De'Ashia Wallace, known artistically as AJ P.R., is an author, poet, spoken-word performer, and founder of My Pen Still Has Ink LLC. Her work explores grief, family, healing, identity, relationships, resilience, and the experiences people often struggle to put into words. A longtime writer and performer, Wallace previously competed nationally as part of a spoken-word team that placed third in the nation. Through poetry, performance, and community programming, she uses language as a bridge between lived experience, reflection, and connection.
Works:
"Casket Sharp" — Selected for publication in Down in the Dirt magazine's January–February 2027 issue. The poem examines Black masculinity, mortality, dignity, grief, and the ways families and communities carry loss.
Featured Author — The Writing Fae, December 2026 — Wallace was selected for a featured author profile highlighting her poetry, creative journey, published work, and development as a spoken-word artist.
Pyrrhic Press / Ink & Echo — Poets & Performers — Selected as an inaugural featured poet and performer for Pyrrhic Press's Ink & Echo platform, which showcases both written poetry and spoken-word performance.
Additional Literary Work — Wallace's growing body of work includes poetry and spoken-word pieces addressing grief, caregiving, domestic violence, addiction, family trauma, Black life, policing, survival, and healing. Her work is currently being developed across literary publication, performance, author features, community programming, and multidisciplinary storytelling.
“You ever seen a bear protect a rabbit?
Ever seen a bear tell a rabbit,
‘I’ll give my life for you?’”
The Hug I Wish I Gave You is a collection of poems birthed from grief, survival, and the ache of memory. These stanzas travel through childhood scars, family secrets, loss, and the words that linger long after the last goodbye.
Each poem is a confession, a reflection, a benediction for those who have carried what felt too heavy to say aloud.
This book is for anyone who has lost, endured, or wished for one more moment of love. It is proof that even in silence, healing has a voice.
Purchase:
AJ P.R. — Poetry, Spoken Word & Creative Work https://www.pyrrhicpress.org/my-pen-still-has-ink-llc
Spoken-Word Performance Sample https://youtu.be/NP3YA4-oVrA
Website:
Official Author / Creative Portfolio https://www.pyrrhicpress.org/my-pen-still-has-ink-llc
Social Media:
Spoken-Word Performance Sample https://youtu.be/NP3YA4-oVrA
My Pen Still Has Ink LLC Author, spoken-word, workshop, community-programming, and creative-project information available through the official portfolio above.