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On The Passing of Odetta

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:51:27 CST

By Marc Loveless

In 1983 at the founding convention of Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) in New York I met the legendary Odetta. She came and preformed and performance with her folk guitar was electric for me. I was captivated and it was so that much of the her concert and commentary was just about directly sent to me.

Odetta Holmes

Her comments on race relations and instances of human rights were the inspiration I needed. The audience was 90% White so some of her comments were private humor that could be appreciated mostly between her and I. After the concert I went up to express my gratitude for performance and she said to me "I am glad you were here". We both laughed because we knew much of the comments went right over the heads of the well meaning audience. It was a at that moment and as a result of that I commented to being a good audince member of any event I attend.

Now I must admit at that time I did not know her contributions to the civil rights movement. It was some time later that I learned so much about her. At this learning it made me humbled by grace of living and had been blessed to not only meet her but to communicate with her.

A few years in 1989 in San Fransico while a student at the New Pacfic Accademy, a training program for emerging Gay and Lesbian leaders that I got to see her again in full consciences of myself and who she was and her revolutionay act of wearing her natural and coining the term the Odetta. I waited for over an hour after the show to just tell her I was still there. While it was less of an opportunity as before she had made her impression on me.

Her passing today has caused me to reflect on not only the blessing of meeting her but all of those parents, family, friends, and mentors that have impacted my life and submit the following:

Sometimes I see reflections in my hands of love.

Sometimes I see reflections in my hands of safety.

Sometimes I see reflections of reassuring presence that has passed but is not forgotten.

I see reflections of physical comfort that I will not in this life experience again.

And yet without that I still find the strength to be true to the wisdom and warmth that these memories bring.

Sometimes I see reflections in my hands of purpose of what is caring.

Sometimes I see reflections in my hands of endurances and direction.

Sometimes I see reflections in my hands of anguish whether you were in your 50's, 60's,70's,or 80's your passing was never enough for me.

Sometimes I see reflections in my hands consolation of grief and whether it has 15 or 10 years or even yesterday since we were near, there you are in a most special place in my heart.

Sometimes I see the reflections in my hands of you my grandmother, mother, father, aunts, uncles, or mentors.

Sometimes I see the reflections in my hands and all I can do is remove a tear of gratefulness for the blessings that I know are you.

Memorial for Earnest Edward Hite, Jr.

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:55:20 CST

The remaining members of Black Health Alert are mourning the loss of our leader, friend and colleague
Earnest Edward Hite, Jr.

Ernie made his transition on Monday evening and as the day set on his final hours here on earth the heavens opened to greet its newest deserving soul. We are in such sorrow and pain today we know that to fulfill his purpose we must move forward on the issues that his leadership has brought us.

He was a radical for change with purpose of community empowerment and education. He is missed so much today, that we will never let him to be forgotten. He would be the claim in the storm. He would save us as he provided clarity to confusion.

He was a gentleman our protector and navigator through various forms of wilderness. It's going to take us a minute to map our next steps and we will do so deliberately and appropriately. Until that time if you pray, pray for us all as you pray for yourself during this time. The Lord is leading on and victory is assured.

I keeping reading Langston

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:13:48 CDT

I keeping reading Langston
Cause I’m still awaking to the sound

I keeping reading Langston
Cause I’m trying to reclaim Our Blues

I keeping reading Langston
Cause he was wisdom, call, and joy for me

Continue to Full Story for remainder of this poem

This is my faith

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:12:55 CDT

This is my faith.
That there is still grace.
When I am afraid and worry there is still grace.
When the challenge of living my mission is present there is still grace.
When I have seen conflict concoured there is still grace.
My faith reminds me that that grace is in every victory.
In every joy in every delight.
These pleasures of life can be deceiving.
Kind of satisfaction is amplified by the ever presence of grace.

I understand you need me to stay in my place

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:11:56 CDT

I understand you need me to stay in my place. You don’t want me in your neighborhood. I won’t move on you street. I won’t crowd your holy places. I won’t make you see me. I will not bother none but my own family, lovers, loved ones and friends.

So rest assure I won’t be your trouble. I won’t expand I’ll just stay where I am and so don’t look for outside my space so you’ll only see me in Engle wood, Woodlawn, Austin, Rogers Park, Edgewater, Lake View, the loop, Hyde Park, Grand Crossing, I’m only going to be where I’ve always been. 79th and Woodlawn, 35th and Cottage, Madison and Pulaski, 47th and King Drive, 63rd and State, …..

And the only thing I ask of you is to stay the fuck out of my way because you may see me fucking and if you see me you shouldn’t be looking in my windows any way,

I saw you as you appeared with every presence of the prince you are

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:10:54 CDT

I saw you as you appeared with every presence of the prince you are. As our eyes see only each other your arm drops in step as your strength grabs and holds my firmness in your strong hand.

You say who you are, our words exchange and in a crowded space the only thing real is your full lips on mine in and as we fall into an embrace that pauses only for time.

I melt in your bed with my head filled with you as my body prepares to receive and accept you and as your body enters me you fill a space of passion and love in my life. I am complete my desire fulfilled and errors is alive even for me.

New spaces old places

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:09:59 CDT

New spaces old places, new spaces- old places.
And I’m ready to go, and I’m ready to go.

This has gone on beyond its strength.
Can’t lift no more - silence is too still to breath.
What time in time – the secret of knowing is more then it seems

New spaces –old places
If I don’t feel the fire then what has its value.

My faith guides my understanding.

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:09:03 CDT

My faith guides my understanding.
My hope focuses my thoughts
My love fuels my energy.
My sincerity forges my direction.
May my action show (clearly) these qualities

How long do we wait 4 passion

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:07:57 CDT

How long do we wait 4 passion if it doesn’t come right away.
If you connect right away bodies in bodies – mind to mind –curiosity satisfied anticipation relived how long will we wait for passion.

If you look for passion will you find it.
Well familiarities breed passion. Does passion pass in and on.
Is passion in a moment
Does passion demand presence.
P-A-S-S-I-O-N

Does desire mean passion
If we wait - do we wait
Is waiting passion.

How or who is not as important as what we do now.

And then they said nothing

no@spam.com (Marc Loveless) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:06:43 CDT

And then they said nothing that I had said 2 them.
And then they said nothing that made sense to me.
And then they said what the meant for me.
And then they said what they said.
And then we just stopped.