Cancerous

Growth on my brain,

a necessary element of the development.

Switchin’ to the slow lane,

my exit is approachin’ at any moment.

Not from life – but from the absence of it,

to be chemically dependent seemed much more fitting.

Of course I’m just kidding -

But really though…

Organized inactivities were my only habit.

I swear – not because I’m cussin’,

but because I can hear my mother fussin’

From the window – or was it the door…

It doesn’t matter but she had trust in -

My abilities as a man,

until her voice was no longer callin’

Far from grace I was fallin’

That perspective was so cancerous…

The same condition that brought silence to my guidance.

Taken from THE pedestal,

along with my potential

To face these responsibilities,

until that lil’ angel brought me to my knees.

You thought I wasn’t listening,

but your voice has never been more deafening – breathless

Live

Conceit marks the path of the wicked – forever’s a long time to be caught up in it.
Illuminated conspiracy theories making me weary..
Still dreaming for amnesia,
another dawn and my eyes are still bleary.
Extreme mental strain,
but the cap is still fitted.
Everyday struggle is just part of the grind…
Visualizing the sun rising gives me intense peace of mind.
Annoyingly insistent on following the path of the scripted…
The beat you can’t hear gives me peace like a ballad;
the rhythm to dance and forgive…
Courage speeds the tempo,
this song was never written.
But neither was yours…just live.

Flight of the Sparrow

Broken wings a gift from the divine,

captive of the inspired mind – I remain confined.

Quiet refusal to wither comes from the interior…

Battles strengthen the armor, save pity for the inferior.

Born to fly but forced to improvise,

No time to criticize – my eyes stay on the prize.

The skies full of the remarkable,

my place is secure among the exceptional.

Then came the understanding,

that my feet have never landed.

Never mimic the path of the Swallow…

The sparrow flies solo,

with strength of a lion – myself is who I follow.

These wings were never broken,

but carefully fashioned with precision.

Flawless for this path I chose,

soaring like an eagle – determined as a rose.

*written for a very special person – you know who you are

Jimmy Hustle

Everyday struggle – it sharpened the peripheral.

Survival is for the canny, too clever for the insolent.

Hunger pains were the only refrain,

high speed chasin’ – decelerated time I was facin’.

Focused on the affluent – conscious of the innocent,

conviction-less – the conscience was mindless because of it.

Ten steps ahead of ‘em with surgical precision,

this optical illusion gave me x-ray vision.

I categorically deny this lie you see with your eyes…

An honest life is worth more than anything I ever stole…

But the board don’t wanna hear this version of my demise…

so I’ll keep playing the role while you deny my parole.

Released

Daily admissions confessed to this affliction,

atonement for my priors before the premature conviction.

Fabricated happiness the felony,

can’t understand for the life of me -

Sacrifice precious sanity so you could live comfortably?

Wake up my G! – ain’t NOTHING in this life free.

Served the time and discovered the rhyme,

regained wisdom but she made off with my progeny.

Ignored by the ignorant,

their too young to feel the brunt of it.

Enough of the bitchin’,

I’m on something different.

The pen is my sword and intellect my adrenalin,

originality my ambition – everything is for them.

Unapologetic

Heretic? Worse words have been spoken I’m sure of it.

Faith braided through my inner fabric,

your motivations and logic are quite plastic.

That was never the controversy,

it’s the intellect that terrifies you – how tragic.

Could it be the dialect? Arsenic.

Classically trained, but schooled by the streets.

Stride to the beat of my own timepiece…

To decipher that takes more than just two feet.

Ulterior inspiration exists beyond simplistic observation.

Unwritten societal fiction remains my sincerest fascination.

Contemplation through my prose,

preserved in consistent composition.

Perceived provocation is actually slightly unintentional.

Any belief to the contrary is purely hypothetical.

Graffiti Train

Hopeless days start like a broken phrase,

trudging the same maze – limited are my days.

Stubborn lint in my pocket,

I’m grateful for my sanity.

Shattered mirrors at my feet,

mad symbols of disoriented vanity.

Bent spoons contort the vision,

another moon means I’m still missing.

Pain is relative – but so are my relatives.

Faceless ghosts haunt my psyche,

only the divine can forgive.

A constant mémoire as l bicker with the winter,

indignant stares find their mark – silent questions have their answer.

Serenity in living invisible,

closed hands while I pray.

I’ll ride this graffiti train until I find my way.

- I wrote this after a random discussion with a homeless man on the subway in NYC. I will never forget that day because it made me realize that everybody has a story no matter how invisible they are to society. -

Coffee Break

First and foremost I would like to thank my man Chris Hampton for even taking to the time to drop by and read my blog.  That in itself is an honor and means a lot when anyone feels that what you have to say is important.  Your nomination means a lot, not because I’m into awards, but because you yourself are a dope writer.  Any type of creative expression comes from the “down deep” and it’s a vulnerable position to put yourself in when something created is made public. Appreciation for that process is a great feeling and your nomination is very humbling.

Poetry started as a hobby of mine after my mother introduced me to the likes of Langston Hughes and Robert Frost when I was a kid. How they were able to take words and paint a portrait with feeling and honesty was amazing to me – much different then the story books i was reading at the time.  My passion for Hip Hop culture and the artists/poets that contribute to the art form, like Kamaal Fareed and Jay Z, give me that same feeling when listening to their lyrics. All of these influences play a huge factor into how I write and what I write about.

In accepting this nomination, I understand my first obligation is to list 7 facts about me – so here goes:

1. My kids are my world

2. I listen to classical music sometimes – it calms the voices

3. I had a bad stutter as a kid so I didn’t like to talk much

4. My favorite teams are the New York Knicks and Georgetown Hoyas

5. My favorite book is “Makes Me Wanna Holler” by Nathan McCall

6. My favorite movie is “The Shawshank Redemption”

7. I think Q-Tip is the best emcee and producer of all time

My nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award are:

1. ShAken - this blog is REAL relevant. Shawn is a great writer and he tackles the hard topics with force.

2. Progressera – this blog is written with raw emotion and I have the utmost respect for where he is coming from. Crazy talented

The Race

The dilapidated Dream created blurry ambition,

losing focus on the trophy from this stagnant position.

Waxen idols coveted bravely by the fickle,

provoke sable knights forever riding for the civil.

Abstinent intelligence guides the visionless procession,

powerless pawns in the battle for artificial compensation.

The discrete academic trains daily for the rivalry,

baring arms of rationality aimed intently at stupidity.

But for him there is no competition,

for unity has to be the vision – even if it reads like senseless fiction.

To finish is to comprehend incomparable diversity,

recognition of humanity will be your legacy – the supreme priceless bounty.

Merlot

Patiently waiting…

Sipping. Debating.

Searching for the perfect line.

Confidence revealed in discreet stares,

expecting the consenting sign.

Her profile intrinsically hypnotic,

this silent exchange becoming melodic.

Subtle focus on the iris,

the dimples manifest.

Our intentions resolute,

hidden thoughts in lyrical caress.

Reverie in my chalice,

we toast the inevitable.

The bitter cleansing of the palate,

as our partners return to the table.