Maurice Bishop, a powerful, spoken word Poet currently serving in the United States Army, was raised in South Philly. Witnessing the death of his best friend in a drive-by and being kicked out of his parents’ home made him realize he needed to change his lifestyle. He began transforming his thoughts and feelings on paper into poetry.

 

He joined the Army in 2006, and traveled the states performing his poetry at Drexel University, World Live Café, YMCA Recreation Center, The Free Library of Philadelphia at the Youth Poetry Slam (2006 Semi-Finalist), The Memorial Hall Talent Show and the Talil Chapel Christmas Concert while deployed in Iraq, and various churches in his community. Other places he’s performed ranges from New York, Texas, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

 

In 2009, he released his first Poetic Muse, Blood on Paper. That same year, he encountered a great loss when he learned his son died of a Heart Murmur. Later, he learned that a fellow soldier committed suicide. These experiences took their toll, and Maurice began having nightmares and intense mood swings, and as a result began drinking heavily. He later found out he was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

 

With all his struggles and experiences in life, he continued to write heartfelt poetry, and feels it’s his duty to do the will of God by traveling the states educating, informing, and inspiring God’s people through spoken word.

 

Bishop accredits his healing to his Devotion and Prayer to serving God, and the unconditional love from his beautiful wife. He tells a story with every spoken word poem, and conveys a clear, precise message to the youth that you are not alone in your struggles, and to the veterans to change your ways by becoming a better person within.

 

In April 2015, he will be releasing his second Poetic Musing, Pain Living in My Pen: The Untold Truth of a Street Poet. Once again he introduces the world to his heartfelt, personal, and powerful poetry. With poems such as Single Mother, Life Is A Game of Chess, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Drunk In Love, and Molestation, Maurice takes you on a journey through the streets as he saw it.

 

He has been featured in several internet and radio shows, and magazines such as The Larry Love Show, the Author's Corner with H. D. Campbell, SiRR Magazine, Urban Grapevine Magazine, Let's Talk Urban Radio, the BluePrint with Treasure Blue, and more.