Poetry: Patiently Waiting

"Whatever we are waiting for -- peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance -- it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart. "
Author: Sarah Ban Breathnach


Hurry up and wait!
I should have waited
....I should've stated that I wanted it before it's conception
Feelings of lost and shoulda-couldas cloud my mind and crush my wishes
curried dishes distorting a vicious reality
I should have waited
I see your picture and I imagine myself in your time and space
invading your place
but not wanting you to feel displaced or disgraced
tasting the remnants of southern dishes smothered with shrimp and white sauce
It was like that Sunday in Savannah or
that Saturday night at Lady & Sons
Paula Deen wasn't there but we didn't care
We took a walk on the boardwalk and
watched the Sun set on Tybee
Remember that swinging chair and the wind blowing through your hair
We could see ships floating along the horizon that evening
We should leave....it looks like a storm is coming

Poetry: Sweet Soul

My first thought this morning was of her. She massaged my thoughts while stimulating the frontal lobe of my brain before I fell asleep last night.
You see, she was sending chills through the chasm of my mind down to my brain stem
affecting my heart rate and breathing
leaving me visibly shaken and wanting more of her sweet offerings
Sweet Soul
She told me that I should find a love my own, but I told her that I didn't want to lose her love because loving her is so easy....I mean easy like Sunday morning
Sunday was the day I was born so instead of going to church I kneel down at her alter and give her all the praises
hoping to get caught up in her rapture
Sweet Soul
I constantly convey my thoughts to her and she responds with, "La La." She said that means she loves me. She went on to say that there isn't much that she wouldn't do for love even though it has caused her so much pain, but that she would do any thing to keep me satisfied. So, as my tears began to fall like the rain the melody came to an end. We cried together and she asked if I'll still love her tomorrow. "Yes," I replied. You're all I need to get by. You are my world. You are Soul Music. Ain't understanding mellow?

Click on my confetti at the top for more sweet, dynamite Soul!

Hip Hop quote

Quote taken from Boogie Down Productions/Edutainment 1990

[Kwame Toure 1941-1998]
"History can never be made by one man, we must smash this one quickly. History is made only by the masses of the people, this is clear. Even a cursory glance at the fallacious presentation Of History by the American Capitalist system, will demonstrate just this. Take George Washington, as bad as he is.... put him in the middle of Valley Forge, by himself, surrounded by the British, he can do nothing. Take Martin Luther King as righteous as he is....... put him in the middle of Birmingham by himself, speaking out against racism he would be lynched. But you take this same King, you take this same Washington put them in Valley Forge, put them in Alabama surround them with thousands of people who have the same ideas they do.......willing to make those ideas reality and the situation changes drastically."

If you'd like to learn more about Kwame Toure click on Hip Hop at the top of the page.

Rain, Rain....

Good morning. It is a rainy Fall like day here in DC. I think the temperature is around 59 degrees. The weather doesn't bother me, but it makes me feel too relaxed. I like rainy days? I punctuated the previous sentence that way because I really don't understand why? I do know that rainy days remind me of some of my favorite songs like Nina Simone's, I Think It's Going To Rain Today. ".....Broken windows and empty hallways A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with gray Human kindness is overflowing And I think it’s going to rain today." I know that's too obvious, right. I also think of Marvin Gaye's album, What's Going On. Actually, any Marvin Gaye song will do.

I want to be back in my bed with the sound of the rain gently tapping on my window seal. I get sleepy just thinking about it. I can still feel the breeze from my opened window when I first awoke to the sound of my radio. 5:55 am..it's funny because I saw that time on my clock and declared that this was my lucky day! That's the Capitalist in me thinking about that "paper." I'm not greedy when it comes to money. I just want to be comfortable. You know...just be able to do some of the things that I like to do or wish to do. I don't want much Lord! Can you hear me! I just want a piece of the pie, but I want a big slice! Anyway, these are just random thoughts on a rainy Tuesday morning in May. Embrace the rain! This is a water planet and we can't survive without it. Peace~

Brother Malcolm

"Look at yourselves. Some of you teenagers, students. How do you think I feel and I belong to a generation ahead of you - how do you think I feel to have to tell you, 'We, my generation, sat around like a knot on a wall while the whole world was fighting for its human rights - and you've got to be born into a society where you still have that same fight.' What did we do, who preceded you ? I'll tell you what we did. Nothing. And don't you make the same mistake we made...." (Malcolm X 1925-1965)

I wanted to dedicate my blog today to one of the greatest figures in American history. I was not always an admirer of Malcolm. I was in elementary school when I first learned of him and the Nation Of Islam. I didn't like them; they seemed to be filled with hate and my young mind could not understand why? I had not yet learned or experienced the cruelty of racism my ancestors knew so well. "Why did he hate so much," I would ask myself? Unfortunately, I don't remember any teachers who were willing or knew how to clarify his position in simple terms.

My education about Malcolm X came after I left the Navy in 1988. I passed by my hometown of Washington, DC headed up to New Haven, Conecticut. I didn't realize at the time that there was a new awakening concerning the legacy of Malcolm X and the smoke screen that the media had created was beginning to disappear. I first learned of my black heritage through a store clerk at a shop called The Third World in New Haven. He sold literature, buttons, incense and everthing under the Black Sun related to the African diaspora. He told me things about Black history and Black people that would change my life forever. I purchased some things and left that shop a newborn. The music changed too. The youth were now chanting "Fight The Power" to the beat of Public Enemy while I prouldly wore my new Black Medallion that I picked up from the shop in New Haven. This new serge of Black pride was, of course, offset by the rise of Crack cocaine. Crack would eventually win the battle. Drug dealers became rich during those years (1989-present). This was especially true in the early 90's. The times were bitter sweet for me.

I became a freshman in 1989 at an HBCU (Savannah State College), and the knowledge of my history began to soar! This instilled in me a great pride and I really felt on top of the world with this "new" found information. I also read The Autobiography of Malcolm X. It was then that I found out the truth about who Malcolm was; It inspired me. I was even more thrilled when Denzel Washington brought Malcolm to life on the big screen. Malcolm X was released in 1992 by Spike Lee. It prompted an entire generation (appropriately called the "X Generation") to learn more about the man we called Malcolm X. So, on his 80th birthday I would like to give honor to one of the human races most valiant soldiers. In the words of Ossie Davis let us remember him for what he is, ".......a prince—our own black shining prince!—who didn’t hesitate to die, because he loved us so. " Peace~

Chances Are

I was just thinking to myself that I have been out of touch with life. Seriously. I say that because I have been almost entirely wrapped up into myself. It seems that the rest of the world doesn't exist when this happens. I deal almost exclusively with the people that directly or indirectly affect or infect my existence. Is that life? True, that could be some aspect of life, but my main concern is that I've been out of touch with the issues that affect our lives as a community. I'm feeling that I need to become more involved. I didn't have this feeling in the classroom because teachers are constantly influencing the lives of the students they teach (hopefully in a positive way). I am meandering in a corporate setting at the moment while slowly contemplating my next move. I am considering returning to the classroom, but I have to be in an ideal situation. That is going to count on my efforts, so motivation is the key. Make no mistake, I will always be a teacher; that is my profession. It's taken me a while to accept that responsibility, but I will orchestrate my next move.

Monday Morning Thoughts

"In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself." (Frantz Fanon in Black Skin, White Masks, 1952)

Good morning!
Fanon said something very interesting. The thought of "endlessly creating myself." Sometimes when I pray I ask God to help me become a better me. I don't measure my aspirations with other people because I know that we are all different and we possess our own unique qualities. This weekend I was discussing with a friend the uniqueness of different people and their personalities. My grandmother, Eunice, would say that I was very "peculiar. " :) I sort of giggle when I think of her words because she knew me so well. She meant that I was unpredictable and that I could not be easily defined based on outward apperarance. No, I do not think that I am special. There are many like me. You really don't get to know who we are until you spend some time with us, touch us, and began to absorb us as a person. In those intimate moments you will see many sides of my personality because I am not just one type. I don't think that I require medication or anything to regulate this "disorder" because it is what makes me unique. Remember, It is our "flaws" that sometimes make us so beautiful. Peace~

Ain't Nothin'

Good morning! Happy Friday!

You know everytime I get on my blog I am reminded of the 90's Hip Hop group, The Pharcyde. They had this song called "Somethin' That Means Somethin'." In the song they are chanting, ".....I got say somethin' that means somethin'......somethin' that means somethin'...." It was that pressure from the rap community at the time to rap about "somethin' that means somethin'"and not a bunch of bullshit. Well, sometimes you just want to talk or ramble and you may not have anything in mind, but you just want to vent. You simply want to talk about your day or just talk about you. I want to just talk about me today. What about me?

I am currently drinking some green tea with honey. It has a delicious taste, but some lemon flavoring would really set it off. What else would set it off! I mean really set it off........on the left y'all set it off on the right y'all.......set it off! Watch out! You're showin' your age! I know! A bottle of wine and great conversation with a brownskinned (actually Black, brown, or bright) lady would also be nice. That's setting it off! How about some dinner? Yes, I am ready to order! I'll have your grilled Salmon....medium with a lemon butter dill sauce and some garlic mashed potatoes. Yeah! That's settin' off.....fo sho! Hey wait ayyyyyy minute! I can't forget dessert. I won't some cake.....oh yes! It's called Death By Chocolate! So so moist. That was good. Now, I think that I'll have another drink. Yes, I'll have a Long Island Iced Tea. Oh yeah, I am ready to board the Long Island ferry and take it on home. that's settin' it off!
Anyway, I am rambling as promised but I just want to have a good weekend and I think that I will. I will hang out a little and hopefully get in some rest and relaxation. I'll also do a little reading and maybe visit my mother and sister at some point. As always it is great to be alive. Happy Friday!!!

Um Ret To Go!

Good morning,

The traveling Summer season is about to kick off. You know how it is once Memorial Day hits. I really don't have any big plans for travel this Summer. Well, I'll always have my domestic travel, but nothing out of the country. I'm fine with that. That will all come soon enough. I want to travel the world one day (soon). I want to go to far distant lands where I can experience the culture and enjoy the sites. Egypt is on my list. It would be like stepping into antiquity. I want to touch the Pyramids and float down the Nile. Overall, Africa would be a great experience because I would be truly going back to some of my roots. My father was the first to reach Africa in our immediate family. I know that it must of resonated with his soul. I've never asked him, but maybe I should.

London/Paris would be great and I must hit Amsterdam. Asia would be fantastic. I can only imagine being in downtown Shanghai! I've always wanted to experience something like that. I truly cannot imagine leaving this earth without seeing most of what this world has to offer. I think that everyone should. Hell, I know some people who are half way there. Anyway, here's to all of you world travelers...excuse me though because I have the window seat. I'm on the next flight out, baby. "I'd like to fly away...and I'd like to fly away...cause I got to fly away...ZOOM!!" Peace~

Living In The Past

Good morning!

This is a fine Spring day here in the Nation's Capital. I had a thought this morning. I have these sometimes because I am a thinking person. Is this life that we are living a continuum of spiritual energy that will endure long after our earthly bodies disappear? What's the difference between your spirit and your soul? Why do we have de ja vu? Are we resting already in death and witnessing our past lives? I sometimes fantasize about my "past" life and imagine that I was here before.

Wait! It's all coming to me in a vision! I think that I was here in America, but I was an immigrant. I believe that I lived in New York or Chicago? I had a love for spicy food, Jazz and stygian after hours spots. As a matter of fact, I was a musician. I wasn't big time though. I played in a couple of local spots around town. I sat in with a couple of big names when needed. I had a terrible nicotine and vodka habit and a thing for voluptuous Dominican women. I settled down for a bit. I started seeeing this woman that lived on the south end of town. She was a Black woman named Sara. She'd just moved to town from Georgia. We spent a great deal of time together. Things between Sara and I got heavy and we moved in together. It wasn't too long before I got her pregnant. We had a daughter. She named our daughter Carmen after Sara's favorite singer, Carmen McCrae. I liked the name. Time passed and Sara and I starting fighting more. We grew further apart. I was always gone and I usually slept all day until my next gig that night. Sara grew tired of my drinking and absence and moved away with Carmen. I never got word of where they went. I always thought that she headed back to Georgia where her parents lived.....Savannah I think, but I wasn't sure?

Years went by and I spent years playing gigs here and there until I found religion. I cleaned myself up and started doing work with a neighborhood church. I was getting older and soon could not do the foot work because of my arthritis. I retired to my apartment and soon had to be relocated to a retirement home at the age of 68. I had spent 3 years in the retirement home until one day I was told that I had a visitor. She was a young woman with a yellow dress on. As she came closer I began to see Sara's face? She came up to me and touched me on the shouldeer. "Hi daddy," she said in a low, but sweet voice. My mouth fell open. It was Carmen! She was a woman now of 28. She was beautiful. She looked just like her mother when we first met. She said that her mother finally told her where I was and how she could get in touch with me before she died. This made me sad. I loved Sara. She was too good for me. Carmen got a place in the city that she could afford and came to visit me often. We grew closer as time went on. She was the final chapter of my life and could not have wished for a better ending.

Biggie quote

"....Birthdays was the worst days and now we sip champayne when we thirstay...."

WE: e pluribus unum

Good morning!

It's Friday!!!! I am looking forward to a great weekend. The weather is supposed to be warming up and the sun will be shining. This is the time of year that we see more "Jibard"(pronounced "Hee-bard"). This is a term that I heard on The Last Poets cd titled, Right On! The word means, raw culture. I was told by a friend from Puerto Rico that It originally referred to the indigenous people who lived in and around the mountains of Puerto Rico. In DC, we see plenty of "Jibard" in and around the city. We see it all around us representing different cultures and sub cultures. For instance, Go-Go music is raw culture. It is the percussive blend of Jazz, blues, and African rhythms. It's the beating of drums and feet -- horns blowing and shouting -- sweat dripping and hands clapping -- makes you wanna get out of your seat! Better yet, it can be observed just walking around in the summertime and you see the sistas on the block with their hair wrapped -- wearing them --brothers rappin' -- women tappin' as they're steppin' off! Jibard! That's straight raw culture when you head up to Tacoma Park and Silver Spring and it seems like every flavor is represented from Jerk to Curry, Masala to Salsa, and Cous Cous to Fufu. I'm talkin' Black, Brown, Yellow, Red and pasty white. Jibard! It's all around us and I love it. Remember that the word race has no plural form. We are we. Peace~

Dear Momma

Good afternoon,

Whoa! I got a late start this morning. I had a stop or two to make before I came in to work. I had a restful sleep last night and woke up to the OJay's on the radio. You know that song, "she use to be my girl........she had a charmin' personality.....and I loved her." I can't wake up to the buzzzzzzzzz!!!!! or arnttttttttt!!!!! sound of an alarm; I must wake up to music. Mother's Day is coming up Sunday. I sent my Mother her card and I am going to take her to brunch this Saturday. I'm trying to avoid the whole Mother's Day madness thing.
My mother is a special lady just like many on this planet. She has been through the rain and the storm to where she is now. As a matter of fact, she is that wild flower that is still intact after storm. Like many innercity mothers she raised all four of us alone with very little financial assistance. All of us are not doing what we should, but we are all decent human beings. We are caring individuals who try to help when we can and we all love our mother. Life would've been much more difficult if it weren't for the support of our mother who loved us, but chastised us when we were wrong. She is a blessing to have around. My grandmother Eunice has been gone since 1999. She was a mother to me as well and I know that she is still praying for me in spirit. Thank God for our mothers! I've always felt that my first African ancestor to make it to these American shores was a woman. A strong, beautiful, loving mother. Peace~

Traces Of Me

Good morning! It's just one of those mornings when I am just glad to be alive. Sometimes I have to stop and appreciate what I have no matter how simple. There are many things that we take for granted. We have to stop and give thanks to the Creator. I look around at times when I am observing the world on the streets and subways and I see individuals who are not as fortunate. So, I give thanks.

I thank God for my eyes so that I can look into the eyes of my loved ones. I can observe the changing of the seasons and appreciate nature. I can see that which nature has formed and thank God for her presence.

I thank God for my limbs because I can become mobilized at will, build, touch, dance, and love. I cannot leave out my senses because I can smell the aroma of tantalizing dishes and the smell of sweet perfumes that provoke my wishes. I can taste the chocolate and feel the smoothness of her skin. The inebriating affects of the vodka I drink make me want to start all over again. :)

I thank the Creator for my mind so that I can decide, calculate, devise, comprehend, and compose my thoughts before speaking.

I thank the God because with my mind and heart I can pray, create, love, change, agitate, plan and become. All in all I thank the Creator because...just because.

I have no way of knowing how far this life will take me, but I will do all I can while I am here to make a positive change. This change will start with me because I cannot completely make a positive impact unless I have made some changes within. Well, it is almost time for my break. I have a taste for ginger tea this morning with honey. Peace~

Poetry: Random Thoughts

Winter has come to an end and the season is changing like my thoughts
Like Fall leaves my thoughts paint brilliant colors on the landscape
Thoughts that sometimes detach from its branch to fertilize new ground
Giving birth to innovative ideas and thought patterns...puzzling theorist concerning
its orgin
Historians and mathematicians try to revise and divide it's quotient, but they can't
You see...it's programed on random
Winter has come to an end and the season is changing like my thoughts