Category: Don’t Give Up!

‘Internal Exposure’

Ladies: ‘Lean In’ and take the lead!

A sample from Book 10

 Internal Exposure
  
 get it out–
 that ingrained lesson
in your head
  
 stop! suppressing it–
 instead...shout
you are not dead
  
 don't worry about
green or red–
 stand out
too many...already bled
 for you to shrivel in dread
  
 don't quiver...beg
you do have a choice–
 redefine what's been fed
 rewire that inside voice
  
 female verses male– 
look who's already led
 down, down, down– 
the bottom of a cell
 –on the surface
why do we still tread
  
 slogans they spread
find a good man
 –what happens
after I thee wed–
 dreams...cave-on in
 while man elevates in win
  
 pretty little mommy
on lists of craig–
 might as well list
held back little mommy
 –tuck her...nice and sweet
in her bed
  
 advancement's common thread–
 smart like daddy
 t-shirts read
propaganda of j.c. penny
 –analogies deeply bred
  
 she's just a girly
 words...over and over
said
  
 follow the creed
every line...in the 'reg'
 –you're a 'she'
be a teacher in ed
 or a nurse for ned
forget going into med
 forget running for the leg
or even a pres
 –don't you see
for this– 
you need a third leg
  
 words...buried in the head
 advancing...common avoidance
 leaving girls...in dread
 hanging their intelligence
on a peg
  
 I'll say it...what other's said
 get out of your head
 go out...lead
forget the man-ego clout
 don't be misled
don't listen to internal's doubt
 bypass labels...bitch, bossy
 –ambition is not damnation!
 but a reclassification...recondition
 of old worn, torn traditions
  
 here's some jubilation:
  
 it's okay...go red
 save green
for those babies
you wean
  
 you can do both
 let that...in...soak!
  
 it's okay to be a queen!
 expose that internal dread
 in front of the crowd– 
be in the lead
 –hire someone to clean
 forget all those slogans said–
 you're a woman– 
removed from bygone's dead
  
 be heard...seen
 never again
hiding behind
 tradition's thread
  
 let another make that bed– 
dawn those heels
 paint those lips red
 rewrite those unwritten regs
 that wrongly imposed
   man-ego driven creed
Continue reading “‘Internal Exposure’”

‘Hands to Hold’

Is race going to continue to rule your life?

A sample from Book 10

 Hands to Hold
  
 you come at me
 you're not discrete
bold...unsure
  
 maybe there's a gun in my hand
 maybe I've some contraband
  
 or maybe I just like hands in pocket
 or wearing my earphones in my car
 so I can answer this here phone
 for this car absent of bluetooth–
 protecting me and you
  
 or maybe you're angry– 
having a bad day
 I pass your way
 through your veins runs hate
 so I become your play
  
 I'm just like you‒
 generation after generation
 passed through
without obligations
 to changing the view
  
 –it all seems like voodoo
 we both– 
not really having a clue
 ‒taking it upon ourselves
 get off that dusty shelf
change the view
 so our kids
won't suffer too
  
 maybe I do have a gun
 –anger raging in stun
 do you see inside of me
 my hard history
maybe my hand shakes
 though you can't see
 –you're so angry
 not seeing what's at stake
  
 maybe I did some drugs–
 stopping the pain
 keeping from going insane
 but soothing I didn't gain
 all looks like a game
 emotions adding to more pain
  
 then you come along
 thinking I'm a thug
 you want to cut me down‒
 stump me like a bug
 without knowing the deal at home
 why I'm here– 
a gun...all alone
  
 maybe don't yell
 talk...love– 
let it swell
  
 instead of jail– 
lead my soul to help
 without making me
hate myself
  
 I, too, want peace
 between you and me
  
 maybe instead of arrogance‒
 show understanding
compassion
  
 I don't want a free ride
 just a reason...inside
not to cry
  
 I am tough
I've got muscles, tats
 my life has been rough
 –crazy and all that
 it doesn't mean
I'm just stuff
to pluck
  
 a handshake
a hug
  
 –that just might be
enough
  
 I'm a human being
 I don't mean to sting
  
 just a little bitter
 please, your anger–
 could you reconsider
  
 look at me for me
God's† child
 making my way...like you
 through the miles
  
 –the past is gone
this is now
 together– 
we can make it all
worth while
 if we just remain calm–
 approach each other
in mild
 without death coming in fowl
Continue reading “‘Hands to Hold’”

‘Laughing Smile’

God wants us happy. Evil wants us sad! You do the math!

A sample from Book 9

 Laughing Smile
  
 it took her a while
 breaking open that smile–
 gaining the strongest need
 laugh...laugh like a child
  
 she didn't need to ask how–
 she lifted her heart to God†
 walked long, long miles
for that laughing smile
  
 she sealed it...inside
 bringing it out
when gone was her doubt
  
 no, she didn't have to shout
 she learned to keep her head
in the clouds
 forgetting
what frowns were about
 –just laugh...yes she did
out loud
  
 she had it down-pat
that girly laugh
 –adding a bit of sass
you do the math–
 she intended for it to last
 not caring
where she was at
 at anyone
came that laughing sass– 
 smiling so big
walking
shaking her ass
  
 she knew that surety
 came straight
from the Lord†
 she didn't have to ask
what for
 she just knew
she was worthy
  
 then this thunder came
bringing her to lame
 her truthfulness
remaining the same
 fighting off
anger's vengeful flame
 as her world
tipped its bowl
a once.again fold–
 that place
she promised herself
she wouldn't go
  
 she didn't choose the fold
 it just slide
in to corrode
 sinking its stronghold–  
not letting go
  
 burying
in an inside rage
 she...again
locked herself in a cage
  
 patiently she began to wait
 living a bit sedate
 wondering...why so late
that smile on her face
  
 then there it was...gleaming
 like in a summer's dream
 waiting there
to be redeemed
  
 she didn't think twice
 remembering how it felt
so real, so right
 she didn't really fight
 she just walked
the way of the light
  
 its uncertainty remains–
 her holding onto it
a bit of a strain
 struggling through the rain
 that comes with pain
  
 it did take her a while
 breaking open that smile–
 regaining that need
 to laugh
laugh like a child
  
 the first time
the second time
 she didn't need to ask how
 so she did again– 
lift her heart to God†
 taking on long, long miles
 –for it's always worth the wait
 for that laughing smile
Continue reading “‘Laughing Smile’”

‘Knowing is Living’

Don’t be afraid to follow your heart!

A sample from Book 7

 Knowing is Living
  
 if you're stuck
at a place
 know
there's reason
for your stay
  
 the longer you wait
 ‒longer you'll suffocate
 look deep in your face
beyond flesh and bone‒
 beyond memories you chase
 beyond hurt
you want to erase
 beyond a past
that did not last
  
 deeper you must go
 for life
again
to flow
  
 it's no one's race
but your own
  
 when you're at
a constant steadfast
 there's something
way down deep
 you must surpass
something to grasp
 ‒learn
so a future
you can earn
  
 stop complaining
living in emptiness
 look at self
get off the damn shelf
 you again
build
all else
seal
  
 beyond face
look deeper
 reveal your hidden secret
bloom
 open your eyes
see
 your new life is ready
waiting‒
 ‒a steady, slow pace
for you to take
 nothing's at stake
 but self
your inside wealth
 listen...hear
for you've already earned
 what in your heart
burns
 your fruits‒ 
it's all up to you
Continue reading “‘Knowing is Living’”

‘I’m But a Child’

Take It To God and Let the Child In You Breathe!

A sample from Book 7

 I'm But a Child
  
 would you believe in Him†
 if you had riches of gold
would you honor Him†
 if you weren't in the cold
  
 in your darkest days
 do you hold faith
  
 when no money's in hand
when deceived by man
 do you cry out to Him†
in a simple hymn
  
 when possessions
flood your gates
 when you have so much to take
 do you stop a moment
say wait
let me give some away
  
 do you welcome
the sinful in
 treat them
like a friend
or do you shun them
 thinking
you're better than them
  
 do you hide
what's deep inside
 swallowed by ego and pride
 not wanting the outside
see you cry
 or do you rise high
trusting in God†
 that He†
won't turn with a sigh
but see your I
 never asking you why
never you, He'll† deny
  
 are you strong enough
to admit
 I'm but a child
I've failed along the miles
 but God's† with me
all the while
  
 it takes strength
to admit defeat
 falling to His† feet
forgiveness...plead
  
 unconditional love
free will
  
 His† love is sealed
His† love is real
  
 He† forgives you
it's all up to you
with nothing
to others
to prove  
Continue reading “‘I’m But a Child’”

‘Shallow Bumps’

Learn This: Love Takes Patience

A sample from Book 7

 Shallow Bumps
  
 each day I take
 I don't want to waste
  
 these moments I hesitate
 ‒over someone else's worries
I saturate
 ‒step back
wait
on what
I cannot say
  
 why myself
do I sedate  

 why myself
down
do I weigh
  
 for another
who cannot say
I'm sorry
I hurt you today
  
 I let them halt
my way
 for what
I cannot say
  
 from this beacon trait
 ‒shallow bumps
my journey must face
  
 I need to turn away
 leave
without a trace
  
 each day I take
I cannot waste
  
 for love somewhere awaits
 love so worthy
I want to say  
 I forgive you
for hurting me today
Continue reading “‘Shallow Bumps’”

‘Unshattering’

‘Unshatter’ Who Others Want You To Be!

A sample from Book 9

 Unshattering
  
 don't look at me
 –your indifference
 don't say you know me
 –a casual acquaintance
 don't try to control me
 –words are just cadence
 don't think you have me
 –trivial acceptance
  
 all things of me– 
 –piece after piece
 glued, sewn, stapled...rebuilt
 whatever it took– 
rekindled this book
  
 take a good, hard look– 
whatever I could
 not caring...if I should
 nor daring...if I would
  
 it's all just burned wood
reasons understood–
 renewing me
back to peace
 –a whole lot of free
 this place
I can just be
  
 don't come at me
 thinking
you'll change me
  
 this unshattering of me
took time, deeds
 please, please, please
of others' reprieve
 –to undo
the beating of me
  
 secrets aren't hidden from me
 through your swirling sea
clearly I see
 –it's so easy
to flee
 without missing
one beat
  
 go on...see
in a breeze
I'll swerve
 I know what I deserve
  
 no longer...this me
covered in ego's dirt
 no, no...I'm in free
 I'll easily flirt
test the waters
 –even in the deepest of curves
 avoid pride's careless surf
'cause I can, you see
  
 no longer...this heart beat
 buried in condition's thirst
 me...you cannot convert
 aware, I am
this value in worth
 the whole of me–
  
 a choosing little tweet
 –accept me
 –go on
the street...beat
  
 in choice...I'm free
 no longer sufferings in need‒
 living carefree
in wanting desires of please
 –the truth of me
   who I'm meant to be
Continue reading “‘Unshattering’”

‘Salvation’s Need’

To Deny Others Is To Deny God!

 Salvation's Need
  
 test after test
I have failed
 my 360
to the cross...nailed
 You† brought people to me
 in their time of weak
 ‒salvation
I failed to help them seek
  
 instead, I buried them deep
 words from my mouth
did seep
 actions
I didn't allow to creep
 in self
I curled up in weep
  
 my time has come and sailed
 out of all of it
I tend to bail
 turning my back
not wanting to see
 how another's picture
on them...creeps
 I just give up and flee
  
 whatever awakens
this ignorance of me
 strip it
take it from me
 strengthen me
help me to see
 keep me from feeling sorry
lost in self pity
  
 Lord†, this part of me
 that lived unselfishly
 I lost
please return it to me
 without this lumpy throat
from way down deep
 without fears and anxiety
 help me open my mouth
speak
 in words of calm
humility, peace
without selfish
insecurities
Continue reading “‘Salvation’s Need’”

‘Alone’s Passion’

Being Single Is Better Than Being Abused!

A sample from Book 8

 Alone's Passion 
  
 I can do this, do that
 without time
to count
  
 no voices to hear
 I want this, want that
 missing it
no doubt
  
 I can say this, say that
 without being condemned
 for going too north
or too south
  
 I can talk to myself
out loud
 as loud as I want
 not worrying
to shut my mouth
  
 I can wear
what I want
 cover it or flaunt
  
 I can sleep all day
play all night
 jack up my music
 keep on
all the lights
 without anyone saying
hush...don't
  
 I can sit around
day-dream
 not do a damn thing
  
 is there another out there
doing the same
  
 still– 
another's hand to hold
in want
 –deal with the game
so in old
 life doesn't die in cold
 without ever
having another
know
 how I roll
Continue reading “‘Alone’s Passion’”

‘Floating in Air’

Stress-Free Zone Ahead!

A sample from Book 8

 Floating in Air
  
 I came around
to see change
 shortening the range‒
 just to see
all's the same
  
 so I float
in this air
here and there
 hoping for flair‒
 hearts open
gentle love's token
 but all's still broken
 ‒all's still forsaken
 eyes still closed
minds sealed‒
 that forever
round and round wheel
  
 so I'll reside here
just for a while
 give a little time
then off I'll fly
 forget
all this here try
 fully learning
no one can rearrange
 what's lost
in derange
 what refuses
to grow
 stay stuck
in naysayer's flow
  
 so here
I'll just float in air
 give a chance
a second
a third
 then off
I'll go
  
 hit the road
 seek places
where real love
flows
 without needing
chances to prove
 out right show‒ 
I won't just be there
 flowing freely in airs
desiring to share
 ‒easy will come
care
  
 yes, somewhere
out there
 lies a place
one face
overshadows
two-faced
 where real
the only deal
 ‒truth
over comes fool
this place
 I'll feel the overwhelming
need
to drool
  
 there‒ 
I'll come down
 stand on solid ground
 without a need
to just float in air
 for then
I'll truly feel a need
 to open up‒ 
for something
 care
feel life's breath
in share
 really be there
in that place
    somewhere
Continue reading “‘Floating in Air’”