Umohowet Yelayu
Bio
Born in the Midwestern United States, Umohowet Taushi Yelayu is a writer, pianist, composer, & poet. Professionally, Yelayu is a former educator and nonprofit administrator. He has worked for Chicago Public Schools & University of Chicago.
Stories (2)
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Inspiration & A Cup of Tea
With the window slightly opened, on a cool morning, as the rain pattered gently outside, I lit anime, turned on Nina Simone’s Live At Ronnie Scott’s, an enjoyed a cup of green tea. And as the honeyed and sweetgrass-like notes warmed me, I recalled the relationship I’ve had with tea over the years. As a little boy, my aunt, my mother’s triplet sister, would give me a cup of tea and oranges as she babysat me while my mother worked. When I got old enough, I often enjoyed a cup of tea after school, using the same small pot that was reserved just for me, and dropping in a black and orange pekoe tea bag. By high school, Arizona’s unmistakable tall green floral-decorated can of green tea had made it’s debut, and I bought one every day on the way to school, to enjoy at lunch. By college, I stopped at the first proper tea house on the north side of Chicago, and was introduced to Matcha and loose whole leaf teas filled with shredded pieces of tea leaf and flower buds, or curls of roasted black tea mixed with intoxicating spices. It’s been a life-long thing for me; but I often found I was alone in that passion.
By Umohowet Yelayu5 years ago in Journal
The Garage, or Consciousness in Violet
Hyperventilating, mouth dry, eyes rolling uncontrollably, & neck throbbing from a violently racing heart, it was clear he was about to lose consciousness. It had come on suddenly, & Elijah instinctively knew it was inevitable. He couldn’t even get his eyes to focus, & the rows of cars swam in his grey, dimming line of vision. His only comfort was in knowing that he would collapse in front of the elevator he’d just stepped out of, on the second level of this parking garage. And though, at 2:00 PM, the lunch crowd was gone, this garage was in downtown Seattle; someone was bound to find him & help.
By Umohowet Yelayu5 years ago in Criminal
