POEMS BY DÉMONTRÁ DÉVONNEE COLE
DéMontrá De Vonnee Cole is a gifted author with a deep-seated passion for the performing arts and children's education, particularly within black communities. DéMontrá has established himself as a versatile writer committed to making a positive impact across diverse audiences.
His debut book, "Home is where the lilies bloom. Petals dancing in the breeze," is a remarkable collection of poems that resonate with unfiltered truths discovered while seeking "a deeper, more intimate spiritual relationship with his ancestors and the God of his understanding." With profound insight and sensitivity, he delves into a wide array of themes, fearlessly highlighting historical injustices, the complexities of cultural identity, racism, discrimination, and the entire spectrum of emotions that define the human experience. Through his writing and vivid artistic expression, DéMontrá exposes these vital topical issues, allowing readers to learn, reflect, draw crucial lessons, and contribute to a future defined by hope, freedom, and justice.
In "Lord I wanna go home" and "Home," he paints the beauty of the raw horrors experienced by Sarah Baartman, a Khoikhoi woman who was exhibited as a freak show attraction in 18th century Europe, under the name Hottentot Venus. Other poems reflect on the last moments of Willie Francis, sentenced to death at age sixteen by the state of Louisiana in 1945, and fourteen-year-old George Stinney Jr., who was executed in the electric chair in June 1944.
Despite facing challenges growing up as a special needs child with a slow learning disability, PTSD, and ADHD, DéMontrá has grown into a towering figure, standing 6'5, with a resonant operatic bass voice that captivates audiences from all walks of life. His artistic endeavors, ranging from dramatic performances to poetry readings and heartfelt renditions of negro spirituals and folk songs across Florida, Georgia, and North Dakota, have solidified his reputation as an artist and storyteller. His passion for his craft, boundless creativity, and outstanding accomplishments make DéMontrá a beacon of inspiration and transformation in the world of art, literature, and the community.