Connected To Cotton

This is my view I get whenever I travel to North Carolina during the Fall season. I never get used to the splendor of the cotton fields when I am driving down Hwy 125/903 south. My grandfather spoke of picking cotton just to feed his family. That made me proud when he told me that because he did whatever he had to do to take care of his family; I'd like to think that I would do the same. I thought of him as I traveled back on Sunday listening to Curtis Mayfield (I listen to Curtis whenever I travel on Hwy 125...it's my little tradition). I listened to my music and I thought of grandfather as I looked across the cotton fields as far as the eye could see. The cotton field. It's a beautiful sight connected to an ugly past.

Book Sweet Book

"I have lost all sense of home, having moved about so much. It means to me
now--only that place where the books are kept."

John Steinbeck, novelist,Nobel laureate (1902-1968)

I am feeling this quote! Jean Toomer, American writer and thinker, also considered himself "locomotive." I've moved around quite a bit in my life as well, but I have finally settled down in one place. Really, I have. Besides, I have the bookshelf to prove it.

Daddy's Little Girl

"The true worth of a race must be measured by the character of its womanhood."

— Mary McLeod Bethune

This is an excerpt from an earlier post, but I thought back to this when I learned of a friend who was bitten by her 12 year old daughter. What is happening to our little girls? What would the great Mary McLeod Bethune suggest about the children of today?

God bless Rosa Parks.

Previous post:

You know, one can observe the problems of the world riding the subway train. I mean, every deadly sin can be accounted for from pride to lust. I am not being judgemental because I am definitely not free of sin. Anyway, I sat on the train this morning and observed wrath and envy. Actually, I see this everyday with our school age youth on the train. Unfortunately, it is the girls that are in an uproar. "I don't like that bitch anyway....I wish she would say something to me." Watch out!!!! There's a "Girl Fight" featuring Big Boi and Lil Jon. Pump your fist! Kill that bitch! Throw your hands in the air!!!! Snatch out that hoes hair!!! Somebody scream!!!!!!!! Stop!!!!!!!!!!Our girls are trying to kill each other and hip-hop is celebrating it with an anthem? How absurd is that?
In the words of Marvin Gaye, "Who really cares...who is willing to try to save our world...to save a world that destined to die." This is where the loathing comes in. If you are a conscious observer in this world that we live you can't help but be affected by the absurdity and ignorance that is displayed on a daily. Ahh!!! to be young and not have a care in the world. The 18th century poet, Thomas Gray said that "ignorance is bliss." Yeah, only if you are mildly retarded and you just got the new Jordans and a hot pocket.

I Plan To Stay A Believer

I was a stone cold junkie after the first time I heard Curtis speak
He was Super fly way before I knew about any pimp named Priest

To me
He represented Black music, Black hopes, and Black dreams
when I was just a kid racing popsicle sticks along ghetto streams

By Stephen Bess 2005 ©

Busboys & Poets

This is me a couple of weeks ago at a Black Caucus event hosted by the South African Embassy. It was black tie so I had to do my thang. It was at a place called Busboys & Poets located on 14th and V St. NW in DC. It's a nice spot so if you're ever in town check it out. The entire U street corridor is nice. It used to be called "Black Broadway" when my grandmother was young in the 1940's and 50's. Now, it's location is more on the corner of 14th street and Gentrification. You know what I mean?
Anyway, I was sipping on a glass of Pinot Grigio while waiting for my glass of Grey Goose and cranberry.
Don't worry...I wasn't driving. Plus, I didn't drink too, too much. :-)

Poem: Confession Of A Mannish-Boy

When we first met
I looked into her eyes
I saw her smile
We held each other’s hand
We laughed and we talked
I told her that she was beautiful
I invited her out to dinner
We had drinks at my place
We kissed and we touched
We had passionate sex
She told me that she loved me
I knew that it wouldn’t last
When we first met

Photograph and Thoughts

The day is cool and misty like my mood.
It is uncertain as to what lies ahead?
My only sunshine is my faith in the creator and the possibility of a love supreme.



Photo: (Black & White) DuPont Circle Subway Escalator, Washington, D.C.
By: S Bess

Knowledge Still Reigns Supreme

Knowledge + Wisdom = Understanding.
The journey started young. I have been infatuate with knowledge since I was boy, but I was always afraid to approach her. She seemed larger than life and beyond my realm of comprehension. I would come close enough just to get a little of what she had to offer me. I didn't get too close because my peers would tease me and girls would call me soft. I became older and that infatuation turned to true love. Now, I spend time with her and I've been trying lately to give her the attention she deserves. Knowledge gives me light where there was darkness. She gives clarity to things that were once murky. Knowledge also dispels myths and conjectures that I once thought true. She broadens my vocabulary and allows me to express myself more clearly. She is my sunshine and my light. She is my true love.

Poetry: God's Creation

God's Creation

(For the people of the Caribbean)

SHE IS GOD’S CREATION

I CAN LOOK INTO HER EYES
AND SEE COLUMBUS AT THE MOMENT
SHE DISCOVERED HIM
THERE ARE TRACES OF AN ANCIENT PEOPLE IN HER FACE

OLD FOLK SAY THAT
THE CREATOR BLENDED CLAY WITH WATER FROM THE NIGER AND LAYOU RIVERS TO FORM THE BEAUTY OF HER STRUCTURE…
A SPLENDID MIXTURE OF

SWEET YAMS
and CASSAVA PONE

SHE IS SWEET TOO BAD -- BAD TO THE BONE
THIS EARTHLY ALCHEMY OF INDIGENOUS, AFRICAN, EUROPEAN, AND EAST INDIAN -- TRINI STYLE -- CALYPSO DRIVEN = PURE HUMAN.

Hip Hop Quote Of The Week

Artist: Public Enemy
Album: Fear Of A Black Planet (1990)
Song: Pollywannacraka


"...Meet mr. succesful
I guess he’s blessed yeah
But he happens to be a brother who only wants blue eyes and blonde hair
Now this young mister
He don’t like sisters
He couldn’t find that special one he know why he missed her
He says sisters wasn’t good enuff
They only wanted his green stuff
That’s why everytime he turned around all the people In the neighborhood Looked and got mad and sang." Polly!!!!!!!!! Haa haa! Let's get it togetha!! Have a great weekend! Peace!

Looking Forward

Summer has come to an end and the season is changing like my thoughts
Like Fall leaves my thoughts paint brilliant colors on the landscape
Thoughts that sometimes detach from its branch to fertilize new ground
Giving birth to innovative ideas and thought patterns.....puzzling theorist concerning its orgin
Historians and mathematicians try to revise and multiply it's quotient, but they can't
You see....it's programed on random
Summer has come to an end and the season is changing like my thoughts