Hard to Find God in D.C. is a compilation of poetry, chronicling the momentous journey through the murky waters of the Nation’s Capital. I arrived from Texas in 2016 as a trailblazer, departing from all that I have ever known; it was quite the shock. I have always written poetry as a cathartic outlet, to express what I dare not share in word or in deed. Upon arrival, there were a multitude of differences I witnessed on first account that began realigning my beliefs and outlook not only on life, but on God. In the South, the church has always been known to be the rock of distressed communities; functioning as a pathway to prosperity through faith in the Almighty. Beginning anew in D.C. meant becoming infantilized, as there was so much to be absorbed, and little time for reflection. This innocence allowed for distractions to take precedence and eclipse the unadulterated essence that I once believed to be invincible. I found myself constantly in-and-out of reception with He, who has always been the lantern of my excavation.

Reading over my poetry, there seemed to be an emerging theme centered around this quest for answers; this tango with my spirituality. But when the forbidden dance is allowed, and the lawless crowd abounds, one can’t help but nod his head to the rhythm; slowly but surely drowning in the music until I was fully immersed in myself. I felt liberated, yet lost. Free, yet fictitious. Hard to Find God in D.C. is of me trying to make sense of the world through a language that even I sometimes cannot understand.