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The Rest of Us with Dana Tenille Weekes
The Rest of Us podcast explores rest as self-liberation for advocates and professionals who are losing themselves to the demands of work, loved ones, friends, strangers, and this dizzying world. The Rest of Us cultivates a community through honest reflections, conversations, and laughter for people willing to embrace rest differently.
The Rest of Us with Dana Tenille Weekes
Poetic Interlude - Anastacia-Reneé Reading "Stem"
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The Rest of Us is doing something different for Season Two. Every other week, we will feature two of over 30 poets in a segment we call “Poetic Interlude,” launching during National Poetry Month. In this Poetic Interlude, Anastacia-Reneé shares their poem “Stem” and a reflection prompt on rest.
Creative expression is a portal to rest as liberation. Creatives, including poets, show us how to embrace our humanity and act on our truths. We in The Rest of Us community view this as a deep connection to one’s own agency — our definition of rest.
Settle into the work of Anastacia-Reneé and even explore your own creativity, which we define as liberatory rest.
ABOUT ANASTACIA-RENEÉ
Anastacia-Reneé is a queer writer, educator, interdisciplinary artist, playwright, TEDX speaker, and podcaster. She is the author of (v.) (Gramma/Black Ocean), Forget It (Black Radish), Sidenotes from the Archivist (HarperCollins/Amistad), and Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere (HarperCollins/Amistad). Side Notes From The Archivist was selected as one of “NYPL Best Books of 2023” and the American Library Association’s (RUSA) “Notable Books of 2024.”
Reneé, a recipient of the James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award, was selected by NBC News as part of the list of "Queer Artist of Color Dominate 2021's Must-See LGBTQ Art Shows," for “(Don’t Be Absurd) Alice in Parts,” an installation at the Frye Art Museum. She served as Seattle Civic Poet (2017-1019) during Seattle’s inaugural year of UNESCO status. Her work has been anthologized and published widely.
You can visit Anastacia-Reneé at anastacia-renee.com/home.
Say “hello” to Anastacia-Reneé on Instagram @Anastaciarenee5.
You can also visit therestofuspodcast.com to read Anastacia-Reneé’s poem and reflection prompt along with other poets.
PODCAST TEAM
Host, Dana Tenille Weekes
Producer, Annabelle Oh
Editor, Sagheer Muhammad
Content Manager, Annabelle Oh
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Until next time, rest, my friends.
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Welcome to the Poetic Interlude as part of the Rest of Us podcast. Each poetic interlude holds space to remind us that creative expression is a portal to rest as liberation. Creatives, including poets, show us how to embrace our humanity and act on our truth, not fear, in this present moment, which we in the Rest of Us community view as a deep connection to one's agency. Our definition of rest. Let's settle in. Anastasia Renee is a queer writer, educator, interdisciplinary artist, playwright, TEDx speaker, and podcaster. She is the author of V, also Forget It, Side Notes from the Archivist, and Here in the Middle of Nowhere. Renee was selected by NBC News as part of the list of queer artists of color-dominate 2021's must-see LGBTQ art shows for Don't Be Absurd, Alice Imparts, an installation at the Fry Art Museum. She served as Seattle's civic poet during Seattle's inaugural year of UNESCO status. Her work has been anthologized and published widely. You can visit Anastasia Renee at Anastasia-Rene dot com forward slash home. That is A-N-A-S-T-A-C I A-R-E-N-E-E.com forward slash home. And say hello on Instagram at Anastasia Renee 5 and number 5. You can also visit the Restofus Podcast.com to read Anastasia Renee's poem and reflection prompt along with other poets. Let's settle in.
SPEAKER_01My name is Anastasia Renee, and I will read my poem Stem. STEM. Inside the flower I find peace and splice up the petals for no one. If a plant is my new God, then I get dirty for her. Say yes. Get the soul of her soil crunched under the moons of my nails, and I will worship the plant as a mark of my commitment. Say yes to growing of letting myself receive sun and water and sweet nothings whispered at the roots of my tired grow. As you receive this poem, settle into this reflection. You can think in silence, free write, draw, or even craft your own poem. The short loving commandment, say yes, is right justified in my poem. What will you say yes to? What will you say yes to moving forward with the quest for more rest, more pleasure, or more creating positive memories.
SPEAKER_00Thank you for listening to this poetic interlude. Remember, we are all creatives, whether we believe it or not. And creativity itself is a source for what we in the Rest of Us community call liberatory rest. Want to listen to more poetic interludes? Visit the Restofus Podcast.com or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Until next time, rest, my friends.