Big Bend Poets & Writers of Tallahassee, in collaboration with Frenchtown Coalition for the Arts, is proud to present the first in a monthly series of poetry offered at the historic B-Sharp's Jazz Club.  The public and any and all poets are invited to come and read a poem or two at the open mic, which will come after our featured poet's presentation.  The featured poet is Avis Simmonds.

Avis Veronica Simmonds was born on the beautiful Island of St. Christopher, known as St. Kitts, in the Caribbean region.  She is a graduate of FAMU where she earned her B.S. and MSW degrees.

Avis has three books of poetry in publication: Words on Wings, Words from the Writer’s Pen, and Read with Me as well as several prose books. She is working on her first novel, entitled The Journey.

Avis has worked as a Family Law Paralegal, as well as in the Judicial Office at FAMU, and for 14 years was an advisor to international students at FAMU, and handled all the H-1B visas for international students. Of all these careers, Avis found her work as a Family Law Paralegal, counseling young women going through divorce, the most satisfying.

Avis is currently retired, and is married to Dr. Keith Simmonds of FAMU, with whom she has three children and one granddaughter. Mrs. Simmonds loves to travel, read legal novels, crochet and of course write.

Sometimes referred to as “The Maya Angelou of the Caribbean,” Avis has written:

“In the garden of friendship we sit and worship
Admiring the colorful roses we love to cherish
United we are as we bond with each other
For the garden of friendship reigns forever.”