issue #20 - moni's top 10 minus 1
Feb 22, 1999


HAPPY MONDAY!!


                   Miracles will continue to happen inspite of 
                      the obstacles you put in your own way.
                                 moni (c) 1999



1)  THE 12th SIGN of the ZODIAC IN ASTROLOGY is PISCES the FISHES - 
February 19 - March 20.  Celebrities celebrating their birthdays are 
singers, Nina Simone and Mary Chapin-Carpenter and actors, William 
Baldwin and Kelsey Grammer.  The Poets Niche has its own celebrity 
celebrating his birthday on February 24th.   Here are few clues:

	 1)  __________  Disneyland;
 	 2)  __________  Disneyworld;
	 3)  His first name rhymes with valut; 
         4)  The opposite of bad is _______; and 
 	 5)  Remove the b from bridge. 

I'm sure you've figured it out.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the creator of Walt's 
Friday Inspirations, author of THE SILENT PERFORMER, and founder of the 
Poets Niche, WALT GOODRIDGE!! WALT TURNS ANOTHER YEAR INSPIRED SO HE CAN 
TEACH THE WORLD TO LIVE LIFE TO WISER. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND!!! Please
feel free to send your birthday wishes to Walt at (walt@nichemarket.com).

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2)  A LITTLE CANDID CONVERSATION WITH MONI AND TAMSHI - (edited to protect 
the innocent): 

moni:  . . .tams, how's school?

tams:  School is doing great, I'm all set for grad school in Aug.  How's
my patna doing with his grad school quest?  Tell him I said keep the 
faith and the skills going. 

moni:  yo partna in crime passed his 1st sems in grad school.  he better 
cuz brotha is costing me an arm and a leg, plus some prayers to a few 
distant cousin.  if i had as much money as if have behind, gurl we'd 
beez rolling in the dough!!  tell me mo bout grad school stuff! 

tams:  . . .You are a straightup nut. . .cracking up. . .Well I can tell 
you what's wrong with it.  You heard of the GRE test people have to take 
to get into grad school, well they only offer that test once a semester -
that ain't right.  It should be avaiable twice a month at least.  It 
starts in August and it's going to be alot of work!  They ask for 
everything about you in the world. I'm surpirsed they don't ask for 
your bra size.  Applying is a headache and a lot of work. You have to 
get financial statements, references from 3 people, work experience, 
family history, educational history, classes, you have to write essays 
up the ying yang and you have to test to get in! I can tell ya more when 
I actually start  the program. Oh, it's never to late to apply. You can 
apply for fall or Spring programs, but there is a deadline. 

moni:  . . .if you need an extra bra size you can have my two. . .&if 
you need mo family history, please take mine cuz daz all crazy! thanks 
for the 411 on yo grad school application nightmare.  i remember helping 
baby boy with his app, but couldn't disclose those family members under 
witness protection! mums the word, oh lawd, mums is my uncle's, grandpa, 
sister, twin brotha on my daddy's side.

moni:  what's the university and your major?  

tams:  I'm a Social Work student and I'm going to University California, 
Berkeley=UCB in the house!!

TAMSHI, ALWAYS WISHING YOU THE BEST!  Please feel free to send your love 
and support to Tamshi Williams at (nefftam@hotmail.com). 
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3)  SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - The National Black MBA Association is proud to 
announce its 1999 MBA Scholarship Program.  Scholarships will range from 
$2,500-$4,000.  All completed application materials must be returned by 
March 31, 1999.  To receive the scholarship requirements and procedures, 
please contact Robin J. Melton, Program Coordinator (312) 236-2622/
extension 25.  Send this message to as many people as possible so the 
organization can have as many choices as possible.

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4)  SHARING YOUR TALENTS WITH THE POETS NICHE - Here's an idea for those 
of you having apprenshions about submitting your poetry to the group.  
Because many of you have other talents besides writing poerty, why not 
share your gifts with us.  FROM THE QUEEN'S THRONE, written by Poets 
Niche member Shenita Vanish, was created to showcase her motivational 
writing.  If you have a void we can fill, or if there is something you'd 
like to share with the group - e.g., marketing skills, business tips, 
how-to techniques, essays, relationship advice, writing tips, etc.- 
please email your suggestions to me at (moni@nichemarket.com).  

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5)  PRAYERS FOR THE SICK - Many of you are still sick with the flu. 
SatinFrog was kind enough to send me the following information on her 
friend's Healing and Prayer Circle website.  You can decide for yourself
by viewing Paege’s website at (http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/thepaegeofangelwork).  
Thank Sandi!!

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6)  9TH ANNUAL HARAMBEE CARNIVAL - It's a dazzling evening of stilt 
walkers and storytellers, at the Harambee Carnival benefit or African 
health care on Saturday, February 27 at the Kellogg Conference Center, 
Gallaudet University.  Enjoy Poetry of the Diaspora starring Amiri Baraka, 
Sonia Sanchez, Gaston Neal, Kwame Alexander and more.  Sample the 
complimentary buffet, then dance to the Image Band plus Sekouba Kandia 
Kouyate and his band.  See Yacouba Masked Society, the Lakaye Haitian 
Dance Troupe, Anansegromma (West African Storytellers), La Marionette 
Puppets and fashions by Mel'Ange.  Bid on rare items at the Silent 
Auction and shop at the African Marketplace and Expo. For information 
about Harambee Carnival, call (301) 530-3697 or visit their website at 
(http://www.InterChange.org/AHEADinc/).  Join us on Friday, February 26th, 
8:00 p.m. at Takoma Station to celebrate the revival of a forgotten art 
form as BlackWords presents "Slammin" (Poetry Slam for Young Poets), 
hosted by Kwame Alexander in association with AHEAD, Inc.  The winner 
will read at the 9th Annual Harambee Carnival's Poetry of the Diaspora 
and take home $100. To register for "Slammin", call  703/912-1755 and 
admission: $5 cover.

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7)  CONTINUED CONCERNS FROM A FEW MEMBERS - "Some folks have been misusing
the Niche lists. . .by adding names from it, without prior consent to their 
own email lists. I know that some folks don't see anything wrong with being 
sent some of this stuff -- jokes and uplifting types of messages -- but it 
assumes a lot when someone just adds you to a list like that without asking 
first."  Be rest-assured that the Poets Niche does not give out the email 
addresses of any of our members.  Also, many of our members receive email 
at "WORK". I again ask that you honor the wishes of our members and respect 
the fact that receiving too many emails at work can be a bit overwhelming.  
Please: (1) Email POEMS ONLY to members of your SPECIFIC GROUP ONLY, and 
NOT to all groups; and (2) Remember, many of the emails floating around on 
the internet -- e.g., wishes, jokes, and other inspiration messages -- may 
have already been seen by our members.  Therefore, email these types of 
NON-POETRY things ONLY to those INDIVIDUALS you have received permission 
to do so.  YOUR COOPERATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!

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8)  This weeks FEATURED POETS ENDS OUR CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

	    the occasional black person by Rose "bambam" Cooper 
    	MAKE ME WANNA HOLLA! by Jerod Frazier 
    	COLORS OF THE SOUL by Shawn Goins
	    PERCEPTIONS by Rose Ford
    	ATONEMENT, First Anniversary: 1995 Million Man March by Rodney Coates
    	LITTLE BLACK GIRL by Tina Marie Clark

Check out the Poets Niche website TOMORROW for POEMS OF THE WEEK 26. 
GREAT JOB POETS!!

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9)  THE POWER OF NEGATIVE THOUGHT - Technology has allowed us to communicate with 
thousands of people just by pressing one button -- SEND.  When you press SEND, not 
only are you sending out your poems, but you are also sending out positive and 
negative energy.  That being said, I am a true believer that anyone who joins the 
Poets Niche is here for a bigger reason or purpose.  Part of that purpose is not 
just to feature the poets or showcase their poems, but to also gain knowledge about 
our own strengths and weaknesses.  Many of our paths have been altered because we 
have allowed the negative thoughts or insecurities of others to pave the roads we 
travel down.  The domino theory begins when we digest this negativeness and accept 
it as our own thoughts, toppling years of hard work of building our own self-esteem.  
Remember, NO ONE CAN STEAL YOUR THUNDER, IF YOU ALLOW THEM TO RAIN ON YOUR PARARDE!!

Below is moni's poem of the week.  As always, your comments are greatly appreciated!

Peace &Blessings
moni

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           MY DEAR

How could I know it wouldn't last or how 
would I know through my tears.

But on a crowded street, I caught a glimpse 
of him.  Our eyes met and I quickly turned 
away.  I sensed his presence drawing closer.  
His familiar touch on my shoulder unlocked 
the memories.

I thought I had forgotten what he looked like.  
But the scent of him never faded from my memory.  
When I turned and looked up at him, he took my 
hand and said, "My Dear, I'd know you anywhere.  
I've missed you so.  You sure look good.  Every 
time I'm here, I think of you, My Dear."

Somehow I forgot about the loneliness, and in 
someway the pain disappeared.  As I touched those 
memories, I said, "My Dear, I'd know you anywhere. 
And you sure look good too.  How have you been,
My Dear?"

Our hands unlocked as the crowd weaved between us. 
He smiled awkwardly and said, "My Dear, where has 
the time gone?  The next time I'm here, I'll call, 
My Dear."

How could I know it wouldn't last or how would I 
know through my tears.  When the scent of him 
lingered no more and my heart accepted the truth, 
I replied, "Please, don't bother, My Dear."


           Monica D. Blache (c)