Miriam comes from a long line of strong women and is the youngest girl of six siblings. A prominent influence in Miriam’s life is her mother Lucille Toney, who was ordained a Pastor and Prophetess. She has been the spiritual influence in Miriam’s life, encouraging her to seek God first for His will for her life. Her father, Ben Cauley, fostered the spirit of ambition and surviving and thriving through adversities. Mr. Cauley was a member of the musical group, the Bar-Kays, and was the sole survivor of the plane crash where his band members, including Otis Redding perished. Her father still remains a prestigious person in the entertainment industry yet remains humbled. Both her mother and father are very strong, determined individuals and encourages her to have faith, remain humble, and remember that anything is possible regardless of any tests on her determination. Miriam was introduced to poetry in her English Literature class in High School and it was there she found her love for poets like Dr. Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni. As a teenager, Miriam kept journals which allowed her to reach deep within to touch the emotions and situations she encountered. The expressiveness of her poetry as well as dissimilar styles captured her attention. Diverse life experiences, both good and bad, have inspired Miriam’s poetry. She is a realist and her poetry is the voice which allows her to move past the gamut of emotion without losing herself. She believes that writing is the method to paint a canvas of what she feels. With her faith, her passion for people and her respect for humankind, it is her hope that her words demonstrate strength in the lives of others.

Miriam D. Cauley was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee and is still a resident there today. She is a single mother and has supported her son by working as an administrative assistant while obtaining her college degree; however her passion for expressing herself through her poetry has remained in the forefront.