Poetry: Here’s the Situation...

My old lady ain’t never been one to cut me no slack
If I tell her I’m going to the store
She wanna know what time I’m coming back
But that’s okay ‘cause papa ain’t salty

You might think that what I’m saying ain’t real,
but the president has to sign a bill
Just so I can spend a bill – I’m talking about a dollar!
Yeah, sometimes it makes me wanna holler
but that’s okay ‘cause papa ain’t salty

You see…

I messed up just a while ago
with this sweet, fine thing – age around 24
Man, I thought my game was tight
‘cause I never tried to spend the night

But one day…

I guess the time was around 4
That sweet, fine thing knocked on my front door
Well, she told my ‘ol lady everything including things I said
Meanwhile, I’m ducking and dodging the pots and pans flying at my head
Man, was I scared!

But that’s okay ‘cause papa still ain’t salty
I just wish my ‘ol lady would cut me some slack
‘cause I just met this sweet, fine thing – age around 29
that I been dying to get at




This is an excerpt from my new chapbook, Liquid Lunch. How do you order your own copy? Just look to your right margins and click the "Buy Now" button through PayPal. It's fast, it's safe, and it's the Blues. Thanks for your support.

John Hope Franklin dies

John Hope Franklin (2 January 1915 – 25 March 2009)

"My challenge was to weave into the fabric of American history enough of the presence of blacks so that the story of the United States could be told adequately and fairly."

Mr. Franklin,

Thank you for your work and contribution to the history of African Amerians. Thank you most of all for your contribution to American history. God bless you. Rest now. Rest.

Photo Source: dukenews.duke.edu

Liquid Lunch Sample

Check out Wordrunner Press for information on Liquid Lunch and just a sample.

Black Memorabilia: What does it Mean?

I picked up this little piece of American history at a consignment shop for $1.91. Good buy, huh? I thought so. I was thinking about how expensive black memorabilia can be online, so I looked up this piece hoping that I had found a gem. I found it and saw that the print is sold for about $15. That's still a good buy. The piece that I have was copied on to metal, so it may be slightly more. As I thought about why I was attracted to this picture, I was reminded that nearly (if not) all black memorabilia was created by white folks.

This particular picture is by Nell Hott. Again, I wondered why I was so attracted to it -- this young African American girl with a big ol' piece of watermelon. The picture conveys that this watermelon is so good and sweet that the girl's eyes roll to the back of her head as she savors its taste. This is definitely looked upon by most as racist art, but I still like it. Besides, this image was created in 1924. It was weird when I saw it though; I was offended and thrilled at the same time. Anyway, I came to the conclusion that not only do I like black memorabilia, but I really love a cold piece of sweet watermelon.

Photograph: Cost and Time

My co-worker took this picture of me. I'm trying to look like I'm really concentrating and working hard. Anyway, I love the background of the dry erase board because it shows a scale measuring cost and time. That pretty much sums up life -- cost and time. The cost is usually too much and there's never enough time.

Liquid Lunch: Take a sip

Liquid Lunch has arrived! I was smiling ear to ear when UPS showed up with my chapbooks. I felt like a proud Papa; I am a proud Papa! Well, if you wish to purchase just look to your right. There is a "Buy Now" button to click ($8.00). It's easy and safe to use. If you don't have a credit or debit card, send me an email (for email address just click profile button). I guarantee excellent customer service. Meanwhile, please tell a friend or family member. We gotta move these chapbooks! Thanks for all of your support. *Big Smile*

Note: The above is not the actual book cover. The book cover is on a beautiful green linen paper with a black and white photo of my grandfather and his friend in WWII.

Picture: By Me (watercolor and pencil on paper)

Poetry: Untitled

Untitled

She has never experienced true love
Yes, there was always someone around – men and women
who wanted to embrace and caress her,
but in a noncommittal way.

Photo: by SBess (titled: She)

MC Spotlight: Liquid Lunch

I am proud to present my first book of poems titled, Liquid Lunch. (A thought: Hey, this is the first MC spotlight that is about me!) Anyway, it is a collection of Blues-Inspired poetry that I have put into a chapbook. The chapbooks have not arrived yet, but I am expecting them any day now. Where did the idea come from? I got the idea of putting together a Blues chapbook from my good brother and writer Geoffrey Philp. In essence, he told me that I had accumulated a good amount of blues poetry that I should consider sharing with the rest of the world. So, I took the poems that I had already written, added a few more and voila! Thanks, Geoffrey. The current book cover is not as colorful as the one you see because of the paper used; the picture above is for advertisment. Besides, I wanted to display my friends wonderful work. It was done by a fantastic graphics designer, artist, and good friend Marilyn Gates Davis.

Info about Liquid Lunch:

As some of you know, the term liquid lunch refers to a lunch that consist of alcohol as the main course. Back when I was a sailor in the US Navy, my comrades and I would sometimes choose this as a way to "pick up" the day. I called this chapbook that because I envision it as a quick "pick-me-upper." My hopes is that it will lift your spirits and inspire you in one way or the other. The poems are based on little of everything: my life, my imagination, my grandfather's life. By the way, my grandfather is the young man you see on the right. This image is from a photo of him in the US Army, 1944. Today, he is 90 years old and living in North Carolina and yes...he still enjoys a little liquid lunch now and then.

I will post information about the pricing and how you can get a copy soon. As always, thanks for all your support. Peace~

 

Note: Big thanks and all the love to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and my wife who is always telling, "put it in a book Bess!"