Ask Terry Moore Anything - Community Interview Sheila Bruce: How does it feel to be awarded “Best Spoken Word Performer?” TM: It’s an honor because there are so many other great poets out there who could have won that award. I have won it twice in recent years so that makes it even more special. I didn’t try for it either time, but feel extremely blessed to have been chosen. Sheila: Is there pressure to be it again next year? TM: No pressure to win the award again, but a little pressure to live up to the expectations each and every time I perform. Nothing I can’t handle though, because the challenge keeps me at my best. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Zoritha Thompson: How do you continue to keep your creative juices flowing to come up with new material? TM: Just by living and watching what goes on around me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crawdad Nelson: If a reading suddenly broke out, how many poems could you perform from memory? TM: I can recite 33 straight from memory.
Joy Wilson: Have you ever recited a poem while making love? TM: No, but good idea! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alexis Davis: What is your sign? TM: SagiTERRYus. What else? Alexis: I must say, and I think I can speak of quite a few women who attend your sessions, who find you very attractive. One probably couldn't help but feel a little "anxious" and have a few "thoughts" running through the mind when you recite your poems, especially the poems about lovemaking. What do you have to say to that? TM: Wow! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kim Lambert Bailey: How have you changed since the birth of your daughter as far as how you see your life's priorities now versus say, a year ago? TM: Before I could concentrate on personal priorities, but now daddy’s little girl is my priority and decides my priorities.
Cavisha Williams: The woman you choose should be secure enough within herself to know that you are a well-loved person in the community and amongst your friends. Thus knowing you would not neglect her for either. TM: I would consider her to be mature and a real woman. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donna King: What has been your biggest challenge in life concerning any (poetry, family, or personal)? TM: Accepting the death of my father and having someone selfishly attempt to keep my daughter away from me. Donna: When did you know you had the gift to write poetry? TM: After people kept telling me in 1996. Then Dr. Cornel West and Maya Angelou personally verbally confirmed it for me a few years later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Barbara Kelley: I will say "THE SHOW" is off the chain! The creativity during open mic is charming. The lineup of poets shows variety and allows you to release many emotions. The interaction between the audience and the poets is great. Terry you are an awesome host. The new version book of poetry "Lost Diary" gives insights to some of your inner feelings. But I must ask for all the ladies I hear whispering in the audience, are you an eligible bachelor? TM: Yes. Barbara: Where was your greatest performance to date and who was your audience? TM: New York at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe which is considered to be the Mecca of spoken word. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leon "Scrap" Gray: Have you ever had an experience where you felt that you didn't do as well as you would have liked? If so, how long did it take you to get over it? TM: Yes! But I got over it real quick so that I didn't drag that disappointment into my next opportunity. I would say by the next evening or so I was over it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brett Freeman: What is your motivation to write, perform, and organize? TM: I enjoy seeing people happy and uplifted. Plus, my mother always told me that an idle mind is the devil's workshop. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Michael Guinn: How was the National Slam experience and how does it compare to just reading from your heart at an open mic? TM: The level of talent was raised. The intensity was much greater and the vibe was at its pinnacle. Poets at the national level are very highly competitive and skilled. You have to be at your best. Open mic is more for fun. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hillette Brooks: After the stage lights go out, the audience has cleared, and you are alone, how do you come down/transition? What do you do to take care of yourself? TM: I eat a good meal, shower, and then slowly allow the performance to leave my mind. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cheryl Townsy: You always speak from the heart about love; so I was wondering besides God and your Mother (and let's not forget about baby girl), who truly has the key to your heart or who do you love? I'm sure many inquiring minds want to know. TM: Her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yvonne Littleton: What is your marital status? TM: Not married. Yvonne: Do you perform outside California? TM: I often travel to other States to perform. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ David McKinney: What's next for Terry, the Artist? You've gone to NY for Showtime at the Apollo, written several books, have a couple of CDs, and host/sponsor a few successful events (The Show, BME Tours, Candlelight Poetry to name a few). What can we expect? TM: A father enhancement program “Daddy’s Here” and a documentary in 2006. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Au'Shaunti Pierce: As a male "love" poet, what type of reactions do you receive from other males that hear your work? TM: Very surprisingly they are super supportive. I usually get as many if not more handshakes from the men as I get hugs from the ladies. Au'Shaunti: Describe your ideal mate. TM: A Christian, loving, sincere, fun, playful trash-talking woman with a humble confidence about herself. A woman who can sport a Mervyn’s dress one day and the next some cropped cargo jeans by Versace. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Angela Jones: What is the one thing that you want people to know about you that you feel people misunderstand about you? TM: I'm not nearly as busy as I appear to be. I have a great balance of time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Patricity Turner Green: What are the three most important things a poet needs to be in character to sustain the good and bad times? TM: A poet needs to be full of faith, persistent, and allergic to negativity. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sharon "Sage" Lambert: What's your latest and greatest poetry piece? TM: "Dancing" is the latest." Self Esteem" is the greatest. Sharon: What is beautiful to you? TM: My daughter's smile and the way my mother Mary Moore raised her four children. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Francois Drouin: Barring political or educational walls that people put up-identify 3 problems that you address in your poetry that poems/poetry can cure or at least deal with. TM: 1. Our economic world is changing so fast and it appears that preparation is a low concern. 2. There is a huge acceptance of degradation and disrespect that lessens the value of women. 3. Cultural and relationship in-fighting is destroying opportunities for growth and bliss.
Merci, gracias, thank you! Terry “Love Poet” Moore 2005 Father of the Year, Center of Fathers and Families
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