I've known Kormasa since middle school. We attended Parkview in Cranston, Rhode Island, and did chorus together. In fact, we met before that in Girls Scouts! I was part of the Girl Scouts for two seconds. It wasn't until High School that I realized we were soul sisters for life and beyond. Kormasa is a word wizard who manifests miracles on paper with a pen and then speaks the impossible to life. She is the embodiment of courage, correction "KORage". I've watched her battle Pulmonary Fibrosis before it was diagnosed and after its confirmation. Even on her worst days, she applied humor as a balm to ease the pain from the shackles this disease placed on her freedom.
Along with poetry, dancing is her passion. The disease stole her breath. She was forced to retire her dancing shoes and watch them collect dust. She could have justifiably hidden in the darkest depth of depression. But of course, this Goddess of the Pen weaved magic into poetry that made me and so many others laugh, weep, scream, dance, and sing. But of course, she defeated the odds and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Of course, she got up every day and kept on fighting, creating, giving, loving. That is the essence of Kormasa. She inspires me to keep moving forward, even when all I want to do is give up. Kormasa has shown me that every day is a celebration. So regardless of what happens in life, hell yeah, I'm celebrating!
Tenneh Wilkins