I Find My Strength In Simple Things

Desree is a spoken word artist, playwright and facilitator based in both London and Slough. Artist in Residence for poetry collective EMPOWORD, Desree explores intersectionality, justice and social commentary, occasionally throwing in a f*ckboy poem. Desree was shortlisted for both the performance and film category in 2020 and recipient of the 2019's 'Highly Commended' Out-Spoken Poetry Prize. Also, the finalist in 2018's Hammer & Tongue final and a TEDx speaker, Desree has featured at events around the UK and internationally, including Glastonbury Festival 2019, Bowery Poetry Club New York, Royal Albert Hall and Sofar Sounds. A producer for a series of live events called WORD UP! based in the borough of Brent, and Word of Mouth, a video team who integrate live performances with online videos to collective stories of UK culture; Desree curates live events and visual media.Also, a spoken word educator and facilitator, Desree uses her art to engage with young people and adults in schools, youth groups, offices and organisations - anywhere people have a story. Winner of an Off-West End award, Desree was commissioned alongside Laura Rae and Slam the Poet, to write and tour CROWDED, nationwide.

'The visceral energy of live performance is transmuted to the page in this powerful debut from Desree. I Find Myself in Simple Things writes into a world of renewed racism and white supremacy, where black boys are expected to fail and black girls eroticised and ignored. Desree speaks directly to a younger generation inheriting this collective grief, and works hard to guide them through. It is a book about love.The language is angled and insistent, a metronome of resistance in every piece. And throughout, there a sudden moments of poetry, like rip tides, that threaten much larger questions. 'You will look up to men who don't look up to see the sky'. Stunning.' - Joelle Taylor, Poet, Performer and Author of 'Songs My Enemy Taught me'