‘Live’

Don’t put it off until tomorrow!

A sample from Book 11

 Live
 
today means nothing in tomorrow
today means nothing in yesterday
today is today
 
yesterday was once today
tomorrow will be today
one known, one unknown
yet, today is
 
what happened yesterday
won't happen again
what will happen tomorrow
just a guess, my friend
 
today, oh! today
each second, each minute
each hour...is ours to devour
 
don't think of what was
nor what will follow
 
today...over...tower
be its blooming flower
without counting
seconds, minutes, hours
 
for death still comes
for all...not some
never knowing the exact hour
no more, blooms the flower
 
today, shines the light
no need to fight
it's up...so bright
use it in delight
without thinking twice
 
for yesterday is gone
tomorrow...an unsung song
today, oh! today‒
today is
so...go on...live
 
Continue reading “‘Live’”

‘Colorless Birds’

We’re all various shades of brown!

A sample from Book 10

 Colorless Birds
 
a failed adhesion
‒mixed hypercritical damnation
of all the hysteria‒
the misunderstood mystery
hundreds of years
still shed tears
still darkened fears
 
what was fought
so hard for
it doesn't seem
we came too far
even living
under the same stars
color‒
keeps bringing us back
‒justice lacked
white...black
heresy in a broken-down shack
 
tackle the government
‒greed's endowment
keeping
that stupid war's enlightenment
taking it's very commitment
back to days of judgment
 
where are the colorless birds
‒haven't you heard
that war ended
in a blood-soaked swirl
leaving this mixed-race girl
in a confused swirl
 
‒still an uneven world
lost in racial twirls
 
we're still paying tokens
‒what was broken
thought to be fixed
‒all should be mixed
still backwards
the clock tics
 
years and years
suffered pain
what did we gain
‒it's just insane
still playing
this black-white game
 
didn't king die
for a simple dream
 
to live in a time
where there is no color
 
just people
where each other
given no time to smother
no matter skin color
you're still my sister, my brother
 
honoring a man's life
doesn't give war the right
to bury the dream
‒words he openly screamed
leave hatred...difference behind
to each other
be kind
 
it's just time
stop banking on race
look into each other's face
see beauty's lace
of God's† amazing grace
Continue reading “‘Colorless Birds’”

‘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’”

‘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’”

‘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’”

‘Quiets in Storms’

You Be You. Let Me Be Me!

A sample from Book 8

  Quiets in Storms
 
open thoughts
living only once
one...one long moment
in count
which way
which way
to bounce
choices to pound
determines ways bound
 
silence the rush‒
eyes in storms
see alarms‒
which hat worn
determines coming forms
 
stay in hate's way
or let go
just flow
talk...talk a lot
let life know
 
trust in God†
or in silence
build knots‒
life in compliance
 
open thoughts
one life
one...only one
given chance to bounce
 
live in it
or from coveted walls
let it stall
see it
without ever
actually
knowing it
at all
Continue reading “‘Quiets in Storms’”

‘Use It To Be It’

What ‘Not’ To Do When It Comes To Your Past!

A sample from Book 8

 Use It To Be It
 
it happened‒
look back there
once, twice, thrice
‒don’t stay there
 
turn that wayward stare
towards something rare
 
turn that experience
into deliverance
 
he may have gotten you
clouded your view‒
that hidden abuse
that traditional muse
 
demanding traits of you
change your clothes
‒that too
so subtle, so quiet
 
you went along
after all‒
you had a home
someone
to call your own
 
time ticks
‘til matters click
change comes quick
 
only for you‒
 
he’s his own game
inside...the same
hiding from you
‘til open...wide
clear becomes the view
 
you fell hard
that knife
beyond sharp
 
but here you are
wearing
a survivor’s star
wondering‒
lies where
your somewhere
 
from back there
turn that clouded stare
‒things begin to clear  

don’t put that past
totally in the rear
 
take it‒
use it with class
bettering you
pave an avenue
 
‒there’s no excuse
only you
had the view
 
share it‒
help others
overcome it, too
 
that place
out there
elevates
what he tried to kill
 
now
you’re headed somewhere
while
he’s stuck back there
 
there’s nothing to it‒
it’s just fair
 
his childish control
becomes
your gold
Continue reading “‘Use It To Be It’”

‘Pity-Party Me Not’

Don’t Fall To the Devil’s Trap and Lose Yourself to Pity!

A sample from Book 8

 Pity-Party Me Not
 
save your grace
‒me crying in your face
maybe it's best to walk away‒
not have your good spirits replaced
with my selfish-daunting embrace
 
don't let me crowd your space
in a lost self-pitying race
I have to find my way
backward steps
not to trace
get up
move forward‒
there's a dream to chase
‒a gift
in my heart
God† did place
 
in all that oh-poor-me lace
‒wasting day after day
I put aside what's great
for others' self-demeaning fate
‒those who lost faith
not giving time of day
to words God† had to say
 
that day after day
turned to year after year
willingly serving myself up‒
a circling, dead-horse tray
my own bed made‒
self-pity's prized bait
 
around and around
up and down
burying my I
around, around, around‒
a circling maze
‒down, down, down
in self-pity I laid
 
to whomever'd sit and listen
I'd saturate‒
serve self-pity's cake
jump in with pleasure
without thought‒
bathe
smothering my I in hate
on self
adding burdensome's weight
 
flying free
in the greatness of unease‒
my eyes‒
lost in sedate
‒shielded behind bondage's tape
over my happy‒
anger's blackened cape
misery's base
I did drape
 
I closed all gates
let the sun's ray
slowly sink to night's blackened gray
‒down, down, down
in a mercury-ladened lake
'til I laid in waste
seemingly sealed in a darkened cave
 
I held on tight‒
my wilderness-mentality trait
fighting against moses' trusting faith‒
doing whatever it took
‒forget heart's break
with constant play‒
attending every sinful date
‒hearing God's† words
refusing to obey
falling down, down, down
not caring what's at stake
from reality‒
wanting to separate
losing to evil's webbing spray
 
everyone turned‒
from me
ran in haste
'til self-pity became my only mate
 
then came the day
deep inside me‒
God's† hand began to vibrate
my wavering faith
evil couldn't take
‒mixed-up signals
my heart began to translate
at first
a slow rate
raising from a bottomless crate‒
I began harder to pray
 
through all my mistakes
for me
God's† patience did wait
cradling me
as I lay
‒drowning in self-pity's tears
softly patting my back‒
knowing how slow this I operates
telling me:
 
it's going to be okay
take your time

it's your way to make
no matter the pace

it's never too late
‒whatever the case
I'll† help you break

evil's enclosed vase
 
harder I did pray
hearing clearer His† words
stronger became my faith
'til that magical day
His† light alone‒
out of that darkened cave
my way
He† did pave
 
here and there
self-pity comes, says hey
for moments‒
again
I lose my way
but as light as a needle of hay
He† lifts me
‒His† light pours within me
an abundance of rays
blinding evil's come what may
filling me with gentle's taste
‒oranges, apples, grapes
fruits of my labor
the brilliance of grace
my truth in faith
proving to me
nothing stands in my wake
 
so, each time
self-pity‒
I seem to embrace
just give me space
let me alone face
find my own way
backward steps
less and less to trace
each new day
faster and faster
I replace‒
that wilderness-mentality trait
‒evil's webbing embrace
oh-poor-me beckoning date
soon to disappear
without a trace
 
the deeper I pray‒
quicker and quicker
I re-find my way
 
with purer, stronger faith
realizing
it's not just a dream to chase
it's a gift‒
in my heart
God† did place
 
so, my self-pity
please don't embrace
turn away
give me my moments
to pray
my special one-on-one date
just me and my Lord†
‒heavy in faith
immersing my I
in words He† has
to say
 
‒no time limits placed
on days I pray
just know when I emerge‒
I'm stronger
heavily armed in His† way
so each tomorrow
I'll easily face
for I'm endowed‒
smothered happily
in His† amazing grace
Continue reading “‘Pity-Party Me Not’”

‘A Rose When It Blooms’

A Woman Becomes Awesome After the ‘Hard’!

A sample from Book 6

 A Rose When It Blooms
 
it's easy to pass it by
if you don't have a good eye
it's easy to deny
―be easily satisfied
by its humble life
 
it's easy to say goodbye
if you don't understand―
its true vibe
instead of just
its surface shy
 
it's hard to describe
what comes from deep inside
watching a rose come alive
―shine in the light
spread its wings and divide
 
it's hard to simplify
its gentle lullaby
―its pure divine
without trying to deprive
its exotic fire
it's hard to amplify
what its many colors
signify
or how it mystifies
emotions and desires
it's hard to transcribe
without trying to terrify
or leaving questions of why
―I'm willing to try
 
when a rose awakes and divides
emotions thrive
its very beauty signifies
its power from God†
―adding harmony to lives
making a grown man cry
leaving the most vocal soul
tongue-tied
 
once awoken―
a rose transpires
all of its drive
all of its pride
to its newly created empire
it doesn't try to bribe
with all its energy it dives
overriding its individual side
transforming its tide
refusing to deprive
so that its vibrance can thrive
 
with its own awakening desires
 it doesn't place a price
or intend to bring strife
it doesn't even think twice
or wonder if it's right
it doesn't need or try to justify
―connive or lie
it just breathes life
―a humbling sacrifice
byway of God's† pure light
 
yes, it's easy to pass by
if you don't have a good eye
it's easy to deny
the beauty of a rose
―opening and coming alive
Continue reading “‘A Rose When It Blooms’”