Two Braids and a Bang is a lyrical stroll through memory, identity, and the small (but mighty) moments that shape a life. With warmth, wit, and a touch of sass, DMW shares original poems pulled from lived experience-some tender, some tough, and all deeply human. Rooted in real life, this collection invites you to listen in, laugh a little, and maybe even find a piece of your own story. Included are creative endeavors her muse insists upon sharing.
ISBNs
978-1-63777-721-3 / 978-1-63777-720-6
Genres
Poetry
Memoir
238 pages
Language: English
Imprint: Red Penguin Books
Diane Murray Ward is a New Yorker of West Indian heritage.
She shares poetic/prose during national and international open mics, anthologies and is featured in podcasts.
She’s a book reviewer, former modern-jazz dancer, blog-talk radio host and teacher.
Diane is an avid audience supporter for other creatives.
Her personal life, education and work experiences underscore her continuing engagement with creatives in several genres.
Diane is the recent co-author of a children’s book published 2023.
Photo by ShiShotMe, Dorothy Shi Photography
Hat by Worth & Worth, Orlando Palacios
Jewelry by Beverly ‘Sapphire’ Wilson
Reviews
DMW writes as though she’s sitting beside you on the porch, spinning memories into music. Her voice is both familiar and fierce—a reminder that poetry can be as real and raw as life itself.
From quiet reflections to bold declarations, Two Braids and a Bang invites readers to revisit their own journeys through love, loss, laughter, and resilience. DMW’s authenticity leaps off every page.
DMW captures the full spectrum of emotion—joy, pain, nostalgia, hope—with language that dances between rhythm and reflection. A vibrant debut that stays with you long after the last line.