A Reason, A Season or a Lifetime...

I recently received an email about friendships that are for a reason, a season, or a lifetime and I truly believe that is why people are brought into our lives. Since 2004 I have been sharing my work and my life with my Underground Poetry family. Today I received sad news that the venue has been closed. We were on a winter hiatus and our last gathering was the day before christmas eve where we were caroling(lol) outside of a coffee house in West Philadelphia. The venue is closing but the hostess (my spiritual sister, the dearest Gweny Love) says she is going in a new direction. She has helped start me on my course to sharing my poetry with the world and I love her for it. She knows too because I just told her but I will say it anyways:

I LOVE YOU GWENY, THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!

Stifling Suffocation

That is how this city smothers the life out of people. Between the oppressed, the depressed and the oblivious this city reeks of suffocation. I have been beaming for the last two days because i truly enjoyed myself this past weekend but the thick layer of spiritual filth that covers this city like a blanket in winter is truly bothering me. I really felt it at work. I went in to cover a few of the days I missed this weekend (only because there are no benefits offered such as time off be it sick or personal) and I hated the fact that I was sitting in there. I was tempted to hand in my key card and leave, Poof! But alas I have responsibilities to handle and it is very unlike me to just blow them off (they are my beautiful sons who missed me terribly while I was gone - *smile*)

Musically Entranced

That describes how I was this past weekend...

Swooning,
being carried away
by the sensuous notes
eminating from the speakers;
solidity, is what holds me close
safety, is what keeps me near
love, is what wraps me tight
allowing this musically entranced state
to completely consume me...

Excitement Overload

I feel my brain shutting down on me from too much excitement. (pure blasphemy!) No there's no such thing as too much excitement in my book but there is alot going on for me to process and I just don't want to pass up any opportunities that might try to fit in the door at this time.

New Roads

My, my, my... so much happening at once it feels a little overwhelming. But I am dancing along with the current of events happily whistling a lovely tune. More like dancing and swaying to Sean Paul (I know my neighbors are about sick of hearing him but oh well). By the time I am done my hips alone are gonna be a little stronger (hee, hee)...

New Roads

Traveling this path
the road barely visible,
yet I continue
with the hope that my dreams
will greet me at the end;
beautiful, soulful dreams,
simplified
but not simply dreamt.
Dreams wrapped in satiny ribbons
of tranquil hues,
blues and roses
faint shades
of near perfection
softly draped about my shoulders
caressing like a soft kiss
by the tender lips of a new lover.
I see the outline of this path
a little clearer now,
the scent of new earth
reminding me of spring;
the rebirth of many things
and my dreams
have begun
to bloom...

Excitement!

Woa nelly! My author copies arrived this past thursday, quite unexpectedly, and boy was I excited. Texts, emails, and calls unlimited. I know my cell phone provider is extremely happy with me this month (lol). I barely use my monthly minutes and my free minutes aren't any better but these last couple of weeks - I have been burning minutes like I am starting a bonfire to keep warm. The good part is it is worth it. I am setting things in place to help promote my book and even my managers at work want to help out (for those of you who know exactly what I do yes it shocked me too). In the end I am extremely excited and grateful for everything everyone is doing to help support my book. Thanks guys! Love you lots! Muaahh.

Surprises

Well surprises are in full swing with me these last few months. I don't know whether to be afraid or to dance with glee (lol).

Unexpected

there it was
plain as day
the info in my ear;
a number passed
a message given
after all of these years.
a smile formed broadly
across my face
familiarity
from years ago
suddenly in place.
skipping heart
and racing thoughts
over what this could mean;
unexpected surprises
have yet to be seen...

Sean Paul & Sommore

Sean Paul and Sommore can be a dangerous combination if you don't know what you're doing. Don't ask what these two have in common, I'm about to tell you... Sean Paul, on his Trinity cd, has tracks that can make you pop your hip out of the socket (lol) and Sommore is very fond of her talents aqcuired from using the hula hoop (lol). Learn how to do the hula hoop while dancing to Sean Paul and you'll be able to burn those Deal-A-Meal cards for good!

All On Me

Hips sway to the drums
rhythmically hypnotizing;
fluid movements
gracefully gliding through the air.
My arms flow with the tempo
as my body follows.
A seductive warmth
seeping through me,
into me
as the circular hoop spins.

The Sky is the Limit 2

The children performed their 365 Black presentation in school this morning. The students were so nervous but they were beautiful. ShoShana and I are so proud of the Lowell students for their hard work and their beautiful performance! The parents loved it, the other students loved it and the teachers were grateful for it. A good deed done! Some of the teachers and volunteers were surprised when they realized that ShoShana and myself had written poems and performed them with the children. The look of surprise on their faces when I told them about the release date for my book was priceless...

True Words

After all of the hard work,
and all of the things I sacrificed.
Now I finally know my worth
the whole of me it has no price...
I thought I'd never make it this far
I underestimated myself
and though my life has truly been hard
now I know the greatness of my wealth...

I couldn't have put it better if I tried. I am in love with this song.

I'm rich in love.
I'm rich in peace.
I'm rich in hope.
I'm rich indeed...

See I can have anything
See I can do anything if I believe
I've learned what you want you have to start first
You can't just sit back and wait on anyone
you've got to put your best foot forward
have faith and take action
'cause you never know where that road may lead
you can't be afraid to take that chance
you've got to sow and plant your seed
adapting to any circumstance

- My Time Kindred the Family Soul

Track 15 on Kindred

I love this song. I'm ready, this is my time. All that I'd hoped for is mine,
it's mine, it's mine... Just what I needed first thing in the morning.

I'm Ready

The sound of rain
pelting my window
awakens me to a new day
and I realize
I'm ready;
ready for what life brings.
New friends, new things
new opportunities
to further me along
on this journey of mine.
I'm ready...

Kindred the Family Soul

The newest addition to my cd collection. Tear wrenchingly beautiful. Aja and Fatin are so inspirational. Married and working together while raising their family. That is what every woman dreams of but very few actually see in their lifetime. The biggest plus is their love and respect for each others talents (why haven't I found that yet?) An all too common question that have bounced from my lips as well as those of a few friends and family members. The answer ladies: I don't know.

Mirror Image

Every morning
when I look in the mirror
I see that something's changed.
My face is familiar
yet the eyes are different.
Time has changed them.
Deepened them,
added a dose of soulful thinking,
and a pinch of universal understanding
giving them a depth
I never knew was there.
My eyes see the reality of life
yet
they are saddened by it...


Passion's Passing

Passion died today.
When my heart lost it's beat
and my spirit
had no other rhythm to dance to
passion died,
of loneliness.
Yearning,
pleading
yet her cries went unanswered
until
passion gave up.
Not wanting to feel
the tug of hurt
upon her gentle heart strings
passion drifted
into an abyssmal sleep
her broken heart
drifting on the winds...


Forever Plagued

Images.
Memories.
Your scent.
Your touch.
Cravings.
Yearning I can't control.
I will forever
be plagued
by the ghost
of your love.

The Next Generation

Family is important. I have come across so many people in the last week alone who have not figured that out yet. If you don't build your family relationships what do you have? What are you working towards? I am motivated by my children (3), nieces (2) and my nephew (1). I do what I do so they can see that there is something out here for everyone. I want to show them that no matter what life throws at us we can work towards improvement. I also want to show them to be very grateful for each opportunity that comes their way and to take full advantage of every one of them.

Mystical Changes

My dearest friend Lynne ordered my book yesterday! I feel so loved (awww - giggles). My son woke me up this morning whispering, mommy - it's my birthday today. Can I get some extra sleep? All the while with a grin on his face. I found out that his grandfather wants my permission to take all three of the boys to Disney World this summer. Can you say vacation for them and breathing time for me? It will be the first time that I will be away from them for more than 2 days, scary.

Slight shift in gears here...

For the last two years I have worn my hair short, at first only about an inch long if that much and then last March 2005 I cut it all off until only 5 'o clock shadow remained. Cute, it was very cute. Unfortunately for me it only attracted guys old enough to be my father and then some. Well I had my last hair cut in September 2005 and I decided to let my hair grow back. Boy was my mother excited about that. Two Saturdays ago I decided to go to the shop and have my hair done in micro braids. The reactions I have received were too funny. The only people who recognized me were my sons. They have seen me with micro braids before, my coworkers have only seen the short and then shorter hair. So to see me walk in to work with hair to my shoulders they thought I was a new hire... It was very interesting.

Mystically Changing

You grow comfortable
with me this way
not having to actually see me
for me
but
a mystical change is occuring within;
you don't see
so you don't notice
- not until the change is nearly complete.
One bold change
and it grabs your full attention...
adjusting glasses,
second glances
and it registers on your face;
the mystical change
that has been brewing
has already taken place.

My Pisces Baby

My oldest son always causes me to stop and appreciate life. The best thing in the world is also the simplest: my son saying 'I love you mommy' as soon as he wakes up. And on a monday morning no less :-D. His birthday is tomorrow too and his nanna wants to buy him a birthday cake. Well, let him eat cake.

Family

The reality of life is fully setting in. I visited with my maternal grandmother yesterday. She will be 77 years old this year. She is also sick and looking into her eyes I know that she is slowly dying. I have never had to deal with losing someone close to me. My grandmother has been available to me all of my life. I am also afraid of how my mother will deal. When my grandmother had a heart attack in 1996 I told her she couldn't die until my sisters and I were all married with children (yeah you can laugh - I did). Now it is ten years later and my sisters and I have children... well it put a smile on my grandmother's face at any rate. I like to see her smile.

Grandma's Smile

Wide and bright
full of life
and memories
of a time when life wasn't fair;
'Do what you can with what you got'
was the lesson she learned.
Pray for better times
and easier roads
cause the travels have been too long.
Remembering the days
when momma was there
your favorite companion,
your best friend
until she was called home.
Grandma's tired now
it's okay, I know.
I see it in your eyes.
Tired eyes that have seen long years.
But just below those beautiful eyes
is my grandma's smile.

Growing Babies

My oldest son will be 7 on tuesday. Time is going by soo fast. Ten years from now he will be where I was nine years ago. Ten years ago I never thought I would be at this point in my life, raising children and steadily working to maintain everything. It's scary. On New Years day I told myself this was going to be my year and as I see it unfolding I feel fear trying to paralyze me.

Paralyzing Fear

Gripped tight,
throat constricted,
gasping for air
in this dark space;
I feel my muscles weaken
refusing to work,
to follow my will.
I am afraid.
Unable to control
these happenings,
why me?
I plead silently in the quiet.
Squeezing shut my eyes
I pray to wake up
from this paralyzing fear...

Sorrow of Simplicity

Raindrops fell
in a torrential flood
reflecting the tears of my heart
as the sorrow of simplicity
stared into my eyes...