I was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1940's. My parents, Dorothy and Robert Hayes, have always been supportive of my creative aspirations as it kept me out of trouble growing up in Queens with my brother Robert. I attended Rhodes Preparatory High School and Graduated from Savannah State University(BS) and Armstrong Atlantic State University(MS).
Writing and photography have fascinated me throughout my life. My poetry has been published in several anthologies, US and Europe. My poem "Surface" won the "Editor's Choice Award", June 2001 and My poem "American Drum Beat" was selected for publication in "The International Who's Who In Poetry", 2005. I was nominated for membership into "The International Society Of Poets" 2006.
My photography has appeared in The Atlanta Daily World; The Atlanta Voice; The Atlanta Inquirer; The Georgia Sentinel Bulletin; The Indianapolis Recorder; Scoop Magazine;national exhibitions and international competitions.1st place, photography,Indiana Black Expo, 1994 & 1996, 'Meet the Artist exhibitor 1995, 2nd place Roberts'Photo Contest,2002 Indianapolis, Indiana. Awarded First Prize in the International Open Amateur Photography Contest 2007.
The poems and photographs in my book,"Babylon" are special because they address a my sadness about the direction America has chosen . I hope "Babylon" speaks to the need for divinity in our lives and the need to obliterate ''white privledge" forever. Addtionally, it is hoped others see both the humor and the tragedy of life in my works.
As an admirer of 'Joseph Campbell' I say, "Follow Your Bliss" and don't let others' opinions stop you. Mitakuye Oyasin!
