Asia Fletcher
Artist Statement
I am a poet, writing and performing for fifteen years after I was introduced to the art at 8 years old. Through poetry I deepen my knowledge of other communities and cultures, and spread awareness around the need for diversity. My practice helps people strengthen self-expression, empathy, and commit to making a change. It has been amazing to use my voice to help others, and I plan to do so by leading regular poetry sessions at the Collective Focus Resource Hub.
At Collective Focus
Asia is a lifelong resident who grew up in Brooklyn and uses her writing and spoken word to process the events of her life. At the Resource Hub, Asia is a daily presence within our operations, assisting with organizational aspects like the community closet. Asia balances her time at Collective Focus well, and is supportive of our progams from weekly food distributions, to event planning, to workshopping poetry with other volunteers. In her down time at the hub, Asia can be found studying and researching poetry, journaling, and investing deeper into her creative process. Asia is also the co-founder of the all African American led coalition at Collective Focus, a team of Black creatives carving out space for empowerment.
Poetry
Stuck in the Dark
My eyes closed
shut
My mouth won’t
speak a word
Going off in the
silence
It’s all pitch black
I can’t see myself
Can you see me
My thoughts going
in a circle
World pool of
feelings
Expression on
paper
That somebody
said knock knock
See you later
Stuck in a cave
no trail to be
seen
Falling to my
feet
Where is everyone
now
that I’m asleep
My eyes closed
shut
My mouth won’t
speak a word
Going off in the
silence
It’s all pitch black
I can’t see myself
Can you see me
My thoughts going
in a circle
World pool of
feelings
Expression on
paper
That somebody
said knock knock
See you later
Stuck in a cave
no trail to be
seen
Falling to my
feet
Where is everyone
now
that I’m asleep
Girl of the Ninety’s
Girl of the ninety’s
making her way through
the youth
Girl of the playground
stay down I will not
stir the pot memories
Girl of the ninety’s
Early mornings
getting up
Ready for school
Girl of the playground
Little girl what you
you doing
Into everything
ran through the
projects
Didn't give in school
projects
trouble
it’s time
Baby face still the
same
I’m not the one gettin
the blame
Through the years
I became the girl
of the ninety’s
Best dressed
Boys obsessed
Girl of the ninety’s
Girl of the ninety’s
making her way through
the youth
Girl of the playground
stay down I will not
stir the pot memories
Girl of the ninety’s
Early mornings
getting up
Ready for school
Girl of the playground
Little girl what you
you doing
Into everything
ran through the
projects
Didn't give in school
projects
trouble
it’s time
Baby face still the
same
I’m not the one gettin
the blame
Through the years
I became the girl
of the ninety’s
Best dressed
Boys obsessed
Girl of the ninety’s
Never Should’ve Been
Never should’ve loved
Never should’ve stayed
Never should’ve paved
the way
Never should’ve told
you my secrets
This relationship is
erupting like a volcano
Your ways are totally
lame bro
It never should’ve
been you
You’ve made the rocks
of the earth bleed
Eyes of my heart
drip pain
So I drip drip drip
until my world floods
Despite you care
You’re no where
Never should’ve loved
Never should’ve stayed
How could you say
love is there
but full of despair
Never should’ve loved
Never should’ve stayed
Never should’ve paved
the way
Never should’ve told
you my secrets
This relationship is
erupting like a volcano
Your ways are totally
lame bro
It never should’ve
been you
You’ve made the rocks
of the earth bleed
Eyes of my heart
drip pain
So I drip drip drip
until my world floods
Despite you care
You’re no where
Never should’ve loved
Never should’ve stayed
How could you say
love is there
but full of despair
You Show Nothing
Stayin away
makes me blue
The aggression
you put out against me
Makes me feel
invisible
You have no right
To tell me how
I’m supposed to
feel
You want me low
How dare you
You stripped
Me
From all I knew
How can I show
love
But you show nothing
they say, they’re gonna
Talk about you until
you die
However you all
gonna talk about me
until I blossom
Stayin away
makes me blue
The aggression
you put out against me
Makes me feel
invisible
You have no right
To tell me how
I’m supposed to
feel
You want me low
How dare you
You stripped
Me
From all I knew
How can I show
love
But you show nothing
they say, they’re gonna
Talk about you until
you die
However you all
gonna talk about me
until I blossom
You Can’t Take it with You
You can’t take your
jewels
You can’t take your
diamonds
You can’t take your
rubys
You can’t take it
with you
As the the mind grows
so does the soul
We approach that
time
That is near
Stayin a certain
way
thinkin flyin
coach is the best approach
You can’t take your
jewels
You can’t take your
diamonds
You can’t take your
rubys
You can’t take it
with you
You can’t take your
jewels
You can’t take your
diamonds
You can’t take your
rubys
You can’t take it
with you
As the the mind grows
so does the soul
We approach that
time
That is near
Stayin a certain
way
thinkin flyin
coach is the best approach
You can’t take your
jewels
You can’t take your
diamonds
You can’t take your
rubys
You can’t take it
with you
Social Impact
