Another Year For Thee

Another year is dawning!
Dear Master, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee!

Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast,
Of even deeper trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness,
In the shining of Thy face.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise;
Another year of proving
Thy presence "all the days."

Another year of service,
Of witness to Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning!
Dear Master, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven,
Another year for Thee!

Recipe For A New Year

Take twelve whole months.
Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness,
hate, and jealousy.
Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don't make up the whole batch at once.
Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,
one part of patience, one part of courage,
and one part of work.
Add to each day one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.
Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation,
and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupfull of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thouroughly over radient joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness, unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.
You're bound to have a happy new year.

Life I am The New Year

Life I am the new year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life
during the last twelve months.

All that you sought
and didn't find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out
with more determination.

All the good that you tried for
and didn't achieve
is mine to grant
when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do,
all that you hoped but did not will,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have --
these slumber lightly,
waiting to be awakened
by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity
to renew your allegiance to Him who said,
"behold, I make all things new."
I am the new year.

A Hood Christmas-Philly Style

twas the night before christmas and all through the hood
no one was set tripping so it was all good
the stockings were hung on the wall with some nails
dads back on heroin cause mom hit the trails
the kids were asleep all warm in their beds
with visions of murder invading their heads
the dogs kept on barking because of the noise
the kids were all hoping it was st. nick with toys
they looked out the window and what did they see
the neighborhood crackhead stealing their tv
they ran to the phone to call up the laws
while dad was chasing him down in his draws
the cops took too long and dad was to slow
the thief got away and dad got more blow
the kids have been good and nice all year long
but santa wasn't coming what did they do wrong
that christmas was something but it was not merry
cause santa was sleighjacked somewhere on east berry
as you can tell this is all messed up right
merry christmas to all and to all a hood night

I originally posted this on Facebook and received a comment back from one of my long time friends:
Arun Prabhakaran wrote:
at 9:27am
"the kids have been good and nice all year long but santa wasn't coming what did they do wrong"

satirically on point...i bet some people read your poems and don't know how deeply informed about the underside of america you are. i do. i know what kind of trouble you've seen. please never stop writing and telling your truth. you are one of many mirrors that our nation must face each morning. you are a blessing and keep pointing your finger in the direction we, as a people and a world, should go...

See, there is someone out there that does listen too me...LOL

About Me

I float IN and OUT of MANY different scenes. You can TRY to say I'm this or that, but when you haven't uttered two words to me, your attempts to categorize me merely implode into NOTHINGNESS!!! I don’t really care about being a part of some fabricated reality some of you live in. Everyone wants to be “fab” and “ovah”. I don’t want to be anything but ME! I like to take photos---SO WHAT. I’ll rock a booty short and tall boots--- SO WHAT. I’ll give you baggy jeans and a fitted---SO WHAT. NONE of the clothes I MAY decide to wear compose or establish my individuality… my personality. When you’re ready for the edginess… When you can muster up the courage to be a man… When you can find the strength to take on a challenge… When you're ready to face the world with someone holding your hand… HIT ME UP! Remember… the amount you receive SOLELY depends on your output.

Lookin For A Thug

Jus Some Images

We Dont Know Why

The twinkling of stars on a balmy night,
The gabble of geese as they take flight,
A passionate look in your lover’s eye,
The graceful ballet of a butterfly.

Living on the edge, in a committed way,
Facing all challenges day by day,
Your life on the line—to do, not just try,
Life is exciting—a natural high.

Failure and boredom appear in your life;
Unhappiness cuts you, just like a knife.
“Where are all the good times,” you cry;
Is life just hard, and then you die?”

The freshening feel of an ocean breeze,
The colors of change in the leaves on the trees,
The feeling of peace as the days go by,
Life's a dazzling puzzle—and we don’t know why.

Find Your Thankful Self

Sometimes you feel you're nothing at all,
And that's all you'll ever be.
You study all your defects;
An empty life is all you see.

Instead of looking at what you haven't got,
Seeing only what you lack,
Focus on your blessings,
And get right back on track.

There are many good things about being you;
Count them one by one.
Your life has lots of comforts,
While others, they have none.

Many people have it much, much worse
Yet they have happiness.
They take joy in little things
They're thankful, though they have less.

Lift your spirits up right now;
Get out of that depression.
Find your thankful self,
And give it full expression.

Find the joy in little things;
Focus on fun and laughter.
See life's blessings all around,
And live happily ever after!

Winters Embrace

When winter blows its cold breath everywhere,
And throws a chill white blanket on the ground,
The sun makes sparkling diamonds on the snow,
And trees with icy diadems are crowned.

It’s time to snuggle in for winter fun
In cozy places, maybe by a fire.
A good book and some cocoa feel just right
In flannels, sweaters, winter’s warm attire.

Winter’s gloom is comforting somehow,
As life retreats from its rushed and frantic pace.
We’re ready now to stay indoors awhile,
As we settle into winter’s calm embrace.

A New Year's Toast

Here’s to the new year...
May it bring more joy and success
And less grief and regret.

To our dreams...
May we never stop believing in them
And taking the actions that will make them a reality.

To our friends, loved ones, associates (or colleagues)...
May we take the time to let them know
How much it means to us
To have them in our lives.

Let us encourage more and criticize less,
Give more and need less.
And whenever we can,
Let us create harmony and peace.

To new beginnings...
Let us start fresh, right now,
To make this the very best year ever.

A very Happy New Year to all of us!

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.

At first sight/ "Forever"

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Take a second to think about it...

For some people, about maybe 10%-15% of decently analytical people, it's very true. Very alive. And very well. It's so hard to decipher what's what and what's real anymore. Who's what and who's real anymore. It sucks to get your feelings and emotions invested into a person to be dropped eventually like empty check book.

But there are times when I feel that my heart has me by the nuts.

"Forever"

i've said
PROUDLY
that i dont believe in forever.
forever is for whimps
and graduated pimps to house niggaz.
taking the kids to school....
paying bills...

but there's a light
in the corner of my darkened heart
housing the sole being of
my lovesickness....

waiting on forever
to find me
through the rubbish of old love
and habits that died
a horrible death.

head in hands on the windowsill
watching the ash
fall to the ground below
knowing there's a euphoria
somewhere...

where he and love
will be one.
hand in hand
chest to chest
so knee deep in forever
that there is no route back.

and he dont wanna go back.

(TBC...maybe.)