Pursuing My Dreams

So.... I think it's time. It pains me to come to this conclusion, BUT I have decided to end my Tuesdays with and Thought Provoking Thursdays posts. There are a few reasons for this:


1) The poems and pics that I post from others are covered under copyright laws. Although I give the poet full credit and even list the copyright date if it is known, I have not asked "written permission" from the poets, photographers or visual artists to post their work on my personal blog.  My goal is always to honor the art and respect the artist.


2) My life is hectic. Three active children, a husband and a full time job. Finding the time to focus on my blog each week has been challenging. When I don't post, I feel as if I have failed in some way.  And setting myself up for failure is not my idea of a good time. 


3) I started the Tuesday with post in honor of Nikki Giovanni and moved on to other poets. It was fun and I really enjoyed discovering new poets. I started Thought Provoking Thursdays to hopefully provide inspiration to others But now it has become a chore.... the thrill is gone. 


4) I need to focus on my the pursuit of my dreams. Those dreams include directing and producing my original full length play and publishing a book of short stories and eventually a novel.  Accomplishing these dreams will take time, energy and focused attention. That means something has to go. 


Thus my decision to end Tuesdays with and Thought Provoking Thursdays... for now. When the spirit moves me, when I find an interesting image or when I discover a new poet or poem, I may decide to post it for your pleasure.  Who knows? No promises. But the option is on the table.


My plan is to continue posting for Writer's Block Wednesday and Spirit Filled Sundays... but I am not putting the pressure of weekly post on my shoulders. Writing has always been joyful, peaceful, enlightening and fulfilling. I refuse to taint it with unnecessary self induced pressure.


So... thank you for your company on this journey. I have appreciated your support and your comments. The fact that you have taken the time to join me has meant so much. 
Shout out to my friend Whitney Davis for my weekly Writer's Block Wednesday words.  I wrote a whole book of poems based on those words! And I STILL expect a word every Monday! :)

My prayer is that you will continue to RELAX, REFLECT and ENJOY! And I pray all of you will pursue your dreams and see them become reality.  I am on my way. Who's with me?!

This ain't good-bye... so Ta Ta for now.

GOD BLESS!

Wedding Week Wednesday

My brother is getting married on Friday! Yea! To GOD be the glory! But because of all the planning and preparations (I am a bridesmaid, my hubby is best man, my son is a groomsman and my youngest daughters are flower girls) I haven't had the time or energy to create something for Writer's Block Wednesday.

So in honor of my baby brother and my future sis in law, I present Wedding Week Wednesday! :)

Just a few words of advice for the happy couple:

1) Marriage demands 3: you, your spouse and GOD

2)Put as much (or more) time, attention and detail into your marriage as you did your wedding ceremony

3) Enjoy each other!

Tuesdays with.... (#15)

Happy Tuesday! Today's poet is one that is well known and recognized. He passed away last year and left a wonderful poetic legacy for us all. One of his most famous poems is "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Gil Scott-Heron...

A Very Precious Time

by Gil Scott-Heron

copyright 1974

Was there a touch of spring?

Did she have a pink dress on?

And when she smiled, her shyest smile

Could you almost touch the warmth?

And was it your first love, a very precious time?

Was there the faintest breeze? 


And did she have a ponytail? 


And could she make you feel ten feet tall, 


Walking down the grassy trail? 


Was it your first love, a very precious time, time?

Now they got me trying to define, in later life 


What her love means to me 


And it keeps me struggling to remember, my first touch of spring.

Was there a touch of spring, in the air? 


And did she have a pink dress on? 


And when she smiled, her shyest smile 


Could you almost touch the warmth? 


Was it your first love, 


A very precious, very precious, very precious time, time.

Spirit Filled Sunday #20

Dee's Bugaboo Boutique

Last week I made Sunday dinner for my family, my brother and his fiance and my brother in law and his girlfriend. I found all the recipes on Pintrest and was excited to get in the kitchen. I was complimented on the meal and felt really proud of myself when it was all said and done. Riding high on last Sunday's dinner, today I went into the kitchen again, put on my apron and made a big dinner for my family. However as I reflected on the meal, I realized that the underlying reason for me making the meal was really to get the acknowledgement from my family. I waited with anticipation as each member of my family took a bite in order to see their response. It was not about feeding my family... it was about feeding my ego. Yep, there is it in black and white.

Why am I sharing this today? Well, it made me think about the following scripture:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Although this situation may seem trivial, I did not give GOD the glory in any of it. I sought the glory for myself. In reality GOD was all in it! HE provided the house/kitchen to cook it in. HE provided the money to purchase the ingredients. HE gave me the use of my hands to cook it. HE gave me the ability to read and follow the recipes. HE blessed me with the family to share it with. This means HE should receive the glory. Glory to GOD for the things HE has done... not what I alone have done. But what HE has done through me.

I encourage each of you to remember to give GOD the glory... even in the trivial things. HE is indeed worthy of the praise and honor.

Have a blessed and beautiful week!

Thought Provoking Thursday (#18)

This week's post is in honor of my baby brother who is getting married next Friday. Since I will be at the wedding rehearsal and wedding festivities next week, this post is also for next week's Thought Provoking Thursday.

So... your thoughts?

Writer's Block Wednesday (#44)

This week's word is FRAYED. Here's what I got! As always, I pray you will reflect, relax and enjoy...

Frayed

Copyright 2012

yesterday i stumbled across

our blanket...

you know the one

red and black with fringe on the end

it's rather faded

slightly frayed

smelling a little of moth balls

holding memories of times past...

laying near a tree in Chickasaw Park

watching you ball

running up and down the concrete court

shirtless, sweat glistening on your back

wrapped around my legs

knees drawn to my chest

sitting at the kitchen table

holding the phone close to my ear

trying not to fall asleep as you talk my ear off about your day

cuddled up on Granny's couch

watching White Shadow on the floor model TV

snow falling

wind knocking the screen door

draped over my shoulders

standing on the front porch

in the cool of the morning

watching you pack your car

leaving me alone

stumbled across our blanket

put it in the cedar chest

cause that's where heirlooms go

it'll be there waiting

till you come home

Tuesdays with.... (#14)

Today's poet is one you may know as an R&B/Neo-Soul artist and actress. But she is an amazing songwriter and poet too. After all, song lyrics are really just poetry set to music and words that are sung instead of spoken.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the talented, sometimes controversial but always fierce, ERYKAH BADU... (please note: this poem contains "adult" language)

Friends, Fans, Artists Must Meet

By Erykah Badu

Copyright unknown

performed on Def Jam Poetry Dec 2011

Friends, fans, artists must meet

Which 1 are you which 1 is me

Friends, fans, and artist must meet

Which 1 are you which 1 are me

FANS

God, please o please let her breath my way

if she sing my song today i can be ok

See I understand the message in the song she write

i was really happy for her when she won tonight

She a rebel for the struggle fightin just like me

i know she down to sing at the cookout, free

i was kinda dissappointed with the song she wrote

went to her website wrote a long as note

she done made a million dollars but she down to earth

she be rockin chuck taylors and a thrift sto' purse

signin autographs til the park was dark

i know it's kinda hard when they luv ya art

in the magazines they be twistin up the facts

but her response was fair i like how she come back

she be sangin for the world sharin all her pain

when she fell up in the game she had changed

fans, friends, artist must meet

Which 1 are you which 1 are me

FRIENDS

folk in the face like she ain’t da same

still da same b**** she just changed her name

she don't really like to hang around wit us no mo

wasn't nothin like that back in '94

she be fallin in the spot wit a fat a** grin

now she roll a benz she don't need no friends

she only really made it cuz her skin is light

don't nobody really understand that s*** she write

she done made a million dollars she can give us some

she be havin fun s*** we wanna have fun

seen her early in the morning looking bad as hell

gon be lookin really funny when her s*** don't sell

airport, bouta miss a flight

4 carry-ons talkin bout "pack light"

oo please o please give da queen her tea

i only come to da show cuz i get in free

Friends, fans, artist must meet

Which 1 are you which 1 are me

fans, friends, n artist must meet

Which 1 are you

ARTIST

folk in ma face cuz i'mma supastar

n****s hang around cuz of who i are

get a lot a love cuz of wut i got

say they happy for me, but they really not

sell a lot a records and i roll a benz

fall up in the spot now i'm losin friends

all i wanna do is give da world my heart

record label tryna make me compromise my art

make a million dollars, make a million mo

tax time come around still a ni**a po'

i wanna say wait but i'm scared to ask

the world start spinnin and it's movin fast

try to stay sane it's the price of fame

spendin my life tryna numb the pain

i shake that load off and sing the song

liberate the mind and i go on home

Source(s):

Erykah Badu - Def Poetry Jam

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=6550968

Spirit Filled Sunday #19

art by He Qi

heqigallery.com

Hey my faithful followers!

I took a little break last week cause: 1) last Wednesday, my son turned 16... yep 16. Your prayers are appreciated. 2) on Thursday my oldest daughter was not feeling well. Thank GOD she is better now. 3) I was just tired. It happens sometimes, but I'm back!:)

For todays' post, in honor of Resurrection/Easter Sunday, I want to keep it simple and just give you the plain and simple truth. Are you ready? Can you handle it? Here it goes:

HE IS RISEN!

That's it. Enough said. But in case you doubt me, see below. :) Be Blessed!

Matthew 28:1-10

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Tuesdays with.... (#13)

This week's poet is Lucille Clifton. A prolific and widely respected poet, Lucille Clifton's work emphasizes endurance and strength through adversity, focusing particularly on African-American experience and family life. From 1979–1985 she was Poet Laureate of Maryland.

During an interview for the Antioch Review, Clifton reflected that she continues to write, because "writing is a way of continuing to hope ... perhaps for me it is a way of remembering I am not alone.”

Ladies and gentlemen, Lucille Clifton....

sisters

by Lucille Clifton

copyright 1987

me and you be sisters.

we be the same.

me and you

coming from the same place.

me and you

be greasing our legs

touching up our edges.

me and you

be scared of rats

be stepping on roaches.

me and you

come running high down purdy street one time

and mama laugh and shake her head at

me and you.

me and you

got babies

got thirty-five

got black

let our hair go back

be loving ourselves

be loving ourselves

be sisters.

only where you sing,

I poet.

Spirit Filled Sunday #18

picture by Karen Middlebrook

Last week was a good week. I enjoyed quality time with friends, a date night with my hubby and fun with my family. I am grateful to GOD for these gifts. In honor of this, I am reposting a poem I wrote awhile ago. As always, I pray you will relax, reflect and enjoy...

Simple Pleasures

Copyright 2011

A piece of white chocolate macadamia nut cheesecake

An ice cold glass of Dr Pepper sipped through a straw

Taking a hot bubble bath by candlelight

San Francisco in August

A king size bed with a pillow top mattress

A well worn pair of jeans that still fit after 2 years

A poem by Nikki Giovanni (I'm not lonely, You came too & Nikki Rosa)

A song by Stevie Wonder (Superwoman, As, & Knocks me off my feet)

Cosby Show and Different World on NBC

Talking to my Momma...woman to woman

Holding my Daddy's hand

Looking into my husband's eyes

Hearing my son laugh

The presence of the HOLY SPIRIT

The joy JESUS brings

The grace and mercy of GOD

Thought Provoking Thursday (#17)

From the camera lens of the incomparable GORDON PARKS...

Norman Jr. Reading in Bed

1967

© Gordon Parks

Writer's Block Wednesday (#43)

My 8 year old daughter and I recently had a discussion about poetry. She said "I like your poems but most of them don't rhyme." I explained to her that poetry does not have to rhyme.

She concluded "even if it doesn't have to, it should."

I seldom write poetry that rhymes... usually the words, thoughts and feelings don't come to me in that form. However, for today's post, I put on my rhyming cap just because my daughter said I "should."

The word this week is OAK. As always, I pray you will relax, reflect and enjoy...

me under a tree

Copyright 2012

laying a blanket

underneath the tree

resting my body

enjoying the breeze

birds provide the soundtrack

as i reminisce and think back

to the moment when you walked away

even though you promised you would never stray

you left me broken and confused

feeling worn, beat down and used

looking in the mirror at a woman i no longer recognize

months ago i never would have believed you would be the cause of my demise

call me stupid or maybe just completely naive

desiring a man that was never purposed for me

now i found myself under this tree

a fragment of the woman i used to be

Tuesdays with.... (#12)

This week I want to share a piece by a poet whose work I admire as much as that of Nikki Giovanni. Those of you who know me know that this means a lot. Both poets speak truth in poetic verse that is easy on the ears and heavy on the heart. I want to be clear, "heavy on the heart" is not a negative thing. When I say it, I mean their words lay on my heart and take residence there. It is a good thing... poetry that makes you feel.

This week's poet is Sonia Sanchez.

photograph by

Laylah Amatullah

Ballad

(after the spanish)

By Sonia Sanchez

Copyright 2007

forgive me if i laugh

you are so sure of love

you are so young

and i too old to learn of love.

the rain exploding

in the air is love

the grass excreting her

green wax is love

and stones remembering

past steps is love,

but you. you are too young

for love

and i too old.

once. what does it matter

when or who, i knew

of love.

i fixed my body

under his and went

to sleep in love

all trace of me

was wiped away

forgive me if i smile

young heiress of a naked dream

you are so young

and i too old to learn of love.

Spirit Filled Sunday #17

I am sure many of you are aware of the Trayvon Martin case. I will not go into details as you can get the details with a simple Google search. I am also not going to express my opinion about the case... opinions come a dime a dozen. But what I would like to do is state some simple facts:

1) Trayvon Martin was shot and killed.

2) George Zimmerman,the man who admitted to the police that he shot Trayvon, has not been arrested.

3) Travyon was a 17 year old African American male, wearing a hoodie and carrying a bag of Skittles and a ice tea when he was murdered.

4) Zimmerman was carrying a loaded gun.

5) Trayvon was somebody's son.

This last fact is what has led me to this post tonight. I am the parent of an almost 16 year old son. My son is African American. My son wears hoodies. My son drinks ice tea and occasionally eats Skittles.

While we are so wrapped up in the politics of this case, I don't want to lose sight of the fact that a child has lost his life. Parents have lost their son. I pray that as we wear hoodies in remembrance of Trayvon, as we sign petitions and as we march for justice in this case, that we also get on our knees and pray. Pray for the family of Trayvon. When the media shuts off it's cameras and the house is quiet around them, I believe this is when the fullness of their grief takes hold of their hearts. Our prayers are needed. Lift up Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton: Trayvon's father and mother. Call them by name. Ask GOD to give them peace that transcends all understanding. Pray for GOD to give them comfort in their sorrow and bless them with memories that will bring unspeakable joy.

I ask you to pray for our children who are growing up in a world where simply walking down a neighborhood street with a hoodie can cause you to be labeled "suspicious" and "up to no good".

And although some may find this odd, I also encourage you to pray for George Zimmerman and his family. Two families were effected by the tragic events that took place that night. Prayer is needed for both.

And lastly, I ask you to pray for GOD's will to be done and for acceptance of HIS will.

I will be praying. I pray you will be too...

Rest in peace, Trayvon Martin. Rest in peace.

Thought Provoking Thursday (#16)

Your thoughts?

Writer's Block Wednesday (#42)

The word for this week is "park". Here's what I got. As always, I pray you will relax, reflect and enjoy...

Long Term Parking

copyright 2012

might as well

park my car

in your driveway

gonna be here awhile

sitting on your couch

eating at your table

bathing in your tub

staking my claim

pulling weeds

planting flowers

painting walls

making this house a home

tearing it up in the kitchen

putting it down in the bedroom

might as well

park my car

in your driveway

ain’t no other place

i’d rather be

Tuesdays with.... (#11)

This week's poet is one I became familiar with when I was in high school. Initially I was not drawn to her poetry, but some of her quotes gave me inspiration. Now that I am older and (more mature) I have developed a fondness for her poetic verses.

This week's poet is Audre Lorde. Audre Lorde was a Caribbean-American writer, poet and activist. She wrote her first poem when she was in eighth grade. Her first volume of poems, The First Cities, was published in 1968. Lorde died on November 17, 1992 of liver cancer, though she dealt with a 14-year struggle with breast cancer. She was 58. In her own words, Lorde was a "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet". In an African naming ceremony before her death, she took the name Gambda Adisa, which means "Warrior: She Who

Makes Her Meaning Known".

The Electric Slide Boogie

Audre Lorde

copyright 1993

New Year's Day 1:16 AM

and my body is weary beyond

time to withdraw and rest

ample room allowed me in everyone's head

but community calls

right over the threshold

drums beating through the walls

children playing their truck dramas

under the collapsible coatrack

in the narrow hallway outside my room

The TV lounge next door is wide open

it is midnight in Idaho

and the throb easy subtle spin

of the electric slide boogie

step-stepping

around the corner of the parlor

past the sweet clink

of dining room glasses

and the edged aroma of slightly overdone

dutch-apple pie

all laced together

with the rich dark laughter

of Gloria

and her higher-octave sisters

How hard it is to sleep

in the middle of life.

Spirit Filled Sunday #16

It rained hard today. Really hard. The wind was blowing fiercely and the air had developed an extreme chill. I was blessed to be safe in my father's house during the storm: physically present in my earthly father's house and spiritually at home in the presence of my Heavenly Father.

Tonight I want to share a poem I wrote some years ago. As always, I pray you will relax, reflect and enjoy...

In The Midst of the Storm

copyright 1999

Get thee behind me satan.

I have work to do.

I am God’s child and with me

HE is not threw.

Don’t try to play games with me.

It goes far deeper than that.

I know God’s Word...

I know the Bible,

and with that I will attack.

I know Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

HE is the one

I love, cherish and adore.

Get thee behind me satan.

Don’t play games you can not win.

I am a child of God.

The Holy Spirit dwells within.

Get thee behind me satan.

Don’t try to be under my feet.

This is game you can not win.

With Jesus there is now such thing as defeat.

Get thee behind me satan.

You can not have my dreams.

Hallelujah is what I scream!

I am not afraid of you.

You have no reign here.

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Whom shall I fear?

God is my shelter, my protector, my all and all.

HIS light shines through me.

In HIM, I stand tall.

Get thee behind me satan.

I am a friend of Jesus Christ

You can not win.

You can not win.

For Christ is my goal and my center.

My home, my family, my life

You can not enter.

You can not enter.

You seem rather stubborn, so I’ll say it once again.

Get thee behind me satan.

For Jesus is my best friend.

I may be weak sometimes

I may stumble... I may fall.

But Jesus,

HE picks me up

stands me proud

stands me tall.

Get thee behind me satan.

Go on somewhere else.

I’m not going through this all by myself.

No Jesus is with me.

HE is my friend.

Jesus is with me.

On HIM, I do depend.

So get thee behind me satan and make no mistake

The Word of God says me,

HE will never leave nor forsake.

This storm will pass.

This pain will end.

So I say

Thank you Jesus

Thank you Lord.

Thank you my Savior.

Thank you my Friend.

Thought Provoking Thursday (#15)

Your thoughts?

Writer's Block Wednesday (#41)

It's Wednesday! Last week Whitney sent me a word and I was on a "mini retreat" from my blog. This week, he sent me a new word. So I decided to use them both (kinda). The words for this week are TRUST and TIP. Here's what I came up with...

Trusting

copyright 2012

pumping my legs back and forth

on the swing

soaring high above the monkey bars

i trusted

i wouldn't fly out

dipping the tip of my big toe

into the pool

before immersing my whole body

i trusted

i wouldn't freeze

giving you my heart

in it's entirety

while still mending from the pain of the past

i trusted

i wouldn't hurt again

falling in love with you

mind body and soul

i trusted

i wouldn't fall alone

while i was trusting

....you were cheating

i now trust

that i will never fall in love again