Morphological Confetti

I was just sitting here thinking about the "Stay-At-Home" order and how to be content through the madness. Trust me, it is not always easy. I have moments where I feel a little anxious, and I have moments where fear will try to set in to disturb my peace. Nevertheless, they are merely moments; they are not part of my daily existence. Most of the time, I feel content and at peace; most of the time, I feel happiness and joy; and most of the time, I feel loved and respected by my friends and family. I can only hope and wish the same for anyone who reads this post. Well, take care and be safe. I just wanted to share my thoughts with you today. Peace~

It's after 10:00 p.m. on a Wednesday night and I'm thinking about seasons. I'm thinking about the natural progressions of nature, but I'm also thinking about the seasons we go through in life. What's your season? Me? I'm going through the season of building my career and education. In other words, I'm thinking about becoming better at what I do in the classroom. I'm also thinking about how to become better spiritually. What does that mean? Well, specifically, I mean building a relationship with God -- my personal relationship. It all takes work - this building - but I am prepared to do it. Well, I know this is short, but it is my bedtime. I hope that you are in a good season right now. If not, just remember that seasons change. Good night. Peace ~

I, Too Related Poem Content Details BY  LANGSTON HUGHES I, too, sing America.  I am the darker brother.  They send me to eat in the kitchen  When company comes,  But I laugh,  And eat well,  And grow strong.  Tomorrow,  I’ll be at the table  When company comes.  Nobody’ll dare  Say to me,  “Eat in the kitchen,”  Then.  Besides,  They’ll see how beautiful I am  And be ashamed—  I, too, am America. Source: Hughes, Langston, Arnold Rampersad, and David E. Roessel. The collected poems of Langston Hughes. New York: Knopf, 1994. Print.

One of my favorite Christmas scenes featuring Oprah Winfrey as "Ms. Sophia." This is for anyone who wishes to be home for the holidays. It's for those who miss their parents and loved ones. God bless and comfort you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. I'm looking forward to a fantastic New Year for us all despite the forecast. Peace~

For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth…” Isaiah 42:14-16 After teaching my afternoon class today, I went to Germantown, Maryland to see the film, The Birth of a Nation. The film was co-written and directed by starring actor, Mr. Nate Parker. I was excited for a chance to see this film that I have been waiting for in anticipation for many years. In recent years, I imagined or hoped that Spike Lee would take on the project or maybe John Singleton. Besides, I thought that Singleton did a great job on Rosewood , which was also a period film. However, one of my favorite actor...

First, this painting by artist, Jonathan Green ("Horizon"), is a direct reflection of my who I am. I cannot tell you how often I am enamoured by the clouds and birds in the sky. The lovely azure scenery always grabs my attention, if only for a moment. It is God's splendor - His creation. How can I ignore it? Well, this semester is coming to an end, and I'm getting ready for summer. Students are dropping off their final papers and I am listening to either their accolades or their worries. Meanwhile, I am thinking about writing for the summer. Even writing on this blog has been a new accurance in the past couple of days. Overall, this year has been good. Of course, I have my loose ends to tie and relationships to nurture and build, but it has been good. Every year, my goal is to become better as a teacher; so, I must read and study. That's the thing about teaching - we are perpetually a student. I love it though. I have plans to further my studies with anot...

Article:   The First Watch Night Service Occurs | African American Registry Featured painting :  William H. Johnson  Going to Church ca. 1940-1941 Screenprint on paper Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of the Harmon Foundation 1967.59.1022 Not currently on view Have a blessed and Happy New Year! 2014

Faith Sunday morning snooze Sunday morning blues Mama singing in the kitchen Sunday morning news Jesus is the top story Faith is her morning glory. By Stephen Bess This poem and others can be found in Stephen Bess' collection of Blues Inspired poetry, Liquid Lunch.  Available on Amazon.com

Lead Gently, Lord, and Slow Lead gently, Lord, and slow, For oh, my steps are weak, And ever as I go, Some soothing sentence speak; That I may turn my face Through doubt's obscurity Toward thine abiding-place, E'en tho' I cannot see. For lo, the way is dark; Through mist and cloud I grope, Save for that fitful spark, The little flame of hope. Lead gently, Lord, and slow, For fear that I may fall; I know not where to go Unless I hear thy call. My fainting soul doth yearn For thy green hills afar; So let thy mercy burn-- My greater, guiding star! Sources: esperstamps.org; Dunbar, P.L. (1913). The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company.

Hey folks.  Sometimes, it is good to get back to good old journaling or blogging.  I started blogging 6 years ago, and it has been more than rewarding in so many ways.  For the month of July, I will posting my daily progress on my summer work. Also, I will, on occasion, do my regular post on history and culture.  This is in an effort to encourage myself to create  and execute the goals I purposed in my heart; they were the goals I promised myself back in May.  Anyway, I am holding myself accountable.  Discipline, I feel, is learned and practiced; I'm on the path.  Well, I hope you all have a very nice evening.  Please come and visit.  I will need your encouragement. Be also encouraged.  Peace~

Sinners It was 11:48pm on Thursday two lovers abandoned a home on a quest for something new he drove like a hungry lion she waited like a baby bird Leaving the city behind them she caught a glimpse of a cross he drove straight into the backyard of the church he tore her dress with his claws she turned him to the way he was born it was a long journey into the clouds aided by sweat, pants and screams the car felt like a manger happy to host a new hero bouncing up and down on the church soil she looked guilty with sweat all over her he looked dumbfounded like a trespasser she saw a statue with a hand stretched forth he read “come unto me o ye sinners” © Abiodun Koya Excerpt from her poetry collection: The Words of a Princess Short Bio: Ms. Abiodun Koya is an accomplished lyric soprano from the Southwestern part of Nigeria.  Read more about Abiodun on her website:  Abiodunkoya.com

Supplication The rising sun warms me The moon cast shadows on the night But nothing in this world compares To Your Grace, Your Love -- my Guiding Light Lead me, Oh Lord Lead me to that Righteous Place Let Your Will be done -- not mine So that one day I might see Your Face Amen This poem is featured in my book, Liquid Lunch .  Now available on Amazon.com Note:   This is a repost from Aug 2008.

Reflection and Memory The day is cool and misty like memories I am uncertain about what lies ahead, but my sunshine is my faith in the Creator, and His  Promise of a Love Supreme Photo Source:   Dupont Circle Subway (Wash., D.C.) by S Bess

Mark 9:29 "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." On June 2, 1899, African Americans observed a day of fasting called by the National Afro-American Council to protest lynching and racial massacres. Source: blackfacts.com

Good morning and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers. I wanted to share a poem from my recently published chapbook, Liquid Lunch . This little poem goes back to Sunday mornings in North Carolina when I would wake up to sound of my grandmother singing church hymns in the kitchen. It was her way to give thanks to the almighty, while she prepared Sunday dinner. This poem represents one of my most cherished memories of her. God bless her soul. Enjoy your day everyone. Here is my poem: Eunice Best Faith Sunday morning snooze Sunday morning blues Momma singing in the kitchen Sunday morning news Jesus is the top story Faith is her morning glory. Note: To purchase copies of Liquid Lunch click on the buy now button in the right margins (Hwy 125). Thanks.

In the American system of slavery, African Americans had many ways to resist the dehumanizing conditions that existed. The songs they sang (known today as Negro Spirituals) had a purpose: they were sung to express their grief, petition to their God, and soothe the pain of bondage. Most of the songs were made up from stories they heard in the Bible, but they all seem had the same underlining plea – Freedom. Here is an example: Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel? Deliver Daniel, deliver Daniel Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel? They why not every man? He delivered Daniel from the lion’s den, Jonah from the belly of a whale, The Hebrew children from the fiery furnace, Then why not every man? Well, the ancestors were eventually released from bondage and entered into the American Aparthied system of Jim Crow. In these modern times, African Americans have marched, staged sit-ins, and fought up to the very moment Barack Obama was sworn in as president of the United States. So, what are we resisting to...

Hello MC family. Most of you know about my other blog, Baba Notes . Please visit there when you get a moment and check out an article I wrote about my Pastors new book, A Second Chance . I had the pleasure of editing it. Otherwise, thanks for continued support and I'll see you here again real soon. Peace~

Haiku#6 Today, I saw God Splash colors on the horizon A stray dog watched. By: Stephen Bess

Todays MC Spotlight is on author, Marvin D. Wilson. I have only been acquainted with Marvin and his character, Owen Fiddler for a short while, but I find them both to be very interesting. Marvin his on tour with his new novel, and Morphological Confetti is one of the stops. Well, without further ado, here is Owen Fiddler; Let us know what you think. Do you like it? Do you want it? Well, if you had it would you flaunt it? Well it's yours. Check it out: A Pivotal Segue ( An excerpt from Owen Fiddler, chapter fourteen ) Cake and ice cream did nothing to satiate someone like Owen, so he pulled over into a truck stop on the way home and went into the greasy spoon, looking to buy a cheeseburger and some fries. The smell of frying burgers, bacon and eggs and all things cholesterol and unhealthy warmed his attitude a tiny bit. He plunked himself into a booth and scanned the well-worn plastic-coated menu for a burger of his liking. Decision made, he looked around for some service. Where t...