// mission

My writing values my obsessions with history, ancestry, memory, landscape, and the process of embodying oneself. I share what I write through my words, my presence, and my voice. What I write creates books, audio projects, and workshops, which all continue the authenticity of my research into fully embodying oneself. My writing leaves spells and incantations for others to follow for themselves.

// bio

Marlanda Dekine-Sapient Soul (she/her/they/them) is a poet from Plantersville, South Carolina. She is the author & recording artist of i am from a punch & a kiss. Soul is a 2021 Tin House Scholar, 2019 Emrys Keller Cushing Freeman Scholar, and a 2019 SC Humanities Fresh Voice of the Year. Her work has been published by Emergence Magazine, Root Work Journal, Screen Door Review, Penn State University Press, Minerva Rising, Flycatcher Journal, and more. Soul is the Founder and former Executive Director of Speaking Down Barriers and Spoken Word Spartanburg. She has served communities as a social worker, child therapist, crisis therapist, and child abuse forensic evaluator. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Furman University and her M.S.W. from the University of South Carolina.

// work

Publications

Three Poems, Root Work Journal, 2020

Social Worker I & Social Worker II, Screen Door Review, 2020

Acres of Ancestry, Emergence Magazine, 2020

The Moon, Shuddhashar Magazine, 2019

Getting Lighter, Spark & Echo Arts, 2019

Ecological Solidarities: Mobilizing Faith and Justice for an Entangled World, Penn State University Press, 2019

Sparrow's Trill, an anthology, Minerva Rising, 2015

FRUITS of the confederacy & Shine, Flycatcher Journal, 2015

Music & Collaborations

“Silsilad Gabay“, Leeds, UK, 2020

“Restoration: A Concert Film“, directed by Native Son, 2020, selected by Pan African Film & Arts Festival

“Paris”, prod. by Jakkwin Lovelace & Dwayne Mitchell, 2019

Awards, Fellowships, & Residencies

Tin House “Own Path" Scholarship, Portland, Oregon, 2021

Converse College MFA Low-Residency, 2020-2021, (Two Residencies)

“To listen”, chosen as finalist poem by Naomi Shihab Nye, 2020

New York University MFA Low-Residency in Paris, 2019-2020 (Three Residencies)

Emrys Keller Cushing Fellow, 2019

SC Humanities Fresh Voice of the Year, 2019

SC Business & Professional Woman of Accomplishment, 2017

The Watering Hole Fellowship, 2017

Outstanding Nonprofit Award, Riley Institute at Furman, 2017

Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Engagement, co-recipient with the artist & Unitarian, Rev. Scott Neely, 2016

“Shine", nominated by Flycatcher Journal for the Pushcart Prize, 2015

Peace & Dialogue Award, Atlantic Institute, 2016

Soul Sista Slam Grand Champion, Atlanta, 2014

Slam Champion, Wits End Poetry Queen of the South, 2012