Writer's Block Wednesdays (#8)

The word for this week's Writer's Block Wednesday is COLDEST. Here is what I came up with. Reflect and enjoy...

The Coldest

Copyright 2010

Cool is

not the same as

Cold

both are

feelings

emotions

states of being

but

they are 2 very different things

Cool is...

• what you allow brownies to do fresh out of the oven

• a breeze that sneaks up and embraces your bare legs

• the other side of the pillow on a hot summer night

• Billy Dee Williams in Mahogany... "Success is nothing without someone you love to share it with..."

Definitely, he was the COOLEST

Cold is...

• T-bone steaks from the freezer that must be thawed before cooking

• what you rush into the house to escape from during a winter snowstorm in Chicago

• an illness that makes your nose run and your chest tighten

• your side of the bed on any given night... I guess my success is nothing

Definitely, you are the COLDEST

Tuesdays with Nikki (#6)

Today's poem from the wonderful and mighty Nikki G. speaks of choices.

Sit back and reflect as Nikki speaks...

Choices

by Nikki Giovanni

Copyright 1978

if i can't do

what i want to do

then my job is to not

do what i don't want

to do

it's not the same thing

but it's the best i can

do

if i can't have

what i want then

my job is to want

what i've got

and be satisfied

that at least there

is something more

to want

since i can't go

where i need

to go then i must go

where the signs point

though always understanding

parallel movement

isn't lateral

when i can't express

what i really feel

i practice feeling

what i can express

and none of it is equal

i know

but that's mankind

alone among the mammals

learns to cry

Writer's Block Wednesdays (#7)

It's Wednesday! Time for the 7th installment of Writer's Block Wednesdays. The word this week is DESERT. This word made me think of being alone and empty. So today I offer up this short poem:

Empty Ecstasy

copyright 2010

you got me

you got me good

smiles, laughter, anticipation

heavy breathing...ooh baby, ooh baby

and ecstasy

woke up this morning to

a note

on the nightstand

beside the lamp

you left me

you left me alone

tears, confusion, regret

deep sighs... why, why me

and emptiness

Tuesdays with Nikki (#5)

Welcome back to Tuesdays with Nikki. Glad you could make it! Today my Nikki offering is Untitled. As a poet, I have yet to have an untitled piece. In my writing process, the title comes to me AFTER the poem is written. I imagine that as I keep writing, one day I will have an untitled piece. In reality it is not the title, but the content that speaks volumes. So you may need to turn this piece down cause it speaks loudly....

[Untitled]

By Nikki Giovanni

Copyright 1972

there is a hunger

often associated with pain

that you feel

when you look at someone

you used to love and enjoyed

loving and want

to love again

though you know you can't

that gnaws at you

as steadily as a mosquito

some michigan summer

churning his wings

through your window screen

because the real world

made up of baby

clothes to be washed

food to be cooked

lullabies to be sung

smiles to be glowed

hair to be plaited

ribbons to be bowed

coffee to be drunk

books to be read

tears to be cried

loneliness to be borne

says you are a strong woman

and anyway he never thought you'd really miss him

My Baby Daddy

Happy belated Father's Day! I meant to post this yesterday, but time slipped away. I wrote this poem for my husband and I pray others can relate as well. Enjoy...

My Baby Daddy

copyright 2010

This goes out to my baby daddy

my man

my husband

my boo

the father of my children

my lover

my partner

my friend

“ain’t nobody dope as him

he’s just so fresh and so clean clean...”

Strong enough to provide, build, protect, shelter, and defend my honor

Gentle enough to laugh, cuddle, wipe away tears, play dolls and sing lullabies

Handles his business at work 10-12 hours a day

Comes home and

handles his business

He puts in work

and in case you didn’t know this

please take notice

I am quite satisfied

You see

to me

he is

an encourager

pushing me to pursue my dreams and conquer my fears

holding my hand every step of the way

To his son

he is

a coach

of basketball, football and this game called life

teaching him to be a responsible and God-fearing man

To his daughters

he is

a nurturer and model

showing through his words and actions how real men treat and respect women

letting them know they deserve nothing less than the best

He is

the head of the house

King of the castle

the final say

The one who sets the thermostat

and gets the

big piece of chicken

He is not ashamed to cry

To get on his knees and ask God for

guidance, direction, strength

This goes out to my baby daddy

my man

my husband

my boo

the father of my children

my lover

my partner

my friend

“ain’t nobody dope as you

you just so fresh

and so clean clean...”

Happy Juneteenth!

It's June 19th! Also known as Juneteenth: a day to remember June 19, 1865 and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation giving freedom to all slaves. In honor of this historical day, I offer this poem:

Rejoice

Copyright 2008

To REJOICE, we must first

REMEMBER...

Remember the cries of our African Ancestors

forced onto ships sailing away from their homes, families and daily routines

Traveling for days, weeks, months into a foreign country to become someone else's property

simply because of the dark sun kissed color of their skin.

Remember and RESPECT

Respect the struggle, sacrifice, strain, strife, suffering, sweat, shackles, scars, strength,

spirituality and solidarity among the slaves

Remember, respect and RECOUNT

Recount the facts

Blacks were watched, whipped, raped, ropes wrapped round trees to hang grown men

robbed of their freedom

Remember, respect, recount and RECOGNIZE

Recognize from where we've come...

slavery to freedom

segregation to integration

racial divide to racial equality

grandfather clause to the right to vote

George Washington to Barack Obama

Remember, respect, recount, recognize and RECOMMIT

Recommit to supporting one another

strengthening our bonds

empowering each other to succeed and

loving ourselves as God loves us

Remember, Respect, Recount, Recommit....

RENEW, REFLECT, RELEASE, REFRESH, RECOGNIZE and REPRESENT

Then

we can

we shall

we will

REJOICE!

Writer's Block Wednesdays (#6)... even though it's Thursday

I'm late on everything this week. There is a good reason for it, but taking the time to explain it would just put me further behind.

So... on to Writer's Block Wednesday. The word for this week is CRASH. Yep, CRASH. Great word, except once again, I got nothing. I tried to write on it. I played around with a few thoughts, but it all felt forced. And one thing creativity is NOT is forced. "If it don't fit, don't force it... just relax and let it go."

So, today I offer this simple poem I wrote a few years ago called Writer's Block.

Writer's Block

(for K.Sykes)

Copyright 2007

You're blocking my write

I see you when I'm not looking

I feel you when I'm not near you

I dream you when I'm not sleeping

Could it be

Your lips... soft, full, inviting

Your hands... black, strong, nurturing

Your eyes... sensitive, sexy, alluring

You're blocking my write

And it's alright with me

Tuesdays with Nikki (#4) ... even though it's Wednesday

Yes, I know. I am day late. It has been that kinda week. But nonetheless, here is my tribute to Nikki Giovanni. In this week's poem, Nikki sheds light on the fact that in order to become who we need to become, we can't allow others to hold us back.

Speak Nikki, speak....

Woman

By Nikki Giovanni

Copyright 1978

she wanted to be a blade

of grass amid the fields

but he wouldn't agree

to be the dandelion

she wanted to be a robin singing

through the leaves

but he refused to be her tree

she spun herself into a web

and looking for a place to rest

turned to him

but he stood straight

declining to be her corner

she tried to be a book

but he wouldn't read

she turned herself into a bulb

but he wouldn't let her grow

she decided to become

a woman

and though he still refused

to be a man

she decided it was all

right

Writer's Block Wednesdays (#5)

Week 5 of Writer's Block Wednesday. This week's word took me in an unexpected direction. When I first got the word, I had particular idea in mind. However when I sat down to write, that idea took me to another place. That's one of the things I love about creativity... it's the process not the final product that brings growth. This week's word is KICK. And today, I offer this poem...

To Whom It May Concern

Copyright 2010

Back in the day

I concerned myself with

who would be my bestest best friend... for that day

which shorts to wear (Sasson or Gloria Vanderbilt?)

getting picked last for the kickball game

getting whacked upside the head in dodgeball

cornrows or french braids

Scooby Doo or the Smurfs

circling yes, no or maybe on that very important note

from that very special boy

asking that very delicate question,

"Will you go out with me?"

These days

I concern myself with

who is my son's best friend

which shorts is my daughter wearing

getting that promotion at work

walking in heels and tripping down the stairs

wigs or weaves

watching late night TV or going to sleep

honestly answering yes, no, or maybe

face to face

to that very special man

asking that very delicate question,

"Are you happy?"

Today

I just want to concern my self with

kicking off my shoes

chilling with you

and answering

Yes

I am quite happy

Tuesdays with Nikki (#3)

What time is it? It's Nikki time! Time to celebrate Nikki Giovanni. The poem I selected today highlights the importance "me time". Time to be by yourself and do the things you like to do with disruption or disturbance. Relax, reflect and enjoy....

A Certain Peace

By Nikki Giovanni

Copyright 1972

It was very pleasant

not having you around

this afternoon

not that i don't love you

and want you and need you

and loving you and wanting you and needing you

but there was a certain peace

when you walked out the door

and i knew you would do something

you wanted to do

and i could run

a tub full of water

and not worry about answering the phone

for your call

and soak in bubbles

and not worry about whether you would want something

special for dinner

and rub lotion all over me

for as long as i wanted

and not worry if you had a good idea

or wanted to use the bathroom

and there was a certain excitement

when after midnight you came home

and we had coffee

and i had a day of mine

that made me as happy

as yours did you

Hot fun in the summer time

Summer is upon us! School is out, the kids are home, the days are longer and the sun shines brighter. As a child, I always loved summer. I spent many a summer day and night at my grandmother's house in Louisville, Kentucky. Me and my 2 cousins... staying up late hanging out on the front porch. Today, I offer up a poem with a REAL twist on my summer memories. Enjoy!

Summer Lies

Copyright 2007

Summer lies.

It promises lazy responsibility free days

Chasing the ice cream truck 3 blocks to get Momma a toasted almond bar

Juicy slices of fresh red watermelon... seed spittin contests

Cousin CeCe with the gap 'tween her two front teeth always won

Running barefoot in the grass

Picking white dandelions ... blowing them in the wind

Cannon balls into the community pool

Cold cans of strawberry soda from the ice cooler at JoJo's corner store

Juneteenth Bar-B-Que at Granny's...

ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad and Aunt Maime's caramel cake

Fourth of July fireworks at Chickasaw Park

Summer lies... cause I got none of this.

No Rocky Road ice cream drippin down my chin staining my crisp white halter top

No Soul Train line and Electric Slide at the family reunion

No corny jokes from Uncle Bunny or magic quarters from behind Grandaddy's ear

No pajama parties and midnight refrigerator raids with sneaky cousins

No lightening bugs in glass Miracle Whip jars

No moped rides from light skinned boys with Jheri curls

The truth of summer...

Sweltering, humid days

Aunt Lilly sweating out her press and curl

Fans in the window sill blowing hot air and dust

Mosquitoes bites the size of plums itching like crazy

Drinking Flavor Aid instead of Kool-Aid cause Winn Dixie had a sale

Supergirl Underoos when I begged for Wonder Woman

Two French braids instead of cornrows with colorful beads on the ends

Lil Sis christening our twin bed with warm urine every other night

Daddy walking out the door and never coming back

Momma taking up residence in her green terry cloth robe

Her eyes a running faucet of tears

Luther on the turntable singing "A house is not a home..."

Luther tells the truth,

but summer lies.

Writer's Block Wednesdays (#4)... even though it's Thursday

I know it's Thursday, but hey, better late than never! The word last week was LOOMING. I thought about it... thought about it some more... and came up with nothing! So my challenge to you, my faithful followers, is to show me what you're working with: write something on the word LOOMING and post in my comment section. :)

The word for this week is BRAVERY. I was able to come up with something. :) So tonight, I offer this poem...

Gotta Find It

Copyright 2010

Had it...lost it...need to find it...gotta find it

Lost it somewhere awhile ago

But today,

I need it

Got to find it

Had it my first day of school

Didn’t know nobody

Walked up to Lil Miss Popular and her crew of “Popularettees”

said, “I’m sitting here”...

Sat there the rest of the year

Had it that day Mookie was picking on my little brother

Punched him right in the nose...

Muhammad Ali style

Had that day on the back of Michael’s red moped

Arms tight around his waist

Smile plastered on my face

Had it that night in the backseat of a yellow Chevy Malibu

Anticipation in the atmosphere

Static on the radio

My feet in the air....

Had it that day I left for college

Waved good-bye to Momma and Daddy

Got on the plane

Handled my business

Had it...lost it...need to find it...gotta find it

Need to find my bravery

Gotta find my voice

Need to find my confidence

Gotta find my joy

Need to find my courage

Gotta find my true self

Cause today,

I need to

Got to...

Let you go

Tuesdays with Nikki (#2)

Welcome to the second installment of "Tuesdays with Nikki", the day/post I have set aside to honor the great poetess Nikki Giovanni. Today I give you one of Nikki's poems that reminds me how being in love can change your whole attitude. Enjoy!

Duets

by Nikki Giovanni

copyright 2009

I don't do duets

Even as a kid I didn't like

sharing

I would just as soon

let you have it

than cut it in half

I sing solo

Because I am not good

with harmony

I remember my sister

wanting to borrow some thing

a sweater

skirt, blouse

whatever

She could have it

My tennis shoes

had holes in them

kept together

by safety pins

I made it cool

to be poor

In another age

I would have been a vegan

I don't play doubles

in tennis

Don't bowl with a league

If I was a fat lady

I alone would sing

at the end

And listen

If you don't

come home

soon

I'll be

very

disappointed