Mary Emeji

Biography

Luton Poet Laureate, Founder of Luton Poetry Society. Available for poetry readings, both nationally and internationally. Mary holds an LLB(Hons) Law degree and LLM in Commercial Law (with Distinction), from University of Bedfordshire. Aside from her legal career, Mary has always had an ardent passion for poetry and began writing poems whilst high school; often reciting them in open events. Her fist book 'THE BOND OF LOVE' was published in 2009, and since then she has written three more books - THE LOVE OF GOD (2010), ROYAL LUMINOSITY (2011), TIMELESS DATE (2012) and FUNDAMENTALITY (2013). She has performed at various poetry events in Luton, and other parts of the UK. Mary was the featured poet in the Luton ‘LIFE’ magazine (February 2011 issue). She presented her very first book THE BOND OF LOVE to the Deputy Mayor of Luton - Cllr. Mohammed Farooq at the summer festival in August 2010. In October 2010, she was the featured Poet of Luton for the Black History Month, by the Luton Library/ Luton Culture. Mary has had the privilege of receiving a Royal Acknowledgement from Her Majesty The Queen of England, in respect of her two books 'ROYAL LUMINOSITY' (2011- dedicated to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge), and 'TIMELESS DATE' (2012- co-written with William Shakespeare). Immensely encouraged by this, she continues to work hard at what she loves doing best - poetry! In June 2011, Mary founded the Luton Poetry Society, with the fundamental purpose of promoting fellow poets, and motivating upcoming ones. As the Motto goes “Bringing Poetry To Life", this group aims to extend the vibes of poetry to the lengths and breadths of Luton town, through poetry events. All who love to write, read or listen to poetry are very much welcome to join! LUTON POET LAUREATE Mary has recently been appointed the Poet Laureate of Luton by the Mayor Cllr. Syd Knight, which was announced at the Luton Poetry Festival on 1st September 2012. Greatly satisfied by Mary’s countless efforts to encourage poetry in Luton, the Mayor said of her, “I am very impressed with the amount of work Mary has done in a relatively short time to promote the work of poetry in Luton. We do need to raise the profile of our poets in Luton, and she has done a lot to make that happen.” Mary describes her new appointment as ‘a thrill’ as she stated “I’ve always found joy in writing and reading poetry, which led to my creating a forum whereby Luton poets can come together and share their poems. I am thrilled at being made Poet Laureate, and will continue to do my best to promote poetry readings throughout Luton.” She was one of the guest speakers at the annual Women's Day event hosted by the Mayoress of Luton at the Town Hall in October 2012, and has visited other branch libraries in the town to promote and encourage poetry. She held a poetry session at the University of Bedfordshire (where she studied), meeting with literary students and giving them a forum to perform their poems/ writings in October 2012. On National Poetry Day (4th October 2012), Mary was the Resident Poet on BBC Three Counties Radio; talking about poetry, reading her poems and taking calls from local poets. Her poem 'Simplicity' was short-listed for the National Poetry Anthology Competition 2012 (United Press) and published in the Anthology 'A Gathering Of Minds'. Her other poem 'The Angel Star' won the National Poetry Day Competition run by the Bedfordshire Libraries in October 2012, click to view: http://virtual-library.culturalservices.net/webingres/bedfordshire/vlib/0.books_reading/poem_week_all.htm. She was featured as Poet Laureate in 'Luton At Large' magazine in November 2012, and on the University of Bedfordshire News in December 2012 ( http://www.beds.ac.uk/news/2012/december/graduate-appointed-poet-laureate-of-luton). Her latest feature was in the well-known Luton Magazine 'LIFE' in January 2013! Mary was one of the guest speakers chosen by the Mayoress of Luton, Mrs. Imeda Knight for the International Women's Day event on 8th March 2013, at the Luton Borough Council Chambers, and Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Bedfordshire - HELEN NELLIS greatly commended her poetry work. Already featured in the religious poetry anthology 'I BELIEVE' (United Press 2013), Mary has also been enlisted by United Press as one of the 'TOP TEN POETS OF 2013' and will be published in this upcoming anthology later in the year. She was also featured as the Resident Poet Laureate on BBC Three Counties Radio on 14th April 2013 to celebrate the National Poetry Month. She partook in the task of writing a poem a day for the whole month! Her all-time favourite poets are William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) and Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894). To book Mary for an event, please email muscovadomary@yahoo.com

Samples

CHRIST, MY LOVE Christ my love, what can I say? Your presence is all I need today. You have proved your love in so many ways; Your grace outshines in my life with its rays. Every time I kneel down to pray, I remember the price you had to pay: The great sacrifice, which my sins often betray, Yet you never stop loving me, even for a day. You give me mercy as I promise to stay In the path of your righteousness, never to stray. Your Holy Spirit helps me as I strive on this pathway; Yes, you’re my strength - you never leave me halfway! In any situation when I’m in doubt or dismay, You always encourage me not to give up in disarray; I know my efforts will pay off someway, Simply because you hear my prayers everyday. Oh Christ my love, my joy, how I sway In the bounty of your love that takes my pain away. Your inexplicable peace fills my heart - I can hardly relay; I’m sure your grace will lift me up to your throne someday! SPARKLE AND SPARK - Mary Emeji I am a star, You wish upon me on a sullen night, Eyes closed, breathing the evening light, Holding out your hands to my tender shimmer; Like a ray of crystals, your skin starts to glimmer. It’s a lustrous romance across the constellations As you encounter my luminosity without limitations, The fiery passion seeping through your eyes Assures me my twinkle will ever suffice. You awake or perhaps now you fall asleep! Think you this a dream when I am yours to keep? A diamond in hand is worth less than crystal desired, So you place me in a box of antiques retired. Teardrops from a fallen star tell not a winter tale, Neglected and curtailed, my gleam turns pale; But now I arise to engulf you within - Electrify your mind and simmer up your skin. I'm your secret wonder that cannot be forgotten: Infuse me, diffuse me, you've got the button - I'll be your shimmer or blaze at dark! Didn't you know I sparkle and spark? ANGEL IN ME - Mary Emeji Take a look at my life’s story Of realities and no folly, You’ll see a mysterious wonder Wrapped in the bouquet yonder. Behold the echelon of my existence Streaming through the waterfalls of silence, You’ll see peaceful flowering Amidst the deserted gardening. The vibrant fortitude of my youth Led to the path of beauty and truth. As I seek true wisdom in my intellect, The angel of my spirit reflects. She shows me a new view in my life’s mirror That paints every path with a mysterious colour. The small voice within speaks the diction Of perfection in dejection, and rejection. So today, I thread upon hills and valleys Garnished with prickly weeds, and lilies. And when it seems I’m drowning in the ocean tide, The angel tells me I’m so alive! You may see me perfect, or curtailed in my skin, I could stand today or fall to pieces within; But the angel in me is the light that transcends The faults and befuddlements of my human trend. (c)Mary Emeji

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.