Prentice Onayemi

The Rhythm Writer Prentice Onayemi

In 1990, I started a creative writing group called the Rhythm Writers. We met once a week in the Black Cultural Centre in west London, UK. I was unhappy in my 9-to-5 and this was a perfect creative outlet for me. I wrote intensively with the group for nearly three years while temping as a PA in the film industry. During this time I got a lot of joy performing my poems live, a highlight of this time was supporting Pulitzer prize-winner Toni Morrison on her tour entitled 'Jazz'. The group and morning journalling gave me a safe space to discover and express my artistic side, most of the poems in this book started as snippets in my journals. My peers provided honest, constructive feedback, and sometimes only a few lines survived from a piece. I believe feedback is a gift, my multimedia poem 'Get On Radical' was built on the line: 'the sun in her eyes and the pan in her ears', the original line from my journal. I was blessed in 1992 with the birth of my daughter, opening a new door, and closing the door of group writing. I attended film school in 1993 specialising in storytelling with creative video editing, so the three constants are; Storytelling; Using my hands; Keyboards in my practise. I used to wonder what would've happened if I'd walked through the art school doors at college in the 80s, instead of up one flight of stairs, and through the secretarial pool door. I've no regrets, I mastered touch typing, and the keyboard has helped me earn a living from office work to video editing. My hope is that readers experience some of the joy I had writing, learning, speaking and drawing these poems. Also it doesn't matter if its good or bad; whether it's loved or hated; it's about connection and expression. I'm grateful, and happy to share my journal joy. I appreciate you! One love, and big virtual hug, Onayemi (Denise M Semple