Showing My Face: Self Reflection and Thoughts on Writing

Hello friends. I'm just showing my face while I am still in my birthday month of August. Go Leos! Like many, I do an assessment of my life on my birthday; I take stock and think about the necessary changes for myself. For me, it's about getting better and doing better. This year was no different, while I have been sitting at home during this pandemic. I am still finishing up my doctoral studies. I have been doing my coursework since 2018 with a focus on critical pedagogy, and I will soon start my thesis work. So, I am moving forward, but I have been thinking more about creative writing. Currently, most of my writing is academic, but I long to sit and write creatively. I crave it so much that I throw some of that creativity into my academic writing. So, my goal this year is to make more of an effort to publish poetry and maybe some short stories. We'll see. I have made progress in other areas of my life this year, so maybe it is a sign of things to come. Again, we will see. Well, take care of yourself and continue to stay safe. Peace.

-Stephen

 

National Poetry Month: Gwendolyn Brooks

April is National Poetry Month. With all that I have on my plate, I will be happy if I can write at least one poem this month. We will see. Meanwhile, let us celebrate the art itself and celebrate those who have so poetically paved a way.

Photo by S. Bess: Bronze bust (1994) of poet, Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Artist, Sara S. Miller, 1924 - 2016

 

 

We Real Cool

By Gwendolyn Brooks

 

        The Pool Players.
        Seven at the Golden Shovel.

            We real cool. We   

            Left school. We

            Lurk late. We

            Strike straight. We

            Sing sin. We   

            Thin gin. We

            Jazz June. We   

            Die soon.

Haiku and Video

Haiku #10

North Jersey winds sweep

Over hills, sands, and wet lands

A sandpiper twerks

Def Poetry - Oscar Brown Jr. - I Apologize

Oscar Brown Jr. is one of my all-time favorite entertainers / poets. This is just a taste of his work. May his soul rest in poetry.

My BLOOMBARS Poetry Reading

Jewish Palestinian Redux

Tribute to Dr. Angelou

     MAYA

Born to Die.
Died to Live.
Lived, Died,  Lived.

By WmTell
05/28/14

Rethabile Masilo: Things That Are Silent

Africa America Caribbean

-Thinking of Stephen and Geoffrey

In the hollow cost of the sea you sailed across

you rebuilt you grew strong. Here is reverence from me –

you’re stronger for passing through that storm

Let our voices carry the world

fathom Africa where the colours of the world began

life in its leanest and most magnificent form

the roar of the beast

the fall of the empire

the wail of the islands across the sea

Life written in the greenness of trees

in the cleanness of the air that we breathe

That is the beauty of us all, which binds us

in siblinghood

by Rethabile Masilo

Available on Amazon.com: CLICK!

Photobooth---The Half-Happy Couple and Poem

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.

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

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.

Arna Bontemps: A Black Man Talks of Reaping

A Black Man Talks of Reaping

by Arna Bontemps

1902–1973

 

I have sown beside all waters in my day.

I planted deep, within my heart the fear

that wind or fowl would take the grain away.

I planted safe against this stark, lean year.

I scattered seed enough to plant the land

in rows from Canada to Mexico

but for my reaping only what the hand

can hold at once is all that I can show.

Yet what I sowed and what the orchard yields

my brother's sons are gathering stalk and root;

small wonder then my children glean in fields

they have not sown, and feed on bitter fruit.

Dedicated to my cousin G. Bess; He shares a birthday with Mr. Bontemps on today, October 13th, and he has sown many good things in the time I have known him.  I'm certain there was more before we became close; nevertheless, I pray that he reaps a generous harvest.  I'm sure that he will only take that generous harvest and sow even more.  This is the reason God gives seed to the sower (2 Corinthians 9:10).  God bless you G.  Peace~

Sources:  poetryfoundation.org and wikipedia.
Photo by:  Carl Van Vechten, 1938

Thursday Weblog

Greetings friends and family.  Despite the heatwave, I had a chance to get out today.  Walked about 3 miles and stopped once at a cooling station [McDonald's for a cup of water].  I sat there for about 10 minutes and proceeded up to Starbucks where I did some proofreading and a bit of writing.  In terms of progress, I have finished one piece, and I am organizing the writing and ideas for the other pieces.  I've put everything into an outline.  I eventually returned home around 3pm and that's when all the distractions started.  I have to laugh to myself because distractions are only allowed.  We have to give permission to distractions.  I chose to be distracted.  Pray for me; I need more focus.

Anyway, tomorrow is a new day.  If God is willing for me [us] to see another day then I hope to do better.  I am going to spend the rest of the evening with my family.  Enjoy your evening as well.  Peace~

Photo:  Statue of writer, Alex Haley, reading to children at the pier inAnnapolis, Maryland USA [by S Bess]

Thursday Thoughts: Consistency

The weather has been so nice today.  I couldn't have planned it better myself.  I thank God.  He gives us relief from the sweltering heat.  Well, today I actually sat down to write.  I started by revising a poem that I plan to submit, and then I worked on an outline for my next book.  I'm excited about it; I want to share my progress with you as I write.  Sharing my progress will keep me motivated.  There's something about being transparent.  If I don't share my progress with someone, I will only be accountable to myself.  However, if I am documenting my progress and sharing it with interested readers, it motivates me to be consistent.  Yes, consistency is what I need.  It's what I need for every good thing in my life.  Anyway, I am finished with my outline and ready to get this off my chest.  Don't worry, none of my writing will start with the phrase, "...a dark foggy night." *giggle*  Enjoy the rest of your day.  Peace~

Goals for the Month of July

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~

Happy Birthday Gwendolyn Brooks

Happy Birthday to late, Gwendolyn Brooks, an excellent poet and extraordinary woman.  I will always be inspired by her poetry.  I recently shared one of my favorites, We Real Cool, with a group of college freshman.  It was interesting to hear their interpretations.  Again, Happy Birthday Ms. Brooks.  At this moment, I am Jazzin’ June, but in a positive way.  Thank you for your creative concern and poetic protest...

Above Artwork by: Dirk Hagner [Gwendolyn Brooks, woodcut, 40 x 22.5 inches, hand printed on washi]

Book by Gwendolyn Brooks:

Lingering question from Longfellow

The Slave Singing at Midnight

By:  Henry Wadsworth  Longfellow

Loud he sang the psalm of David!

He, a Negro and enslaved,

Sang of Israel's victory,

Sang of Zion, bright and free.

In that hour, when night is calmest,

Sang he from the Hebrew Psalmist,

In a voice so sweet and clear

That I could not choose but hear,

Songs of triumph, and ascriptions,

Such as reached the swart Egyptians,

When upon the Red Sea coast

Perished Pharaoh and his host.

And the voice of his devotion

Filled my soul with strange emotion;

For its tones by turns were glad,

Sweetly solemn, wildly sad.

Paul and Silas, in their prison,

Sang of Christ, the Lord arisen.

And an earthquake's arm of might

Broke their dungeon-gates at night.

But, alas! what holy angel

Brings the Slave this glad evangel?

And what earthquake's arm of might

Breaks his dungeon-gates at night?

Evangeline Kirigua: Liberation of Me

Liberation of Me is the new poetry collection from writer and poet, Evangeline Kirigua. Kirigua is a native of Kenya; her poetry collection touches on the time growing up in Kenya, and Kirigua's relationship with her family. It also talks about love, deception, and heartbreak, or to state in plainly, Liberation of Me talks about LIFE. The poems are universal because each of us has experienced these moments in our lives.

The book opens with the poem, “I Say, Not Now.” This poem simply talks about the daily struggles and decisions we make in every day living, such as whether we should pick up the phone or go back to sleep. It talks about work, dirty laundry, and the weariness that we sometimes experience when life becomes overwhelming. Kirigua does a great job by taking the most mundane activities in our daily lives and turning it into a beautiful collection of words – poetry.

There are other poems that talk about life in the African Diaspora like “A Child of Two Worlds.” If you are a student of literature and history, this poem may remind you of W.E.B Dubois’, The Soul of Black Folk, where he speaks of the duality that exist in the minds and souls of [some] African Americans. In it states, “One ever feels his two-ness – an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body…” Dubois’ words from his poignant work best describe the contents of Kirigua’s poem. This is one to read.

I am certain there are other poems that will peak your interest as well. Simply put, Liberation of Me consist of poems dealing with everyday life and living, but these poems expressed in such a creative and meaningful way that it may change the way that you look at your everyday life. Evangeline Kirigua's book does just what the title suggest – it changes the way we see life. I enjoyed looking through the lenses of Ms. Kirigua. It made life so much more interesting.

About the author:

Evangeline is a teacher and translator of English and Swahili.  She is a devoted mother of a son and daughter.  She is an avid reader and she loves learning new languages.  She lives in the Maryland suburbs just outside Washington, D.C. 

Ghetto Snow

Ghetto Snow

The snow would fall

The snow would fall

as it covered the alleyway with no delay

The snow would fall

The snow would fall

Filling in the cavities of my urban decay

© 2010 Stephen Bess

Photo source:  Dark Cold Alleyway by Denis Tangney Jr
This poem is featured in Liquid Lunch:

Cut and Paste Dunbar: Compensation

Book on subject:  Give Us Each Day: The Diary of Alice Dunbar Nelson