

Poetry, much like music, has a way of seducing you with its words. The cadence lives with you long after you’ve heard something that touches your soul. Poets express themselves and their emotions – joy, sorrow, love, the erotic – can be felt through each stanza. In my mind, poetry is yet another genre of music. It holds some of the same elements, but those elements that differ allow it to stand out from the crowd slightly. However, it’s my hope to focus on the erotic here and now.
Though the erotic seems specific, what I’ve learned from my small dip into Audre Lorde is that the erotic is a very broad concept. The erotic is pleasure in the feminine form – not merely sexual pleasure or “pornographic” as we have come to know it as. Though I’m still mystified by what exactly it means, I wanted to explore the erotic through poetry and my personal interpretation of Lorde. And thus, here we are. Below are poems that I feel express the erotic through a feminine lens. Some poets you may know, others may be new to you. Nevertheless, their words breathe life and love into the pockets of the world that need the most oxygen and restoration–us women.
These poems honor the erotic – each one speaking to different parts of our lives and time here on this Earth, as intended.
"3 O’clock in the Morning" by Jasmine Mans
This poem is from Jasmine Mans' debut book, Black Girl, Call Home. Not only is the artwork exquisite but the poems hit home. This poem in particular speaks of a deep and warming love, an expression of emotions and feeling that can feel difficult to come by. It speaks of a love that is reciprocated and feels like a religious experience. I can’t help but think this is what Lorde spoke of when she spoke of the erotic.
"what if this body" by Adrienne Maree Brown
True to their nature, Pleasure Activism author Adrienne Maree Brown is challenging European standards of beauty in this piece from their blog. They speak in depth about all the things that their body might be able to do as the world continues to shape and the privilege that actually comes along as a self-proclaimed “fat girl.” Lorde speaks to how when we learn to stop speaking and thinking ill of ourselves and embrace our superpowers, we become more in touch with the erotic and I believe Adrienne Maree Brown's "What if This Body" speaks to that.
"Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou
While we’re instructed not to think of the erotic as merely the pornographic, it’s my opinion that Maya Angelou’s poem "Phenomenal Woman" actually speaks to the feminine energy that women exude when they’re tapped into the erotic. When women are confident in who they are and unashamed, they have a way of commanding attention. In this classic poem, we witness this and it’s done in a way that’s graceful.
"Desire" by Alice Walker
In her work, Lorde offers that the use of the erotic will empower us to do things we find meaningful in this world–things we are passionate about without force. Through "Desire," Alice Walker taps into this freeing and rare occurrence as she talks about nurturing herself in a way that fills her heart, and the way her desire to grow turns into devotion.
"A Woman Speaks" by Audre Lorde
Yet another poem about the challenges that come with being a Black woman in this world, but finding empowerment to embrace it. In "A Woman Speaks," Audre Lorde speaks of the generations that came before her and the power we hold as a collective to seek out and make a change in this world. One of the more notable parts of this piece is she doesn’t waste time pointing fingers but instead chooses to speak her own truth without placing blame.
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Motor City native, Atlanta living. Sagittarius. Writer. Sexpert. Into all things magical, mystical, and unknown. I'll try anything at least once but you knew that the moment I revealed that I was a Sag.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
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Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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