Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Poetry: Shades Of Beauty

I wanted to share with you all a poem I wrote in 1991. I was 24 years old and inspired by the array of women that I saw at Savannah State College (Now University/Check out: Historically Black Colleges and Universities). In November 2005 I shared with you my poem, Georgia Plum. It’s really funny how the times influence our subjects and language. There are references to women in this piece that one would only find in an old episode of A DIFFERENT WORLD. I hope that you like it. Peace~



Shades of Beauty

She is the backbone of civilization and the reason why I am making this poem a dedication to the black woman

The richest chocolate, the sweetest caramel and ooooooh…
The tastiest toffy
These are the shades of beauty that my eyes behold so softly
She is

My Round-the-way-girl
My African queen
My Creamsicle
My butterscotch icing
My Georgia plum
My Nubian princess
My Snickerdoodle
My Ginger snap
My Queen of the Nile
My Pecan Sandie
My Honey Dip
My Chocolate Chip
My Shorty-Sporty

Lordy, Lordy!

My Girly-Girl,
My Campus beauty
Damn she’s a cutie
But
She’s only one shade
My brothers
We have got it made!
1991
Note: (1:22 PM) I'd like to dedicate this poem to author, Bebe Moore Campbell who died yesterday at the age of 56. God rest her soul. She will be missed.

35 comments:

African girl, American world said...

Hershey Queen reporting for duty :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Mwabi-
Haaa haaa!! :)That made me laugh. Much respect to the Queen of Hershey. Cool t-shirt for your husband. :)

Geoffrey Philp said...

Lordy, lordy, indeed!

black feline said...

im ashame to say this..this piece has enuff heat to burn a hole in your pants...lol u have a way with words...very apt :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Hello Geoffrey! You see the mind of a 24 year old male. :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Blkfeline-
Thank you! Can you tell that I have a sweet tooth? :)

Anonymous said...

Cadbury's Johannesburg Dark Chocolate at your service Sir!!

Ha haaa haa!!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Tryphina, that's not fair. I love Cadbury! :)

African girl, American world said...

ok you got me in the poetry spirit
I got one up too.

Yeah all 3 men in my house have their own shirt and I got in trouble if I don't wear them all :)

Icarus said...

Must be because of all that sweetie-foodie imagery, but it is a really warm piece of poetry-pie.
And now I'm staring at the double bar of Cote D'Or Noir de Noir (pour connaisseurs), brought just for me from Belgium a couple of weeks back. I don't know where I found the discipline & attitude to leave it alone till tomorrow! Hershey? Cadbury? THIS is the main course! Am I digressing, or what? Peace.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Mwabi-
I can dig it. By the way, my wife sends her hellos.

Mile-
Haa haa! Yes, you sound as if you have some serious chocolate in hand. :)I've heard of chocolate from that region. Thanks as always!

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

So dat's what you 24 year ol' boys tink about, eh? Food. lol.

This reminds me of something I read, something similar written in South Africa...a love pome written with food.

Stephen A. Bess said...

GG-
LOL! Yes, lots of sweets. Somehow, I had women lumped in with cakes and sugary sweets. I later found out that they could be more like maybe sour candy. You know, sweet but it makes you frown. :)

Icarus said...

Hi,Stephen. Just came back in to ask you to return to my place. All explained. & check out Analia's for the "mahna-mahna" gig! Really funny indeed.
Cheers!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Sage-
Welcome. Thank you so much! I will come to visit your blog as well. Enjoy your evening. :)

Rethabile said...

Many colours, many tastes, many flavours, yet one. Cool...

Gooders Girl said...

LOL

It reads like a time capsule. You are brave! If those ladies only knew...I think I am a "ginger snap" but would mos def answer to butterscotch icing!

Ash said...

Nice one :-)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Rethabile-
Thank you, sir. :)

Writers-
Hello! Thank you so much. I need to come and check on you as well because November is nearly over.

Gooders-
Haa haa!! I felt that I was brave to post it as well. It's straight out of 1991. Those were the days. Well, thanks again butterscotch icing. :)

Ash-
Hello! I'm glad that you came by. I need to see what your snapping these days. Thanks.

Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful said...

Mmm Mmm Mmmm!

Black Is Beatyful

Stephen A. Bess said...

JB-
Hello! Did I give you a sweet tooth? :) I see your, Mmmmmm Mmmm's.

Crankyputz said...

One for Indian/Middle Eastern girls next Puleeeseeee

Stephen A. Bess said...

Crankyputz-
You're talking about some of my favorite spices now. :)I stay in the Indian markets.

NML/Natalie said...

Ooh it's so hard to decide which one I am! I think I'll be honey dip. Loved the poem :-)

Stephen A. Bess said...

NML-
You're definitely a honey dipped sista...with a spot of tea since you live in London. :)

Anonymous said...

The poem is beautiful, and I can see that even at 24 years old, you had a certain type of aura or essence about yourself.

Stephen A. Bess said...

UB-
Thank you dear lady. :)

Lyrically speaking said...

So Stephen, when is your book coming out again? This poem is slamming, you better include it in your book :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Haa! This poem?? I feel it's too playful and sophmoric, but I take your word for it. lol! :)
I'm happy that you enjoyed it. It was straight from the heart or somewhere close. *wink* I think that I was reading Langston poem about Sugar Hill and became inspired. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Yeah!! when is your book coming out again???

Stephen A. Bess said...

:) Summer 200?

Xave said...

Bro, now you got my mouth watering!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Xavier-
Gotta love the sistas! :)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Sour candy!! LOL.

Stephen A. Bess said...

GG-
No, not sour! :)I imagine a sweet woman like ripe papaya. :)

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