iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Day 28 of ✊🏾 #poems You didn't make it a home—she did You were never there—she was You don't get to drown my sterling memories in Red Bulls and alcohol. You don’t get to sully her rebel name And if it's all the same to you I'd prefer to remember my home with her— and leave this haunted house alone.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Day 27 ✊🏾 #poems #bvm We had love and libations. We had closeness and celebrations. We had kindness and kinfolk. We welcomed all walks of life, all parts of the day, and all parts of the night. Now it’s secret snickering, snide comments, side eyes and damnation, empty complaints and exaggerations.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Day 26 ✊🏾 #poems #bvm #poetry #brave My cousin’s grandparents: laughed with one another spent quality time their grandchildren Cousin: Our stomachs hurt joking with our grandfather bellies full of food bodies full of cheer In my grandparent’s house we had fun In my grandma's heart we felt safe

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Day 25 of ✊🏾 #poems #bvm I listened as she spoke of people I knew but never met Cousin: Big iron skillet pancakes hiding Delta syrup test-driving biscuits on the plate’s curb drowning in butter Swimming salmon croquettes on sizzling skillets with homemade fruit drizzles for giggling grandchildren

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Day 24 of ✊🏾 #poems My mom suffered in that house, soothing sitcoms silencing a stuttering tongue. She was silent, yet strong. A sober stepfather never remembered his damage the next day while her morphine-hooked mother never came to her defense to everyone's dismay— my grandparents. #bvm #poetry

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Day 23 ✊🏾 #poems Growing up I watched them dance with hateful words as if they rehearsed Never repeating the same spiteful words twice art in motion hands clenched skillful seasoned boxers Every day was a good day to fight wrong only feels right bc it’s necessary to survive these racist times #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Day 22 of ✊🏾 #poems She whined whispered woes to neighbors close by outlining her disapproval of you I witnessed arguments with the other n*gga second baby daddy after matrimony shotgun wedding, of course her daddy didn't play that sh*t Oh, you sleeping with two n*ggas? so she suffered consequences.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Day 21 of ✊🏾 #poems She combed her angry afro-native curls with an old-fashioned brush. She complained about the toilet seat getting stuck. She hated the soggy, slimy water-soaked soap by the sink sliding through family fingertips. Be careful not to slip or she'd let her words. #blueskypoetry #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Day 20 of ✊🏾 #poems Black families coerced to hide souls on fertile ground at the risk of being found out feet tied to ocean bricks continuing an oral history hoodwinked by my grandmother’s grandmother’s owner lives tied to white lies an affront to the abused and this is our norm #blackhistory #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Day 19 of ✊🏾 #poems I am broken an unfinished piece with visible cracks dropped multiple times glued myself together with affirmations wishing words would weld I’m opening old wounds with fresh memories finding more evidence to cry this is the agony I know #blueskypoetry #booksky #read #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Day 18 of ✊🏾 #poems Driving the pedal feet pressing metal tires feel the burn your shoes testing them at every turn You uttered French words to passersby unafraid of police stops your shoes jumped out to confront the cops stunned by you busting their chops sworn to secrecy we don’t tell pops #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Day 17 of ✊🏾 #poems Your widower evicted you from his closet today. Shoes stacked to the ceiling bagged with toe-tags. He turned to me Do you want ‘em? I responded Yes! Yes, of course, I do. I want to walk in your shoes feel the dents and grooves carved by a way-maker. #blueskypoetry #bvm #write

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Day 16 of ✊🏾 #poems Her whisper permitted me to stay knowing she’d passed away I can't wait to see her again Her smile was golden a sight to be hold in words unfounded God couldn't describe it She was beauty incarnate Everyone was blessed in her presence even the sun’s light was jealous. #poetry

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Day 15 of ✊🏾 #poems Sun rays permeate light touches the ground I can feel the pound underneath Souls guiding my feet I'm almost at the door the sound of a bing releases my weight to the floor The text says Go Home Tears fall where the sunlight stains I’m running I'm coming, Ma I'm coming! #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Day 14 of ✊🏾 #poems Slinging papers to sign in the company's defense, covering your ass as white sheets loom over black bodies. Who gave you the right to sum up his life using a one-sheeter? Curse corporations, this company, and the policies you man, STOP— and give my brother a hand! #poetry #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Day 13 of ✊🏾 #poems Look at him Laying there on private property on perfectly paved parking spots that cost more than his income life Your silence is spooky as you gesture to coworkers Mightily you stand peering down at him mocking him with your stature How dare you not rush to his aid? #poetry

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Day 12 of ✊🏾 #poems His breaking back mimics the sound of celery stacks twisting slowly shifting his foundation of walking He looks to onlookers for help bystanders unable to grasp the gravity Eyes filming the anguish of others hands recording the pain of my brother No empathy on-site. #poetry

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Day 11 of ✊🏾 #poems She woke up like this flawless in mind, body, spirit She clung to the mic like a pen droppin’ gems midair for us to grab hold as we listen to her becoming She Unapologetically Strong Unapologetically Black Unapologetically Woman Unapologetically Michelle #bvm #poetry #blacksky

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Day 10 of #poems I remember Honey baby child snappin’ my fingers chompin’ pink gum Down down baby hand smacks, eye rolls air jumps touching toes Popsicle popsicle a boom boom hips When I dip, you dip, we dip Rockin' Robin tweets Smiley face backpack Kickin’ kickballs to next week #blacksky #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Day 9 of ✊🏾 #poems I remember playing basketball with no basket we stopping traffic blasting music before the ice-cream truck rolled up. Rushing to the road with only a buck pushing to get to the front— don’t look up! If the streetlights come on, we’re f*cked! #bvm #poetry #blacksky #booksky

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Day 8 of ✊🏾 #poems I remember riding bikes to the candy lady’s house: Cool ranch Doritos Nacho chips Penny candy sticking to fingers. Brute boys getting they lick back tag—you’re it gripping handlebars Pedaling fast whooping a** fastest on my feet daring boys to race in the street. #bvm #poetry

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Day 7 of ✊🏾 #poems I'm loving the skin I’m in a gumbo pot blend of Grandma's deep, rich chocolate and Momma's soft yellow-bone cheekbones. I carry both Queens in my undertones, meeting somewhere down the middle. It took an abundance of Black to get the skin I'm in, a cornucopia of African shades.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Day 6 of ✊🏾 #poems I am my mother’s legacy, with brevity. I’ll never recover from her death— I remember with every breath that I am her. She has a palm on every plan, a govern in each goal I chase after. I feel her pain, so I advocate in her name. #bvm #blm #blackpoet #blacksky #blackhistory

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Day 5 of ✊🏾 #poems #bvm The complexities that carved me had their hands full of genius. I am masterfully made, quilting a chorus of #Black history, a purpose that preceded Stephanie. I must create, or my physical shakes, contort my limbs, steal my sleep. Imagining impotence is sickening to me.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Day 4 of ✊🏾 #poems Black joy smiling, grinning from grill to chin, taking up space in a far-off place. You don’t make sense here, but you exist anyway. White people are puzzled— how you juggle heartache and hard times, and still find time to laugh through the bullsh*t. #bvm #poetry #blackpoet #blm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Day 3 of ✊🏾 #Poems We curtail commentary that contains cultural cache. We endure stares from those unaware of the strain it takes; it breaks the best of us, it makes the best of us. We wait, wait, wait for grace to be given, for the permission of privilege— for them, to see humans. #bvm #poetry

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Day 2 Gold dipped in #Black, hair twisted to kneecaps, our locs unlock underground railroad maps, matted in majesty, rooted in revival, coarse in culture; so much beauty to praise, so much history to profess, so much pain to process, as our stories become public. #bvm #poems #blackhistory #poet

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Day 1 of Posting My Poetry Black lives Black love Black happiness Black hugs Black family Black fears Black hope Black tears Black legacy Black voices Black votes Black choices Black history Black story Black misery Black glory #poetry #blm #blackpoet #writer #poet #poems #bvm

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Cheers to #ZohranMamdani I hear hope ring church bells in #NewYork sing solidarity— power the people #voting booths roar— we’re equals let’s flip birds to the system

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

This was a cute age gap love story between a single mom and her kid’s coach. They both spend a beautiful vacation together during carnival, and spiciness ensues! You’ll root for the couple to get out of their way & simply love. 🥰 This was a really fun Summer read! #bvm #blackbooksky #booksky #books

The cover of A.H. Cunningham’s book, Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer: A Harlequin Novel, and a portrait of the Author.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Y’all, this story felt SO real! I thought it was a true story! I’m over here googling, trying to figure out who the villain of the story is 😮‍💨 I was angry and sad, but I calmed down when I learned it was fictional. LOL 😅 But that lets you know how AMAZING this story is! 💕 #poetry #prose #bvm #booksky

A portrait of the author Safia Elhillo and the cover of her book Bright Red Fruit. 💕

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

“We Should All Be Feminist…” The author argues this point with precision…😌 A beautiful short read, listen, or TEDTalk watch that outlines, with witty commentary 😏, what it means to be a feminist from a feminist. No worries, all genders are called to the carpet for real talk. #blackbooksky #booksky

Cover of book “We Should All Be Feminists“ By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and a portrait of the author.

Photo credit: https://feminisminindia.com/2020/06/23/book-review-we-should-all-be-feminists-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

THIS book is an entire MOOD!! 🥹 Warsan, whose poetry is in the interludes between songs in THE QUEEN 🐝’s Lemonade album, doesn’t disappoint!! Her words travel through love, loss, identity, and home, charged by her Somali-British heritage. #blackbooksky #booksky #bvm #blacksky #beyonce #poetry #poet

A portrait of the poet-author WARSAN SHIRE and the book “Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in her Head”

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

As an educator obsessed with unknown or hidden Black history, I ADORED this read HON-EY!!! 😍 I wanted MORE STORIES!!! 😩 I hope there's a 2nd book in the making… 😏 #blackbooksky #booksky #bvm #queer #harlem #book #LGBTQIA+ #blacksky #blackwriter #blackhistory Photo credit: www.ebar.com/story/153643

A portrait of George M. Johnson and the book cover of “Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known” featuring a painting of Josephine Baker.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Another life-changing read!!!😌🥰 Radical self-love is the only path forward to healing mass insecurities, as well as arresting body shaming thoughts, and releasing judgment of other body types. Open this book and get ready to be lovingly challenged.💕 #blackbooksky #booksky #bvm #bodypositivity #love

A split-screen image of the audiobook cover and a picture of the author of “The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love.” The cover features the author Sonia Renee Taylor in the buff with butterfly wings and a sunflower crown.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

If you're looking for a quick read to end June #Pride with pizzazz, enjoy Brontez Purnell’s book. They are a WHOLE MOOD! You feel a roller coaster of emotions. Just let your stomach flip & your hair toss in the wind. I guarantee it’s worth the wild journey. ✌🏾😘 #booksky #blackbooksky #poetry #bvm

The cover of the book “Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt: A Memoir in Verse” by Brontez Purnell who’s also the authored 100 Boyfriends.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

This is an excerpt from the #poem “Home” written by Warsan Shire. Every word hit me like bricks! 🧱 🥺😮‍💨🫰🏾🔥 #human #home #poetry

Excerpt from the poem “Home” By Warsan Shire

no one leaves home unless home chases you fire under feet
hot blood in your belly
it's not something you ever thought of doing until the blade burnt threats into your neck
and even then you carried the anthem under your breath
only tearing up your passport in an airport toilets sobbing as each mouthful of paper
made it clear that you wouldn't be going back.

you have to understand,
that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land no one burns their palms under trains
beneath carriages
no one spends days and nights in the stomach of a truck feeding on newspaper unless the miles travelled means something more than journey.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Trump shows force like a big baby with a torch fumbling through court. You’re a jester performing for yourself—MAGA cheers from a hung jury helping you commit war crimes. Where is Congress to reel you in? Impeach him for his sins. This is unconstitutional, my fellow Americans. #protest #poetry #Iran

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Black women! Come to the front, let’s huddle up. Sisters of the Yam is THAT GIRL in the book world! This is the prerequisite read to cultural self-recovery & self-actualization. If you haven’t claimed it, this has the knowledge to free living Sis. Happy #Juneteenth #blackbooksky #bvm #blackskywomen

The cover of the book “sisters of the yam: black women and self recovery” written by Bell Hooks and on the cover is a picture of Bell Hooks.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

This magically written modern-day poetic folk tale is laced with sisterly love, queer love, and shocking betrayal. No worries, the betrayal leads to a satisfying conclusion at the end. It is a cautionary tale indeed with a lovely lesson to learn. 😌👌🏾 #booksky #poetry #prose #queer #folktale #pride

The cover of the book “The River Has Roots” written by Amal EL-Mohtar next to a picture of the author.

Picture Credit: CBC Books

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

I almost forgot the feeling😮‍💨 I needed to recall for gratitude's sake. If you don’t remember, need to be reminded, or need to remind someone else about what it was like during COVID-19, read this! For Educators, there are good short stories for High School ELA lessons too! #blackbooksky #booksky #bvm

A Picture of Mahogany L. Browne and her book “A BIRD IN THE AIR MEANS WE CAN STILL BREATHE.”

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

The first poem I memorized was on the TV Show Moesha by Lady Lunatic Poem “The Equation” 🔥🔥 I can still recite it from memory! 😏 #bvm #blacksky #blackskyover30 #blackskypoet #blackpoetry #poetry #harriettubman youtu.be/lgrG598_R-M?...

youtu.be

Lady Lunatic Poem “The Equation” 🔥🔥 | Moesha

YouTube video by Teion Sole

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

This book is a CALL to ACTION for undervalued people starting a #company or investing in one. It’s highly motivational & inspiring to Black women with Impostor Syndrome. This is the representation & roadmap into business you’ve been waiting for! Run, don’t walk! #blackbooksky #booksky #bvm #business

The cover of the book “It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage” is on a purple background with a photo of the author Arlan Hamilton in the foreground.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

It has been a 🔪 murder and mayhem plot, neck-twisting reading roster in #May, with a splash of OMG Head-shaking Romance baes.💕 I might continue this momentum into June.😏😌 #readinglist #booksky #bvm #blackbooksky #blackwriters #romance #thriller #mystery

You Bet Your Heart by Danielle Parker; Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood; Rhythm and Muse by India Hill Brown; A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales; The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict; The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie by Freida McFadden; Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica; When We Talk to God by Sharifa Stevens; Write for Life by Julia Cameron; Brands and Bulls**t by Bernhard Schroeder.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this Black Woman's practical #prayers and #poems appealing to God using the context of History, her People, & Personal Experiences. She challenges the Bible, her Life, & Culture while maintaining deep respect and reverence. #blackbooksky #blackwriter #blackpoet #bvm

The book cover of "When We Talk to God: Prayers and Poems for Black Women," written by Sharifa Stevens, adorns three Black women with different skin tones surrounded by colorful flowers that are pink, yellow, and orange.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

I enjoyed listening to this book's culturally rich, bold, opinionated, unapologetic #LGBTQIA+ characters & allies who are figuring it out. Listening to teens discuss, defend, & define themselves for themselves was heartwarming. Read with compassion & enjoy the emerging lovers. #booksky #writer #book

The cover of "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School" features a stylized image of a school building, likely a Catholic school, with a touch of vibrant colors and possibly a subtle LGBTQ+ symbol like a rainbow stripe written by Sonora Reyes, which is also boldly visible on the book.

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Stephanie Maria @staylokey.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

This book is a cute teen love story between a high-strung, achievement-focused chick and a laidback, naturally academically creative dude as they compete for the title of Valedictorian. I love the message at the end after barriers no longer block them from being together. #blackbooksky #booksky #bvm

The book cover of “You Bet Your Heart” written by Danielle Parker. Six teen couples are featured reading, hugging, pinky swearing (making a bet) and taking pictures.

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