Tag Archives: poetry

In Need of Seawater – Documentary Short Film

A beautiful walk through the life of poet Mark Anthony Thomas; In Need of Seawater. It’s an absolute treat of a short film for any poetry lover.

“When I was 21 I wanted to reflect on life, so I started working on my second book called The Poetic Repercussion,” Mark begins.

“Everything I share with you tonight, I wrote between the ages of 21 to 24… it really tells the story of a young black man finding himself in this country. Everything I’ve done in my life, nothing is more meaningful than the experience of writing this book.”

In Need of Seawater is the performance of Mark’s early poetry works, read in the intimate setting of an apartment surrounded by friends. Poems such as Ink Blot Testing, The Declaration, and Even the Sky takes us on a stroll through his life.

Each poem is presented like a chapter, fantastically edited with accompanying music, and re-enactments by young actor Ziaire Mann. Directed by Richard Yeagley, the cinematography is stunning and an absolutely beautiful piece of art within itself.

We experience where Mark’s head was at when he wrote this poetry. Every poem puts a spotlight on a a turn point or important moment during his young adulthood – and we see it through his eyes thanks to his talent for the written word.

I noticed that it’s not only his talent of the written word that transports us, but his ability to perform his work too. I think that’s a rare quality in a writer; being able to speak up as well as he can write down.

In Need of Seawater covers topics such as stereotypes, self-discovery and even the security of a barbershop chair, which provides the opportunity to speak without judgement. This was a personal favourite of mine.

“In this shop, status means nothing; it falls like hair to the ground. At least it should.” – In the Shop.

This is not my first time enjoying the works of Mark Anthony Thomas. In 2022, I wrote about a performance of his – Folded Whispers – and I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to write about his work again.

In Need of Seawater is set to be released in January 2026. Check out the trailer below, and follow Mark on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Are you an artist looking for a promotional post about you or your project? Get in touch to see how I can help: beachmarketing.co.nz

A Great Speech: Shrinking Women

o-LILY-MYERS-facebookThis is a beautiful articulation of the differences between the societal expectations of men and women.

Lily Myers is a student who performed this spoken word poem in CUPSI 2013 – The College National Poetry Slam at Bernard College, New York.

I wanted to say: we come from difference, Jonas,
you have been taught to grow out
I have been taught to grow in
you learned from our father how to emit, how to produce, to roll each thought off your tongue with confidence, you used to lose your voice every other week from shouting so much
I learned to absorb

It is about a woman’s relationship with food, and how it reflects self worth.

I’ve realized she only eats dinner when I suggest it.
I wonder what she does when I’m not there to do so.

Maybe this is why my house feels bigger each time I return; it’s proportional.

The beautiful use of words. “the house feels bigger” rather than “my mother gets thinner“. The house feels bigger because her mother doesn’t think she deserves to take up much space. It is spine tingling imagery.

Fantastic! No wonder this has gone viral.

Jodie.