Spotlight On Writers
Maliya Denise Wilmore
- Where do you originate from?
Hi, my name is Maliya Denise Wilmore. I’m from Houston, Texas, born and raised and I genuinely love living here. There’s so much culture in one city; it’s truly a melting pot. Houston has this way of feeling alive, like everyone is creating something that adds to its rhythm and story.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
What I cherish most about Houston is its growth and innovation, but most of all, its culture. Culture is what makes people unique; it brings unity. There’s something beautiful about how people from different walks of life come together to create, collaborate, and learn from one another. If I had to choose one word to describe what I love most about my city, it would be connection.
- What ignites your creativity?
Music. I love music of all kinds: R&B, heavy metal, Latin, Afro beat, country, and more. But on a deeper level, what really fuels my creativity is emotion. I struggle with vulnerability, so writing becomes my voice when words fail me. I feel deeply, but I often withhold what’s in my heart. Poetry lets me release what I can’t say out loud. I’m a deep feeler, but also grounded and composed; an INFJ Virgo through and through. A deep feeler who cannot speak.
- Do you have a favorite word and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
Favorite word: Illecebrous (meaning “alluring” or “enticing”)
I am so in love with you.
You sit there—soft, unbothered—
content in your solitude,
while distractions orbit you
like moths to a quiet flame.
If only you could see
how effortlessly you gather yourself—
how gently you treat your reflection.
Well-groomed grace.
Clothes that cling like intention.
Not a flaw in sight.
Pretty,
Pretty,
Pretty,
Have you ever asked the mirror
Who is the finest of them all?
The question echoes—
again and again—
and the answer always blooms.
The more it’s asked,
the brighter the flame,
and still—
The moths come.
Burn,
Burn,
Burn.
- What is your pet peeve?
Absurd noises: like burping, farting, or smacking gum incessantly.
- How would you describe the essence of Maliya Denise Wilmore?
The essence of Maliya Denise Wilmore is that of a strong yet soft Black woman: feminine, intentional, and mysterious. Her power exists in her presence and her ability to move through the world with grace, depth, and purpose. Her allure is never vain; it is magnetic, born of love, self-awareness, and quiet confidence.
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