By Brandon Ladd

SUNY Oswego student poet Rickey Strachan published his second book: “What I Did With Those Words.” 

This book serves as a sequel for Strachan’s first publication “Things Cupid Whispered” which he published in 2021. The first book examined love through a romantic lens, while the second set of poems is about self-love and the steps necessary to get there. He explained “Things Cupid Whispered” was an outlet for his emotions after a breakup. 

“The first book was just about me getting over heartbreak,” Strachan said. “I realized love is a beautiful thing but it’s best expressed when already felt by self … I have a whole chapter in it [the second book] called “Loving Oneself” which is a poetry collection of affirmations for people who don’t really realize how beautiful they are before they start to compliment another person’s beauty.”

Strachan cited his growth this past year in a press release with SUNY Oswego. 

“I’ve changed a lot since I wrote the first one,” Strachan said. “There’s just a physical and mental difference in the way that I carried myself and the way that I printed it. It’s visible.” 

Strachan was able to utilize his expression on a very public platform this month as well, as he had the opportunity to read a poem of his own for Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Feb. 9. When asked about the opportunity to have spoken at the event, he noted that it was an honor and a bit of a challenge.

“Full disclosure, I’ve had a huge issue with writing poems for social justice,” Strachan said. “It’s just because there are so many faces and outlets as to what it means to express our overarching issues with what society does to us as people.”

Strachan’s poem, “Melanated Daydreaming,” was exactly what the committee was looking for, allowing him to properly articulate his truth to a wider audience and show “a face of Black people that isn’t often seen.” The poem and performance received an appreciative reception at the event.

He also expressed gratitude for the timing of these events, feeling that they were the perfect way of epitomizing his development as both a writer and a person.

“I was honored to be asked because it’s Angela Davis. I genuinely am surprised that this is even happening in my lifetime,” Strachan said. “To be able to give back to her physically and watch me say these words, just imagining that is surreal.”

Those interested in buying a copy of his books can connect with Strachan via his Instagram account, @Rickrhymz, or can find both “What I Did With Those Words” and “Things Cupid Whispered” on Amazon.

Photo via Office of Communications