LSU graduate student Michael Seaberry shows where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience through poetry and other forms of writing in his upcoming book, “…The Mississippi Crying: A Collection of Poems and Stories of Healing,” which is now available for purchase.
Seaberry, a Lake Charles native, graduated from Xavier University in 2014 with a degree in biology pre-med. Now he is a second year Ph.D. student in the University’s Educational, Leadership and Counseling Program, specializing in Higher Education Administration.
Seaberry said the book has been in the works since his freshman year of college at Xavier.
“I began to write poetry as a form of healing and therapy when I just couldn’t handle what was happening in my life and the community,” Seaberry said.
Initially, his writings were meant for his eyes only. However, after his friend shared the book “Citizen” by Claudia Rankine, it inspired him to compile his writings into a book.
While most would find it difficult to juggle being a graduate student and a full-time employee along with putting together a book, Seaberry said, if it’s something people are passionate about, they will make time for it.
“In the midst of working full time, finishing classwork and focusing on self-care, I had to finish this book,” Seaberry said.
The works compiled in the book consist of pieces from after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The book ends by looking at the black community’s future as a whole. The book examines the emotions, responses and conversations that occurred after each incident and has plagued the black community since.
“I really used my creativity in writing these pieces so not all of them are traditional poems. Actually, one of my favorites is a set of questions that I wrote after the murder of Alton Sterling,” Seaberry said about the style of the poetry in the book.
Seaberry said what made creating this book special and worth completing is that there was a purpose behind writing it.
“I know that this work will pay off in the long run and that some young black student will look at me and say that they, too, can do it,” he said, referring to not only working on a Ph.D., but also getting through life as a black person.
With all of his credentials, Seaberry is also a motivational speaker for his company Fearless Flying. During his undergraduate career, he created a quote to inspire others.
“In order to fearlessly fly, you must first trust yourself. In order to trust yourself, you must first know who you are,” the quote says.
He said he hopes to spread this message through his speaking as well as through the book.
The book can be purchased on Amazon and Amazon Prime.
On Dec. 4, Seaberry will host a live webinar sharing the meaning behind the book’s content, including a live reading of the poems and giveaways beginning at 7 p.m. Central Time.