A POEM FOR MR. SCOTT-HERON...

 If you aren’t having no fun, die, because you’re running a worthless program, far as I’m concerned.”- Gil Scott Heron

Factory Nigger

They never could 
understood
Or maybe never tried
Called you a junkie and a genius
You opened my world through the Vulture and The Nigger Factory
A black man standing in the fields
Unafraid
Struck out on his own
Without apology
Without validation
Fuck 'em for painting you as a novelty
As an enigma 
And nothing more
How painful your world must have been
To be a survivor of the revolution
Waiting in the other world for us to turn our televisions off...

LAZY SUNDAY...

The past week was productive but draining. Filled up my daily planner for next week but had to make time for a lazy Sunday. Brought in the day with some good music (stepping up my playlist game) and got a chance to finish up this book I've been reading (shout out to Last Word Bookstore). Cleaned up a little, organized my art supplies, and a DVD with a couple of beers and good company will suffice for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow...back to the business of life.

"IT HAS BEEN MY CHALLENGE AND MY PLEASURE..."

Anyone who knows me will tell you, the concept of me "being on my grind" is virtually non-existent. I take the free spirit, float in the wind, let the chips fall where they may mantra way too far without even realizing how detrimental it has been or could be. A good friend of mine suggested that I come up with a five-year plan, and this time, stick to it. Follow-through has always been my weakness so this challenge is with pleasure. My master list is simple: Three key goals to focus on and smaller ones to start without. It feels good to tackle these small things knowing that I'm one step closer to my goals. So I guess I'm growing into one of those people who can feel good about being a little MIA, because I've been on my grind. SMH at me.

MAKE ROOM FOR SILENCE IN YOUR LIFE

I wouldn't be a weirdo without the constant trademark epiphany. This one courtesy of reading up on some New-Age hypothesis on how to move in the world. To sum it up, it talked about making room for silence in your life and just being centered. Me?...centered?...I know, but what's the point of living if it doesn't involve changing? A little silence works wonders to regroup, reenergize and get the full effects of sharing with others. Maybe more silence is the balance I need to increase my tight circle of people that I trust, confide in and remain loyal to. Just a thought...taking my behind back to bed now. Later....

What's In A Name?

My baby got in the car the other day looking like someone had just stolen her bike. I find out that she was mad because someone in her class had been making fun of her name. My first thought was damn, I'm dealing with this already and she's only five. 
The mother hen in me wanted to go up to the school the next day and put that little boy over my knee and beat some manners into him. I mean, in my mind, my daughter's the greatest, who wouldn't say nothing but pleasant and complementary things to such a beautiful and smart child? :). But the teacher in me realizes that he's just a little kid doing what all kids do, and surely something that my daughter will do or has already done, made fun of something that was different. As a parent, all I could tell her was that she was special and smart and not to care what people said about her. That it was okay to get upset or to have hurt feelings, but she would have to learn how to take up for herself and keep it moving. It may have been a concept that a five-year old couldn't understand, but one I'm sure I will have to repeat in the future. 

THE PAINTING THAT REFUSES TO BE FINISHED...

Man, it's been 42 days and counting...Blame it on being distracted, handling other matters or just a good ol' case of artist's block, but this painting refuses to be finished. I hung it above my bed with no plan or sketch and slowly but surely, shapes started popping out at me. If only it didn't take so long, you know I'm impatient...

I guess it's a metaphor for where I am in my life. If it takes another 42 days, I'll be cool with it. Good things happen at their own pace.

Friday Night (Haikus)

Peeling away these...
these masks I wore for free
what you've never seen

In my daughter's eyes
See peace patience potential
Give her she deserves

The beautiful ones
they come when you need them to
And give what they can

Who wants to spend life
Living in the shadows of
broken love affairs

Job of an artist
To give of yourself freely
Even if you starve

Handsome smart sincere
it is his voice I'm hearing
before I doze off

I can never be
a weak sidekick or trophy
Was built way too free

Friday nights have turned
Into a day I rush rest
As I get older