Articulate Matriculation

We are not told to do things. We are afraid to do things anymore. What are we to do? We have to find a way to stand a chance. I'm hopeful for the future because I have to live through it. Maybe it is wishful thinking but as an African American, that's all I have. 

Sacrifice (Spoken Word)

I was told my entire life that I could not do it. That it was not acceptable. That I was not able. The art of matriculation and academics is all I knew besides the constant nagging and bragging, bullying and pushing. Don't you know I have a mind of my own? My choices are my own. Some people wait for destiny's to touch to help pick their choices, decisions, and such. Change all those maybe's into yes' and no's. I have my own direct path that I chose. It is my decision. It is my choice to graduate from an HBCU, my choice to not want children in my future. Even though it may be a sin to others. It is my happiness. So please do not tell me I can not, or should not. I am not grown but I am of age to do as I please. If I have the time and the funds, I will do so as I please. I sacrifice my time for everyone. It is time to sacrifice for myself sometimes.

Life's Struggle

Trying not to hold it together.
Things are becoming impossible.
Almost a taunting struggle.
All to make things possible.

Life is not perfect.
Friends come and go.
Some backstab with a sharp knife.
But you will always know.

You are left to fight alone.
Sometimes end up finding someone to love.
Fake a smile to hide the pain.
Somewhere along the way, someone knows the hurt.

You build a wall to keep from hurt.
You lock up emotions.
Keeping the love within.
Somehow to living life to please others.

Things seem to backfire.
Nothing seems to be right.
Your plans ends with a fracture.
But you live and deal with it.

Things always happen.
Learn from the failure.
You have no idea.
It is just a continuous life struggle.

Nonsense Verse

Form of light.
Often rhythmical.
Amusing and fantastical.
Magical situation, not so magical.
Whimsical and humorous.
In a tone and tends to employ fanciful phrases.
Something you do not see that amazes.
Meaningless made up words.
Meaningless or nonsensical piece of writing.
Something that is not overexciting.
Straightforwardly.
It just does not make sense.
The significance?
It is at ones expense.
Contradictory
And impossible scenarios.
This is how and what life has become.
Nothing but nonsensical words.
Hearing the voices of the morning and evening birds.
That is the only thing that deems to make logical sense.
Nothing else.
Because everything else.
Meaningless now.
Utter nonsense.

Social Media Networking

I know how the game is played
So many know your name.
Of getting known.
Requests are sent.

Connect with me through LinkedIn.
Like me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
And then my friend numbers can slowly rise.

In this socialized world.
You need to stay social all the time.
It don't matter how bury.
Or if you are offline.

Technology is growing.
So is the society.
Just keep strict conniptions
And keep all the nonsense in a separate section.

Embed a video
From Vimeo or YouTube.
Maybe pin a picture on Pinterest.
And show what represents you.

Write how you feel.
Tips and tricks through Wordpress and Blogger.
Some don't behave.
Don't follow that wave.

It is all about who you connect with.
Make your social and effect.
Let others know.
Because social media is about networking.

Understanding Graphic Design

It is more than just a program.
And more than just an image.
More than just the words place on the page.
And the technical background.

A journey begins.
And your eyes and mind take flight.
The doors open wide.
While you see new and interesting possibilities.

It is the art of communication.
Combining images, words, and ideas.
Convey information to an audience.

Creative inspiration
To come up with wise innovations
Making the audience wonder and explore.

Acquire clients to help the world.
Some still will never understand the design world.
Concepts and theories play a perspective.
Hours and hours of time and creation.

Some will never learn the effort and design.
The goal is to convey a visual message.
To truly eli and personify.
The true definition of graphic design.

The Life, The Pen

A utensil.
Used to write to your hearts content.
Life full of ambitions.
Choice of words used to vent.

It does not alter color.
Or how much is written.
A pen so tangible.
Quality to unforgiven.

The strongest weapon
Small to fit into a pocket.
There is a million like it.
All hold a distant history.

Allowing words never to be spoken out loud.
A few strokes.
A life painted with just a pen.

It flows beneath my fingers.
Writing out my feelings and frustrations.
Escaping from the world.
My thoughts are nothing but tools for my pen.

Re-Imagine

Imagine a world
Where imagination is not extraordinary
Or hard to find.

Image a world
Where individuals enjoy reading.
Where we read and write through school.

Home is where the imagination takes seed and grow.
Where things are so magical to the mind.
It is meant to nourish and help bloom.
Bloom to its full potential so very soon.

If everyone has imagination
Would we be better off?
No one person would be special or recognized for the abilities.
Lets re-imagine.

People are no longer unique or valued.
Imagination is hard to find.
Nothing seems to even matter.
Ordinary to be extraordinary.
Or is is another imagined thing never to become real.

Swing, Swing, Swing

Up and down
High above the ground
Childhood memory
Something you can not forget

Up, up in the air so blue
Air refreshing, lovely air so true.
The sky is so much closer.
Clean mind with just gliding rhythm.

Leaf, green trees.
Blowing through the summer breeze.
Transcending through space and time.
Imaging of leaves and clouds.

Swing to your hearts content.
Feeling of joy, peace, and serene.
A serenity of a pen full of ink.
A serenity of suspended motion.

Common Courtesy

Is it hard?
Or is it overwhelming?
Difficult or unreliable?
It is quite uncommon.

Social prejudice is easy to find.
Hidden from the common eye.
Do you even remember?
The last time you held a door for someone?

We used to say 'hello' to strangers.
Now they are avoided like a plaque.
People are now on edge.
Not even a 'good afternoon' in sight.

When was 'please' and 'thank you' said?
Especially when being fed.
Courtesy is on the decline.
Soon it will be long dead.

With each passing generation.
We lose just a little bit.
Onc it is finally gone.
No one will even care anymore.

Society's Malfunction

Are we slowly declining?
Or are we afraid and trying to hide?
Nothing is the same anymore.
Nothing is right.

We are still hurting each other.
We can not please one another.
The government we can not trust.
It is totally corrupt.

We are supposed to be a free nation.
But still in hunger and poverty.
People will steal right in front of you.
If innocent, you are shot and killed.

Celebrities are breaking news.
But those in terror are case aside.
Oh how our nation lies.
Tell me this, tell me why?

Students are covered in debt for doing and being productive.
Everything is now destructive.
Graduates can not get the jobs they deserve.
As a nation, we are simply just serving.

We are told we can be whoever we want to be.
We can not do or be anything until we are nearly 35.

It is a crying shame.
Society is malfunctioning.
The biggest problems still exist.
Simple to solve.
But the priorities are different.

There seems to be no hope.
Maybe there is.
We are malfunctioning.
Is there a way for society to function again?

Technology

Computer chips
And microchips.
Take it apart
Circuit breaks
iPhones and Androids
It does not matter which is better.
Easy carrying tablets and flat screened gaming PC's
Operating in a breeze.
New releases.
A great sense of excitement.
Microsoft, Apple, and Android.
Which is better?
We can decide later.
I want it all.
A room full of tech toys.
0's and 1's
Binary codes and bytes.
All great to learn.
But all hassles
Motherboards and wires.
Have to be careful sometimes.
RAM and memory.
Always needing upgrades.
But for the better.
Technology is expanding.
And will continue to outlast.

Sweet Marzipan

Don't waste it.
You might not see it again.
The day was passing by the night.
The sun passed by the moon.

Convincing each other.
A figment of the imagination.
Does it exist.
The sweet marzipan.

We try to hide ourselves
Cloaked in darkness.
For love is a thing I can not eat.
The subject on how I greet.

A rather hold of my life.
My two legs and arms
Tempted.
I dream of the sweet marzipan.

Assassin

There is so much darkness.
And you run in fear.
How wil you survive?
I will make that clear.

Forgiveness.
Don't even waste your breath.
Something given.
A demons wrath.

Coming from the shadows.
From the air and the sky.
From the gallons
Prepare to die.

Heart is racing
Before the realization.
Between time and space.
Without a trace, a true assassin.

Heels

I stand tall.
Straight up, heading high.
On high heels.
Sharp, in all colors.
Sophisticated.
A stilted amazement.
Flawless silence broken.
2, 3, 4, and 5 inches.
Do not fall into the trenches.
Sometimes expensive.
Sometimes a bargain.
The sound made.
By walking on the pavement.
High and low.
Sometimes you will tumble and fall.
Making you slim and tall.
Impressive.
Finding the right kind.
To fit the mood.
To fit the soles.
To fit the style
On an all time high.
Slender with long and narrow feet.
Tip-tapping on marble floors.
Adding inches on height.
Beautiful legs
And elegant feet
Take care of those.
In high heels.

Working

Physical ability
Responsibility
Lifting, siting, and all of the above
Following management
Take the hint.
30 minute lunch breaks
Sighs of relief.
Education, training, and experience.
Working day to day.
Shift after shift.
Ability to lift.
Objects and materials.
Vision of excellence.
Continuously.
Lives and customers.
Learning on the job.
Business and ethnics.
Code of conduct.
Always conduct yourself.
Employees and employers.
Do your job and follow the rules.
Use your resources as your tools.
Everything is running as it should.
Obtain sales.
Direct and manage.
Hardworking on a day to day basis.
Working all day
Working everyday.
Something I hate.
Something you love.
Do whatever you can
To rise above.
Continuously working.

Words

Formulation of syllables and phrases
Levels and levels
Forms of volume and several decibels.
Taking time searching for the right ones
A perfect phrases to describe a specific feeling.
Sometimes incessantly escapes me.
Or hooked upon the tip of my tongue and upon my lip.
The ramblings on paper.
Emotions on wet ink.
What makes the speaker think
Sometimes that shows
The rhyme or not
Maybe a writers emotion
Or the deepest thought.
A jumble of different words.
Spewed in a array of languages.
That may turn some heads forward.
Written or spoken.
Lies or the truth.
Can mean such a powerful thing.
Or have so much to bring.
Make you gasp and choke.
Coming up for air.
Sometimes filling us with hope.
Or formulate beautiful lyrics to a song.
Whatever it may be.
Emotions can be felt.
Either by a single syllable or a bad phrase.
Choose carefully
Because words have meaning within itself.

What Is Black History?

Is it a rhetorical question?
Observations of Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela.
A celebration of human life
Accomplishments and awareness.
Shades of black and white.
A distinction between different traditions.
Degrees of situations.
Black life and black culture.
Protest seemingly arise.
Deep within the heart of humanity.
History dedicated to one month?
The insanity.
Color discrimination.
A place in black history.
What about the innovators and dictators?
Those who made a difference.
The meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. And his speeches.
It seems to be there.
Something our culture understands.
While the others seem to underestimate and undermined.
Where is the history?
Depicting.
Weighing
Measuring.
Judging.
The depths of the human soul.
It is an un-fathomable calculation.
Where we start with interaction.
Others still do not know.
Nor will the next generation.
What is black history?
How is it measured?
Topsy-turvy.
Upside down.
Something refused to be taught to others.
When will they learn?
When will it be a concern?
Learning about things we already know.
Take your words about history and trunk them around.
Learn about our culture.
And not about the interpretations of slavery we already know.
History should not just end at the "white man's" door.
Celebrate color.
The multiplicity.
The complexity.
And diversity.
Not just celebrate in one month.
There should not be a lack of it.
What is history?
The color of our culture.
The discriminated upon.
The color tradition.
Somehow shunned upon.
The color of race and people.
Stating those obscurities.
So what is black history?
Something we all need to learn about.

Words of Black Culture

Born beautiful.
Living in urban communities.
Poverty and social injustice.
Stress, survival, and the struggles.

Large expanses of asphalt and concrete.
Always in the middle of the heat.
Natural Skin
Brownstone.
But unruly and unjustified by the tone of our skin.

We go through the emotional ups and downs.
Maximizing the affect on our lives.
Emotional connection and control.
Destruct the balance and stability of our culture.

Connection
Disconnection
Racial discrimination
We take the bulk of it.

We are judge by our color.
Spoken to like good olé rubbish.
Set away and chosen over someone less superior.

Life comes in words.
They may or may not be heard.
If heard...
Only to please the "white man".
If not...
It is long forgotten like our heritage and black history.
Somehow we have to get that back.

Subtle Trust Issues

To this day

Nation We Call "Free"?

I have grown tired.
Society chasing.
In this nation we call "free".
A "free" nation you say?
Blacks are still living in poverty.
Gunned down and discriminated against.
Naïve to think this all diminished.
We are ALWAYS "expected to".
Stripped and exhausted every muscle.
This modern society we live in.
Expensive things only others can experience.
Minimum wage not even close to change.
Our children running in the streets.
But our nation is "free".
You are right.
It is "free".
"Free" to make it much more difficult without even realizing.
Making clothing sizes 10 times too small.
Making lengths average.
Difficult if you are tall.
Selling a vision.
We have so much talent
But it is either hidden, stolen, or taken away
Misconstrued for the outside prey.
Pure mangos
And natural coconuts.
Segregation of hair products with chemicals made for the un-natural or the "perfect".
But we too soil our own hands.
Committing the same acts to our own.
We should come together as one.
The oversaturation of our blood and our roots.
I have grown tired.
These days a man can not get a job.
Because he is not good enough for the "white man".
Yet we are told we NEED to get a job.
A nation of "need".
Why not a true nation of the "free".
Because this is not.
Folks racism still exist.
Living at your own risk.
We should beat to our own drum.
But I have grown tired.
I am coming undone.
Because in this nation we call "free".
We are still slaves as far as I can see.