Who Are We?
Poetic Pathways is a Bronx-based literary arts initiative founded by poet and educator Kay Poema to create meaningful spaces where writing, art, and community intersect. Through workshops, readings, an annual poetry contest and the Bronx Vibes zine series, Poetic Pathways amplifies emerging and established voices, with a special commitment to Black, Brown, immigrant, and historically underrepresented communities.
Annual Poetry Contest
Winners 2025
Theme: Immigrant Journey-stories of migration, diaspora
1st Place: Negus Adeyemi ft. Adrian Geen, "Bajan Tuh Bajan" (Audio Poem)
In "Bajan Tuh Bajan," Negus Adeyemi and Adrian Geen celebrate the rhythm, resilience, and cultural memory of Barbados through the musicality of Bajan speech. Blending spoken word with oral tradition, the poem affirms that language is more than communication. It is inheritance, identity, and home. As the poem reminds us, "Bajan tuh Bajan," the act of speaking becomes an affirmation of belonging and a tribute to the voices that carry a people forward.
2nd Place: Ourlittleauthor, "Passport"
In "Passport," Ourlittleauthor chronicles the emotional cost of migration, exposing how borders, language, and belonging shape identity across generations. Both deeply personal and politically resonant, the poem urges readers to resist erasure and remember their inheritance. As the poet reminds us, "Don't let them tell you / Who you've always been. / Don't let them / Read you your story."
3rd Place: Sol Emilio, "On Immigrant Story"In "On Immigrant Story," Sol Emilio traces the emotional landscape of displacement, revealing how migration reshapes memory, language, and belonging. Blending intimate reflection with collective history, the poem reminds us that identity cannot be rewritten by borders or prejudice. As the poet writes, "The Storytellers did fine without letters," honoring the resilience of stories carried long before they were ever written.
In "Bajan Tuh Bajan," Negus Adeyemi and Adrian Geen celebrate the rhythm, resilience, and cultural memory of Barbados through the musicality of Bajan speech. Blending spoken word with oral tradition, the poem affirms that language is more than communication. It is inheritance, identity, and home. As the poem reminds us, "Bajan tuh Bajan," the act of speaking becomes an affirmation of belonging and a tribute to the voices that carry a people forward.
2nd Place: Ourlittleauthor, "Passport"
In "Passport," Ourlittleauthor chronicles the emotional cost of migration, exposing how borders, language, and belonging shape identity across generations. Both deeply personal and politically resonant, the poem urges readers to resist erasure and remember their inheritance. As the poet reminds us, "Don't let them tell you / Who you've always been. / Don't let them / Read you your story."
3rd Place: Sol Emilio, "On Immigrant Story"In "On Immigrant Story," Sol Emilio traces the emotional landscape of displacement, revealing how migration reshapes memory, language, and belonging. Blending intimate reflection with collective history, the poem reminds us that identity cannot be rewritten by borders or prejudice. As the poet writes, "The Storytellers did fine without letters," honoring the resilience of stories carried long before they were ever written.
Winners 2024
Theme: Beyond the Cocoon
Theme: Beyond the Cocoon
1st Place: Thillini, "Sunshine"In "Sunshine," Thillini reflects on the lifelong pressure to embody only brightness, ultimately embracing the fullness of her humanity. Through luminous imagery and quiet wisdom, the poem reminds us that healing begins when we learn to honor both our light and our shadows. As she writes, "The poets say that light cannot exist without dark."
2nd Place: Scarlett, "Daughter of Judas"Scarlett's "Daughter of Judas" reimagines betrayal as a site of transformation, where condemnation gives way to an enduring voice. Rich with biblical symbolism and fierce lyricism, the poem refuses erasure, culminating in the unforgettable declaration: "A perennial egg. / A new bible. A true god."
3rd Place: Kayla, "Becoming"In "Becoming," Kayla celebrates Black womanhood as an ongoing act of resistance, self-definition, and liberation. Moving from silence to self-possession, the poem blossoms into a powerful affirmation that "my hair grows like protest," reminding us that becoming is itself a revolution.
Honorable Mention: Karina Guardiola-Lopez, "This Mirror"Karina's "This Mirror" explores identity as inheritance, revealing how memory, ancestry, and selfhood are reflected across generations. Blending intimate family history with striking metaphor, the poem arrives at a profound recognition that "the roots are multicultural, the fruits are multilingual," celebrating the beauty of becoming through those who came before us.
2nd Place: Scarlett, "Daughter of Judas"Scarlett's "Daughter of Judas" reimagines betrayal as a site of transformation, where condemnation gives way to an enduring voice. Rich with biblical symbolism and fierce lyricism, the poem refuses erasure, culminating in the unforgettable declaration: "A perennial egg. / A new bible. A true god."
3rd Place: Kayla, "Becoming"In "Becoming," Kayla celebrates Black womanhood as an ongoing act of resistance, self-definition, and liberation. Moving from silence to self-possession, the poem blossoms into a powerful affirmation that "my hair grows like protest," reminding us that becoming is itself a revolution.
Honorable Mention: Karina Guardiola-Lopez, "This Mirror"Karina's "This Mirror" explores identity as inheritance, revealing how memory, ancestry, and selfhood are reflected across generations. Blending intimate family history with striking metaphor, the poem arrives at a profound recognition that "the roots are multicultural, the fruits are multilingual," celebrating the beauty of becoming through those who came before us.
ZINES!!!
Bronx Vibes is a bi-annual literary and arts zine edited by Kay Poema and published by RosePrayer Publishing. The zine celebrates the creative spirit of the Bronx and its global communities. Each themed issue brings together poetry, fiction, photography, and visual art by emerging and established voices, creating an archive of memory, identity, resilience, and belonging. More than a publication, Bronx Vibes is a space where art preserves community, amplifies underrepresented voices, and reminds us that every story deserves to be witnessed.
*All annual poetry contest winners are published in the January issue of Bronx Vibes zines.
*All annual poetry contest winners are published in the January issue of Bronx Vibes zines.
June 2026
Editor's Note:
This issue began with a wound.
I created the cover art, November, after a devastating heartbreak that left me questioning love, softness, trust, and what it means to survive another person’s absence. I thought healing would arrive through anger. Instead, it arrived slowly through compassion. Through trying to understand the beauty and pain inside Black masculinity and recognizing that many Black men are carrying grief they were never taught to name. With this issue, I wanted to create a space where that naming could finally begin. The poems in this issue remind us that Black masculinity is not singular. In fact, it’s human, fragile, and beautiful, among other
things.
In “A Neglected Flower Can Still Bloom", Marc Polite writes, “Black male humanity blooms in the face of denial” and later reminds us that “the half of the garden you decided not to water/ Still grows, from the rain no one can stop. ” That resilience echoes throughout this issue. Diamond Mathieu writes to Black men with tenderness and reverence, calling one man’s mind “a garden” and thanking him “for the flowers.” Chelsey J. Macklin writes of Black men “holding oceans in your chest that never land waves peacefully to shore", while reminding them that “you never had to carry it at all.” Hakeem Rahim’s “Q-Tip” confronts the violence of stolen innocence with lines like “a childhood missing peanut butter” and “Sorry is just a board game to an unhealed mind.”
This issue also includes artwork created by me as another language for understanding Black masculinity. Each digital collage explores a different stage of becoming: grief, tenderness, survival, transcendence, and rebirth. Altogether,
the art and poems throughout this issue ask us to look at Black men beyond mythology, performance, and fear, and to consider what happens when softness is denied for too long. Together, these works imagine what healing could look like if love was not mistaken for silence, and if vulnerability was allowed to exist without shame. Thank you to every poet who trusted this issue with their truth.
in verse and vigor,
Kay Poema
This issue began with a wound.
I created the cover art, November, after a devastating heartbreak that left me questioning love, softness, trust, and what it means to survive another person’s absence. I thought healing would arrive through anger. Instead, it arrived slowly through compassion. Through trying to understand the beauty and pain inside Black masculinity and recognizing that many Black men are carrying grief they were never taught to name. With this issue, I wanted to create a space where that naming could finally begin. The poems in this issue remind us that Black masculinity is not singular. In fact, it’s human, fragile, and beautiful, among other
things.
In “A Neglected Flower Can Still Bloom", Marc Polite writes, “Black male humanity blooms in the face of denial” and later reminds us that “the half of the garden you decided not to water/ Still grows, from the rain no one can stop. ” That resilience echoes throughout this issue. Diamond Mathieu writes to Black men with tenderness and reverence, calling one man’s mind “a garden” and thanking him “for the flowers.” Chelsey J. Macklin writes of Black men “holding oceans in your chest that never land waves peacefully to shore", while reminding them that “you never had to carry it at all.” Hakeem Rahim’s “Q-Tip” confronts the violence of stolen innocence with lines like “a childhood missing peanut butter” and “Sorry is just a board game to an unhealed mind.”
This issue also includes artwork created by me as another language for understanding Black masculinity. Each digital collage explores a different stage of becoming: grief, tenderness, survival, transcendence, and rebirth. Altogether,
the art and poems throughout this issue ask us to look at Black men beyond mythology, performance, and fear, and to consider what happens when softness is denied for too long. Together, these works imagine what healing could look like if love was not mistaken for silence, and if vulnerability was allowed to exist without shame. Thank you to every poet who trusted this issue with their truth.
in verse and vigor,
Kay Poema
January 2026
Editor's Note:
When I began gathering poems for this issue, I knew the cover needed to hold the spirit of journey. The image of Sharon from my debut digital art collection, We Were Gods Before We Were Women, does just that. A Black woman silhouette, crowned with splashes of black and gold carries both the beauty and the brutality of migration.
Sharon is not just art—it is my mother’s story. Her crossing from Barbados, carrying fragments of the island across waters, her survival, and her resilience. I,
too, was born in Barbados, and so this cover is also my own mirror—an echo of the path that shaped us both. This issue also marks a first. It is the first zine to feature a short story, and how could we not. The voice behind, "Where Are the Papers? " arrives telling the truth the way lived experience does, without asking permission, without softening the edges. In a collection devoted to movement and memory, this story opens another door into what it means to cross, to wait, to be seen and unseen all at once.
This issue is dedicated to immigrant stories, voices that cross borders of land and language to remind us of endurance, loss, and transformation. We acknowledge
that the Bronx has long been a home for those arriving from elsewhere. From Puerto Rican and Dominican rhythms to West African markets, Jewish synagogues to Bangladeshi storefronts, the Bronx is a living archive of arrival and becoming. It is no accident that hip hop and salsa were born here, art forms forged by those who turned survival into sound.
May these pages offer recognition to those who have traveled far, and refuge to those still finding their place.
in verse and vigor,
Kay Poema
When I began gathering poems for this issue, I knew the cover needed to hold the spirit of journey. The image of Sharon from my debut digital art collection, We Were Gods Before We Were Women, does just that. A Black woman silhouette, crowned with splashes of black and gold carries both the beauty and the brutality of migration.
Sharon is not just art—it is my mother’s story. Her crossing from Barbados, carrying fragments of the island across waters, her survival, and her resilience. I,
too, was born in Barbados, and so this cover is also my own mirror—an echo of the path that shaped us both. This issue also marks a first. It is the first zine to feature a short story, and how could we not. The voice behind, "Where Are the Papers? " arrives telling the truth the way lived experience does, without asking permission, without softening the edges. In a collection devoted to movement and memory, this story opens another door into what it means to cross, to wait, to be seen and unseen all at once.
This issue is dedicated to immigrant stories, voices that cross borders of land and language to remind us of endurance, loss, and transformation. We acknowledge
that the Bronx has long been a home for those arriving from elsewhere. From Puerto Rican and Dominican rhythms to West African markets, Jewish synagogues to Bangladeshi storefronts, the Bronx is a living archive of arrival and becoming. It is no accident that hip hop and salsa were born here, art forms forged by those who turned survival into sound.
May these pages offer recognition to those who have traveled far, and refuge to those still finding their place.
in verse and vigor,
Kay Poema
June 2025
Editor's Note:
Welcome to Poetic Pathways Bronx Vibes zine. This edition’s
theme is Ancestors; the family members, cultural icons, and
historical figures, who inspired us, shaped us, and helped us
become the best version of ourselves. The front cover of this
collection bears artwork, designed by me. It is a cosmic silhouette
of a woman blooming with golden flowers covering her face. The
image intends to demonstrate the timeless connection between
memory, spirit, and ancestral roots. She is a vessel of inherited
wisdom, a mirror, a bridge, remembrance.
As we honor the ancestors who paved the way for us, we also
celebrate the diversity and creativity of contemporary voices.
From the Boogie Down Bronx to its concrete cousins- the
neighboring boroughs also built upon New York City's iconic
concrete foundation, our poets share stories of struggle, triumph,
love, and resistance in the rhythms of hip-hop, the cadence of
spoken word, and the lyricism of traditional poetry. Our
contributors are students, teachers, artists, activists, and everyday
people who have found their voice through the power of poetry.
As you journey through these poetic pathways, we invite you to
listen, to feel, and to be inspired by the voices that shape our city's
literary landscape. May these voices guide you to new discoveries,
new connections, and a deeper appreciation for the Bronx vibes
that pulse through our city's veins.
Special Acknowledgments
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Samara Community
School in the Bronx and teacher Mone Alavarez for helping to
bring this zine alive with the young voices of the Bronx. You rock!!!
In verse and vigor,
Kay Poema
Welcome to Poetic Pathways Bronx Vibes zine. This edition’s
theme is Ancestors; the family members, cultural icons, and
historical figures, who inspired us, shaped us, and helped us
become the best version of ourselves. The front cover of this
collection bears artwork, designed by me. It is a cosmic silhouette
of a woman blooming with golden flowers covering her face. The
image intends to demonstrate the timeless connection between
memory, spirit, and ancestral roots. She is a vessel of inherited
wisdom, a mirror, a bridge, remembrance.
As we honor the ancestors who paved the way for us, we also
celebrate the diversity and creativity of contemporary voices.
From the Boogie Down Bronx to its concrete cousins- the
neighboring boroughs also built upon New York City's iconic
concrete foundation, our poets share stories of struggle, triumph,
love, and resistance in the rhythms of hip-hop, the cadence of
spoken word, and the lyricism of traditional poetry. Our
contributors are students, teachers, artists, activists, and everyday
people who have found their voice through the power of poetry.
As you journey through these poetic pathways, we invite you to
listen, to feel, and to be inspired by the voices that shape our city's
literary landscape. May these voices guide you to new discoveries,
new connections, and a deeper appreciation for the Bronx vibes
that pulse through our city's veins.
Special Acknowledgments
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Samara Community
School in the Bronx and teacher Mone Alavarez for helping to
bring this zine alive with the young voices of the Bronx. You rock!!!
In verse and vigor,
Kay Poema
January 2025
Editor's Note:
Welcome to the inaugural "Graffiti Edition" of Poetic Pathways Bronx Vibes
Poetry Zine! I am honored to bring you this collection of poetry, showcasing
the multifaceted voices and perspectives of the Bronx community, alongside
photographs of the borough's street art.
As I acknowledge the significance of creating a platform that centers the
voices and stories of marginalized communities, I also recognize that the term
"marginalized" is a misnomer. The individuals and groups who have been
historically silenced, erased, or pushed to the fringes of society are, in fact, the
foundation of our society. They are the backbone that make our communities
thrive. The Bronx, our beloved borough, houses many of these people, but that
doesn't mean we don't have anything to say or lack important things to say. On
the contrary, it means that the larger mainstream society is afraid to let us
speak, because they know that our voices are powerful. We challenge the
status quo, by questioning dominant narratives, and demanding justice,
equity, and humanity.
This issue showcases the unyielding spirit of the Bronx, illustrating my deeply
held conviction that art possesses the profound ability to heal, expose,
transform, and uplift. The pages that follow reveal the borough's creative
brilliance through powerful narratives and evocative imagery. The contributors
to this zine, who have trusted me with their remarkable work, are some of the
heartbeats of this borough, including the voices of the Bronx youth and the
talented winners of the Beyond the Cocoon Poetry Contest. The photographs
were all taken by me, and feature the electric graffiti and mural portraits that
dot the Bronx landscape. Both the poetry and images serve as a testament to
the borough's resilience, creativity, and beauty.
I am grateful for our contributors, and thankful to the readers, who will help
Poetic Pathways--Bronx Vibes, evolve as a literary platform.
In verse and vigor,
Kay Bell
Welcome to the inaugural "Graffiti Edition" of Poetic Pathways Bronx Vibes
Poetry Zine! I am honored to bring you this collection of poetry, showcasing
the multifaceted voices and perspectives of the Bronx community, alongside
photographs of the borough's street art.
As I acknowledge the significance of creating a platform that centers the
voices and stories of marginalized communities, I also recognize that the term
"marginalized" is a misnomer. The individuals and groups who have been
historically silenced, erased, or pushed to the fringes of society are, in fact, the
foundation of our society. They are the backbone that make our communities
thrive. The Bronx, our beloved borough, houses many of these people, but that
doesn't mean we don't have anything to say or lack important things to say. On
the contrary, it means that the larger mainstream society is afraid to let us
speak, because they know that our voices are powerful. We challenge the
status quo, by questioning dominant narratives, and demanding justice,
equity, and humanity.
This issue showcases the unyielding spirit of the Bronx, illustrating my deeply
held conviction that art possesses the profound ability to heal, expose,
transform, and uplift. The pages that follow reveal the borough's creative
brilliance through powerful narratives and evocative imagery. The contributors
to this zine, who have trusted me with their remarkable work, are some of the
heartbeats of this borough, including the voices of the Bronx youth and the
talented winners of the Beyond the Cocoon Poetry Contest. The photographs
were all taken by me, and feature the electric graffiti and mural portraits that
dot the Bronx landscape. Both the poetry and images serve as a testament to
the borough's resilience, creativity, and beauty.
I am grateful for our contributors, and thankful to the readers, who will help
Poetic Pathways--Bronx Vibes, evolve as a literary platform.
In verse and vigor,
Kay Bell