Come write with me

come write with me
type with me
help me
orate
ornate
messages
into a magical tongue ride
let it take us
to where the air is thin
help release the vocabulary
from within
we’ll
surf synonyms and pronouns
above the city din
catch a few verbs along the way
throw them in a pot of sentences
and feast on prepositional phrases
hot vowels make grammatical
voice changes
our pronouns and consonants
clash
in a never ending battle
passive and active voices
flow flawlessly forever
forgetting future and past tense
together we can make cents
change the order of words
worlds apart
melt adjectives and adverbs
into skeleton keys
opening doors to
rhythmic prose
let us form slang into
phrases that chose
life over death
linguistics
uttered from a single breath
let me
drape your neck with jewels
from a language
left behind
music from a
Latin alphabet
dances us into the star’s heavenly shine
two step across the keyboard
we will fox trot with my brothers
Qwertyuiop – the oldest
Asdfghjkl – the middle
Zxcvbnm – the last
born from Roman descendants
apart they are nothing
together
filling pages fast
come write with me
be the other half of my duet
and together we will write something
the world will never forget

Have you ever

wished upon a falling star
made out in the back seat of a car
felt like walking around the house nude
gave the gas attendant attitude
shopped for an outfit to wear when you had no money
laughed at a joke that wasn’t really funny
kissed on the first date
at your bosses birthday party ate the last piece of cake
showed up to work drunk
purposely ran over a skunk
wore white gym socks with black dress shoes
sat and watched an entire episode of Blues Clues
smelled your pee after you ate asparagus
wanted to crush someone’s esophagus
bumped into a car in the parking lot and didn’t care
looked in the mirror and noticed one of your eyebrows wasn’t there
felt a spider crawl across your arm
wanted to do your sibling harm
stepped in a pile of fresh dog manure
wondered what in the world was an Hor' dourves
got ‘happy’ in church
been subjected to a nude police search
kicked a door in
asked your girl ‘what in the world are you wearing?’
lived in Kissimmee, Florida
witnessed a fight in the school corridor
gave your pops the double middle finger salute
got baby puke on a brand new suit
drove alone across country
saw a red booty monkey
got hit so hard you laughed
swore you heard your mother pass gas
accidentally taken the wrong pills
used one Brawny towel to clean up a spill
drank a cup of hot green tea
lost your motherfalken keys
broke a leg
seen a cat beg
made love in a hot tub
counted the stars above
smoked a cuban cigar
at 120mph sped by a state police car
failed at Trig
enjoyed a clove cig
read the Art of War
wondered what we are in Iraq for
still
as I move up that hill
heading to my way over
I thank God for everything he has put me through
no pot of gold, no leprechaun
no rainbow
just me and my experiences
looking out of the window
have you ever?

Soul

I got soul, I’m superbad – james brown cir. 1971

eeeeeeeeerwtch!!!!
vinyl stops the needle from piercing my heart
60’s and 70’s warriors living their art
movements to justify means of moments
paving roads for future love songs
timeless classics now enjoyed by us
children of the soul
jim crow depression tracks
decade long infusion
raised fist causes mental contusions
verbal flow in progress
my spirit will never rest
powered by the flow of my soul

Around the corner

around the corner
teenage legs
dance around poles
sweaty
bulbous
fathers spill
dollars from
child allowances
government kickbacks
uber inebriation
coincides
with roman predecessors
cigar smoke
gun powder
gangster hangouts
breasts hangout
smoke clears
new years
new cheers for
harbinger of death
another soul indicted
to La Costra
Nostra
waterfront no shows
bull dogged
guarded like castles
revenue floats in from
cross town caskets
vigs
hijacking truck full of cigs,
suits and makita power drills
pay Sonny, Tony
and the man they call the rug
Paulie’s days are numbered
heard he caught the Rico bug

around the corner
Irish eyes
smiling into green beer
full of cheer
rosy cheek revelers
red head

bartenders
enjoy the night
bar packed
out back
pool hall
Scotty boy is tied to the chair
8ball
eye socket
‘Give up the stash man’
wrists slashed man
body left in trash can
Money
Over
Bridges
secures city riches
for heads of construction companies
and FBI snitches

around the corner
Antonia Negra,
El Gran Combo
Tito Puente
percolate through the air
a Quinceañera romance
simmers in the autumn heat
low-riders
custom trucks
booty shorts
firecrackers
Juan
Jesus
Chico and Adeline
young; aspiring rappers
now tied up in basement shadows
latin kings
wipe swords
on tightened skin
releasing the liquid life from within
a drug deal gone bad
searching for green tea bags
with crystal outlines
gang members in the corner
fill 9mm carbines
two dead already
two more to go
headlines read
‘Spanish Rap group found slain in abandoned El Camino’

around the corner
"Somebody’s trying to tell you something, right now, right now"
right now
gospel music inhales
the kitchen heat
bbq chicken, collards, cornbread, ice potatoes, sweet tea
bigdad blesses nana’s work at hand
Amen is said
peeps don’t stop eating till bones hit the trash can
trash can out back
hides Downtown Sally
finding religion
by paying Pimp for
back seat slips out of reality
backhand slaps
chrome plated gats
gold medallions
feather laden hats
hats off
to protection
Sally consumes
A.I.D.S. filled erection
now Sally gives head to earth
instead of living; life consuming
she swallows the opposite of birth

around the corner
humidity melts
cat eyes reflect
alternating red/blue lights
Officer Smith
Sgt. Brady
10 other officers
surround
guns drawn on 13yr old perp
‘Lay down your weapon and no one will get hurt’
little boy moves forward
taking big man steps
he trips on a grate covering
rain swept
dreams of his future
dropped gun goes off
releasing a volley of bullets
similar to dogs on a racetrack
breaking open 50 wounds
like whip across back
life ends
where chalk begins
outlining bloody reminders of chance encounters
between right and wrong
the angel of death lifts its voice
harking a familiar song
words:soft:comforting
‘death will not be long
each breath you lose
makes me stronger’
strong …………………..
strong ………………
stronger ………
flatline_____________________
Around the corner

my City(written on a dragonfly)

crickets chirp
broken songs
into willow trees
the summer night
breeze
stirs the neighborhood
with hints of autumn
aroma
the moon smiles
orange tinted luminescence
creating silhouettes of insects
along the Boston city skyline
I hitch a ride with a dragonfly
witness
Prudential dreams
cast away on Charles River ferries
Storrow roads from State street cobble stones
melting into pots of
Harvard soliloquies
I travel by green bees to the Heights of my religion
ride down
Beacon
of hope to the place that my Papi resides
homerun ball blasted to the South End
bouncing
two minutes over to South Boston
hiding gangsters and castles alike
canoli dreams filled with rich cream
on the North End streets
my dragonfly ride ends when captured by a frog
Boston Common gnomes
sitting as still as stone
hopping us to Downtown Crossing
leaving nothing but the crickets
and their broken song

U asked 4 it

I am freestyling on a ten speed mic
b
r
o
k
e
n
words

s

p

o

k

e
into hypnotic
trances
dances with heartbeat
my music, moves your body
mapping out algorithmic messages
deep body senses
baritone
bass lines wind the clock of your libido
giving my verbal thrusts the pleasure
of
::::overwhelming::::
you
to
inner planetary waves
motions swell
erupting through the deep crevice of which I dwell
again
over
again
and once more
leaving us with
this...........
of which
you asked
4

My Prayer

Heavenly father your humble servant kneels before you once again
I am blessed in the glory that you given me to rise out of bed and praise your holy name
I open the window and see sunshine in my eyes and feel the cool breeze on my face
That morning breeze granted by you
Your power is mighty Lord
Today I ask you to take these blessings
As offerings
And my soul
As offerings

I ask you in my prayers for these things only:
Give me
The tools that are required to live by your side forever in Heaven
Give me
The patience to live in a world filled with others not like me
Give me
The words to reach those that can be blessed by you as I am
Give me
The opportunities to learn from my mistakes, if not the mistakes are naught

My life is in your hand’s lord
Take my hand in times that I may stray from your guidance
Bring me back into the path of the righteous
Lift me in your arms in times of danger
Protect our family, immediate and extended
On their daily commutes to and fro
On the highways and byways in buses and cars
Grant them all a clear path to destinations unknown
Planting safety and patience in hand and mind

Heavenly father
Please grant the homeless shelter on a cold night
A warm meal on stomachs unfed
A bed

Heavenly father
Please hear the prayers of the sick and shut in, those whose legs can not bend anymore for fear of not getting up
They ask for a day with no pain, a day to pick up the grandchildren
Place them on laps filled with history and teachings of you

Heavenly father
I ask you to bless the youth with common sense when faced with ignorance
Choosing verbal daggers instead of metal harbingers of death
Give the children a chance to live by giving them something to do that is
Positive

Today Lord
I praise your name
And your father’s name
Your holy presence inside every cell of my body
I thank you Jesus
For taking the worlds sins away and allowing me to rise this day
And praise your holy name
amen

Where I live

I woke up this morning, said my prayers
went to the back porch to read the paper
looked into the sky
a blimp passing by
read
HOOD
on the side
guess they wanna always remind us
of where we reside

Letter from the inside

I am
wrapped inside
my futures mind
the daily grind
begins to play tricks on me
cord; entwined
tied to the
presence
the very
essence
of society’s dying
destiny
betrayed by
crack; heroin
fiends
needles break
like icicles off in arms
tattooed with a special
infliction
addiction
subjection of bodies
intertwined between
menstruation
lead to tongue-tied nights
lips joined with crack pipes
sexual goddess begins her beautiful chant
blood enters semen
crack enters blood
semen and crack
meet at the crossroads
while momma is on her back
poisoned seed planted
growing
into what we call
Crack Baby
I am
wrapped inside this rotting orifice
struggling to breath
the daily grind begins
destruction on body and mind
my cord is wrapped
energy; will to live
being sapped
my spirit
tapped
momma, I am sorry
I won’t make it
to see the light
but I am an angel
no matter the path of my flight
the rest of my eternity spent
with the Lord

Lonely

I feel this way

when you are not here

simply because of the way

I have grown to feel

when you are

Smooth Ride

like a mos def and bilal track
mixed with a little common

our music plays through the speakers
full body contractions induced from
lips
meeting at the crossroads
traveling down the right side
till it becomes the left
earlobe escapes
into all night escapades
peeling off clothes
like a banana peel
ripe
wet
ready to be bitten
bite me
softly
harder
till my ass gets welts
my body melts
passion fruit
mixed with desire
consume my essence
before I expire
teeth chattering
facial explosions
oozing down the throat
of overwhelmed organs
spilling to the side
encompassing
mountain side cliffs
watered luckily enough
to produce soft luscious nips
round equator of brown
encompassing
capturing multitude of tongue licks
butterfly kisses land
engorging themselves on belly buttons
then to
inner hips to take pleasure sips
of heavens honey
dive in with full body thrusts
stay inside for a while
measure work
yoga divided by sutra
birth positions from the future
two hour ride to the stars
now
smiles exist where
she and he cum once did
devils cousins
sweat drips from chin
want more
need more
98degrees outside
wanting me to stay in
dock my yacht for repairs
she climbs aboard
and sets sail
on this smooth
ride again

Bang

Inside each of is a kindred spirit
A soul that stirs beneath the dermis and muscle and bones
Existing only to exist to live as we once did
With drum and dance with feet and conga
To coexist with the beat of a nation
Prescribed to strive on the rhythm of its soldiers
As they march through the streets of Zion
Praising all of the lords children
Amen and our fathers be given
with a side of Coltrane and Stevie Wonder
Individuals with a cause a movement a
Conviction
Some with and some without
Some with drug addiction
Like Noah begat so forth and so on we have become a run on
Sentence.
A death sentence of immoral repetition that combined with global sterilization of minds
leads to decreased awareness, common sense and individuality
Be an individual, stripped of all it's animosity and bigotry
The single most individual thing you can do is, Revolt
Revolt
yourself
your surroundings
your fears and desires
your illness and stress.
Stand naked with only your sword by your side
The sword of wisdom and pride
Give me linguistic metaphors of Rivers Euphrates and Red sand deserts
Places that Kings walked and ruled the land with iron hands and long handled scepters
Dudes that were so paranoid that when you birth your first son, you had to name it after them
Giving righteous cause to sin
All over again
Giving flex to time and de ja vu'
Not down with that Matrix shit
I got this
gun to my head
filled with un dodgeable bullets
education - click
common sense - click
honesty - click
morality - click
fatherhood - click
brotherhood - click
Poking holes into my consciousness making me dull to innocence
I am tired now of all this
So inhale
and I hold that shit
and then I exhale
Bang!!

Tunnel Vision

My rest is stirred by
a 65-pound alarm clock
middle of the night
my daughter
bouncing on the side of my bed
her long legs
landing on my head
I rise like a lion
roaring
instantly calmed
by her big beautiful eyes
those same eyes I stared into
twenty seconds after she was born
saw my reflection that day
immediately changed my perspective that day
her mother was the only one that looked at me in that way
absorbing
drawing everything conceivable
sight
sound
into her dark brown orbs
was my daughter aware
through her innocent shy stare
that I was in love with her
she gave me the opportunity
to raise a daughter
my life’s greatest treasure
Hey lady
I say groggily
what are you doing up at 2 am?
she answers
what are you doing up at 2 am?
seriously, baby
what’s wrong
your dad’s day is long
I just need a couple more hours
before I get up
shower
make breakfast
then you three go to camp
me to work
dealing with jerks
my 9-5 grind
so tell me now
my beautiful daughter
what is on your mind?
she is in my arms now
I lift her up to the sky
she is always so amazed
that I can lift her so high
put me down Daddy
she giggles showing her two missing teeth
ok, ok
I will stop playing
just as long as you start your explaining
ok, ok
I will stop playing
just as long as you start your explaining
she says copying me
hehehehehe
she laughs as I tickle her feet
daddy stop tickling me
hehehehehe
daddy stop tickling me
hehehehehe, I say mockingly
put her down and ask
What is the problem?
What can I fix for you today?
Daddy?
Yes
Do you love me?
Yes I do
Why ask a question you already know the answer to
Daddy?
Yes
Would you do anything for me?
Yes
Daddy?
Yes
Would you save me from a burning building?
I would tear down the walls with my bare hands
Inhale the smoke and fire around you
Wrap you in a blanket
Covering your teddy bear too
Jump out of a ten-story window
Land on my feet then kiss you on your forehead
You are always safe with me
Then daddy?
Yes sweetheart
Why don’t you visit mummy?
Well baby
Somethings are hard for me
to wrap my arms around
for days I have stared at the earth
wanting to rip her from the ground
In order for life to go on
I have avoided that sad song
Daddy?
Yes
Do you remember you and mummy’s favorite song?
Yes I do baby
Will you sing it for me?
I start into the Stevie Wonder tune
my daughter looks at me
and figures it’s hard for me to do
she picks up where I left off

In a cafe or sometimes on a crowded street
I've been near you, but you never noticed me
My cherie amour, won't you tell me how could you ignore
That behind that little smile I wore
How I wish that you were mine

That’s right baby, I say wiping away my tears
Daddy?
Yes
It’s ok to cry
Mummy tells me every night
Make sure your dad is ok
If he is not
sing him this song until he falls asleep
I rest my back against the headboard
my daughter lies next to me
Daddy?
Yes baby
her voice shaking me back to reality
I miss mummy too
I know you do
we all do
she
so bright and full of life
would do anything for anyone
a true
woman
lover
supporter
friend
she never even saw her death coming
traveling to the airport
late at night
Boston’s new tunnel
squishing her car tight
voices
crying
sirens
then

silence

before she went away
mom had something to say
I love you
my husband
my children
my God
my life was hard
but all of you made it so easy
for me to see
the true meaning of life
begins with
family

- dedicated to Milena Del Valle, her loving husband Angel Luis Del Valle and three children -

Milena was killed in a horrible accident in Boston’s Big Dig project last summer on July 11th 2006.

She lays in rest in VASQUEZ DE CORONADO, Costa Rica

Sable Eyes

I have been feeling this way for too long now
words have not been spoken
don't really need to be
really couldn't have
you know how I feel
I know how you feel
see it in the steel of your eyes
the way they engulf me
my
presence
my
whole entire essence with those soft brown
portals
windows into your soul
breaking into pieces
whenever life divides our time
and that is what it is our time
to live
breathe
sweat
communicate
make love
argue
go on vacation
watch movies
play
make love
.......did I say make love?
raise kids
go to graduation
go to graduation
go to graduation
go to graduation
go to graduation
go to graduation
go to graduation
.......did I say seven kids?
go to weddings
go to church
and die
with one another
but our lives
have offered another time
to exist
our
mental tryst can go no further
me with her
and you with that brother
a cool brother at that too
cleans the house
disciplines the kids
massages
extra special care
once every year
but when he's rubbing
that back
don't you want to tell him that
I want that old thing back
when Anwar used to do that
thing where he slung me back
and made love to me and told me that
If he ever had a chance he would break
that back
huh
nah
yes
cus
I
see it in the steel of your eyes
the way they engulf me
my
presence
my
whole entire essence with those soft brown
portals
windows into your soul
breaking into pieces
whenever life divides our time

Last night a DJ saved my life

Friday night lights
got me in a yellow dress shirt
grey pants
with cream color pinstripes
end of the week exhalation
freedom from my 9-5 woes
may lead to public intoxication
for some reason
this nightclub has been calling me all week
the dj
the people
the drinks
don’t forget VIP
‘ yo waitress another bottle ‘
I holla
standing behind the velvet rope
notions of a boys night out
shattered by
a woman I spot
out of the corner of my eye
as if God himself put a spotlight on her
the disco ball
shimmering silently off of her bronze skin
I don’t know when she noticed me
sporting my half shy grin
a firecracker goes off in my head
just got that second look
her first
to stop me in my tracks
the second to have her dinner
licking her chops
savoring each bite
a queen lioness adorned in a slinky black dress
silky smooth skin
painted with
shimmering diamonds
and gold hoops representing
earth’s treasures
and those damn legs
her eyes beg
for attention
a partner on the floor
every second that she existed in my mind
I have been hypnotized
begin to feel myself sleep walking
towards the subject of my attention
I find myself within earshot
The Music’s so loud – plays over the speakers
techno beat just ending
but the music is so loud
she can’t hear me
Do you want to dance?
I mouth the words
over the nightclub din
orating slowly
so she knows what I am saying
What took you so long?
she asks when I receive her hot embrace
letting me know that she isn’t playing
dj switches back to urban stuff
you make me better
Neyo and F – a – b – o – l – o – u - s
"I'm a movement by myself
But I'm a force when we're together
Mami I'm good all by myself
But baby you, you make me better"
hearing those lyrics
feeling the sounds
hips
legs
arms, necks
intertwine
inviting me into her space
her into mine
"First thing's first, I does what I do
But everything I am, she's my improve
I'm already boss, I'm already fly
But if I'm a star, she is the sky
And when I feel like I'm on top
She give me reason to not stop
And though I'm hot
Together we burn it up"
The dj’s needle scratching the vinyl
helping me scratch a two month itch
two bodies
intertwined
lifted up
reaching the stars of lust
combined
sweet nectar of perfume and cologne
now on the dancefloor
all alone
grinding away
love lost
verbal daggers thrown
hard living
firmly pressed against her backside
song ends
a night of dancing leads to after-club friends
and then
sweaty, nervous palms
reach for the door
zippers
glasses
lacy things
clothes lie on the floor
dancing horizontally
kissing; perspiring
late night love making
moans; groans
guttural movements
ecstasy shown
muscles; tensed
legs; inviting
pulling hair
biting
juices mix
sexual drug dealer
serving up two more hits
forward; backward
cowgirl; 69
some never heard of
others tried out
when they come to mind
she doesn’t seem to mind
taking every thrust
legs wrapped in trust
she’s a giver and a taker
rock smashes scissors
then scissors cut paper
her screams of pleasure
cut through the softness
of the moment
we rest
for a moment
our brown skin
mixing perfectly with the sheets we lay in
I watch the sunrise
peering over the deep curve of her thighs
wrapped in my arms
watching her sleep
her breasts slowly rise
fall; rise
falling in love with the feeling inside
lust planted
watered by perspiration
she is feeling me
I am feeling her too
giving birth to round two

love notes - left by desire

I love the way you flow
early morning glow
replaced by heaven's touch
a soft blow
to my heart
it pains
when you leave
even for a second
Like when you wake before me
to bathe
in the sunshine
I wake up
bewildered
lost
your spot
on my bed
replaced
by a pool of tears
never knowing that you are still near
that is my greatest fear
losing you while you are still here
so I wipe away my tears
and use them to water the soil
on which we will build our love on for years

lips

open lips squeeze; clamped on mine
swallowing your spirit whole
inhaling; love
intoxicating one another
with one another
until your spirit cries out
from deep within
moan

Little feet

You’re going to be a father
she whispered into the phone
lips barely moving although
realizing the pure joy of bearing us a child
my 19yr old hands gripped the phone tighter
trying to hide the nervous laughter
fixing my eyebrows in the rear view mirror
trying to look cool
trying to be suave
looking at the people around my car
they had no idea
that overnight
I had become a superstar
my summer fling
became the real thing
lust turned to love
unprotected feelings
the woman on the line had changed her mind
gave our seed a chance to grow
In the womb of destiny
my idea was to show
her, my love
my family
my hang – on’s
my friends
my self
that I could be a father
to a son or a daughter
even with no daddy training from my past
flash
to reality
hang up the phone
drop off
my friends
speed off
to where my girl was staying
rushed in the door
laid her on the floor
rested my head on her abdomen
to be close to her, my love
and the new home of my offspring
my
heart
beats
her
heart
beats
now
our
heart
beats
to the pitter patter of little feet

Men cry too!!!

I was raised amongst men
wolves
lions
pursuers of the farm hen
big strapping leaders
not a weakling amongst them
educated
street or other wise
manly duties
fell
like wet panties
the go getters
the
I don’t know what I would do without you
type men
I fell in love with the men of my family
full of teachers, barbers, hustlers and the military
listening
hanging onto every word
like it was a hypnotizing herb
smoking the teachings down to the roach clip
something changed when I was about ten
I started noticing
the bumps and curves
around the miniature women
girls
as they pranced about
like peacocks in their
tight shorts; lipstick plumage
never fully understanding the damage
they inflicted upon me
they double-dutch about in
matching bottom and tops
barrettes
shiny church shoes
my body could not handle
what my mind wanted to do
my lips lost their virginity at the age of eleven
Aisha
Lips as soft as anyone could imagine
Eyes as big as ring pops
Her skin so dark
I thought
I would get some on me if I rubbed against her
Her hair plaited
In rows so straight
It looked like aliens had come in the night
used her head for an experiment
We lived on the same street together
We went to the same school, church and hangouts together
I walked her home from school everyday
I chased her with bugs that I found just to hear her scream
I loved taking her to the store for
ice cream
To spend the last of my allowance like a fool
Watching my sneaker dreams melt away down the side of her cone
but I knew, that after ice cream
came vanilla ice cream kisses on the stoop behind her home
she had this way of twirling her tongue around
inside of my mouth
feeling similar to the Pop Rocks
exploding on my tastebuds
watermelon
bubblegum
cherry
banana
ooh it felt like heaven
being in love at the age of eleven
world came to an end at the age of eleven
late in the summer
moving truck came down the road at 10:57
the love of my life
my future wife
moving back to her mother’s island
what
wait
you can’t go
my heart melted on her front stoop
like the ice cream I brought for her two days ago
I picked my head up just in time
To see her drop a tear from those big ol eyes
I ran over to her before it dropped
Ran my little finger under her cheek
Caught the water
Ran home to freeze it
So I could save it for her
until the next time we meet
my first love left me that day
my roni
my wifey
my boo
later on that night
in my tent staring at the stars
I found out that
Men cry too

Notes: June 18th Charles River

Sitting in my usual writing spot
taking in the warm and sunny day
completing the last leg of a four day weekend
traded my business suit for pen and paper
fair weather

car horns sound off
beautiful outlines in flowing sun dresses, floral prints
future wives with hungry eyes
dance about the wolves in dress shirts, flat front pants and Johnston Murphy shoes

club promoters posting bills of
pending nightclub deals
Nightlife salesmen armed with glossy pleasures
double sided invitations to the hottest thing
cars, streets posts
littered in red, white blue
independence day approaches with a full head of steam
90-99 degrees three days straight

every café
sporting event
grassy knoll
packed; filled with an afternoon buzz
human noise escalates over the din of the city
How much fun is this?
I'm taking in the warm and sunny day
Child
People
Dog walkers
tread on grooves cast by strollers and feet, paws before them
they are the pioneers of summer
freeing the spirit from its wintry wonder

flirtation walks by holding courtship’s hand
shades of desire, cover eyes and intentions of igniting passion
their thirst quenched by hand clasped perspiration
one
two
three
ten bikers of the ten speed generation ride by causing the wind to stir and spitting up small pebbles from their rear tire

the river is placid reflecting hulls and sails from their surface neighbors
coeds splash about preparing oars, aft and fore
my view is obstructed so all I can see appear to be goal posts sticking out of the water
over the river looms tomorrow; back inside the brick enclave with glass entryways
the subway pulls away from the building in a rumble
Next stop: who cares

today, I am here
the place I feel level

A kiss - acrostic

Attractive southern belle catches my eye
Kendra is her name and she is North Carolina raised
Inside Piggly Wiggly buying hush puppies
Sausuage and grits she told me that my accent was so cute
She simply wanted to give me

A Kiss

Sunrise over North Carolina

I tripped this week

dropped a piece of
Acid vacation
much needed pause
from reality and
my daily cause

oncoming headlights
melt inside my mouth
Lights
No lights
Lights
No lights
driving 95
heading to Deep South

highway resembles a black slip and slide
one that I ride down to where my roots reside
motorized trucks
transform to cars
then back to trucks
shape shifting
miles upon hours
of that
de ja vu type luck

trees become lollipops
suckered into looking green
when blue is really what they're feeling
as I ride through in my 76 Eldorado
100 spokes gleaming
gods of the 10th state
wash up tears of an angel’s lust
as rain pours down
from the heavens upon us

sheets of white washed
Miles lived in my head
Venus De Milo
Spanish Key
You're my everything
sat with me
in the rain
together
we rode out the angel’s plight
arriving safely
sometime around midnight

roots waiting
anticipating our arrival
hands busily sewing a red carpet
preparing baskets of fried chicken
biscuits and grandma’s molasses
making beds with
words of stories told
time and time again
still feeling warm
inviting

eyelashes interlock
cousin of death
never felt so good
tired eyes and feet
arms feel like wood
Vanilla crème dreams
paint the sky
rising from the mind's eye
in a spotted pattern
bursting with colors
creating
a sunrise over North Carolina

Blink Again by Lucy Rodrigues

BLINK AGAIN by Lucy Rodrigues in response to blink

Blink again
And I see the promises made long ago
Kept
By those that meant something special
To me
Creating a beautiful aura of
Love

Blink again
And the memories return
To show me that there’s still
Someone there to hold dear
And never let go

Blink again
And I see novas shining, twinkling, spinning
Brilliantly for all to see
And become part of

Blink again
And I see future Martin Luther King Jrs and Maya Anjalou’s becoming
Ambassadors of peace
To unite the nations

Blink again
And I see healed hearts and souls
That were abused and misused
Forgiving and being forgiven

Blink again
And I see opportunities that knock
And the door opened to who dares to knock

Blink again
And I see shades of colors representing all nations
Singing, dancing, laughing, talking, PRAISING
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Blink again
And I see the peace makers uniting
In their red berets, marching the ghetto streets
Everywhere, to keep some kind of civilization
Amongst those that want and need peace

Blink again
And I see pastors from local churches
Marching in step to help community leaders
To keep hope alive for our youth
For they are our future

Blink again
And I see our beautiful young women
Growing much too fast, wanting to be adults
Not knowing what lies ahead
Not being prepared

Blink again
And I see young men searching for something
What, I haven’t been able to figure it out yet
Tatooes aren’t the answer, piercings either

Blink again
And I see time turned back to jeans that fit
Shirts that don’t fall to the knees
Skirts and blouses that leave something to the imagination

Blink again
And I see families dining together
Watching TV, going to the movies
Playing family style games

Blink again
And I see a new beginning
Of understanding each other
Respect, love, commitment and loyalty

Blink again
And I see you and I working together
To bring what I see into fruition

Blink again
And I see no more AIDS, Hepatitis
Healthy bodies living together with
Respect for one another

Blink again
And I see young and old working together
To achieve promises that were made
Long ago come together

Blink again
And I see what you mean
Where you are coming from
Where your heart is
Where your hurt is
Where your LOVE is

Blink again
And I see colors of LOVE, HOPE AND CHARITY

LET IT BEGIN WITH US

Blink

I blink
and I see
broken promises
creating a dense fog over my city
a collection of the dreams
given up by the
tired, overworked
underpaid masses

I blink
and I see
future stars
dimming their internal lights
that shine from the inside
giving fellowship to
city lights; late nights
and the over packed dime
drinking; drugging
sounds like freestyling
countless dreams washed
with the bed sheets
they’re climbing in
birthing a rootless seed
wondering why they fall so easily
never understanding
darkness is what they were
birthed from

I blink
and I see
youth
mislead
mistreated
misunderstood
social beheading
opportunity knocks
can’t be heard
mummified corpses exist
wrapped in linens
made of black history pages
ripped from the books
black on black crime
can not exist in their minds
if they don’t know black
ignorance fills vessels
organs; pipe
speak chords
to a hip-hop beat

I blink
and I see
corporations, marketers
outfitting; supplying
military uniforms
to the street soldiers
willing to wear the shit
they see advertised in the videos
I’ll start from the top
work my way to the toes
oversized baseball cap
check
doo rag
check
throwback t
check
white t that doubles as a skirt
check
big ass fake watch
check
jeans 3 sizes too large
check
airforces
check
add up all of the checks
you get none
in the outcome
corporations get all of that shit
checks
cash
credit
ebt
then we getting shot over
cases of mistaken identity
buckshot shells
coming from these dudes
using our bodies
like walking billboards
we aint getting any money for it

I blink
and I see
no role models
for our future
think about it
in 10yrs
that 15yr old
right there
in front of you
will be doing our taxes
cooking our food
driving our trains and airplanes
running businesses
marathons
government
providing the cure for racism, cancer and homelessness
or they could fill up
our graves
memories
and penitentiaries
crossroads
emerge from the darkness
age provides guidance
through experience
youth will try both sides

I blink
and I see
my future walking on
dirty streets
where the sidewalk meets the Boulevard
Dudley Station
packet transactions
go off in front of me
like a brick of firecrackers
copper topped roofs
oxidized through the years
covers the masses
as they congregate for their holy commune
commute to the lord
now standing at the gates of eternal life
marching two by two
herding their spirits into boats
almost existing on an island
so many seagulls about
ocean breeze replaced by T bus exhaust
police sirens
ambulance
primal
screams
all that does not
belong to me

I blink
and I see
myself crying for a city
that now belongs to me

Birthdays grow old

Remember when anticipation built like christmas eve insomnia the day before your birthday
dreaming of parties filled with hot-dogs, potato chips
a donkey shaped piñata
table full of gifts and more to come
as aunts, uncles and cousins arrive
birthdays to look forward to
1,16,18, 21 then 25
every one after that happy that we survived
rent, bills paying for labels instead of durability
stretching dollars into cents trying hard to make our lifestyle make sense
30,40,50
celebrate fittingly the day for eternal rest
is knocking; doors of opportunity
closing
the stress and age are showing
activities slow to monotony
work, raising children into adults becomes the next step
guidance, praise accomplishments folly and misfortune may arise
show children how it is when it was seen through your eyes
wrinkled, no less and bright with experience
honing your intelligence
70,80,90,100
celebrate centennial existence
some friends and family now gone
left feeling like the only person on earth
starting every phrase with; "I remember when……"
your audience listens intently because your memories come and go like
dot dash dot; morse code
sharing truths whether bent or straight
along with history of lineage
fathers before; before
images of past never developed openly only in the minds eye
give respect to the silver-hair chief he now counts his family amongst the stars
remembered through obituary when the spirit takes flight
causing metaphors to emerge left and right
birthdays grow old
and if you are lucky
yours just might

Just Living - insert swoosh anywhere

23 something avenue
dusky night view
prudential in the distance
casting a brilliant light
down on the
hood
rats running scared
late night doctors
up to no good
street lights
become
cabbie headlights
on a late night run
dipping and diving the fuzz
dime bags neatly packed
goin to meet up with cus
orange line mercy
red line connect
connect to the connect
down on the 93 express
way
too far off my block
red and blue lights
billy clubs, mace
dogs, fire hoses,
this shits gotta stop
a late night drop
turns to a late night stomp
head chest
arms legs
everyone begs
for justice
and fair trial
fully knowing
bad seeds
do bad deeds
giving fruit to dishonor
and misuse of power
prudential in the distance
casting a brilliant light
down on the
hood
rats running scared
the iron gate slams shut
behind doing no good
eyes closed to outside
mind still living in the past
spirit broken by
empty canteens
long distance calls
kids that grow too fast
get out
do good
do GOD
do you
Just living

The oldest art form

Lyrical Courtship
is the oldest art form
I am trying to perfect it

lyrics provide
stimulation
exploratory
impressions
actions provide
the same, without the buildup

smooth
and silky
inviting, memorable
makes your tongue
stick to the roof
of your mouth
peanut butter phrases

my chocolate words
touch your skin
evoking
a passion from within
flames
that have no
end

douse me
dous me
dou me
do me

creamy paragraphs
lead us to
heaven’s desires met
evident
through
studying
you
by
staring
into
eyes
glazed with emotion
complete disbelief
in our past
body movements, human motion

I never knew love like this before
passion lies scattered about
with our clothes on the floor
to be reassembled, coordinated
before walking out the door

to stare into stars
far less beautiful
than you are

Lyrical Courtship
is the oldest art form
I am trying to perfect it

Rejoice

I stand in the midst of millions embraced arm in arm
Singing praises of Jesus and his Holy Father
The spirit is lifted from our bodies
Gently vibrating the inner ear of angels above
The angels fly to alert the Holy Fathers of such assembly
Who in turn, listen and find delight
Heaven opens up it's Sky
Accepts this offering of peace and fellowship
Then in it's final stage, rains down blessings of prayers answered
Rejoice

Full Circle

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Conversation with a friend Part II

Pillow Talk by juli grzybala

Take solace
in the bosom
of pillows, talking.

Find pleasure
in pleasuring
skin, muscles
needs.

Take heed
in my thighs
of moisture
inviting...

Seek comfort
in the throws
of thrusts
designing,
dancing,
climaxing.

Again,
seek comfort
in the throws
of pillows;
talking


Counter to "Pillow Talk"
Our Conversations by Anwar

I rest my head
on pillows
filled with
angel feathers

softness never
duplicated
by any
earthly form

spoken words
transform to
whispered
devotion, creating emotion

fully peaked
at dawn
rolling green lawn
jealous monuments
stare in amazement

innocent words
become guilty
please
please
please

lust ignited
setting off
global thunderstorms
heat, then rain

explanation
to my
heightened
sensation
taken from

our conversations