It lives in the quiet moments we don’t always have the courage to say out loud. It exists in heartbreak, in healing, in passion, in protest, and in the soft whispers of hope that refuse to die inside us. Poetry is more than words on a page it is survival, expression, and freedom all wrapped into one breath.
When I created Pulse Poetry Magazine, the vision was simple but powerful: to build a platform where every poet, regardless of background, experience, or recognition, could have a voice that echoes beyond their own circles. A place where truth could live unapologetically. A place where emotion could be felt, not filtered.
Each issue reminds me why this magazine exists.
Every poem submitted carries a piece of someone's story—someone's healing, someone's courage, someone's truth finally finding air. That is the real pulse of this magazine. It isn’t just the pages or the publication itself… it’s the people behind the words.
To the poets who trust us with their art, thank you for your bravery.
To the readers who continue to support, share, and believe in what we are building, thank you for keeping this vision alive.
Pulse Poetry Magazine was never meant to be just a magazine. It was meant to be a movement. A space where voices rise together, where creativity connects strangers, and where poetry continues to remind us that even in silence, our stories still scream to be heard.
So as you turn these pages, allow yourself to feel something. Let the words move through you. Let them challenge you, comfort you, and remind you that somewhere out there, someone else has felt exactly what you’re feeling.
And together, through poetry, we continue to keep the pulse alive.
With gratitude and love,
Ashanti Taylor-Alexander Founder & CEO
Pulse
Poetry Magazine
(Thoughts on how to describe...) The Perfect Kiss by
Lisa "Lipps" Davis
Come in softly...
Pecks and nibbles...
Coax me to want more...
Touch my hair, my face...
Pull back and look me in my eyes...
Then come in
Eyes wide open...
Watch the passion as it stirs between us...
Let me reach for u...
Caress ur face in my hands...
Kiss each of ur lips before u finally claim my whole mouth...
Let our tongues dance together. But always hold just a tiny bit back... So that I want it all the more...
Then look me deep in the eye and come in fully...
Gently probe into me...
Watching my cues...
Give me full penetration kisses til my knees go weak...
He was Ethiopian dark with silkened locs And eyes so black they glinted silver in the sun.
Quiet
Unassuming in the midst of his daily routine .
I had stopped thru my favorite burger spot... It was lunchtime and the place was busy, When I saw him from the corner of my eye... Sitting alone near the exit I decided that would be my route. I placed my order and glance his way...
He saw me.....
A tiny smile tinged the corners of his full lips and I knew... This blackberry jam was mine for the taking
A coy smile back and return to my task set things in motion...
I picked up my tray from the order station and headed for drinks and condiments ..
Grabbed some ketchup and mayo packs and turned to get my drink and there he was....
A full head taller than me and broad... Thick in all the right places with just a little Buddha belly showing I almost bumped into him and he smiled...
And what a smile it was...
Pearly whites with slight imperfections that just made it that much more infectious...
Before I could speak he asked was I dining alone.. With hooded eyes I met his gaze and said, "Only if ur not inviting me to join u" His brilliant smile became blinding at my response, So he picked up my tray as I filled my cup and followed him.
He introduced himself as Nicquo and told me he was new in town... A transplant from the deep south by way of the Gullah islands His rich accent barely hidden and so musical that I was mesmerized...
Conversation was easy and time simply slipped by ... We didn't even notice the sun was setting til the overhead lights popped on
And it was then that he said, "May we continue this elsewhere?" He rose from the table and cleared it away And as I gathered my things I felt his hand massage the back of my neck... His touch was warm and strong as he leaned in to grab my jacket and help me into it...
Bending his frame to my body, he spoke into my ear...
Told me he had found a beautiful spot to watch the sky and wanted to show it to me
I was as giddy as a school girl in this man's presence and I couldn't've said no if I tried...
My car was on the other side of the building so he walked me over and asked if I'd prefer to follow him or should we ride together...
Still aware that he was new to me, I said I'd follow him...
So he put me securely in my car and said he'd pull around
His sleek black SUV looked older but well kept as he lowered his window to wave me on ... I pulled behind him and was immediately familiar with the route...
A little alcove by the water I myself had spent time watching the sunset
There were park benches facing the horizon and a slight chill in the air... It was cool now and my light jacket wasn't enough... He anticipated this and pulled an ornate handmade quilt from his truck
As we sat he covered us and told me the story of his Mammaw... The Getchee woman who had made this for him so he could always have a piece of home with him, wherever life carried him.
Raising his arm to invite me in he pulled the quilt tightly over me and we sat and talked as the red, orange, purple hues turned to velvety blue black and the stars matched the glint in his eyes... He felt like the home I'd never had... Warm, secure, caring, and strong I didn't ever want to leave this feeling. I rested my head on his shoulder and conversation stood still ... It was only the sounds of distant traffic, lapping waters, birdsongs and breathing When he pulled me close and kissed my forehead.... I instinctively closed my eyes and took it all in... He lingered there as if anticipating what to do next Then he shifted, resting his chin where his lips had been and said, "I know this sounds crazy, but I feel u r why I'm here."
And before I spoke he said, "I took this job here to get away from my home. For as much as I love my people, they can be too much at times. I am an only son and I never took a wife because I never felt like I feel today... And our culture is strong and feels that a man should never be truly alone... But sitting here now with u, Under Mammaw's blanket... U have shown me my true home...." I was speechless as tears filled my eyes... And he held me tight and rocked me... That was 25 years ago...
And I haven't spent a day without him since...
And he's still finding time for us to sit under Mammaw's blanket by the waters near our Gullah Island home... And it's absolutely true what they say Cuz this black berry Jam has blessed my life sweetly... And I am forever his.
The taste of his skin is scrumptious. Honey brown melanin
With the flavor of chocolate sugarcane With just a hint of salty goodness, He moves my soul.
Big brown eyes that penetrate me... And a thick bottom lip Cut just right for sucking...
He's my whole heart on 2 feet...
With a voice that speaks to me In whispered affirmations, He reassures me that I alone hold his heart... And he has loved me thru the annals of all time.
My warrior...
Standing fiercely in my corner... Always ready to defend my honor
But never interfering with my own strength... He supports me, Never smothering, Giving me the security to be free.
But should I happen to stumble,
He's there Ever present... And vigilant to my every need...
The kind of man I prayed for...
And I am a fortunate woman... To have such devotion from one so strong... yet so humble...
And he loves my shine... Even if no one else sees it...
The most precious gift I've ever been blessed with... Scrumptiously delicious to my heart, mind, body and soul...
I saw u as an image Looking out from my computer screen. Truly gorgeous... Tall, strong and sexy With a thick bottom lip That just made me Salivate
I watched ur page for signs of life... Tried to catch u online So I could happen into ur path. And it took a minute But it happened
Conversation was easy... U just kinda got me
And I swooned Everytime u called... And within a few weeks, We decided to meet
I invited u to my place, Took the chance on u And it was my best gamble... Cuz the moment our eyes met Our fate was sealed There was never a discussion U walked in a stranger And left as my man...
And now, Decades later, U still give me butterflies... And the love is as strong now as ever...
I used to never believe in fairytales But then came u... My Prince Charming, Come to lift me from the Cinders And awaken me from my slumber With a kiss I'm still intoxicated by... And I know now, Without a doubt...
Fairytales do Come true.
Love above the label
Love above the label is more than what you see in shows on cable it's more than what you've read in the fables love itself is just unstable and I am incapable of using labels to define anyone there are times when we are all unstable when we feel like jumping off the table and that's okay because love should be the connection that tight-knit cable that serves to disable judgmental actions criticisms and sanctions we are all different yet we are the same all insane but some are just more contained so don't call anyone by a defined label else you'll be liable for libel don't let anyone classify you because of your stance or style because in time you will be defiled stand in your strength and love above the label
Previously published on Words of Ribbon blog and in the Presence anthology published by Willowdown Books.
I Invest in What Grows Me
I invest in what grows me I connect with who knows me and who knows and does better who understands that life must have laughter to provide a buffer to all that's jilted but to give life to the plants that are wilted I don't put time into vile or poisonous tactics because my energy is for greater concepts I want to grow and be challenged but I also want a life of balance so I see myself as a plant in the medium sun I look to watch the rain drops as they run down my leaves and through to my roots so I must keep my laces tied on my boots Invest in what can grow you develop, challenge and nurture you love people who hold your best interest at heart and remain friends in the light and the dark
Unexpected bad news really catches you off guard The time to process sometimes makes it hard
I try not to over think But it happens at times
I try to be calm, But peace I can't always find
To some it comes easy, But for everyone that isn't true When hardships happen What do you do?
My coping is writing I release the hurt from my pain Without my pen I'd likely go insane
People rely on me a lot But I often handle things on my own
So I journal my thoughts Until mental harmony is back shown
I ease my mind to relax and get peace Pretending I'm ok
Always impact my sleep
I decrease the thoughts From the noise in my mind I close my journal Once calmness is realigned
Copyright 2026 Eloquent Pearlfection
MIRROR LOVE By
Tiffany Mariie
I had to learn how to love myself when my reflection wasn’t cooperating.
On days the mirror only showed tired eyes and old arguments, stretch marks shaped like question marks, and a body that’s carried more than it was ever thanked for.
Because mirrors will lie to you They only love what’s visible
I needed a love that worked in the dark
I fell in love with the way I show up even when I don’t feel pretty With the way my voice still speaks when my confidence tries to take PTO
I love myself for the mornings I get up anyway. For the nights I don’t fall apart I just sit with it.
Mirror love told me I was enough. Outside the mirror love proved it.
I love the woman who sets boundaries and still leaves room for grace The one who unlearned survival and started practicing peace
I love the me that apologizes less and listens more The me that stopped shrinking to make rooms comfortable
I don’t need my reflection to approve of me anymore I trust the evidence:
The way I mother. The way I create. The way I survive storms and still water other people’s gardens.
I love myself in motion In effort In progress
I love myself when I don’t recognize her yet because growth is awkward before it’s beautiful
This love doesn’t ask permission from glass It lives in my decisions. In my healing. In the way I walk away from what hurts me without explaining myself.
So when I pass a mirror now, I nod. Not to check if I’m worthy
But to remind her: “I already chose you when nobody was watching”
A Voice That Refuses to Be Silenced:
The Journey of Tiffany Mariie
By: Ashanti Taylor-Alexander
Every poet has a beginning, and for Tiffany Mariie that beginning came during a time in her life when she felt unheard, unseen, and without an outlet to release the weight of what she was feeling. In 2018, during a period when she was searching for direction and a sense of self again, she discovered poetry. Writing became the place where her thoughts could finally exist without interruption, judgment, or silence.
Tiffany explains that her introduction to poetry was born from a very real emotional space. She did not have someone to talk to or a place where her voice felt welcomed, so she turned inward and allowed the page to become that space for her. The act of writing allowed her to process emotions that had been building without release, and what began as a private outlet eventually grew into a powerful creative force.
“I felt like no one cared and no one was listening,” Tiffany shares. “So I started writing everything down.”
Over time, the words that once lived quietly on paper began to find their way onto stages and into rooms filled with people who could feel the depth of what she was expressing. Tiffany Mariie has since grown into an award winning spoken word poet who travels and performs while continuing to develop her voice and artistic message. Her work reflects themes that many people recognize within their own lives, including heartbreak, resilience, healing, and the complicated emotions that shape human experiences.
Heartbreak has become one of the most consistent themes within her poetry. Tiffany acknowledges that this subject comes naturally to her writing because of the many emotional challenges she has experienced throughout her life. Rather than approaching the topic with bitterness, she transforms those experiences into reflections that listeners can connect with on a deeply personal level.
Although her work often touches on painful topics, Tiffany does not approach poetry by directly revealing every detail of her own life Instead, she writes around those experiences, shaping them into stories and emotions that feel familiar to anyone who has faced similar struggles.
“I never write about my personal experiences directly,” Tiffany explains. “I talk around them and make them relatable.”
This creative choice allows her poetry to remain emotionally honest while giving audiences the freedom to see themselves inside the words she shares.
One of her favorite poems, a piece titled Mile Walk, reflects the pride and individuality she carries in her journey. The poem speaks to the idea that every person’s path is unique and that no one can truly understand the challenges another person has faced without walking that road themselves.
“I am one of a kind,” Tiffany says when reflecting on the piece. “No matter how hard someone tries they cannot walk a mile in my shoes Those are big shoes to fill ”
While writing is where her poetry begins, performing is where Tiffany believes her words truly come alive. Standing on stage and delivering her poetry to an audience has become one of the most meaningful parts of her healing process. The experience of sharing her voice openly and watching people respond to the emotions behind her words has helped her grow in confidence and emotional strength
For Tiffany, the stage represents more than performance. It represents freedom.
“Being brave enough to stand in front of people and give them everything I have emotionally does something powerful for my heart,” she says.
Through her work, Tiffany hopes to inspire others to find their own voice and to speak openly about the experiences they carry. She believes that too many people suffer in silence and that creative expression can be a powerful tool for reclaiming personal strength.
“I want people to have the courage to speak up for themselves and never let anyone silence them,” she explains “I want people to become more vocal and more in love with who they are.”
Beyond her performances, Tiffany Mariie continues to build a growing creative platform around her poetry. She has written two books titled Glass in My Throat and Sister of the Set Up, both of which are available for purchase on Amazon. She is also preparing to release a self titled album called Tiffany, which will be available on major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube beginning March 28. A tour is currently in development as she continues expanding her reach as a spoken word artist.
Despite her growing recognition, Tiffany remains focused on the deeper impact she hopes her work will have. She acknowledges that although she has begun to receive attention and recognition in her city, including winning a poetry award after years of dedication, she still feels that her mission has only just begun.
One of her proudest moments came when she received recognition for her poetry after spending years refining her craft and overcoming moments where she questioned whether her work would ever truly be seen
“Winning that award meant everything to me,” Tiffany says. “It felt like my hard work was finally starting to be recognized after seven years.”
Looking ahead, Tiffany hopes to expand her influence beyond stages and performances by bringing her poetry directly into schools She wants to become an advocate for those who feel unheard and overlooked, particularly young people who may be struggling to find their voice in difficult circumstances.
Her goal is to create space for conversations that many people feel afraid to have, especially when it comes to mental health and emotional struggles that often remain hidden within communities
With honesty and determination guiding her path, Tiffany Mariie continues to build a platform rooted in expression, resilience, and truth.
Readers who want to follow her work can find her across social media platforms as well as Apple Music, YouTube, and Spotify under the name @iamtiffany mariie, where she continues to share her voice, her poetry, and the message that no one should ever feel forced into silence.
LOVE LETTER TO MYSELF
By Tiffany Mariie
I fell in love with the way I show up for me, How my heart stays full even when nobody’s calling.
I don’t wait on roses or late-night apologies, I water myself daily, yeah, that’s self acknowledging.
I learned how to hold me when the room feels cold, How to turn my silence into something bold. I don’t need a hand just to feel complete, I already walk steady on my own two feet.
I romanticize mornings, candles, and calm, Talk to my reflection like, baby, you’re on
I don’t chase affection like it’s oxygen, I breathe just fine knowing who I am.
See, loving me ain’t lonely, it’s luxurious, Peace wrapped in confidence, soft but serious. I don’t need a man to confirm my shine, I been a diamond, pressure just helped me align.
I know how to laugh from my stomach, not fake, Know when to let go and when to give grace. I pour into myself like it’s second nature, A masterpiece still signed by the Creator
If love comes, cool I’ll welcome it in, But it won’t be the reason my smile begins. I’m already whole, already enough, Already kissed by my own self-love.
So if this poem finds you on a heavy day, Let it sit in your chest, let it brighten your way. You don’t need permission to glow like the sun
You been the love… you just finally noticed one.
Learning to Stand in My Own Light
(By Nelly Vee)
Self love for me has been a battlefield and a sanctuary all at once. I’ve carried scars some from bee stings that left marks on my hand, reminders of pain that linger far longer than I expected, and others invisible, etched into my soul by moments of doubt, rejection, and the weight of expectations. There were days I doubted my worth, questioned if my voice mattered, or feared that my truth would never be heard But slowly, I’ve begun to trace those scars without shame, seeing them as proof not of weakness, but of survival, of a life lived fully, and the courage it took to endure.
Self love is like tending to a garden where some seeds refuse to bloom for years. I’ve learned to water my dreams, my creativity, my voice even when the world seemed to ignore them I am learning to celebrate small victories, like finishing a poem or sharing a story that comes from the deepest parts of me, trusting that growth doesn’t always announce itself with fireworks. I have to be both the sunlight and the soil for myself, nourishing the parts that still feel fragile, giving them room to stretch and reach for their own brilliance.
Psychologically, self love has become the conversation I have with my own mind, the promise I make to myself that I will hold my anger, my joy, my doubt, and my hope with equal care. It is accepting the man I am, the father I strive to be, the creative I refuse to silence, and the human who sometimes falters but continues. Loving myself is not about perfection it is about showing up every day, meeting myself with patience, and holding my own hand through the storms, until I can finally stand in my own light without fear or apology
Best Regards,
Nelly Vee
388-0016
Creations, LLC
GA 30350, USA
Echo of Courage
By: Poetically Soulful
Your chest tightens fear digging its claws deep. The air tastes like hesitation Every heartbeat screams, stay, don’t move, don’t try, don’t leave
But you remember: rivers don’t wait for permission Mountains don’t shrink for fear Even the wind refuses to ask before it bends the trees
Look at the mirror
See the fire hiding behind your eyes
Feel the weight of every “you can’t,” every shadow that tried to cage you, every voice that whispered small, tiny, invisible, afraid.
Now move
Step into streets that don’t know your name Step out of rooms that tried to own your quiet
Step into the jobs, the cities, the love you’ve been afraid to reach for
Fear trembles when you step It recoils when your hands claim space It flinches when your voice breaks silence and says: I will not wait I will not bend I will go
Your courage is a drum in your chest, pounding louder than the doubts, louder than the echoes of their warnings. It is a riot. It is a blaze. It is the ground itself trembling beneath your first steps Go
Not tomorrow
Not when it feels safe
Go now
And if they try to stop you if the world leans in and whispers stay turn, and roar:
I came to move I came to live. I came to conquer.
Ashes Of Yesterday
By:Poetically Soulful
What remains doesn’t hurt the way it used to. The fire has already done what it came to do.
Now there are only ashes soft, pale, settling into the spaces where something once lived.
Yesterday is quieter now It doesn’t scream. It doesn’t demand. It drifts instead like smoke caught in curtains, like heat still rising from a room long emptied.
I stand in the aftermath, ankles dusted with what didn’t survive the versions of me that stayed too long, the truths I folded small, the love I mistook for safety
Nothing asks to be rebuilt yet. Nothing rushes me forward The air is still warm, the silence still breathing.
I brush the ashes from my hands and feel how light they are how heavy they once were.
And somewhere in the quiet, where pain finally loosens its grip, something else begins to ache
not from what burned, but from what was loved and couldn’t stay.
