Biography

Kewayne Wadley (born November 5, 1987, in Groton, Connecticut) hails from the soulful city of Memphis, Tennessee. A poetic storyteller at heart, Kewayne’s mission is to spread love and inspiration through the power of words. Though he first drew breath in Connecticut, much of his childhood unfolded in the Deep South in Birmingham, Alabama, Soperton, Georgia, and even farther south in Central America.

Known for his distinctly amorous lines and sultry undertones, Kewayne’s poetry paints vivid portraits of whirlwind romances and love as steady as placid lakes. The unwavering support of his loved ones, especially his grandmother, continues to be a driving force behind his work. His innate ability to view life through an unconventional lens is evident in his innovative approach to writing and the honesty that anchors it.

Notably, his books Listening to Songs at Midnight, More Songs to Listen to at Midnight, The Memorandum: An Ode to the Workplace or Something Like That, Mumbo Jumbo… I Love You, and Twelve Midnight have been accepted and cataloged into the Library of Congress. They are also cataloged in WorldCat, the global library database, with holdings in multiple international libraries—an acknowledgment that reinforces both his artistic contribution and the long-term preservation of his voice. His poem Community Garden was featured as an epigraph in Katherine H. Brown’s book A Sweet Folly of Hope.

In addition to his literary accomplishments, Kewayne has contributed to the creative world as a producer. Through crowdfunding support, he earned associate producer credits for Good Neighbours (IMDb, 2024), Réservée (IMDb, 2025), and was also credited for Eddie’s Rage and Lost in the Fog in Stanislav Puzdriak’s Silent Hill: A Letter to James (IMDb, 2025). His support has also earned him various acknowledgments and shoutouts in the special thanks sections of films, books, music albums, and websites, expanding his presence across multiple creative industries.

In 2025, he sponsored the poem Stranger by Vivian Estelle McMeekin in Strange Horizons, marking his first public contribution to the speculative poetry community through Kickstarter support. Also in 2025, his poem Pisces was included and was grand prize winner in Ink Without Borders by Wingless Dreamer.

Throughout his career, Kewayne’s poems have appeared in a wide range of anthologies and zines, including Collected Whispers (2006), For This Cause Writers Unite (2012), The Poetic Bond IX (2019), The Porter Gulch Review: 36th Edition (2020), and Mingled Voices 6 (2021). His haiku Full of Posies earned him 3rd Place in Dreamers Magazine (2022), and his poem Love Sometimes received Honorable Mention in The Poetic Bond X (2020). He was featured in Blavity’s “Love Poems by Black Poets” slideshow for his poem New Year Comes Twice A Year, celebrating Black voices in poetry. He was also mentioned for submitting a group of poems for Mingled Voices 9 (International Proverse Poetry Prize Anthology, 2024).

Kewayne’s creative process is deeply influenced by his diverse upbringing. Growing up in various cultural settings gifted him a unique perspective, infusing his work with rich imagery and emotional depth. Whether drawing from memory, emotion, or environment, he finds beauty in both the mundane and the extraordinary.

His writing process blends spontaneity with discipline. Though he doesn’t follow a rigid routine, he remains committed to his craft, allowing ideas to arrive naturally. He believes in the power of words to heal and connect—sometimes to reconnect. He often revisits older works to refine or transform them—a process he calls “sampling himself”—which frequently gives birth to entirely new pieces.

Beyond print, Kewayne’s poetry appears across major digital platforms. His work is featured on Spillwords, Poem Hunter—where hundreds of his poems are accessible to readers worldwide—and his books are discoverable through Amazon, Google Books, Barnes & Noble’s digital catalog, and his official website. His book Mumbo Jumbo… I Love You also received published editorial reviews by Annalise Reads and Yaya Diamond on her Dream Chasers platform. In 2025, six of his poems were adapted into professional video performances by acclaimed narrator Val Cole, signaling the adaptability and cinematic strength of his poetic voice. His poem “Peach Cobbler” received a dedicated review from Swanodown, highlighting his ability to blend emotional clarity with a uniquely intimate observational style. These recognitions further expand the growing body of performance, editorial, and multimedia responses to his work across the literary landscape.

Through his writing, Kewayne hopes to leave a lasting impact, encouraging others to embrace their unique voices and share their stories. He believes every person carries a narrative worth telling.

When he isn’t jotting down romantic free verse on whatever surface is nearby, this multi-passionate creative can be found drawing, painting, listening to an eclectic range of music, or tending to his plants. His work can be found on his website, where he continues to share poems, reflections, and creative projects.

Anthologies & Magazines

Self-Published Books

•Listening to Songs at Midnight (2020)

•More Songs to Listen to at Midnight (2022)

•The Memorandum: An Ode to the Workplace or Something Like That (2023)

•Late Nights on Venus (2023)

•Mumbo Jumbo… I Love You (2023)

•Vibing With You (2023)

•A Minute to Yourself (2023)

•ISLAND BAEcation (2023)

•Let’s Get Out and Do Something (2023)

•Twelve Midnight (2024)

The Vault:

Before we built this site, I published many of my earliest poems on PoemHunter. It’s where much of my early voice and discovery lives—raw, direct, and full of the learning curve that shaped my journey.

https://www.poemhunter.com/kewayne-wadley/

“About The Vault. These poems originally appeared on Poem Hunter, which disabled my account without explanation. I reclaim them here, and eventually they will be edited and posted.”

You can also read a verified overview of my creative journey, books, features, and more on my Wikitia page.