Morphological Confetti

Haiku # 1 Faint recollections Sipping sweet mountain berries Amid nuptial bliss This is my first attempt at Haiku (correct syllabic form: 5-7-5). I was initially inspired by writer,  RICHARD WRIGHT  after learning that he wrote over 4,000 in the year before his death. Today, I was inspired by Sage-Petals after visiting her page. If you know Haiku I would love your honest feedback.

This is a mannequin in a department store on U street here in DC. I thought that she was such a cute mannequin that I took a picture. My cousin below thought that she was really really cute! :)

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...

"I said I'm Leavin on a jet plane I dont know when I'll be bak' again So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you wait for me Hold me like you never let me go" Lyrics are as performed by Just-Ice on his 80's hit "Latoya." Actually, I'll be back on Monday. *smile* Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate the holiday. Much respect to all Native Americans . We should never forget the Indian Removal Act of 1830 which resulted in the Trail Of tears . Peace~ Photo: Taken from day cruise on the Potomac River, Washington, D.C.

This is my favorite breakfast spot before work. They know what I want before I ask. Funny, I only visit once or twice a week. I was just intrigued as I passed this scene the other night. The cat's fur was so dark that I couldn't tell if he was facing me or not. Sad eyes October night sky Have a great weekend!

I had the pleasure of attending a book signing event over the weekend. First, I should mention that Vertigo Books celebrated its 15th Anniversary; the event was hosted by Bridget Warren. Bridget is a very nice lady and works very hard to bring to us renowned and not so known authors from around the world. I especially love Vertigo’s title selection, which focuses on African, African American, Caribbean, and Latino literature. I first visited the store in 1996 when it was located in downtown Washington, D.C. (DuPont Circle). The stores present location is in College Park, adjacent to the University of Maryland campus. Now, the highlight of this event was a visit from poet, activist, and Professor Sonia Sanchez . Your boy Stephen Bess was in the front row! Smile. I had to get there early. I have admired this woman for years since my college days in Savannah where I first learned of her work. She didn’t wait for her introduction upon arriving and immediately started chatting with the cro...

Note: Photo was taken at Mocha Hut on U Street in Washington D.C.

Well, before you know it all the leaves will have fallen off of the trees and the cold will set in. So, before they do I want you to remember the colors. Enjoy your weekend and peace to all the soldiers who ever fought for the good and rights of all men, women and children.

This picture was taken in 1985 at Circus World in Orlando, Florida. I was 18 years old and fresh out of boot camp in the United States Navy. The only information that I can remember about the other two guys in this picture is that one was from Chicago and the other was from Indianapolis. I wanted to share this picture in honor of Veterans Day and the service men and women serving in the US and abroad. By the way, can you pick me out of these three men?

I got up early this morning to vote. I was so proud of myself because I arrived at my designated elementary school at around 6:30am. The booths didn't open until 7am and I was the first in line! Well, once they opened and they checked for my name and address I found out that I was supposed to be at another school down the street. Doh!!! So, I ran to my car and sped down the street (No school children out yet) to stand in line at the correct elementary school. So, in the end I went from first to around fifty first. I was only 30 minutes late for work. It felt good to cast that vote. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't know all of the candidates I voted for because I'm new to the county. I knew most of them though. I've even met some of them at political rallies. I hope that you cast your vote today. If you're not registered get registered for the next election. It's important for you, your family and future generations. That's just my humble opinion....

Share-Croppers By: Langston Hughes Just a herd of Negroes Driven to the field, Plowing, planting, hoeing, To make the cotton yield. When the cotton's picked And the work is done Boss man takes the money And we get none, Leaves us hungry, ragged As we were before. Year by year goes by And we are nothing more Than a herd of Negroes Driven to the field-- Plowing life away To make the cotton yield. These are photos that I took on Wednesday in Martin County, North Carolina. Martin County represents my roots here in America and cotton is where it all began. Have a great weekend!

This is the translation that I promised for the previous post on le cimetière marin. I think that Lynn's poem is absolutely beautiful! Thought: I really need to revisit my lessons in French. Vagues en dentelles Entre mâts, entre vagues Des souvenirs dans des malles Des vies, des cris, des espoirs Voguant, nageant vers la lumière Un océan en rage, des arches, Rafiots ébréchés guettent l’horizon Entre ciel et mer un silence pesant Une brise parfumée sous une dentelle De gouttelettes d’attentes, des larmes Là bas. On rame avec des rêves. Lynn English Translation: Lacy waves **** Through masts, through waves Trunks loaded with memories Lives, screams, hopes Sailing, swimming towards light Raging ocean, arches Old scarred boats peering out the horizon In between sky and sea a silence so heavy A sweet-smelling breeze under lace Drops awaiting, tears Over there. We row our dreams.