I have had this poet in my tickler file for several months now, waiting for the release of his new poetry book.
“Threads of Resilience: Weaving the Human Spirit Through Poetry” was officially launched Jan. 26. He is also a speaker and advocate who conducts workshops around immigration and the arts. He recently hosted a poetry workshop that went well through the Charleston County Public Library.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Davis relocated to Charleston from New Jersey in early 2016 but now lives in Summerville. Davis has been privileged to travel a bit, and part of that draw “to go” stems from his upbringing and movement in life.
Regan: When did you first start writing verse?
Davis: Since 2018 for poetry. I journaled before then and did public speaking. I’ve always written and been drawn to writing, but in terms of poetry, I have to give thanks to my wife, Sarah. She always encouraged me to release my stress, anxiety and ideas into a journal. I took her advice and began jotting down my thoughts consistently. My thoughts became prayers, and then my knack for poetry was birthed. I am a man of faith, and I was hooked once I realized that about a third of the scriptures used poetic language.
R: How long was this book of poetry in the works? Was it easy or challenging to write?
D: This book has been four years in the making. As you noted in the intro, I’m an immigration advocate. One way I processed all my interactions and so much of the work at the U.S.-Mexico border was through verse. For three years, I wrote and took notes on what I felt, saw, smelled, thought and my interactions with so many people. Upon my return from Africa this past summer, my life changed drastically. I had the time to finish this project, and six months later, “Threads of Resilience” came to fruition.
R: How did you develop the title, “Threads of Resilience”?
D: I have a line in one of my poems about the “diversity of the human tapestry,” and this project was about weaving our stories to others and connecting with people. The topic of immigration is complex and evokes many emotions. The stories I’ve been gifted are powerful stories, so after about 10 different attempts, the title came to me. The cover art depicts sojourners and the orange color of optimism, juxtaposed with the many black pages throughout, but also the heaviness of the words.
R: Have you had many book signings or poetry readings since the book came out?
D: I’ve had two book signings – private and public – since January. By the nature of the topic I cover, my faith background, advocacy work and the arts, I have had incredible networking through the book’s launch. I created several workshops and weaved many of the themes into these workshops. I’ve also written a book study for the book and will take a group of educators through it.
R: Why is the website name “Tethered Words”? Tell us more about your website, including merchandise, etc.
D: Tethered Wrds is my pen name. I believe the words I draw forth are connected to so much more and will connect others to more in life. My motto is “speak life, inspire dignity, do good,” so I strive to tether my words to one of these principles. I took the name and created a blog space to expound a bit more outside of just poetry. When my book dropped, I decided it needed its own site but also a space for growth within the name “Threads of Resilience.” As a creative, I had a few design ideas for shirts regarding statements that inspire dignity so that you will find shirts and my book on one site, ThreadsofResilience.co.
R: Have you done or are you planning to do any poetry workshops?
D: I partnered with Charleston County Public Library and put on a workshop, and we will continue to do so. I hope to get some workshops in Dorchester County, too.
R: What else would you like to say about poetry? Any forthcoming book in the works?
D: Poetry breathes life into society and is a medium that can carry transformational knowledge. I have numerous stories and poems from Africa, Cuba, Puerto Rico and who knows where else I will be led, but there is a tug to share those wonders with others, so let’s see what comes of it.
Mary E. Regan is a columnist and freelance publicist with her propublicist.com consultancy. She is always seeking new publicity clients and writing projects. Email story ideas to mary@propublicist.com.
