Morphological Confetti

Ben's Chilli Bowl on U Street in Washington, DC (Photo: S Bess 2006) Forget about the present situation, these were the Pre-Obama days in DC. Gentrification had not fully enveloped the U street corridor at this point. Ben's alley wall was blank and there was nothing happening "Next Door." There were still a few business left from the post-riot days; however, everyone knew that it was coming. The one hundred year cycle was over! The place was changing. DC was changing. My life was changing. Things are very different now in 2017.  ~ Peace

Very nostalgic. The conversations and the way they people interact reminds me of my grandparents generation in North Carolina. I would visit every summer around this time in June when I was a little boy. These conversations give me ideas about language and it ultimately inspires much of my poetry. 

2009 Top One Hundred Countdown # 20: Photobooth---The Half-Happy Couple , a photo by mrwaterslide on Flickr. 20 minute poem I wrote for photo: One Mo' Payment I almost got enough to call this woman my wife What I mean is, I’m fixin’ to buy this fine woman here a ring to seal the deal. Yeah, I heard that when I was in the Army she had this ol’ slick-head hipster over in Rocky Mount  grinnin’ and showin’ all his teeth every time he sees her in town, and I hear he's been asking to sit with her some Sundays after supper. But  there’s one thing that ol’ sport coat don’t have that I got— that is this here woman, at this time, in this picture-booth, for this moment— warm, smiling, and in my arms. Hmph! I betcha he ain’t grinnin' now.

Every year I look forward to the concert series at Fort Dupont Park in Washington, D.C.  It has become widely popular and it tends to be very crowded.  However, there is nothing like the visual of a huge crowd [mostly African American] of people from the DMV getting together to celebrate music from the soul.  It is really a celebration and expression of culture -- American culture.  This years promises to be a nice one.  I hope to see you there this summer.  Concerts are free and opened to the public. Note:   Shows are every Saturday as indicated below and usually start around 8:00 pm; however, get there before the time because places on the lawn fill up fast.  This is especially true in front of the stage.   Check out the 2012 lineup: July 14 American Noiz': A celebration of American Music featuring a Motown review by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington; Accompanied by Joel Coleman, Dr. Guy Ramsey, Ju...

Today in African American history, JET magazine launched its first issue featuring the wife of boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson on the cover. JET magazine was founded on Thursday, November 1, 1951, by John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois. November 1, 1951, marks a historical day in African American history because a kinship began that would last throughout the 20th century, and it’s doing very well in the 21st century. I cannot think of any other magazine that speaks to the Black experience in America like JET magazine. The magazine’s coverage of the everyday lives and historical events surrounding the lives of African Americans and Africans in the Diaspora continues to be unparalleled. In fact, besides Rev., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, all of Stevie Wonder’s music, and Ebony magazine (also of Johnson’s Publishing) I equate growing up as an African in America with JET magazine. Furthermore, JET ma...

In November, I will visit the country of Uruguay in South America. This is not a planned trip or vacation; I was invited as part of an effort to introduce students in Uruguay to African American culture. Specifically, I will teach students about the African influence in American culture as it pertains to music. This comes easy to me because it stays near the front of my thoughts; however, my challenge is that most of the students speak limited English. I’m attempting to brush up on my Spanish in an effort to communicate as effectively as possible. Otherwise, I will depend on the universal power of music, and the supreme power of God, who will lead and guide me on this venture. You may giggle, but I took my time to inform the Morphological Confetti community because I wanted to make sure I had my plane ticket. This entire trip is funded by the arts council, but I had to be perfectly certain that my ticket was in hand. I truly give thanks to God for this opportunity, but I would ...

Are you aware of the significant contribution that Washington, D.C. made to the Black Arts Movement (Harlem Renaissance) of the 1920's? It was 1923 and the wounds of slavery were still infected. A movement to showcase the resilience and creativity of a people was just the thing to help in the healing process. Two Washingtonians come to mind when I think of Washington, D.C. during the Renaissance and they were composer, Jazz pianist, and bandleader, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington and writer, Jean Toomer. I am especially proud of Duke Ellington because he formed a group in 1923 called the W ashingtonians that stormed Harlem that year. The name of the group was not especially creative, but it certainly showed that the Duke's heart was still in Washington. Duke and his band eventually landed a gig in the famous Cotton Club on December 4, 1927. Their popularity soared afterward s and secured them a place in Jazz history. In 1923, Jean Toomer impressed the literary wo...

Frederick Douglass (c. 1817-1895) "Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." -Frederick Douglass Harriet Tubman (1820(?)-l913) "I grew up like a neglected weed -- ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it." Bethune, Mary McLeod (1875-1955) "The whole world opened to me when I learned to read." Vick (198_-2006) Teddy Reads: Rest In Peace (RIP) Vick, we love u. Note: The teddy bear is a makeshift memorial to someone who was killed near or on that very spot. I've never met Vick, but he represents so many young black men who are murdered on the streets everyday of any city, USA.

I have great news for Morphological Confetti!  It was chosen by onlinedegree.net as one of the 20 best sites to learn about African American History.  I have so much passion for the history of Africans in America, so this is quite an honor. To God be the glory.  Peace~ Photo source:   bowdoin.edu Pictured above: Romare Bearden, American, 1911-1988, Heavy Freight ( from the 12 Trains Suite ), 1974, photo etching with hand coloring, Art © Romare Bearden Foundation/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY

This passage has to do with courtship in the slave community of the Antebellum American South. I find these women creativity fascinating and very intriguing. So natural...so beautiful: “They [slave women] used sweet-smelling flowers and herbs as perfume and often kept the good dress packed in the flowers and herbs so that the clothing would absorb the pleasant fragrance. Hoops were made out of grape vines and were worn to make the dress fall neatly away from the body. A bright-colored hat or headwrap made for the finishing touch.” Source: (excerpt from Aren’t I a Woman? Female Slaves in the Plantation South, Deborah Gray White,1985. Artist: Susan Lyon

This is a photo I took of a window in the back of my grandfather's childhood home. I was brave enough to step into that old house that felt like it was about to give in to the weight of my body. It made every sound you can imagine as it moaned with my every step. I can remember when the house still had a strong life force. It was 1979 -- the year before my grandfather's mother died. Back then, there were still farm animals about the house, an old dog, and scattered remnants of the fall harvest when I looked across the field. great-grandma Alice was suffering from Alzheimers. From her window in the back of the house, she saw me running and playing with the various farm animals. She called me over to the window and asked me, "Who boy are you?" I told her and she smiled, "You a good looking boy." I said thank you and smiled shly as I ran off to play more. I came across her window a second time and she called me over to ask the same question. I answered as if it...

It was always a similar speech before momma left to go to work. “I want this apartment cleaned up before I come home from work tonight. If it ain’t clean, y’all can forget about going outside this weekend. Calvin, I want you to cook tonight – just throw on some hotdogs and beans and don’t eat the whole pack. You get two hotdogs a piece. Stevie, it’s your turn to do those dishes tonight. I want my kitchen cleaned! Maurice, I want you to get in there and clean up that back room. It don’t make no sense how nasty it is. You should be ashamed of yourself. After that, I want you to vacuum in the living room, and stay out of my living room after you finish. I don’t want y’all playing around in this apartment either. I mean no running, jumping, sliding, and especially no crashing! If I come back home tonight and find anything cracked, I’m cracking some butt. If I find anything chipped, split, or cut, I’m doing the same thing to your butt. You got me! I said, you got me! “Yes, momma,” we all s...

One cool brother on H Street (Click photo to Enlarge) I haven't posted any of my photos recently, so I decided to share this one today. This is the Washington, DC I know. Perhaps you have seen this photo before, but it is worth showing again. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Peace~

"Looking back on when I was a little nappy headed boy, then my only worry was for Christmas, what would be my toy. Even though we sometimes would not get a thing, we were happy with the joy the day would bring...I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go? I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go? Cause I loved them so." ~ Stevie Wonder By the way, I am the taller of the two little boys. I remember that day well. I also remember that the shirt I was wearing was new and my grandmother purchased some flip-flop sandles to keep my feet cool. It was the Bess Family Reunion in the Summer of '75. Stevie Wonder's hit song, I Wish , would not become a hit until 1977, but it was so appropriate for this photo. I mean, just look at that image of me, little Stevie; life was so simple then. Peace~

Use halves of drained (canned or fresh) apricots, pears, and pineapple spears or slices. Use as many pieces as will fill a deep casserole or approximately 4 pieces of fruit per serving. Pour over a mixture of ½ cup melted butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon curry powder Bake 40 minutes Serve this dish with a baked ham, Porkchops (pictured right), chicken, tofu, or just some rice for a delicious all time Southern and Caribbean favorite. However, in the Caribbean the list of ingredients is longer and even more delicious. By the way, if you celebrate Thanksgiving I wish you a wonderful holiday. Otherwise, we all have something to be thankful for. So, as brother Geoffrey would say…give thanks. Peace~ Source: The Southern Cook Book of Fine Old Dixie Recipes, Culinary Arts Press, Inc., 1965 Photo: Cooksrecipe.com

This image is a replica of the Akuaba doll of Ghana. The Akuaba is found among the Akan people and represents fertility. As a matter of fact, a woman would carry this doll on her back to assure pregnancy and to assure the attractiveness of the child. This is my own Akuaba doll that acts only as a model for my photo. Besides, my wife has not agreed to carry it on her back. I've been working on a few things lately and they are all keeping me busy. Teaching is great. I learn so much as a teacher. Actually, I would be better described as a "lead student." I hope that you all are doing well. My prayers go out to the six young men and their families down in Louisiana. I also pray for all who went there to support them and for their journey back home to be a safe one. Peace~ Photo credit: Stephen Bess Sources: wikipedia.org and democracynow.org

I am nobody: A red sinking autumn sun Took my name away. Haiku By: Richard Wright (Author of Native Son) Photo Source: http://historymatters.gmu.ed/ Washington (southwest section), D.C. Two African American boys

I want to share with you today my memories of dance. It must have happened when I was an infant watching my parents dance. No, I don’t remember seeing my parents dance, but I can just imagine how beautiful the moment must appear to a child. For the first time, the child is witnessing the movement of limbs and hips in harmony with the beat of the music. As older children, my brothers and I would play for most of the day in front of our apartment building, but sometimes my mother would gather us in the house with our friends and turn on her record player. The song that comes to mind in memory is “ Car Wash ” by the R&B group, Rose Royce. I remember we would all take turns dancing in the middle of the circle. When my turn came up, I would close my eyes and just allow my body to flow with the rhythm of the music. I remember the exhilarating feeling and laughing as my mother cheered me on, "Go head Stevie!" The moment left an indelible impression on my mind. It influenced ...