Wakohsi.yo' Studio - CREATIVE WRITING: Jennifer M. Stevens favorite subject in school was English and Literature-with Art and Music as a given. Stevens especially appreciated reading poetry, short stories and a huge fan of William Shakespeare, Kahlil Gibran, and Maya Angelou. Stevens Father enjoyed reading his favorite poems and short stories to her since she was a little girl. He had a collection of classics and found that his daughter enjoyed the sensitivity and depth of his favorite literature. Stevens Father also noticed her ability to write so he worked with her since she was in middle school to develop her writing skills. Sometimes grueling hours of edits with her Father, but she was able to learn some valuable writing skills-He set a standard that helped Stevens get through all her course work in college. Mind you that Stevens had a reading disability… but found through beautiful literature and poetry it helped her over come her fear of it because she enjoyed it so much. Her Father gave her examples of good writing, explained why it was, had dialogue about the literature, and than showed her how she could also write. Stevens Father always told her, “If there is one skill that I can teach you; that you can use for the rest of your life-is teach you how to write.” Stevens is very appreciative that her Father took the time from his demanding schedule to help her hone her writing skills. Stevens Father was right-writing has become a skill she has been able to use in all areas of her life. Stevens Father was noted for his gift to write and many don't know he also enjoyed writing poetry. Stevens English teachers also encouraged her creative writing and poetry, and she continues to add her favorite poems to her collection of poetry. On a more serious note, Stevens has been successful utilizing her writing skills in other areas of her life; Stevens sits on the Green Bay Press-Gazette Conversation Advisory Panel, where she is an occasional columnist, she writes editorials on social/humanitarian issues for her local Oneida newspaper, Kalihwisaks, and utilizes her writing skills to benefit the arts such as; drafting scripts for community theatre and a respectable grants writer. Stevens has drafted two grant proposals and was successful in raising $10,000 for the CESA #7 for the documentary, "the Lesson." Stevens has been successful in the past five years of grants writing, and received funding for all of her grant proposal submissions. Stevens still enjoys sitting down at a coffee shop, drinking a cup of Chai, and enjoys writing mostly poems and lyrics for her songs. Stevens feels that her Father gifted her by sharing the importance of writing and exposing her to some beautiful literature and poetry; in hand, it has become a major inspiration for her to hone her own creative writing skills. Stevens feels that writing like any art is a powerful tool-to communicate in a level that makes people think and feel on a deeper level. When she writes she always thinks in terms of leaving words behind that are thought provoking and inspirational.

Jennifer Marie Stevens

Classical Singer ~ Visual Artist

Painting by John William Waterhouse, "My Sweet Rose."

CREATIVE WRITING:

Jennifer M. Stevens favorite subject in school was English and Literature-with Art and Music as a given. Stevens especially appreciated reading poetry, short stories and a huge fan of William Shakespeare, Kahlil Gibran, and Maya Angelou. Stevens Father enjoyed reading his favorite poems and short stories to her since she was a little girl. He had a collection of classics and found that his daughter enjoyed the sensitivity and depth of his favorite literature. Stevens Father also noticed her ability to write so he worked with her since she was in middle school to develop her writing skills. Sometimes grueling hours of edits with her Father, but she was able to learn some valuable writing skills-He set a standard that helped Stevens get through all her course work in college.

Mind you that Stevens had a reading disability… but found through beautiful literature and poetry it helped her over come her fear of it because she enjoyed it so much. Her Father gave her examples of good writing, explained why it was, had dialogue about the literature, and than showed her how she could also write. Stevens Father always told her, “If there is one skill that I can teach you; that you can use for the rest of your life-is teach you how to write.” Stevens is very appreciative that her Father took the time from his demanding schedule to help her hone her writing skills. Stevens Father was right-writing has become a skill she has been able to use in all areas of her life. Stevens Father was noted for his gift to write and many don't know he also enjoyed writing poetry. Stevens English teachers also encouraged her creative writing and poetry, and she continues to add her favorite poems to her collection of poetry.

On a more serious note, Stevens has been successful utilizing her writing skills in other areas of her life; Stevens sits on the Green Bay Press-Gazette Conversation Advisory Panel, where she is an occasional columnist, she writes editorials on social/humanitarian issues for her local Oneida newspaper, Kalihwisaks, and utilizes her writing skills to benefit the arts such as; drafting scripts for community theatre and a respectable grants writer. Stevens has drafted two grant proposals and was successful in raising $10,000 for the CESA #7 for the documentary, "the Lesson." Stevens has been successful in the past five years of grants writing, and received funding for all of her grant proposal submissions.

Stevens still enjoys sitting down at a coffee shop, drinking a cup of Chai, and enjoys writing mostly poems and lyrics for her songs. Stevens feels that her Father gifted her by sharing the importance of writing and exposing her to some beautiful literature and poetry; in hand, it has become a major inspiration for her to hone her own creative writing skills. Stevens feels that writing like any art is a powerful tool-to communicate in a level that makes people think and feel on a deeper level. When she writes she always thinks in terms of leaving words behind that are thought provoking and inspirational.

~Romantic~

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Love’s Fool:

I am not love’s fool nor am I a slave…waiting for its every whim. My love is much more dignified! The whole world does not need to know or see. I am not weak…don’t need to wear my emotions on my sleeve. My heart is not a fairytale of fantasies and false dreams. My love is pure and comes from the heart…needs only one; someone that appreciates what they have and their intentions are true.

My New Art Song Set For 2011! (Jennifer M. Stevens Lyrics © 2011)

Three Stages of Love: Vision, Yearning, and Experience.

Love Is A Rose

Love is a rose. Gentle and still. Survives through storms. Surrenders it's blooms... For Star Crossed Lovers... Twin spirit Souls. Oh, Love is a Rose.

Le Secret

I wish to tell you of my love.
A joy that touched my soul.
Never a daydream without you
framed with a thought.
May my love be known
with a caress
of your cheek
and a kiss.

Fallen

You are the one that could break my heart. I knew that from the start. I feel deeply in my soul. I've fallen...

Fallen, fallen, I've fallen for you.

There is not a day that you are not in my mind. Daydreams of you...when you become mine. I feel deeply in my heart... I've fallen…

Fallen, fallen, I've fallen for you.

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Love's Mystery

(Poem)

Love is like the ocean. Undercurrents pulling us in. Waves of emotion.

The Unexpected... Love sooths us. Like waves caressing the shore. Tides are but a phase. Yet Love is constant motion.

Temptation of the sea. A power we'll never truly know. Will it engulf our souls? Or spare our lives?

The unexpected... Love is like the Ocean. No body will ever know. The true mystery of the sea.

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Star-Crossed Lovers

(Lyrics: Opera-Techno Fusion)

Where Are you now? Where you belong? Wondering where we might have gone. I am... thinking of you.

Is there a song...About you and me? How does it end...? How does that sound? Are you... thinking of me too?

Where are you now? Where are you now? Where are you now? Where you belong... Where are you going? Where you belong right now?

There is a star in the night sky... For everyone-one kind of love. Only star-cross lovers know.

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Love Birds

(Poem)

A lovely lark passed my gaze.

Singing a courting song.

Thrown off guard,

And not prepared.

For something so Sweet I longed.

In grief I did, I did but sigh.

Oh, Dear I paused too late.

My heart had sunk.

I embraced a prayer.

I had to believe in fate.

I inhaled so deeply and sang out.

Than heard a familiar sound.

I fluffed my feathers and Opened my heart.

At last my Love...

Was Found. _________________________________________________________

Is It You?

(Poem)

Is it you... That evokes my soul..? So far away...yet so close. I sense your thoughts and feel your emotions. Like a dream... A love story yet to be told. When in arms length... Captured in an eternal embrace.

Is It You?

(Revised for Lyrics...R & B/Jazz style)

Is it you? Is it you? I feel you close... Near or far.

I've been walking down the road. Nothing caught my eye... Until I met you...

Is it true? Is It true? You for me... and me for you?

It's been a long time... Someone made me feel this way... the moment you walked in... I knew...

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Just Look Into My Eyes

(Not sure about this one... Poem for now-meant to be lyrics.)

Can you see me singing? Do you see me Soar? Do you think you know me? Just look into my eyes.

See my eyes dancing? See my eyes smile? See my eyes love you? Just look into my eyes.

Why is my love on trial...? Give me your heart. Give me your soul... How can you question...? As I hold you close.

Can you hear me laughing? Do you see my joy? Do you think I'm lying? Just look into my eyes.

_____________________________

Tree by Jennifer M. Stevens 2010 _______________________________
Love Quandary of An Artist

(Poem)

They say artists are hard to reach; Ah, but once we love... Our love is with depth, passion, and forever. Yet love can build us or kill us... Love sounds dangerous... Dare I love? Dare I not love?

_____________________________

Spring
(Poem)

Spring has come
Ready to love again
Was caught in winter
a whirlwind of emotions
Heart frozen in time
Seclusion healed and calmed
My heart and mind.
Lessons learned
Became aware
Testing waters...love cascades.
One step at a time.
Enticed by Season’s Strings.
Handel’s Largo moves me.
Awakens my being.
Heart inspired to grow
Rose in full bloom
To embrace my twin’s flame.

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All the Things You Are

(Poem)

You are the breath that gives me life.
The sparkle in my eyes.
The joy in my laughter.
The passion in my soul.
The love that enlightens my
Being.

_____________________________

Love's Fate

(Poem)

You are my strings and I am your wind with God as our conductor. Our fate and love interwoven as a sweet melody.

_____________________________

A Tender Man

(Poem)

Nothing more sweet than a Tender Man. Gives a full embrace yet with such a gentle touch… Pulling me close to hear our hearts beat.

All I ever wanted was a Tender Man. To share his thoughts… his joys…even his deepest fears. With his warm, soothing, but strong voice.

I really am a Tender Woman…Deep… deep…down inside. Just need a Tender Man to share my life… The one and only to him I confide.

Universally Engineered:
I rather be patient for someone that is Universally engineered and designed for me. The Universe does not revolve around a clock...everything in life comes in good timing! And the most rewarding comes when you least expect it! ; ) Live through your life, the way life was meant to be lived-one day at a time. Live it well!

Inspirational~

By Jennifer M. Stevens 2012

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(Click on right corner to enlarge.)

Raised:

"I was raised on the philosophy to be honest-as an adult I am considered "Controversial;" I was raised on the philosophy to be strong-as an adult I am considered "Defiant" and "Arrogant;" I was raised on the philosophy to love-as an adult I am considered "Invasive," and "Inappropriate;" I was raised on the philosophy to live and speak my truth-as an adult I am considered a "Threat." "

Life Force:

"One of my greatest aspirations in my life is to live it with appreciation, inspiration, passion, and love. Life is very powerful...to have our own life force in our hands. It is an amazing gift-that is if we appreciate and respect it's power."

Life Is A Journey:

"Life is not about tallying up your failures in comparison to your successes: Life is about exploration and growing through every experience. Life is a journey..."

Harm

"I come from a family of Golden Glove Champion boxers. But it was never in my heart to harm another human being. There is one thing I have a low tolerance for; is hurting others emotionally, physically, mentally, and or spiritually as a sport."
~

Dare

Dare to Dream....Dare to Inspire!

Lasting Impressions...

A True Artist doesn't fit perfectly

into a mold. They create their own;

Leaving lasting impressions....

True Artists

A true artist is one that is conscientious of their art form, what messages they are trying to convey, and takes responsibility for it.

My Destiny

My music and art was given to me by the Creator-the Creator put the tools and abilities in my hands, voice, mind, spirit, and in my heart. It is my choice what I do with it-it is not up to anyone to determine my value and my destiny-that is between the Creator and Myself.

Life Is Our Muse

"One thing I enjoy in life is capturing the beauty in the world. To express in one's art, music, or even poetry; your interpretation of breath taking moments, visuals, ideas, experiences and emotions...

There are some things even a Master can't express or recreate.

Life is poetry and so much to be discovered... Life is our muse."

Creative Thinkers

"Creative Thinkers are attracted and inspired by beauty. Creative people simply reorganize and recreate beauty in a

different form."

Goals

"95% of the time if you strive to reach a goal you will reach it-it is when you let that 5% of doubt get in the way...is when it falls on the way side."

"Be Strong and Brave!"

100%

"There is nothing in life worth doing unless you put your 100% into it."

Self-worth

"No one can measure your value as a person-it is not their job."

Race

"Education Is Power...Ignorance Is Not; I have a dark skinned Father and a light skinned Mother; I was raised that all skin color is interwoven into the beautiful tapestry of our world.

Racist remarks is a reflection of ones lack of knowing, because when you know about the human race...you have no room for racism.

Empower your children and educate them about the world, don't let them grow up as adults being ignorant."

Kind

"95% of the time...when someone is unkind to you, it is not because of what you said or did, it is because of the KIND of person they are."

Change

"If there is one thing I could change about myself it would be how I view the world-Amazing how the change of your perception can CHANGE your life!"

People

"There are three types of people in the world... Little League, Minor League, and Major League."

Holiday Awareness

Get involved in your communities... even if it is a smile. You never know if someone is experiencing a hard time and just need seven one person to come a long to help them get through theday. The holidays can be the worst time for some... The highest suicide rate is during the holidays. This time of year needs to be about building friendships... Not just about gifts or your favorite toy.

Dedicated to my brother...

In Loving Memory of my Big Brother, Coleman. Inspiration: I can't say I have lived unless I was inspired by another human being. Nor can I say I have truly lived unless I inspired another person to become better than they were yesterday. I always strive to surround myself with people that inspire me to become the best I can become!Finding inspiration through each other inevitably creates a more beautiful world._____________________________________

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Living Examples Through the Arts

by Jennifer Stevens

There has never been a manual of expectations carved in stone to define rules, much less outline the parameters of an artist's canvas of expression.

Art can't be defined, limited, and perfectly catalogued on an individual's expectations; not to mention, any true artist would ever use their freedom of expression to strive to harm another person; much less another's reputation and character. Most artists strive to contribute positive change in the world or simply demonstrating an aesthetic existence. May be why many say; Each is their own, Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and Freedom of expression?

Art is limitless and bountiful; why it is one of life's greatest inspirations and gifts to humanity. True art and the greatest art of any medium are not expressed solely from an individual but through a rich joint collective of all human kind.

I support all nationalities, faiths, and genders in the arts; everyone has a place in this world. The arts have always been a sacred ground for people of all walks of life, genders, race, and artistic mediums to have permission to truly be themselves.

We are all in this world together and what better place to work through our differences than through the arts. Art is bigger than us; why not create through joint collectives-breaking grounds for our future generations?

Art of any form is not about nationality;when we can get past that mentality than we can start delving into something bigger than ourselves-rich, authentic, and true to the human spirit.

Communities need to strive to work together and look beyond ourselves-see the bigger picture. Through education and communication people of all nationalities, faiths, genders, and all art forms-we can learn and grow from each other; which inevitably creates a grander works of art touching all of humanity.

It is not of my nature to base my perspectives of others on their nationality and can only derive an observation on one's individual personality on personal experience. In my mind, Race does not make a human being-it is their character.

I have great faith that our future generations will teach us older generations that there has to be a better approach to dealing with our differences. We need to reach a level of compassion, love, and understanding at some point in time-400 years has been a long time. Work together, learn from each other, and achieve excellence together!

I think it is about time that we recognize what we say and do impacts our children, our communities, and our world around us, and we need to take responsibility for that. It is time we become living examples; so through each generation we can become a better world.

Self-Discovery

By Jennifer M. Stevens 2010

Some think I am an open book my mind and heart written across my sleeve. Yet they see just an exterior of me. Have you read my book; Word for word? Had to be just an intro; my book is incomplete yet to be written; each day adding a page, creating a story.another memory.

Is the person of 1972 the same as me in 2012 an identical me? People change or you notice something new that was always there. Pages like layers of an onion just when you get a glimpse still so much more, a mystery to you an insight for me.

Still waters run deep-just when you think you know you discover you know nothing. I am me not trying to be someone of yesterday, a person I am not everyday a shift, a slight change a human experience a transcendental self-progression.

People are unique you and me. Hours playing mirrors discovering a second or two off-discovering no one is the same. You ask me who I am? Hard to say everyday discovering one layer at a time. Self-discovery becomes a science becomes an art

Sometimes good to enjoyto identify. Sometimes good to just take a deep breath, close our eyes, feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, and be happy to be alive. Self-discovery takes a life time One day at a time. One day at a time

~JenVerbs ; )

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I Soar

Special Note: I was inspired to write the song, I Soar for the documentary, "The Lesson."The documentary was inspired by Eileen Littig witnessing the connection and inspirational experience I had by receiving voice lessons with Metropolitan Opera singer, Sondra Kelly, Dramatic Mezzo.

Before I met Sondra Kelly, I was being bombarded by criticism and was even told I could never sing professionally. Sondra Kelly arrived in my life when I was determining if I should quit singing or not-although I didn't want to. I find there is always a critic out there somewhere, that is just part of the music industry...That is life. But... deep down inside I knew I was meant to sing-you have to listen to that inner voice sometimes-in spite of what other people say.

Since 2009 it has been a very inspirational time in my life and I have been singing as a soloist and recitalist-living my dream. I'm doing things I didn't know I could! A huge all around growth spurt in my life that I am very appreciative of-certainly have gained a new appreciation for singing and even inspired to compose my own music.

I have to add another name to my list of very special people in my life... In 2011 I was introduced to Margaret Colbert, Sopranowho just moved to Appleton, WI and so happened to return to the states after 43 years of living and performing in Germany. Margaret Colbert has since our first meeting mentores me, preparesme for my performances, and has gifted me her time andvocal instruction. Margaret has put a special effort in building my self-esteem and faith in myself...she strives to assure me that I am meant to sing!

I dedicate, my new song called, I Soar, to Opera singer, Sondra Kelly, Dramatic Mezzo,producer, Eileen Littig, and Margaret Colbert, Sopranofor believing in me when others did not. They have become my two pillars of strength, huge influences in my life-my Mentors. Participating in the documentary has been a growing experience I'll never forget. Eileen and Sondra... I don't just sing anymore... "I Soar!"

Love you both very much! ~ Jennifer

Winding, winding roads

My Trials and Tribulations.

Wondering what my Fate is

One sometimes never Knows

Nothing stays the Same

All of these Strangers

And unfamiliar Places

Yet, I am still Alive

Through my strife I still Soar

Throughout my life I Survive

I Soar.

Winding, winding pathways

my Challenges and Triumphs.

Leaving behind my Struggles

Searching for my Calling

There has to be Faith-an Inspiration

Music is my Salvation

My Soul is my Song

I was Destined to Survive

Through my strife I still Soar

Throughout my life I Survive

I Soar.

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"Yoynle Tyhas"

(Good she brings)

By Jennifer M. Stevens 2004 Published

A woman transformed into stone. The universe weighs on Matriarchs shoulders. Her back the strength of iron clothed by a turtles shell. A caretaker of feeble frames and rambunctious youth. Infamous love pours from her eyes into our hearts. Her gentleness soothes open wounds. She guides clans through troubling storms. She is a woman transformed into stone.