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Author releases poetry collection

(May 25, 2017) Berlin native Ashley Cuffee, also known as “Ash’iz ‘Tha Rebirth,” recently released a new collection of poetry through Salt Water Media.
“A Piece of Me Brings Peace to Me” was released on May 12.
The 31-year-old Cuffee is pursuing an associate’s degree in general studies from Wor-Wic, with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an eventual certification as a bibliotherapist (a therapy that involves reading certain texts for healing purposes).
She began writing poetry in high school and has been performing regularly as a spoken word poet for about three years. She hosts a regular open mic night at Zenna Wellness Studio in Berlin during the monthly 2nd Friday art stroll.
“The transition to print is all new for me, but I wanted to give people the opportunity to see the words, feel the words for themselves and then the next time they come to a performance we are that much more connected,” she said.
“The two are definitely different in that performing on stage the audience has one chance to hear, feel and interpret the poem, but through print it offers a greater understanding and reflection with the words as one can reread and let the words truly sink in.”
Cuffee said her new book is something she thought about writing for more than eight years.
“I had the outline and of course the poems, but it needed to be at the right timing,” she said. “I trust that now is that time as my writing has transitioned as I go on embracing my journey in life; all my experiences up to now have taken a critical part in not only molding who I have become but has elevated my writing abilities and has opened my perspective on how and what I write.”
The book also serves as an introduction of sorts, she said.
“This book is used as an introduction to who I am now. Ashley is who I was at birth, the name given to me, but this book introduces the world to Ash’iz ‘Tha Rebirth,’ the woman I have become; the name I labored for and am deserving of,” she said.
“The purpose isn’t simply to know who I am, but more importantly to offer and display to the readers the truth and freedom in being transparent,” Cuffee added. “I believe in being vulnerable enough to give myself, flaws and all, will open the door for others to feel safe in doing the same, and it’s at that point we can embrace another and if nothing else love ourselves unconditionally.”
She described the collection as a poetic autobiography meant to inspire, heal and challenge readers. She is influenced by the likes of Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Wally Lamb and Zora Neale Hurston.
“These authors/storytellers were so great at captivating imaginations in order to manifest the depths of the words written,” she said. “Poetically, I was influenced by spoken word poets like Bassey Ikbi, Talaam Acey, Zora Howard, Shihan and Gina Loring, all poets who literally give me chills due to their ability to take words from journal pages and breath life through them to inspire a crowd.”
Cuffee said she is promoting the book on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. She is also planning a series of live readings.
“My goal for the collection, of course, is to have other books to follow, but for this initial intro collection of poems my goal is to promote self-love and the courage it takes to submit to the vulnerability needed to obtain such self-love,” she said. “My goal is to have support from my hometown [and] my community in hopes that it births unity between us and conversations between us.”
The book is available online through sites like Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, at Salt Water Media in Berlin, or through her website, www.ashiztharebirth.com.
For booking information, call 443-859-5076 or email beauty4rmashiz@gmail.com.