Worldly possessions
bring temporary highs
covering up reality
paper truths and diamond love.

The man with the brick look was
my grandfather; he didn’t smile often
I don’t know why he always looked
like an iron rod; this honorable man
with the brick look was a father
and a provider. My grandfather was
the only father I knew; I will always remember
him and the lessons he instilled in me.

Speak as much love as you can
into someone’s life, whether or not
you like them, simply because of
the goodness in your heart.

Traveling to Jamaica makes me nervous
and excited all at once; the night before
I cannot sleep, it ties my stomach in knots
I can’t wait to walk out the Montego Bay
airport after a long delay in the customs line.

My heart is racing, it’s been years, and I am
thrilled to see my loved ones; I’m enjoying
the beautiful weather, a blanket of warmth
surrounds me; I’ve been looking forward
to this reunion long before I bought my ticket.

I can’t get enough of my family’s presence
this love is what I’ve missed; it’s going to be
a long ride home to the country now, but I’m
too excited to fall asleep, or I’ll risk
missing the gorgeous scenery.

Love everyone
according to God’s Word
it doesn’t matter the differences
in appearances; His love triumphs all
of that, their uniqueness is a blessing.

I’m in charge of my actions
and happiness; I slip up and mess up
all the time; a roller-coaster
best describes my mood swings sometimes
I need to take a seat and listen
my thoughts are all over the place
I am learning to live and remembering
to laugh because I am still alive; I am
taking the time to love and accept myself.

Everything sounds better in my head
everything sounds better in my head
everything sounds better in my head

I try to be a better version of myself
every day, pushing past the limitations
Either I or someone else has placed
On my shoulders to bear unfairly. My skills
And abilities get frequently overlooked
Or overshadowed by others who
Don’t want to see my potential explode.

Sometimes I waste my 24/7
worrying worrying
worrying worrying
worrying worrying
About things, I cannot control
It’s mentally draining.

An oppressed, chosen people; the epidemic
of black-on-black crime and a cesspool
of drugs; racism, colorism, classism plagues
the community; our people don’t know
our history, manipulated by the white man.
They set our people up for failure, low-income
houses, welfare recipients, planned parenthood,
angry black women, jailhouse hardened men,
and fatherless children, an entire race
dunced down. The majority murdered
by genocide; we worship a white Jesus
“hair like wool, skin like bronze,”
BLACK IS GOLD.

Learning something new every day
should be a priority; there’s a wealth
of knowledge out there,
yet to be discovered.