Growing up in state care as a young child and then bouncing along in the foster care system, poet-songwriter Marjorie Walters struggled with depression and turned to writing as an outlet for her pent up emotions.

“At first, my poetry started as a past time, growing up in state care, two different homes, I struggled with depression, and low self-esteem. So for fun, I used poetry to entertain the other girls,” she told OBSERVER ONLINE.

She blossomed into a sassy poet who tackles a variety of hot-button issues in politics, religion and even paedophilia.

“You name it I write it,” she said, confidently.

She has published two volumes of poetry which are available through the online book stores on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. The first volume is called Highways Byways & Beyond. The book’s fantastic title is inspired by one of her poems, and the brainchild of her brother-in-law.

Her sophomore novel, Borders Barriers & Boundaries, was released in 2022 and co-published by George Rodriques. Her favourite poem is a hard-hitting political piece called ‘100 Questions’.

“My main promotion is through social media,” she said.

She has done live performances at Wolmer’s Boys’ high school and Bookphillia to raise awareness about her work. One of her biggest performances was at The Stratosphere in Brooklyn New York.

Walters said that someone saw her craft and inspired her to pursue it. She wants to pay that important intervention forward.

“I want to do the same for another child. In helping them to believe that no matter where you are from you can rise. My motto is ‘I can, I will, I must,’ I live by that. I see my poetry as a voice for the voiceless,” she said.

She hopes that one day she can use her songwriting skills and pen a song, or co-write with an international artiste like Rihanna, or Beyonce. Walters has hedged her bets as she has now earned the certification H.H.A. in health care and trained as a certified C.P.R. She is now in the publishing stages of her third book. To borrow an Alicia Keys phrase: this girl is on fire!

Her most important influences are Louise Bennett, Mutaburuka, novelist Maya Angelou, and dub poet Cherry Natural. Her pet peeves are: procrastination, liars, and punctuality.

“I am just a simple girl, from a girls’ home to ghetto to greatness, who had to fight the stigma attached to where you come from,” she said.

“I am just a simple woman making great strides and one who is hoping to leave a lasting legacy through books, documenting reality, fun, and food for thought — marjdapoet your baddpoet!”.

She can be reached through her social media handles: marjDapoetWltrs on Fbk

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