Peace Be Still

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~

MC Spotlight: Inshirah Aleem

I had the pleasure of meeting upcoming author, Ms. Inshirah Aleem, back in March 2012. We met to discuss her new book, She Smiles and Cries. I’d already spoken with Inshirah over the phone, and she gave me a general overview of her book/life as someone diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Nothing in her voice said to me “disorder.” In fact, she seemed very “orderly” and professional and … Well, this goes to show how much I knew (ignorance) about the disorder. It became even more baffling when I met with her in person at a coffee shop in Gaithersburg. I saw this lovely young author with a bright face and lovely smile walk towards the front door of the coffee shop. I figured it was Inshirah because she got out of the car that fit the description described by her over the phone. However, what I thought of as Bipolar Disorder and how it looked did not fit her description. Again, I was suffering from ignorance.  What does Bipolar Disorder look like on a person?

Well, by the time I finished talking with Inshirah about her book, her life, her family, and Bipolar Disorder I was on my way to becoming educated. I became even more educated as I started reading her book, She Smiles and Cries. The book is a collection of poetry and prose describing her life in battling Bipolar Disorder. I find her words to be courageous and inspirational. This work also counts as a testimony because she credits her Islamic faith and the help of the Almighty God (Creator) for her strength in this battle.

Overall, She Smiles and Cries is a wonderfully creative work that I hope will inspire and help those who suffer from Bipolar Disorder. It is also a great book for those who want to learn about it. The poetry is also a fantastic read; more importantly, it is straight from the heart of a woman who wants to share her story to the world. I pray it reaches far and long. This is all in the hope that it will help others and possibly even save lives. In the end, you may smile, cry, and possibly become very educated. 

Bio: Author, Inshirah Aleem,  was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. She currently resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Inshirah has been writing since childhood. Poetry and prose have carried her through dark times. At the age of 15, she was diagnosed with a severe form of Bipolar Disorder. She writes to educate, inspire and challenge the stigma attached to mental illness. She is a spokeswoman for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness),"In Our Own Voice," which is a program that provides a platform for individuals with mental illness to share their stories and educate people about mental illness.

Nearly twenty years post-diagnosis, she has acquired a true appreciation for life and the humility to embrace her journey. She has been courageous in attaining high academic achievements and pursuing loving, stable family relationships.

Get a copy today: She Smiles and Cries

Liquid Lunch: Faith

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

P.L. Dunbar Hymn: Lead Gently, Lord, and Slow

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.

Liquid Lunch: Supplication

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.

Haiku #5

Haiku #5

Today, I saw God

in the eyes of the homeless

there was contentment

By: Stephen Bess

Photo source: Leroy Skalstad (homeless Mike)

Haiku #4

Haiku #4

Today, I saw God
as muffin crumbs fell to the ground
so chirped the sparrow

By: Stephen Bess

Photo Source: sdakotabirds.com

Artist Spotlight: Cedric Smith

Artist spotlight is becoming my thing to do here at Morphological Confetti. I sometime stumble upon great artist and I just want to share them with the rest of the world – the MC audience.

Recently, I did an image search pertaining to African American history when I came across a wonderful piece of artwork created by painter and photographer, Cedric Smith. My first reaction to his work was that of extreme admiration; I was impressed. Smith’s beautiful and colorful images resembled old ads from the early part of the 20th Century. Smith says that his inspiration and influences are drawn from the Georgia landscape and its people. Smith’s memories growing up and nostalgia also play a significant role in his work.

As many of you know, the ads in America’s early years were often racist in its portrayal of Africans in America. Cedric wanted to change this negative perception. The difference in Cedric Smith’s work is that the images are positive and appealing; for instance, there are no oversized pink lips with boot black skin, shiny-white-bugged eyes and a toothy grin. The subjects are all just pleasant looking people (old photographs) of African descent representing familiar and not so familiar products. Some of subjects are also caucasian to truly reflect the old southern landscape. The southern landscape is also used as a backdrop for old photographs that he positions within his own photography (see below).

Artist Bio:

Cedric Lamar Smith was born in 1970 in Philadelphia, Pa., but raised in Thomaston, Ga., where his family moved with him as a child. Smith grew up and took up barbering as a profession and means to support himself. Cedric’s entire perception of art and living changed one day when the late African American painter, William Tolliver sat in his barber’s chair. Cedric overheard a conversation Tolliver was having on his cell phone about a studio. Cedric thought that Tolliver was a musician until he began to ask questions about Tolliver’s work. He soon found out that William Tolliver was a successful painter. Well, that brief conversation with Tolliver led Smith to turn in his two week notice at the barbershop.

The rest, shall we say, was Smith-story. Cedric Smith took that step of faith almost 13 years ago and has never looked back. Now, Cedric Smith makes his living as a painter and photographer. His artwork can be seen in galleries and homes throughout Georgia and the United States. Cedric Smith has the heart of a true historical preservationist and artist. He is truly an inspiration to anyone who has ever dreamed of doing what they love. God bless him.


Cedric Smith currently resides between Atlanta and Savannah, GA.

Sources: cedricsmith.com, aviscafineart.com

Message for the New Year

I am so so happy that the holiday season is here. Can you tell? I mean, just look at my body language. A burden has been lifted; my spirit has been renewed and there are new and wonderful things on the horizon for 2008! For now, I sigh and give thanks to God for sustaining me and hearing my prayers.

By the way, my first semester teaching at the community college was interesting. I didn't fail anyone; they did it all alone. *smile* I am going to continue teaching as an adjunct in the evenings when time permits. As for January, I have other things to focus on. I am very excited about the new year. I expect great things for all of us. Keep your eyes on the prize and I wish you PEACE & PROSPERITY in the new year. Now, click here for Happy Holidays!!

Peace~

Stephen Bess
Morphological Confetti

True Love X Two

"You bring me joy
When I'm down
So much joy
When I lose my way your love comes smiling on me"

~ Anita Baker (1986 Album-Rapture)


"I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly."

Psalm 40:10 (Bible-New International Version)

Photo Credit: Wholehartedly_Ruez (Sunrise of Light)

On Writing

"The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible." ~Vladimir Nabokov

Lil' Stevie's Christmas Questions

Lil Stevie: “Momma, how come we don’t got no chimney?
Momma: “You mean, why don’t we have a chimney?”
Lil Stevie: “Yes, Ma’am.”
Momma: “Well, because we live in an apartment.”
Lil Stevie: “Oh. Well, how is Santa going to get the presents to us if he can’t come down the chimney like on TV?”
Momma: “He’ll come through the front door.”
Lil Stevie: “Who will let him in? Won’t you be sleep?”
Momma: “I’ll leave the door unlocked.”

(Stevie looks at his mother and scratches his head)

Lil Stevie: “No momma! ‘Cause If you do that then somebody will come in behind Santa and try to rob him! Then, they will probably beat him up, take his money, take his reindeer and sell ‘em, sell all the little girls and boys toys, plus our gifts! After all of that then Christmas will be over!”
Momma: “No it won’t son because we’ll still have Jesus.”

(Stevie looks at his mother and scratches his head again)

Lil Stevie: “Momma, what does Jesus have to do with Christmas?”

Autumn's Eve

I am accepting Rethabile's (Sotho) challenge of finishing the sentence, "It is Autumn and this road..." I hope that you guys have a wonderful weekend! Once again, thanks for joining the poetry movement all about one of my favorite seasons, Autumn. Peace~

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1

It is Autumn, and this road
represents my ascension into the unknown. It is my faith that will carry me and his hand that will guide me.

Amen

Photo: This is a photo that I took out of my sunroof on Interstate 395 going north. Check out Bess Photos on Flickr for my latest photos.

Grant Me Wisdom

I wanted to give readers something to ponder as they start their weekend journey. Be safe.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. --Lao Tzu

Common sense is very uncommon.

Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.

If you wish to succeed, consult three old people.

Those of you who think you know everything are annoying those of us who do.

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone.

and finally...

If you wanna feel funky, feel free. But please don't spread that funk on me!

Have a great weekend!

Past Poetry: The Truth

The Truth
By: Stephen Bess
1991

As I sat staring at the white, glowing picture of Jesus
someone spoke to my heart and whispered,

"Don't worship the picture...whorship me."

The First Cut

This is my first day on Blogger! I am very excited about blogger and my future postings. Also, today is the first Monday after Daylight Savings and I am still a day late and a dollar short. Peace~