"Waiting on You"
by
Jerome Whitehead

You are not going to like what I have to say. Knowing you like I do, you won't even have a remote desire to take the slightest whiff From the banquet of my words. But this isn't about you - or it isn't JUST about you. This is about me…us…the we, we should've been. The seemingly unbreakable bond between father and son. I look in the mirror and sometimes catch a distant reflection of you, and just for a second… I drift back to a happier time when you were there - bigger than life… And I stood in awe of you… …in fear of you …had respect for you …but mostly, I just loved you. And in the haze of cigarette smoke and stale rum fumes… …me, my boys and the woman that gave me life vanished in the night…and for years I waited.

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The sopmore release, a follow-up to RHYTHMS - Poetry and Muse, SOUL-FULL is a love affair of two poets, through spritual connections...a love affair of words, deep, articulate and intense. An emotionally charged dialogue, that resonates both deep and true through the movements of words.

More details at Tugson Press

 

My Man Written by Kimberly R. Lynon

 

From the shortest strand of hair on his head to the very tiniest crease in his feet My black man is strong and complete The lusciousness in his lips and the strength in his hips My black man is ever bit of unique The seriousness in his eyes and even the tears when he cries My black man is a man of emotions And when he speaks everyone stops to listen because what he says is 'real' My black man is a man you can 'feel' His shoulders are strong, they can carry a lot of weight And when you need him My black man does not hesitate He speaks with knowledge and with confidence My black man is intelligent. He is a man of promptness and cares about time But the best thing about my black man is My black man is mine.

The book is a poetic biographical journey from childhood to womanhood. Azaan feels that Spirit used her as a tool to share these words, so that the world would embrace and love all unconditionally.

This book is emotionally charged from beginning to end with pain, love, passion, and triumph! This book gives voice to a collection of life’s stories, some through a child’s eyes!

The poems express many things people feel or think, but don’t have the courage to say. The book is a vivid look into society and the world as a whole.

In The Midst of My Blackness I know I come from a tribe of Queens. Strong women, teachers and warriors. I was told the stories of my mothers before me living to die. Freezing and sick in the stomach of a ship. Dehumanized by a whip and chains. Sacrificed life for the wealth of someone else. Blood of my mothers dripped in vain. Misunderstood arthritis-ridden knuckles. Losing count of yellow ape babies stolen at dawn. Starring at the noose from the porch, While shadows run from the hoods of the night.

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Azaan is a nationally syndicated journalist, poet, and photographer. She is the former Editor of SBC and GBF Magazines. Currently she is the Creative Director of the new STUD Magazine. Azaan has also written for numerous publications, and has two published books. Azaan is currently part of the Virgin Moon Entertainment Production team, an independent film and television company. Virgin Moon’s most recent film success is My Nappy Roots, a documentary about the African Diaspora’s relationship and spirituality with their hair. Azaan has shared her amazing poetry at several Underground exhibits at the prestigious Getty Museum. Azaan uses her writing as tools to educate, empower, and uplift all people. Azaan believes through knowledge and understanding there is no force that can oppress us.

CNN YouTube Debate

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee cited CNN's own poll results to bolster his claim that "some 48 percent of the African-Americans in my state did, in fact, vote for me," he said, noting that the figure "is unusually high for African-Americans voting for a Republican. Here's the reason why: Because I asked for their vote, and I didn't wait until October of the election year to do it ... I don't want to be a part of a Republican party that is a tiny, minute and ever decreasing party, but one that touches every American from top to bottom, regardless of race."

The racial politics of the Confederate flag came up via an inquiry from Houston resident Leroy Brooks, who asked candidates if "this flag right here represents the symbol of racism, a symbol of political ideology, a symbol of Southern heritage -- or, is it something completely different?"

Huckabee said that, "with the kinds of issues we got in this country, I'm not going to get involved with a flag like that ... The people of our country have decided not to fly that flag. I think that's the right thing."

He also used his answer to take a shot at Democratic candidate and former senator John Edwards.

"Every time I listen to someone like John Edwards get on TV and say there are two Americas, I just want to -- I just want to throw something at the TV, because there are not two Americas. There's one America," Huckabee said. "We are a nation united. We face extraordinary challenges right now. And Democrats dividing us and tearing down this country are doing exactly the wrong thing. We're succeeding in Iraq. We've got tough challenges. We can overcome them. But we do not need to have that kind of divisive talk. And that flag, frankly, is divisive, and it shouldn't be shown."

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It was just today, when I found out That life is short We all shall die, but I'm not scared Not going to cry But I'll take some time To ease my mind And live it like there isn't much time, right Left behind if I don't try To do it while I still have time To smile a bit, and cry too We gots to cry sometimes, even men and that's the truth We find ourselves caught up in lies The roads weren't paved the same with time The roads we take are not the same We all take roads of different names Some roads we take are point and blame Some roads are even hide in shame To bear false witness and play the game To appease man-Ain't that a shame? Oh yea, I sing, I dance-I do it all I hurt, I pain and sometimes fall I apologize and make the first call When I am wrong Cause I won't hold it on myself And, if you do-Ask the Lord for help To remove yourself from thinking that You're always right-cause sometimes you so left Behind, in your thinking and in your ways I'm praying too there are better days To come, even better than this I'm the victor over my life not his And I won't be bound by lies and strife Or self-destruct or close my eyes I'll live it open completely wide And walk with assurance and in stride I live in abundance and with pride With these gifts I've been given I won't second-guess What He has for me it is for me Not for the rest So I have to stand strong and give my best It's timeout now for anything less And, I won't apologize for this man I be The man you see is not all you see My crown is in my brown My locks flow like the glistening falls of Niagara With secrets on the inside Boundless in its spirit with stories of gold to tell I won't sit with you in your Hell If tha's where you chose to be I won't take that road with you-you see I don't live the negativity I stand now expecting reparations and reciprocity But reparations not so much in the dollar bill But a day when man will Realize if it won't for me America, would not be the force she be And I'm not complaining; so don't assume that about me Cause you know they say assume is to make an ass outta u and me When I spit-When I sing-When I dance I do it completely Turn up your volume now so that you can hear me We are not all this, we are not all that I stand with a smile and a pocket tha's not fat But patience that only time will tell I fight on and I'm doin it, doin it and doin it well!!! kashan©

Poetry from the soon to be released - Soul-full

Validated, and solidified
Vilified, and justified
Suffocated but flowing like oxygen
Take it all and leave nothing
Leave nothing but air by sides

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Do you remember what it was like?
You know, when your eyes met and you KNEW something was up…
Something special – something rare.

When you exchanged that very first glance or that hidden smile that only you could see.

Ummmmmmm.

Do you remember when you finally got the courage (or the nerve)…
…to say something – anything, and prayed to God that it came out right
…and you didn’t sound (I don’t know) stupid maybe?

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No one really wants to hear when you ache so deep inside
That sometimes it hurts to breathe
Very few want to take the time to wipe away tears…
…tears that have fallen, dried and fallen in a silent, silver cascade.

Don’t get me wrong, they mean well.
They want to want to hug you…
…and make it all go away.
As long as it can be done in ten minutes out the day.

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We come from various shades…

            As light as the sun rising over the mountains in the east

            To the rich, dark flavor of mother earth.

 

We are descendants of kings and queens

            That ruled over terrains of the world not yet touched by man.

 
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You’re like a fine line that separates me from my spirit
Almost like there’s a part of me that’s floating…free-falling

…wanting to lose myself in you
And the other part is grounded – on lock down – afraid to feel because I want to feel.

 

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by ABDUL-JABBAR OMALE

Have you seen Nduka Otiono?" "No I haven’t, I'm sorry." "When you see him, tell him I am angry with him.’(I think Nduka; her host, had abandoned her temporarily).’ She moved her simply enthralling personality along then. And I was left standing there. Staring at her and her tall very white gypsy arrayed female friend, Sandra, who had accompanied her on this homecoming fiesta to Nigeria, wishing she was mine to keep forever and a day! Stupid me! I would discover later upon more camaraderie and closer inspection that she was older than my immediate elder sister, Mariam, and of course, the glaring differences of our worlds and feel more frustratingly stupid! This was at the ANA Convention in Makurdi 2002, the lingering moments of the last days of my youth, bachelorhood, vagabond and miscellaneous desires - and how I met the Okigbo heiress - Obiageli Ibrahimat Okigbo.

 

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

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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. 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. 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, 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.
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 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.