Life & Work with Sakile aka Nomad the Poet Odimo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sakile aka Nomad the Poet Odimo.

Hi Sakile aka Nomad the Poet, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
How much time do we have? I began writing at the age of five, out of survival. On top of the systemic and familial dysfunctions and dynamics that led to me feeling isolated and misunderstood, the life experiences that I have survived led to me discovering my voice; through the intimate communion of pen to paper. Since then, my words have grown and healed with me. I now write to empower. Inspire. Heal. Liberate – myself and anyone else doing their damn best on this journey we call Life, whatever phase they’re on. I also don’t believe in coincidences, so whoever finds me and my work at this or any time is meant to. So thank you for opening up space for me. My family and I moved into Burbank, CA as one of the first black families in the 2000s, with micro and macro aggressions as the recurring theme in almost every outside interaction.

By the age of 10, I had already experienced sexual violence and trauma from two separate family members and other deep family dysfunction; bred from the unhealed trauma my father attempted to drown away every night. So, you can imagine what existing in that environment was like. Not saying that our neighbors were outwardly racist, they were actually quite kind but ignorant nonetheless. Or that my family was horrific, my mother is still one of the single most influential people I’ve experienced in my life. But nothing felt safe…except writing. I was first published in 2005 in A Celebration of Young Poets from a silly little poem that I wrote about a fictitious cousin I wish I had connection to. I am grateful to that poem. It was the quiet catalyst to me finding my purpose. Alongside My Cousin Beth, there are two major life periods that inspired and provided the opportunity and space for me to grow into the multimedia artist and spoken word poet that I am today:

The first: In 2010, I began my first nomadic journey after my father left without a word or notice, leaving my mother to figure out how to survive the crumbling economy, abandonment and losing her business, all with three kids. We went from my childhood home in Burbank to staying in a double-king-bed-single-bathroom extended stay hotel room. Squeezing my mother, myself and my two sisters, two small dogs and three cats (the chosen few from our men engage who didn’t have to be given away). Then to a home in Tarzana (which we later got evicted from) to a townhouse in Sherman Oaks (we also got evicted from this place. Two cats and one dog died in this home) to a converted guest room/office space (Thank you Auntie), to finally finding refuge back in Burbank in an apartment off of Victory and Buena Vista. During this time, words poured out of me daily in the form of poems, hymns, vignette scenes and journal entries. They were water for the lost vagabond in the vast desert of life (and puberty).

Here I found my passion for creating living, breathing poetry chapbooks. Combining my love of film and prose to create powerful cinematic experiences and performances. Along with the features I was highlighted at in open mics and shows around LA, the first visual chapbook, #MelaninRich was highlighted in my UCLA certificate program in 2017 and featured in the art installation We Real Cool at JuniorHigh Art Gallery. From there, I continued to create, write, and publish. Self-publishing Sista and Hymns From Her Heavenly Meadow in 2018. Being featured in They/Them magazine in 2018. Writing, directing, and producing my first award-winning short film The Sable Dragonfly: An Ode To My Black Female Body and correlating art installation housed at ArtShare LA in Los Angeles and featured in The Los Angeles Film Festival, The Lift Off Sessions, The First Time Film Festival, and UnEntitled Film Festival. Then the pandemic hit…and everything changed.

As many experienced, during the pandemic I realized that there was a lot of trauma and pain that I was running away from. That had made itself a home in my home, festering until I chose to change, to heal. Which inspired the second nomadic journey I find myself on. This time, alone, I have been traversing Los Angeles week to week, no longer lost but still a wanderer, choosing self and love and choosing to leave situations and relationships that no longer serve my highest self or purpose. Moving from a single-king-bed-single-bathroom motel room (there was an expired Ralph’s salami and cheese snack pack from the last tenant) a converted office space and air mattress in Santa Monica (thank you for your generosity Kayla) a childhood bedroom in Sherman Oaks (thank you for your generosity Swoff), to a makeshift office/guest space in Van Nuys (Thank you Ms. Rachel) to an office couch in Glendale (Thank you MO) to a beautiful space to call home for a month in Sherman Oaks (Thanks Len and Alice) to finally landing in a safe and loving home back in Burbank (thank you my love, Mrs. Karen + Dr. H).

In this leg of the journey, I found my purpose; healing. Empowering. Liberation. For myself and my community. Here I found a deep and beautiful support system (thank you my chosen family, thank you Dr. Dena). Here, words came to me as a salve and worship, safety and my closet kin. And even with living the experience of being temporarily homeless and without my family by my side in this new (yet familiar) crumbling economy, moving from week to week – I have cultivated love, trust, safety, friendship, and a sense of self. I found a community in the CLI Poetry Initiative, am betting on myself and am a new book, Forged in Fire | Held in Love, a reflection of the healing journey and am in the process of writing a new movie.

So that’s my story, thank you to all who have made it this far. I hope that you are surrounded by love, peace, and safety. Thank you VoyageLA for featuring me. Thank you to my mother, my love Luke, my chosen family, the Hurst’s and my community.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No haha. But I have found ease in this new chapter of the journey. The biggest struggle that has come along the way is releasing FEAR. Fear of being seen. Fear of being heard. Fear of being judged or misunderstood. Which all stem from the ego. So shout out to Dr. Dena and all my past therapists (Maria, Christine) who have helped me with EMDR work, shadow work, and bringing me to a place of wholeness. I think as artists, we are all sensitive and emotional creatures. And that is our greatest strength and also greatest challenge. In a world of social media, the internet and streaming platforms, there is an overwhelming amount of content and people portraying success and movement. For myself especially– I had to get past my ego. Move past the scarcity mindset, and choose to align and move in my purpose. It is EASIER said than DONE let me tell you. But it’s worth it. And it’s liberating. And it’s a constant, moment by moment work in progress. But I am surrounded by a wonderful support system who helps remind me of myself when I get lost in my head.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a writer and filmmaker.

I write poetry. You can find my words at @nomad_the_poet or @sakileodimo on Instagram. I release videos of my poems every Tuesday and behind the scene videos showing the process of my team and myself making a feature film. You can also find my projects, #MelaninRich and Currents (directed by Cameron Thrower, I co-wrote, was the an assistant director and made a lil cameo) on youtube.

My award-winning short film, The Sable Dragonfly: An Ode to My Black Female Body on Vimeo. I also have my one act short play Hymn From Her Heavenly Meadow that premiered and was featured at ArtShare LA’s artist showcase on there as well.

I’m different because I’m out here authentically living, observing and writing my truths. I’m different because of the life experiences that I have grown through, it has given me a unique and specific perspective on the world, but I remain open and eager to grow it. I am different because of how I communicate my art. Through combining visuals/film, storytelling, movement, music, poetry, and activism all in one multimedia project to truly capture the moment in time that I am describing. I am different because there is no other Sakile Isoka Ann Odimo.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love this question! Thank you for asking. The small moments in life. Waking up in the middle of the night and hearing my love sleeping peacefully. Feeling sunshine on my skin after being in a cold room. Spending time with my chosen family. When the universe aligns and the song that I am listening to perfectly scores the moment of life and time that I am in. Going on walks around Los Angeles and whatever neighborhood I find myself in. Getting to host a game night with my loved ones around me. Cooking to some oldies but goodies and drinking a glass of red wine, pouring some out for my mother, as we used to tear it UP in the kitchen.

Going to church and feeling like the pastor is speaking directly to me. Feeling God around me. Freshly baked homemade cookies. Sitting on the sand, listening to the ocean waves with some good tunes. Camping. Eating salmon sashimi until I’m stuffed. Water. My morning and evening rituals. Seeing angel numbers and knowing exactly what they mean to me. Cats….cats that I can pet. Cat that pur, cat videos, cats who jump up on my lap or give me “moo moo” eyes. Dogs. Dogs that I can cuddle, dog who talk, sitting in a dog park and watching all their personalities come out and giving them voices. Coming back to yoga after a small hiatus, the feeling that comes of, “Oh yeah…I remember why I do this. Why I show up for myself” Getting a GOOD night’s sleep. Discovering all the funny ways my laugh changes.

Discovering all the funny ways of how my loved ones laugh changes. The crinkle people’s eyes get when they smile hard. Hearing a loud fart when it’s really quiet…fart jokes are hilarious, I can’t help it. Going on hikes and making it to the top. Moments of synchronicity. Disneyland. All things DISNEY. Having a fond memories come back to me, from my childhood, of my mother, of my friends, of my love, of myself. Looking at myself in the mirror and being really content and joyful at who I see. Being able to look at myself and feel beautiful (it’s been a journey, let me tell you that) Performing at open mics. Creating art with my friends. Getting to see the intimate things that make up a person. Receiving a good hug. Getting woken up by a kiss on my forehead in the middle of the night…the list continues in my book and in my poetry.

Pricing:

• Sista Curls Chapbook — $10
• Hymn From Her Heavenly Meadow Chapbook — $10
• The Sable Dragonfly Chapbook — $10

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nomad_the_poet @sakileodimo
• Facebook: Sakile Odimo Poetry
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakile-odimo-962211159/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFNEB7e2qAw&t=1s
• Other: https://vimeo.com/sabledragonfly 

Image Credits
Picture 1. NOMAD the POET performing at Pages on Stages Feature Performer, 1/21/23. Taken by Luke Buenaventura Picture 2: NOMAD the POET, and Khalique Nipper performing on opening night of ArtShare LA’s artist showcase for Odimo’s original one act play, Hymn From Her Heavenly Meadow Picture 3: L to R– Gliterres the Queen, NOMAD the POET, and Maisha Grace performing on opening night of ArtShare LA’s artist showcase for Odimo’s original one act play, Hymn From Her Heavenly Meadow Picture 4: L to R — Corey Evans, NOMAD the Poet, and Choreographer and friend Bryant, B.True, Anderson performing choreography for #MelaninRich visual poem. Picture 5: NOMAD the Poet on set for the short film, Currents, directed by Cameron Thrower. A film NOMAD the POET (Sakile Odimo) also co-wrote, assistant directed and appeared in. Picture 6: Flyer from Odimo/NOMAD the Poet’s first art instillation, The Sable Dragonfly: An Ode to My Black Female Body, held at ArtShare LA in 2019. Picture 7: The Los Angeles Film Award Festival’s Laurel for The Sable Dragonfly’s win in 2nd place as Best Young Filmmaker Picture 8: Flyer from Odimo/NOMAD the Poet’s artist showcase, where she premiered her original one act play, Hymn From Her Heavenly Meadow.