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Desiree C. Bailey

@desireecbailey

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poet, writer, professor.
author of What Noise Against the Cane @yalebooks

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Happy birthday to WHAT NOISE AGAINST THE CANE, my first book of poetry. Ever grateful for the lessons she has taught me, for the conversations and imaginings she has put on my path. Lately I’ve been finding old pieces of writing, quotes and poems that I had meant to put into the book, astute bolts of language to show that I had done my homework about the Haitian revolution or the sea or about poetry itself, and actually looking back I’m glad they didn’t make it in, beautiful and scholarly as they were. This book is the residue of my survival, the resources that I didn’t have, the resources that I did have, the communities that held me together, the communities I poured myself into, the ways I’ve been silenced, the ways I’ve spoken up for myself, the futures that I was making, reaching beyond myself into a hopeful unknown.

It’s a blessing to be a poet and to be so tethered to a dream that it won’t let you go, that we have to make our work even when we don’t know how (or if) it’s going to happen.

Anyways, before I go on and on, there’s photo of a playlist of some jams that helped me a long the way. I’ve been forgetting to make it public for like three years now! Check it out if that’s your thing.

Thank you to everyone who pushed me along during some part of the process and to those who continue to breathe new life into this book! You are magic! 🧜🏿‍♀️💫 by @desireecbailey

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3 years ago

I kinda like this poet-jazz collabo thing…might have to start a band✨ @cityofasylumpittsburgh International Jazz Poetry festival was a dream. @wefreestrings are divine. @lingo_lando and @roygbiv5403 did the damn thing. Yes to all of it. taken in City of Asylum by @desireecbailey

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3 years ago

A breath of fresh air. Thank you, Portugal. See you again sometime soon. by @desireecbailey

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a month ago

Absolutely electric to read in Lisbon alongside Portuguese writer and translator @taniaganho. Grateful for programs like @disquietilp that remind us that our worlds, languages and stories are (and should be) connected. by @desireecbailey

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a month ago

Reminiscing on how dreamy it was to teach poetry in Lisbon for the @disquietilp. 💫 by @desireecbailey

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a month ago

Thank you @junipersummer for a beautiful and inspired week! From the participants to staff to fellow faculty, it was incredible to be in community with folks who revere the written and spoken word. So many heartfelt conversations. I wish I could’ve spent even more time in that air, wish I actually took photos, but I am full from what I did experience. Shout out to the participants of my craft lecture/workshop, “The Sonic Atmosphere of the Poem.” Your enthusiasm was energizing and generative. Glad we had the space to think, listen and dream together. Also thanks to @dureamna and Yasmin Zaher — it was a wonder to read and be in conversation with you. by @desireecbailey

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4 months ago

Happy Father’s Day to all the lovely fathers and of course, to my dad. Every day I’m in awe of his life and experiences, literally growing up in colonial Trinidad, witnessing independence and beyond. These photos are from 2017 and 2020, in the places that bring him the most joy, the seaside and Panorama. I always thank him for instilling within me a love of music, poetry and our people. by @desireecbailey

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4 months ago

The early days! From a young age I got to see my mother being a woman in the world, a midwife in our community, the “nursie” whose profession is still dear to her heart even in retirement. A mother who helped others to become mothers. When we moved to America, she worked in other fields of nursing but I think labour and delivery still remains close to her heart. Happy Mother’s Day to the mothers and all who mother! by @desireecbailey

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5 months ago

Happy Mother’s Day to this remarkable woman that I’m lucky to call my mother. I’m so proud of all that she has accomplished and all that she continues to do. Whenever something feels insurmountable, her fire and persistence guide me.

Also, happy nurses month! by @desireecbailey

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5 months ago

Congratulations to my love Wilton Schereka for a stirring lecture at the @webduboiscenter on Sound, Spirit and Struggle in the South African context. This lecture was presented in partnership with the Cape Town-based Centre for Humanities Research, a partnership which Wilton initiated.

I’ve been lucky to witness the inner workings of Wilton’s research and it was beautiful to see a bit of that work shared in community yesterday. This work is absolutely vital, now and always!

Reposted from @webduboiscenter
An amazing talk today from 2025 Du Bois Center graduate fellow, Wilton Schereka (@blackauralities) on Sound, Spirit & Struggle. This lecture was presented in partnership with our colleagues at @chr_uwc in Cape Town, RSA.

Also pictured: Du Bois Center Director @abxgirl4life and Adam Holmes, Assistant Director of the Center. by @desireecbailey

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7 months ago

Blessed to see another year. Grateful for health and strength, as the elders say. The older I get I find myself returning, deeply in heart and spirit, to the people and places from whom/where I come. Always reppin. Always looking to a boundless future. Thank you for the birthday wishes, for the love. by @desireecbailey

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7 months ago

It’s Pisces season, winter is on her way out I hope and Nabila’s voice in the second slide is the most amazing sound. May we all have this joy and reverence for nature’s creatures. Shout out to the Baltimore Aquarium for these magical submarine scenes. by @desireecbailey

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7 months ago