"Always be a poet, even in prose." C. Baudelaire

One of the many benefits of attending Emory University is the amazing people that I was able to meet and befriend. Not only are many of these people like minded in ideals and goals, but they are also amazingly talented.

So I've always had a thing for poetry... I think it was around middle school that I realized that I was just not going to be a poet. I liked the "idea" of writing poems, but I was just not good at it.
I usually ask all of my friends that consider themselves poets to write me a poem. Luckily my friend Carlos obliged. I am an avid lover of Robert Frost's, The Road Not Taken. I believe I have even featured a post on this poem (I DID...yay...Click here for the link to my August 2009 entry on the Road Not Taken) So when he decided to write a poem, that was loosely based on The Road Not Taken. I was excited to say the least!! It's below!

There is a fork out front of me
two frosted paths- one traveler's glory,
adventure surly lies just down one pick
the other holds some unknown story.

One shall do well enough I'm sure,
the other far worse I'll likely tell
but both assuredly plainly stood,
neither way seemed the better scaled.

The trees will not bother tell me
just which path is better lain.
The one looks swift, if grass be quick,
the other just as brisk and plain.

I will spend the day until assured
which is the better of this way.
Two roads diverge in a frosted wood,
And I- have not a decision made.
C. Harper

So I've been telling him that I was going to write a blog entry on the poem he wrote for the longest and honestly. I remembered because he emailed another poem out this morning. I enjoyed this one as well, it is concerning Travel. For those of you who don't know..I LOVE to travel. I love the airport, I love exploring unfamiliar places and learning about cultures... (hence my Anthropology major). So once again, Harper seemed to "hit the nail on the head" (that's a weird expression..lol.)

One autumn a man preached about destiny
and the church listened, nodded, said amen
and I was with them till the train came.

Trains, they are boxes large and heavy
whistling loudly shaking at our temple.
The preacher pauses till she passes through,
I know she means no harm but see
the tracks were lain,
she has no choice but follow.

One autumn a man preached destiny
and my mind took to a train.
C. Harper

I hope you enjoyed those poems as much as I did. Until Next Time...

Dream.

So I am really into poetry; I have always been from since I can remember. I used to write the most cliche' poems in middle school.. lol. And at some point I finally realized I wasn't a good poet and I should just appreciate those who are. lol.. The other night my friend texted me a poem (yeah he does stuff like that), but I told him I'll put it on my blog, cause I thought it was cool. So here it is:

Dream. 

As the sun peaked through the blinds 

our minds were intertwined in a dance

 only our bodys could underscore.

I love you more than those moments.

As the moonlight crept up the walls 

our silhouettes held hands that were

interlinked and to think of this bliss.

I loved you less than I should have.

But I'm awake again.

Dream.  

-Reno Lamont

Just in case you want to check out some of his other poetry, he has a blog here. 

While we are on the subject of dreams... I am not sure when I realized that I was really a dreamer, I actually consider myself to be more of a visionary. I see things as they were, currently are, and could be. Unfortunately I get caught up in things that have so much potential, that I fail to remember that is not how things will necessary be in the future; potential is just that... potential. It is not reality. With this in mind, I will leave you with this quote.

 "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams."-A. Smith

Until Next Time...

For Freedom Not For Beauty

I am in the library about to jet off to a review session, but I just wanted to make a quick post. So breaking news on the natural hair blog circuit, Chrisette Michele has decided to BC.. and a few noted bloggers have had the chance to interview her. I am not that big into interviews of celebrities and what not, but her interview (the parts I read) was insightful. I'll post a few excerpts below, also the poem that she wrote, "For Freedom Not for Beauty" is beautiful. (And yes that is Chrisette in the picture) Enjoy!

For Freedom Not For Beauty

There’s a beauty that lives so deep inside each of us.

There’s a fickle eye that doesn’t believe anything it sees.

There’s a benefit in love that erases all doubt and believes good intentions.

There’s an ear that isn’t free enough to give the honest man the benefit of the doubt cluttered by lies not-mentioned.

Since when is creativity subject to criticism?

When is honesty subject to a jury of fears who wouldn’t believe rain if it fell, or sun if it shined?

Sometimes a flower grows when no ones watching.

Sometimes a bird sings and no one hears.

There’s a meadow no one runs on and a cloud no one names

And what would the sky be with out the sun?

What would the earth be with out its rose?

They’d still be the sky and the Earth.

So perhaps there is a peace in becoming.

Perhaps the meaning is in the experience and not the sight.

Maybe a flower grows because it suffocates under ground.

Whether or not she is always noticed, beauty must become.

She doesn’t look for an eye.

She doesn’t listen for a voice.

She just becomes,

For Freedom Not For Beauty

-Chrisette Michele

Thanks to CurlyNikki...the interview was great, here are two ques/answers that I particularly liked!

CN: What would you tell someone toying with the idea of transitioning or Big Chopping?
Chrisette: Do what’s best for you. What is your heart saying? Follow it. We are incredibly beautiful, us curly girls. Let’s be proud and supportive of each other. To be quite honest I’d have to say...are you ready for what I’m about to say? Ok... Don’t be one of those girls out there who have our beautiful curls but wear no smile, head is down, ain’t got no presence! Give it! Cat walk down the street! Rock that hair with the fiercest of outfits. This is not just a spiritual journey, it’s an incredible fashion statement that not everyone can wear! Treat it like a manicure or a new Prada bag and be the most amazing diva on your block. This beauty is fierce and it’s ours naturally! Let’s make each other proud! Amen?!

CN: Anything else you'd like to add?
Chrisette: I am so grateful for the bold acceptance I’ve received from my sisters. I think together we are breaking down barriers in the main stream and I’m excited about our journey ahead. There is a new integrity and honesty that we are experiencing that says “Take us as we are, or don’t take us at all”. There is a new pride rising from our community reminiscent of the times when we knew each others poetry, and held our fists in the air. We are going to support each others new business ventures, we are going to see each other in graduate schools, we will see each other in government and we will lift each other out of this depression. It starts in the heart and I pray I’ve inspired many of my sisters to follow theirs.

Until Next Time...

Nneka=Real Music

So I have already posted 4 other updates and it is only March 3rd... I think you can tell I really missed my blog and all of my creative outlets. The past two weeks were filled with exams, tests, quizzes, and more exams. I have had a little more time to breathe, before the madness resumes.

I meant to write a blogpost on Nneka. Basically she is an amazing emerging artist, I hope I can do her justice.She is classified as a Hip-Hop/Soul/Afrobeat artist. 

Quick side note: So if you have been keeping up with my blog at all, you know that I was mildly miserable in MO last semester, but I have been trying to do more things. So I was recently introduced to a new friend in STL, she is an Emory alumnus as well, and she invited me to the Nneka concert a couple weeks ago. The ironic part is my line sister posted on my wall (on FB) a link to Nneka's video the very same day that my new friend invited me to the concert, because she thought I would really like her music...

So I went to her concert and completely fell in love with her music and everything she is about. Nneka is a Nigerian-German singer, songwriter and a lot of her songs are about political and conscious issues and what not, mostly having to do with the exploitation of Nigeria. Her concert was at the Gramophone, which was a cute little diverse spot. Her newest album, "Concrete Jungle" was recently released, but hearing her CD is nothing compared to hearing her live.Her single, "The Uncomfortable Truth" was iTunes single of the week a couple of weeks ago. I have so many songs that I like...my fav is probably "Come with Me"...I love the lyrics, beat, gosh everything. However while making this blogpost I just discovered she has a lot of videos for a lot of her songs...

Well back to my narrative, we ended up getting her autograph and a picture with her... which is unusual for me, because I am not usually a groupie, but I think she is a refreshing sound in music. Very uplifting, and it creates a wonderful awareness that I feel has been missing from music lately. Below are some videos of her songs, check them out. I wish I could post all of her videos/songs, but definitely check her out on youtube, myspace, R.I.P. imeem, playlist, etc...





SO I went a little overboard with the videos...Oh here are two pics I took at the concert. Enjoy...

Until Next Time...

Happy Founder's Day!

I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and I want to wish all of my Sorors a Happy Founder's Day. On January 13th, 97 years ago my twenty founders founded the largest African American sisterhood in the world.

Long ago and far away
Twenty-two began a brand new day.
They wanted more than just a social life
They desired to be more than just a wife.
These twenty-two had a larger vision
And that soon caused them great division.
Some went left, but most went Right
And strove to reach a higher light.
They wanted to make a better place
And give their children a broader space
To expand their minds and their hearts
And give to the world the best parts
Of being Intelligent, Female, and Black.
These twenty-two started the forward motion
But theirs was just the tip of this Delta notion
They gave the foundation and an example to follow
They made it strong and solid, not hollow.
Their legacy remains as a directional arrow
And the time is now to release the sparrow
To fly free and soar to heights unknown
But she must never travel alone.
Along with her sisters the job gets done.
Along with her SORORS the battle is
Won.

By Soror Valerie L. Thomas

Until Next Time...

Life is a Journey...not a Destination

Life is a journey,
Not a destination,
There are no mistakes,
Just chances we’ve taken
Lay down your regrets cause all we have is now

Wake up in the morning
And get out of bed
Start making a mental list in my head
Of all of the things that I am grateful for

Early in the morning
It’s the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my eyes and
I open up my mind and
I wonder how life will surprise me today

Early in the morning
It’s the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my heart and
I’m gon’ do my part and
Make this a positively beautiful day
 
Life is a challenge not a competition
You can still smell the roses and be on a mission
Just take a moment to get in touch with your heart
Sometimes you feel like you’ve got something to prove
Remind yourself that there’s only one you
Just take a moment to give thanks of who you are

-India Arie

Until Next Time...

Praise Song for the Day

Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.

All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.

Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.

We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of some one and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.

I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,

picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.

Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.

Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?

Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,

Praise song for walking forward in that light. 

-Elizabeth Alexander (Inaugural Poet)

I meant to write this post a few days ago on Election Day, but I just didn't have time. Most people recognize this poem because it was the "inaugural poem" read by Elizabeth Alexander at President Obama's inauguration. When I first heard it, at Emory's cozy "Harland Cinema" it instantly captivated me and I thought it was so appropriate for the occasion at hand. But everytime I read it...it seems to get even more powerful and take on a new meaning of that particular day that I read it.

Today I am definitely exhaling "praise songs for the day." Honestly, it has been rather difficult to give "praises" for the day, when I feel as though I am barely staying afloat with all the "material" and what not. But even though I have a really big exam coming up tomorrow (Anatomy and Physiology), I am so grateful that I am blessed enough to be in my current situation. My decision is validated even more when we do anything remotely related to the eyes. Just two days ago I ordered my first/second year's equipment. Even though it came up to over $1700 (which I'm using loan money to pay for). It made me really happy.

The fact that I have this opportunity is amazing. It is easy to forget the struggle/plight of others when you are in this academic bubble that is focused more on learn, study, take test...As of last year, it is estimated that ONLY 3% of current practicing optometrists are African American. Did you catch that? 3% that is sooo crazy. However it makes sense since my roommate and I are the only two black people in my class (c/o 2013). I just know that I am doing my very best, while trying to retain some sense of sanity.

In all, I am definitely giving praise songs for the day. Until Next Time...

Beautiful Dreamer...

Live for the dream follow the dream beautiful dreamin
Live for the dream follow the dream beautiful dreamin

Oh I know sometimes that it gets hard
Running up that road surviving beating the odds
But you don't have to worry no fear no doubt
Hold on to the dream, believe, believe believe believe

- J Scott

I apologize...

I just watched this and I just had to share because it was so captivating...



Until Next Time...

Too much the Same...

I think as a people we have soo much in common, but we spend too much time trying to figure out and highlight our differences...Often I feel as though the same people that say I am so different from them or in fact so much like me that it's kind of weird. I know in this specific case that we actually were Too Much the Same...Thanks Goapele for describing the situation perfectly.



Too Much the Same
Seeking a summertime love
Just kick it on the low
You know with a vibe and flow
But we didn't know
What the light of day would show
Or if it was meant to grow
How we'd feel within
What we

And why you kept that distance
Were your emotions
I was afraid of what i was feelin'
Afraid that you'd take my heart
And go steal it
My pride my soul
Now i know
Now i know

[chorus]
Cuz we were too much the same
I didn't know
Who to blame
Cuz i didn't wanna change

We were too much the same
I didn't know
Who to blame
Cuz you weren't gonna change

[verse 2]
Unfamiliar ways
They came down like rain
Things in myself i couldn't change
But if we coulda chilled
And waited a while
Then may now (?)
The shooting stars won't send us running
From each other
From ourselves

[chorus]

[verse 3]
But you can't get something for nothing
So what was mine
Sifted through like lost time
And unclaimed sand in a desert wind
With half my heart i took you in
So i can let you go


Until Next Time...

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

--Robert Frost

Oh good ol' Robert Frost. I have always enjoyed this poem. Often the last stanza is the only part of the poem that is cited, but reading the whole poem definitely has an excellent effect. It is important to note that the poem is titled, The Road Not Taken...I feel as though it is easy for people to center on the final decision that they made without acknowledging all of the other possibilities, which is why the 3rd stanza is my favorite.

Even though people decide upon a certain "route" or "decision" there will always be a sense of questioning and wondering what things would be like had you chosen another option (kind of like the "grass is always, greener on the other side").

There is a tone of reverence that I feel from this poem. I don't know what it is...and it is even more intriguing to me that it is named "The Road Not Taken." Sometimes you may see it labeled the "Road Less Traveled," (but that is incorrect). I think to truly make an informed decision, you should be fully aware of why you have decided NOT to take a certain route. Gosh I'm rambling, but it all makes sense in my head, I'm just trying to convey that...(gosh don't fail me words..lol.)

Basically I'm trying to say that starting school this fall is the best option for ME. When I think of all my "Roads Not Taken," I am confidant in my decision. I know it is time for me to leave Dec/Atl and branch out on my own. I am sure of that each passing day. And referring back to the poem, the second path did not have people trodding backwards and I'm definitely not trying to do that. Moving on and moving up. Ya digg? lol.

Ok with all that talk of being ready you would think that I have been packing...NOT! Ok..each day I say I am going to start and then I find something to get me off task. 4 days and counting and not a single box...eek! I have got to start tomorrow. I don't want to be frustrated and stressed like I usually am when I wait to the last minute to pack. Also I need to remind myself that I won't be in the same state, so I can't just drive back home. :sigh: Where did the summer go? Until Next Time...

Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come:

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

So for most of the day, I have organizing all of my old stuff from high school and first two years of college, so I can keep what I want to and discard the rest, and make room for the rest of my stuff. So I came across Sonnet 116 on some random paper from my senior year in high school, where we had to MEMORIZE this sonnet. Honestly my British literature class was a comedy hour. We had the most interesting people in there, so when my teacher told us to memorize it and come with a representation, I didn't really take it seriously, in which case I stumbled through the sonnet, and I'm not sure if I ever really got it...Anyways...after I found the sonnet today, I read through it about 5 times, and there were so many emotions, thoughts, and ideas that I felt. The realization that I will be leaving the people that I love, even the one that I have been on and off with for some time (with many ups, and lots of downs), it just has got me thinking about the future...Especially about what it may potentially hold and what not. It's a tad bit scary because for me, distance does NOT make my heart grow fonder at all...so now I'm in a weird position..::sigh::

I am not fond of cliche' statements, but the reason they are soo cliche' is because it describes a lot of situations...So my cliche' statement for this post is as follows: If you love something, Set it free... If it comes back, it's yours, If it doesn't, it never was.... Well in this case, I'm the one leaving...oh well. Only time will tell..Until Next Time...

"Knock Knock"... "If Only Out of Vanity"

Both of these poems were performed on Def Poetry Jam many years ago and even though I have watched both of these several times, it still finds a way to move me. I figured I would share...they are performed with such passion and their soul seems to spill forth through each word. It's not just about the actual words of the poem, but more of how it is delivered. I hope they are as inspiring and intriguing for you as they were for me. Until Next Time...

An Appreciation of the Arts

So I don't know why I missed this...or didn't hear about it until today, but while I was browsing through "cyber land," I came across the "White House Poetry Jam," which took place on May 12th (I was probably still on my graduation high). It was an evening of "Poetry, Music, and Spoken Word at the White House. Gosh I love the Obamas... I am glad they have brought some type of culture to the White House. In the introduction that Pres. Barack gives, he details the importance of the arts, which I think is eloquently stated, and sums up how I feel about the arts. Also it is so wonderful how Pres. Barack introduces the First Lady, by saying she is someone that brings a lot of poetry to his life. awww...Also First Lady, Michelle looks simply amazing, beautiful shirt and earrings. I have dictated that below and also posted the video. Until Next Time...



We are here to highlight the importance of the arts in our life and in our nation and our nation's history. We are here to celebrate the power of words and music to help us appreciate beauty but also to understand pain, to inspire us to action and spir us on when we start to lose hope, to lift us up out of our daily existence, even if it is just for a few moments and to return us with hearts that are a little bit bigger and fuller than they were before, the great jazz musician Louis Armstrong once said simply, "What we play is Life." That is what these artists do, they express the joys and hardships of life and remind us how much all of us have in common. It is a great gift, a great responsibility.

Krispy Kreme...mmm...

Today is National Doughnut Day! Happy June 5th! I love doughnuts! My fav are Krispy Kreme glazed as a late night dessert, especially when they are hot and they practically melt in your mouth. mmmmmmm... I'm not the biggest Dunkin Donuts fan, because they are less of dessert and more of a breakfast food. If I was to eat DD it would either be the Blueberry Donuts or Chocolate.

Another random thing is the way Doughnuts/Donuts are spelled. I'm not sure if you have noticed, but KK spells them "doughnuts" while DD spells them "donuts." Random..huh?

I figured that I'll end this post with some poetry from Def Poetry Jam, that pretty much sums up Krispy Kreme...lol. Until Next Time...

Some Spoken Word

So... I have always been into spoken word. Sometimes it is corny, but when I hear a really good "poem" delivered in just the right way, it always seems to give me a little chill. I am not particularly feeling, in love or anything actually I am happily single (finally), but I found this particular video to be really really cute. Maybe one day..! Until Next Time...