Poetry Reading: ROCK ON, MAMA by Tammi Croteau

Performed by Becky Shrimpton

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Home Without Walls is about love without limits, the kind so strong that oceans and time zones can’t lessen it. It’s the story of two sisters who grew up in different countries but never stopped loving one another.

Rock On was written for the Rockin’ Moms of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. They support each other without question, through all the hopes and fears, joys and disappointments.

What motivated you to write this poem?

Home Without Walls – I was looking for inspiration for new material, so I posted a “Who Inspires You” contest on my Facebook site, http://www.facebook.com/cantbringmedowntlc. Amy Igama told me about her sister Cristy and the unconditional love they shared that recognized no boundaries, and the poem played in my head like a song all night. I woke up and wrote it in one draft in about 15 minutes.

Rock On – I was looking for inspiration for new material, so I posted a “Who Inspires You” contest on my Facebook site, http://www.facebook.com/cantbringmedowntlc. Janessa Gross commented that she was inspired by Jen Jacob, founder of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. Having met both of these moms and followed their kids’ journeys for the past several years, and watching the DSDN grow since it’s very beginning, I knew this was a story that needed to be shared. Rock On is currently being recorded as a song by Veronica Torraca-Bragdon.

How long have you been writing poetry?

Since I was able to hold a pen and paper, back in the days when typewriters still existed!

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Natasha, the little girl who is the subject of my book, Natasha and the Christmas Wish. She’s living in an orphanage in Russia, while the American family that planned to adopt her continues to fight to complete the adoption process due to the Russian ban on American adoptions several years ago. I would love to let her know how very loved she is, and how hard so many people are working to try to bring her home.

What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I have a background in music, and an interest in theater, so the connection between the written word and the spoken word is really magical to me. I like to experience the sounds of the words that play over and over in my head while I write.

Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes. I’ve self-published three books so far – two poetry/short story collections and one children’s book, Natasha and the Christmas Wish. I’ve got several projects in the works with Civin Media Relations, helping people with disabilities to share their stories, and also three novels waiting to be finished. I’ve co-written songs with Veronica Torraca-Bragdon, and completed a screenplay that I would love to see on the big screen one day!

What is your passion in life?

People and connections. Seeing the magic when all the reasons why start to appear and things come together as they were meant to be all along.