Tuesdays with Nikki (#14)

Tonight's piece from Nikki G is dear to my heart. It was written for her son. My son just started high school and will be playing in his first high school football game tomorrow. So in honor of my first born, my one and only son who I am proud of and thank God for everyday, I offer this piece from Nikki AND a piece I wrote for my son a few years ago. Relax and enjoy...

For Tommy

By Nikki Giovanni

to tommy who:

eats chocolate cookies and lamb chops

climbs stairs and cries when i change his diaper

lets me hold him only on his schedule

defined by my nature

and gave me a new name (mommy)

which supersedes all others

controls my life

and makes me glad

that he does

Elijah

by t.renee

copyright 2000

bright eyed, questioning and curious

"why do you laugh when Daddy kisses your neck?"

energetic, witty and honest

"my Daddy's not a monster, he's just a Dad."

innocent, genuine and caring

" i love you, Mommy"

God's gift

my child

Tuesdays with Nikki (#13)

Tonight's selection from Nikki Giovanni is short and simple, so if you don't catch it the first time, read it again until you do! I am also sharing a piece of mine that flows on the same wave as Nikki's. So once again I welcome you to "Tuesdays with Nikki and t.renee."

Relax and enjoy...

The Butterfly

By Nikki Giovanni

Copyright 1970

those things

which you so laughingly call

hands are in fact two

brown butterflies fluttering

across the pleasure

they give

my body

The Moments...

(for Kareem)

By t.renee

copyright 2000

the moments after making love to you...

laying side by side on the bed

holding hands

our fingers dancing

gentle touches soothing and soft

you rubbing my arms, legs and thighs

kissing my forehead, cheek, neck and shoulders

candlelight dancing on the wall

to the soft jazz playing

on the clock radio

my body tingling

my lips smiling

my eyes dazed

my mind thinking

about the next time

when i can

make love to you...

Writer's Block Wednesdays (#13)

What's up my faithful followers?! The word this week is TURN. I came up with something that maybe a little PG 13, but hey, I'm way over 13 so it's OK. I hope this piece inspires you to play some games...

Let's Play

Copyright 2010

Let's pretend our bed

with it's king size pillow top mattress

is a game board

You game?

Cause I'm game

Your turn...

Right hand on my breast

Left hand on my hip

My turn...

Left hand on your behind

Right hand on your inner thigh

Your turn...

Right hand running down my spine

Left hand exploring

My turn...

Left hand rubbing your neck

Right hand... right there, right there

game over

we both win

Tuesdays with Nikki (#12)

As I was reading through my Nikki Giovanni poetry books, I came across a poem Nikki wrote before I was born that is oddly similar to one I wrote a few years ago. So this Tuesday, I wanna share both. Consider this blog post,"Tuesday's with Nikki and t.renee"!

As always, reflect and enjoy....

Housecleaning

By Nikki Giovanni

copyright 1970

i always liked house cleaning

even as a child

i dug straightening

the cabinets

putting new paper on

the shelves

washing the refrigerator

inside out

and unfortunately this habit has

carried over and i find

i must remove you

from my life

Junk Day

By t.renee

copyright 2000

I'm gathering up all my junk

taking it to the junk yard...

the cat's water bowl... she ran away 3 years ago

the mismatched plates and cup we used to eat canned ravioli on

the old swing falling apart in the backyard where we first kissed

that broken picture frame you got at the 99 cent store

your picture... with you wearing that sly grin I used to love

it makes me nausea now

my heart...

you bruised, mistreated and broke it

before you walked out the door

Writer's Block Wednesdays (#12)... even though it's Thursday

Better late than never! I am really about 2 weeks behind on words Whitney has given me for Writer's Block Wednesday. The word tonight is a word he gave me about 3 weeks ago. So again I say, "better late than never."

This week's word is SELFLESS. I have a lot of thoughts on this one, but the piece I'm sharing is a little to the left. Nonetheless, enjoy!

Selfless South

(for my SSC)

Copyright 2010

There's something bout the South

It offers

tall,full, green trees

bundled together

promising shade

from the hot humid days

offering mystery and suspense

to wide-eyed boys

seeking adventure

HBCUs

Clark, Morehouse, Spelman,

Fisk, Kentucky State, Tuskegee

Alabama A&M and Jackson State

rich is history and strong in tradition

There's something bout the South

Sweet tea

served in mason jars

on wrap around porches

swatting mosquitoes

with church fans

Fried catfish and spaghetti

at the Family Reunion

Aunties and cousins dancing the "Mississippi Mudslide"

A shot of Patron at Dudley's

with the regulars-

gold teeth, short skirts and Kangols

There's something bout the South

Catching a glimpse of a deer

on the curved road at midnight

the first kiss on the porch swing

Granny's soft hands braiding my hair

Soul Sista Cousin's laughter

a friendship that will last forever

There's something bout the South

that feels like home

Tuesdays with Nikki (#11)

Hello my faithful followers! Welcome to the 11th installment of Tuesdays with Nikki. I pray this blog finds you relaxed, refreshed and renewed.

Today's poem reflects how I am feeling lately. I just started a new job, my children returned to school and I have a lot of "extra" responsibilities on my plate that I tackle in my "spare" time. I am sure some of you can related. So with that being said, I offer you Nikki's poem entitled: The Wonder Woman (which by the way, was published in my birth year and was written for my favorite male singer...)

The Wonder Woman

(A New Dream- for Stevie Wonder)

by Nikki Giovanni

Copyright 1972

dreams have a way

of tossing and turning themselves

around and the times

make requirements that we dream

real dreams for example

i wanted to be

a sweet inspiration in my dreams

of my people but the times

require that i give

myself willingly and become

a wonder woman

Writer's Block Wednesdays (#11)

The word for today's "Writer's Block Wednesday" is PROOF. Immediately I thought of GOD. So here is a poem I wrote back in 2007 that I think captures the word. Be Blessed.

Dance like David

Copyright 2007

Our heartbeat is God's personal soundtrack for our lives

Shhh... listen...

Listen to HIS love song

Thump Thump... Thump Thump... Thump Thump

Feel...

Feel HIS presence

Dance...

Dance like David danced.

God is the great choreographer

the steps you take

the movements of your body

all are a gift from Him

let go of your inhibitions

allow God to take control

Shhh... listen...

Listen to HIS love song

Thump Thump... Thump Thump... Thump Thump

Feel...

Feel HIS presence

Dance...

Dance like David danced.

"Let them praise His name with dancing."

arms lifted

fingers floating

head bowed

hips swaying

Dance in praise

Dance in worship

Dance in celebration

Dance in sorrow

Dance in suffering

Dance in prayer

Shhh... listen...

Listen to HIS love song

Thump Thump... Thump Thump... Thump Thump

Feel...

Feel HIS presence

Dance...

Dance like David danced.

Tuesdays with Nikki (#10)

It's been awhile, but I am back! Before I offer up my tribute to Nikki Giovanni, I want to acknowledge the date: August 3. On this date in 2001, my daughter Nia Janae went to be the Lord. She is my angel and I miss her. God Bless you baby girl.

This poem tonight is dedicated to my husband and my children whose love holds me through the tough times and skips with me through the happy times.

Love is

By Nikki Giovanni

Copyright 1997

Some people forget that love is

tucking you in and kissing you "Good night"

no matter how young or old you are

Some people don't remember that love is

listening and laughing and asking questions

no matter what your age

Few recognize that love is

commitment responsibility no fun at all

unless

Love is

You and me