When you’re shot down in cold blood in the streets
When you’re choked out for selling loosies pleading “I can’t breathe” When you’re still breathing lying helpless on the ground under white sheets When GoFundMe’s are set up for funeral costs and killer’s lawyer fees When the system’s been broken, ain’t no justice, no peace When another hashtag and video footage makes you madder and sadder When paid administrative leave leaves pigs pockets fatter When I’m in a constant rage cause it seems Black Lives don’t Matter I’m still unapologetically Black You can’t break my spirit You can’t make me fold You can’t kill my vibe You can’t take my soul After slavery, lynchings, bombings, Jim Crow, and mass incarcerations My people... We’re STILL unapologetically Black!
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I am an example of resistance
I hang from manufactured rope On the Tree of Life I didn't live a Brothers Grimm fairy tale Conceived into oppression I was wise beyond my years But I've never received a White man's education Only domination I was bought and sold like sheet metal I've been called boy Inferior to my Superior I've been violated and raped No one heard my screams I was tamed like an animal I was a field hand and a house nigger I've picked the fabric that creates My Master's shirt I've wiped his children's noses And prepared his daily meals I've tried to escape to new freedoms Only to be brought back to plantation land My footprints were imprinted in Southern soil I've been beaten without reason My whips never healed I was fed up with His rules I rebelled Now my lifeless body dangles Helplessly Before you from a noose My legs sway to and fro My eyes are blood-shot red I am an example of resistance This is dedicated to my ancestor's who paved the way so that I may live freely today. I was listening to Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and my mind wandered. I imagined the "strange fruit" telling his life story to the people who watched him die. *A poem from "Just My Thoughts: Mind, Body & Soul", published July 18, 2006. to be wise is to rise like heat
it may get too hot for some in the kitchen top cheffin’ daily feats where the cookers compete but for those who can’t handle the swelter from the melting pot of life’s culinary delight i’ll feed you food for thought bring a big appetite life is but a board with options and decisions Reflect. the game is but a path to follow your life’s mission Improve. carpe diem will drive your hopes and ambition Seize. take the road less travelled by and avoid repetition Emerge. it is my purpose work for this creative composition to share my story Reflect. set some goals Improve. play my position Seize. and live God’s vision Emerge. listen, we treat life as one big audition but you're the only one competing in your journey's expedition don’t be a victim of fame or material thangs it’s a shame to see people make money then let money make them bank rolls and a royce don’t make the person beauty is skin deep what’s inside really counts gold in abundance holds nothing to what lips of character amounts can’t follow the crowd better to find your way through trust your own instincts you know what’s good for you family is always family can’t pick and choose them it’s best to take them as they are flower, roots, and stem some friends are not friends a few will “fri” you in the “end” watch the company you keep the real and the pretend love doesn’t hurt it protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres anything of the opposite delights in what hate bears realize your own presence embrace your unique purpose in work, be at joy to humanity, be of service time is of the essence the present is a gift relish in the now in every circumstance, be content what is seen, temporary what is not, eternity be thankful for what you have possessions are fleeting and please remember... always put God first! live everyday to the fullest your days are numbered on earth don't let your dreams die you can’t lose if you try Reflect | Improve | Seize | Emerge And like the sun does every day... just rise super blue blood moon
lunar eclipse in leo bathe me in your hue await the plot twist the culmination of dreams life’s about to change hundred fifty two years of built up energy divine trifecta rare phenomenon bring me out of the shadow ultimate release unchain from it all
go wherever life takes you let your heart be free |
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Handwritten short review by legendary poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator Nikki Giovanni for "Just My Thoughts: Mind, Body & Soul"
"It's not a #1 record but Just My Thoughts: Mind, Body & Soul catches the times of the heart and minds. Thank you so very much for sharing with me."
Poetically, Nikki Giovanni (excerpt) (side note: It's dated one day after my 22nd birthday! I cried and died when I saw that part!!) #Won'tHeDoIt! Yasss!!! Dear J.D. -
I'm delighted to grant permission. Good luck! Keep on keeping on. Poetically, Nikki Giovanni (her response to allow me to use her review for promotion) (side note: This is dated two days after her 67th birthday!) This is Nikki Giovanni's review for my still unreleased book of poetry, "R.I.S.E."
THIS is why I'm NOT stopping! Celebrated ICON, poet, memoirist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou acknowledged receiving my book with this kind card!
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