recording artist and background vocalist for local bands such as The Light of Day. Tammy offered her rendition of Free by Deniece Williams at Showtime at the world-famous Apollo Theatre and was well received by the audience there.

Tammy-T self-published a book of poetry in 1998 entitled T's Pot of Poems, Volume I. This work included art from three local artist (one being her brother Terrence L Tarleton Sr., deceased who designed the cover) and many testimonials in support of her poetry. Tender Age Music is Tammy-T's latest project which is a music history, education and appreciation program for people of all ages.

Tammy looks forward to a life filled with new opportunities as a speaker, youth advocate, and mentor, and spiritual leader for the kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Nephew is a teacher, counselor, natural leader, and philanthropist for The Most High. A dedicated man of conviction who seeks to find the best of everyone he connects with. His devotion to family is only second to following his head, Jesus Christ where there is an uncompromising effort to do as his true mentor. 

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Nephew strategized, endured, and maneuvered what was taught there as the "norm" and found a new way to navigate life that led him throughout the four corners of the world. Through these travels, many things were seen, many lessons were learned. 

Decorated throughout his entire career, the magna cum laude' BA holder completed his institutional higher education pursuits earning a master's degree through a sought-out university sharpening the natural gifts given by The Father.

The inquisition of poetry was adopted as a young man who dabbled in street culture with an early love for music and quickly realized he preferred the honest literal approach of poetry compared to the fantasy and make believe that was promised in writing rap music. Nephew, and another brother who saw life with more meaning than the average product from the neighborhood, began to express life through a more precise lens and light, poetry. 

The skill that came to manifest would sharpen itself in a high school classroom by writing poems back and forth with a young lady who some would refer to as the love of Nephew's life. 

Through the years other interests ensued and poetry, as it originally was, remained simply a passionate pastime for Nephew. The art form has never, and possibly may never be a first love for this artist but the respect he has for the genre is everlasting and evident in his work. To him, poetry is the purest way to express oneself, through word. And skillfully and with fearless expression, he does!

It was a pleasure to work on Double Lines with his Auntie. The work is dedicated to his Joy, his Peace, his Lady, and The Lord. Foreward

Tiffani Harris has had a passion for writing since girlhood. She found solace in reading and journaling and then eventually, in writing poetry. After publishing some of her works while in college she discerned that penning her sentiments was not only the path to discovering herself but ultimately, the woman the Most High created her to be. Donyea Ruffin is an Atlanta native and is an extremely talented/accomplished Artist who has enjoyed art since her youth. She currently serves as a 6th grade engineering teacher at one of Atlanta's most prestigious charter schools. This also happens to be the same school where she attended 6th-8th grade. Donyea is also a Mays High School alumni and a graduate of the college of Wooster in Ohio where she majored in studio art. Donyea lives by the quote "Strive for what you believe in". "Set goals and you can achieve them". Onward

Synii is an accomplished singer/songwriter and poet with music on all streaming platforms. Synii is also a self-taught musician, playing both the piano and guitar. She looks forward (onward) to learning to play many other instruments. She also loves to write and share her experiences with the world. Upward

Maliq is a Database Developer by day and multi-passionate creative, husband, and father. In addition to having an extreme appreciation and love for words, spoken and unspoken, music of all kinds, he also has a special connection to people, their stories and overall well-being. To know him is to love him!