About “Birthday Blessing”

1. What was your motivation for writing “Birthday Blessing”?

I knew I wanted to write a poem to honor my husband for bringing light to a dark season in my life. A guy I thought I would marry died from a brain injury, and my 27th birthday was the last time I saw him. I hated my birthday after this. I told my husband, when we first started dating, that I wanted my birthday restored. I had no idea that he took what I said seriously. I could not come up with the words on my own, though. 

The poem stems from my Christian faith. I am autistic, and I have the mindset of a child. I depend on God to function in everything, so all the poetry is divinely given. I share the messages. My relationship with God is pure and genuine, like a child who believes in Santa Claus. 

2. What challenges—if any—did you have writing your poem?

I did not face any challenges writing the poem. 

3. What is your favourite line—if any—in “Birthday Blessing”?

My favorite line is ‘My story is a staircase to stand on’ in the last stanza. 

4. What do you want people to walk away with after reading “Birthday Blessing”?

I want people to know there is a light at the end of every tunnel. I know it may sound cliché, but it is true. We all will go through things in life, yet we have to remember to continue moving forward to reach the other side of any problem.

5. Is there anything else you would like to talk about regarding “Birthday Blessing” that hasn’t been asked?

No. I have nothing else to say about the poem. 

Reading

1. What are you currently reading?

Since 2022, I have only been reading the Bible. Occasionally, if I go to Barnes & Noble Bookstore near where I live, I will read a children’s book. The Bible is the only adult book I read these days. 

2. Do you have a favourite book? If so, what is it?

My favorite book is a children’s book. It is Dr. Seuss’s book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

That book was actually comforting to me when the guy I thought I would marry died. 

3. What is your favourite poet or author, if any?

My favorite poet is Phillis Wheatley. She wrote so eloquently about various topics. I always admired that about her. 

4. Do you gravitate towards reading genres outside the ones you write?

I only gravitate towards the Bible. 

Writing

1. Why do you write?

I write because it is what I was called to do. I write to empower others to believe they can overcome their struggles. I write to make human connections and show people they are not alone.

2. What do you love about being a poet?

I see poetry as an act of service to the world. I love being the glue to help bring others hope and give words that stick to their souls. 

3. What time of the day do you write, and do you have a writing routine?

Whenever God wants to give me poetry, which I call ‘spiritual downloads’, it can be at any time of day. I do not have a writing routine because I am spiritually led, guided, and directed. 

4. Where do you get your ideas from?

I get all the poetry from God, my heavenly father. 

5. How long does it take you to write your projects?

Individual poems usually take between 15 to 30 minutes, but I have no idea how long other writing projects take. 

6. What advice would you give to other authors/writers/poets?

My advice to all those in the writing field is to take it with a grain of salt. I am referring to rejections. That is inevitable. Still, the key is to keep going until you find ‘your’ people. These are the people who will see the value in your work, and you will never have to prove it. 

I know this is a fact because in 2025, I had over 50 poems published in over 40 different literary publications. I had to realize everyone has an opinion, and some will not like my poetry. That is ok. I just need to find those who do, and I did.

7. What project(s) are you currently working on?

I am working on making business deals with media networks to incorporate my poetry into television and commercials.