Her Harlem Throwback

I got my papers to-day yall!
I was official, I was done
No mo' learning in crowded classrooms,
Or thinkin idle thoughts in the sun

I was movin on to better things
Nicer places and cleaner people
Never again to worry 'bout you ignant folk
Killin', stealin' and actin plain frivol

Yeah, I'm off to a place
Where only the most talented be
Ya know, the ones that run this country
And give opportunities to you and me

Momma seemed happy for me
Cause she gets paid cheap, ya know
Daddy's kindah upset
And said he won't love me no mo'

He thinks I turned my back
On the folk that brought me here
But that ain't no fact
I'll always be somewhat near

I read the Post today
To see the headlines
"Another (censored) lynched
Due to an Increase in Hate Crimes"

I got some books to help me
Cause I was gettin scared
I thought those people were good
Until their necks began turning red

Mr. Woodson schooled me
To never believe what's written in print
And Mr. DuBois recruited me
To participate in the "Talented Tenth"
Mr. Hughes wants me to speak
On some type of long stream
While Mr. McKay prepared me
To fight against this evil regime

"They" want me to be quiet
And just gon' sit in the back
But Daddy raised me dif'rent
I don't do none of that

So, I'm sorry for what I said earlier
"They" confused my "wrong" and "right"
Brothers & sisters, I love you all
And I'm gotta help us all unite!

The Dual Reflection

Expressions in a mundane world
Comes as no surprise
Yet, he which cannot speaketh
Has already spake his demise
We dream of life as a mountain
That we all try to climb
But in reality, it's a mission
And we consistently run out of time
Diseases and deaths are plentiful
Like sweet maples within trees
(PAUSE) Please, "SELAH" that last point
Because in bed, you're next (PROCEED)
Don't limit yourself to boxes
Abrasions on the corners cut deep
Release restrictions and broaden your minds
Awaken from this tulmutuous sleep
Uplift thy neighbor; esteem thyself
For therein lies thine key
Unlock thy gates to paradise
You shall obtain it, first, mentally.

One Fifty Four

If I told you I love you
Would you ignore me that day
Would your feelings be grey
or would you feel the same way?

If I told you I love you
Would you call me weak
Laughing at my inability to sleep
While constantly replaying memories of you I keep

If I told you I love you
Would you expect more
Like late night calls until four
Or buying out every single store?

If I told you I love you
Would you have to prepare
For an internal warfare
Between your heart and mind's despair

If I told you I love you
What would you do?

#64: Naani's Breaking Point

A tear
When released in space
Allows insight of the minds
From those who can't verbalize
True emotion

#63: Relicia's Tyburn

Dearest
Kindest
Boldest
Coldest

Spirit's the Dearest; Heart's the Kindest
Words the Boldest when Tongue's the Coldest

62: Tylissa's Diamante

         Ty
unorthodox, eccentric
caring, seeking, understanding
crazy, tenacious, unique, original
uncompromising, maddening, warming
intelligent, crafty
       Genius

#61: Mae's Triolet

The sun shall shine no more up North
For it has rested in the South
Unwelcomed clouds and rains come forth
The sun shall shine no more up North
Pain is in bliss and joy in drought
While peace cries and agony shouts
The sun shall shine no more up North
For it has rested in the South