Tuesday, August 4, 2009

here



this is where
midtown meets
paris st. germain
where rain
meets earth
where city
sound and colour
intersect
a disciple
of the call for
changes of scenery
the path to
righteousness
is beset with
evil men
and maybe
just maybe
all i need is
better set design
a recognition
of hue and tints
and
learning how
to find solace in
the shadows
my shadow
its another
late night
and there's no
moonlight to
reflect in
this is where
i say nothing
and let
everything else
speak for me
this is where
i see so much
but begin
come to terms
with what could be
dwindling vision
and declining
hand eye coordination
in need of adjusting
my approach
like jordan did
to get thru detroit
while i get thru
agendaless
mid-afternoons
avoiding thoughts
of the soon after
because soon after
is a chapter written
but not in the
editing stage
held up on a shelf
in between
production
and proclivities
as aforementioned
the absence of
moonlight
to reflect in
leave it to life
to keep class in
session
with patience
and prevailing winds
comes reflection

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

umi

old but crisp, like my blue jay fitted. a sense of warmth, like my mood.

if they could
hear what
umi said
I’m sure they
would want to run
in the streets
with me
and the children
and shine light
shine it bright
teach the children
reach the children
so the world could see.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

sundays in st. lawrence

b-side to a
bluenote imprint
as notes blew
through
a soft summer breeze
imprint of hand on hip
and cheek on chin
cheslea, harlem and
st. lawrence
intersect here
warhol said
we all get 15
so let's milk
the next 14
in crooked streetlight
and stained
glass warehouse window
smile for the camera
hold that pose
we can
reprise roles
ciao manhattan
this
is
happenstance
urban chic and
urban cool
pimping the
stay in school
message
in advance
of the
back to school
glossy tabloid
overexposures
and exposed
brick
an elegance
amongst
the simplicity
and the energy
even though
the tank
is stuck on
e.
the agency
says chemistry
should render
a full page spread
a succesful exercise
of alchemy

Monday, June 1, 2009

stretch (the morning)

smokestacks
and sunlight
set the foundation
for a
warm side
and a reason
to set aside
the alarm
and the day's plans
for a minute or two
longer
signs of a night
well spent
rhythm and blues
to match the hues
of the sky
its time
to make it
happen

once...

the hurt stole
the show
with its
jeykll-hyde
performance
award winning
an encore was worthy


twice...

the warmth and
the levitation
so spiritual
a shaman couldn't
conjure it
with charms
and the like

thrice...

arrival
acceptance
arise.
looks like its gonna be a good day today

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

mostly him... some of her


the distance

between

him and her
isn't so much
an issue of space
but moreso
a subscription
to space and time
he gazes away
in her presence
staying silent
slipping away
into another dimension
where they reference
with preference
a place to settle
stainless steel
or black
kettle
for kitchen
a love seat
where love sits
and takes in
the view
over the polis
he thinks of
time well spent
doing nothing
but laying
and letting
desafinado
float
and fall
around
and amongst
them
he reminisces
on smiles
syncopation
serious tones
and slight touches
in hushed moments
as if it had
occured before
but quickly remembers
the distance
between
him and her
is akin to
him going northbound
her south
and stopping
for a moment
if that
distance
is fact
and the rest
is the most beautiful
of fiction
so beautiful
that to pursue
could present
friction
and positions
that could
have him wishing
the distance was
further than
where
his courage
could reach
his stupidity
could stand
and his heart
could lead
a last stand
in no man
and no woman's
land
him and her
etched freshly
in the sand
for the tide
to rinse and wash
while he repeats...

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

real talk

why
does
this
jazzmine sullivan - in love with another man
hurt
me so...
going outside to get some air
ready to take the rest of the day off
like it was me
fam...
and
why
must
she
sing it
like
she was helping
those lost
in the
aftermath of katrina
live via satellite
from
ebenezer baptist

Thursday, March 26, 2009

brunch is the most important meal of the day...

cosmopolitan

she is...

i had to sharpen the
street corner posture
upright
like the bass
along the avenue
pen, pad and poet
she could play muse
for this off-beat trio
and form a quartet
success
defined
with the simplest
of smiles
an image
left with me
for miles
upon departure
im sketching in spain
while reminiscing on
the east village
a recording session
one studio short
from intro to
the alternate take
composed on napkin
far from pedestrian
although pedestrian
was the approach
some kind of mocha
in surround sound
and technicolor
a thousand words
couldnt do justice
but then it was just us
your reflection
and my penchant
for description

Sunday, March 8, 2009

respect

the
social commentary
from elders to
welders
unionized
local 304
to mother
asking me to
lock the door
on my way out
and minimize
the noise when
i stay out
and slide in
appreciation
for the pen
and pad
to try maintain
just a little bit
for the guerilla-issue
one-piece khakis
securing me
while i reference
history
amongst stacks
the facts
the fiction
the flow
the diction
the architect
the struggle
the hustle
im slowly learning
what it means to me...

Thursday, January 29, 2009

reassure

hold my hand
as you hold
my heart
as we hold each other
pillars of stability
no
drug lord
or
personal trainer
could motivate
one to
carry this weight
tonnage hit me
deep
so deep that it
left me
searching for
street corners
a foreigner
in my backyard
looking for a familiar face
among self-portraits
the first step
to safety
can sometimes be the
furthest
from solid ground
but one touch
support
that isnt automated
is always
appreciated
no one wants to be on hold
but to be held
is help

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

rice and peas

a plate of rice and peas
is well met
with laughter and thanks
amidst the daily grind
and fear of the unknown
rice and peas shown
in front of you
is a welcome repreive
from it all
if only a moment
we sit
we smile
reflect
on sunsets
and contexts
this food
is a catalyst
for negotiation
on how to address
the next plate
and a
chance to disconnect
from
billing dates
interest rates
deadlines
and phonelines
rice and peas
a complete meal
a meal complete
push the seat back
reminisce on that fact
or fiction
from '97
subconsciously
schedule it again
a delicious
daily diversion