I didn't fully understand...

Ode to the Black Baptist Church

Sunday morning, sitting on a pew near the door

A quick nod to the usher who just gave me a program before

I stare at Jesus and John, lit by the sun framed in stained glass

‘God is God’ the pastor with passion will ask

All the time!

The congregation replies in kind

Church fans and programs swing back and forth in rhythm and in sync

Men and women dressed in their Sunday best break bread and then drink

The body and blood of the savior on first Sundays, who paid the ultimate price 

Once a week, we give thanks and celebrate God and the afterlife

Our ancestors, our history, and stories told before people could write

Whispered with eyes and hands closed with our prayers at night

Blessing received and forgiveness requested

Trials and tribulations survived, with our patience and faith long tested 

God laughs as humanity continues...

Prayer

Pray that the ignorant become enlightened

The sick become healed

The underserved and underprivileged become blessed with opportunity 

The unhoused find shelter 

The blessed share their blessings

The guilty work to make things right

The burdened find relief

The hungry receive nourishment 

The lonely find love and friendship

The imprisoned become free

Those in debt are able to pay back their debts

And the best of our past becomes the worst of our future

Objects in mirror are closer that they appear

On the road of life, there’s always a curve

Here’s some advice, so you won’t lose your nerve

Sometimes you have to swerve 

To stay within the line

Signal and check your side mirrors, to see what’s left behind

In the blind spots, before you steer or veer

Into the next lane, please check to make sure that it’s clear!

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear 

Now when danger zooms past, you won’t feel fear!

Nothing becomes something if you don’t watch out!

Keep your head on a swivel and plan your next route!

YGGY - You're Gonna Get Yours

If he can do it,

And they can do,

And she can do it

Why not me?

I failed a lot

But I’ll never stop

Until I reach the peak

Of the the mountain top!

If you doubt

Please don’t speak

Or count me out

Soon you’ll see

Don’t stress or mind the mess that I made

While I contemplate and formulate

My undisclosed plans still damp from the... 

Sweat on my hands to forge my fate

Balance wins and losses like I’m pushing weight!

Scales measure matter

Doubt clouds judgement

Fear shatters dreams, hopes, illusions and laughter!

Life’s short, enjoy the journey and destination

Be blessed and conquer all your trials and tribulations - Woah!

So hold on tight if you think you're right

'Cuz nothing hurts as bad as when you see&hell...

History doesn’t just happen, it must be made!

I’m a ghost whose words haunt for weeks

Create debates whenever I write or speak

As my pen leaks

It’s like an Armada on the high seas

Attacking the enemies’ fleets

With salvos of prose 

Sinking rows of battleships with ease!

These nautical analogies aside 

I walk the path of this craft with reverence and pride

History doesn’t just happen, it must be made and inscribed!

Otherwise, it’s lost, stolen, enslaved, and decried

And history repeats, because students become soldiers and sailors

Who die and become heroes in movie trailers

Make them believe like a fairy tale lead

This is the start

The beginning, the part

When everything’s fresh

And you did your best

Before anyone knew

You had a clue

That this was it

Nerves flipped, way down in your stomach pit

Ideas to reality, work to success

Critics first doubted, but NOW they're impressed

You had to 'make them believe'

Like a fairy tale lead

Years of perspiration and winkles, on worn rolled up sleeves

Hands get filthy when one builds impossible dreams

Dirt plus work equals the birth of great things!

A thought sprouted and grew like a tree

High up in the clouds and far below, though most still can’t see

The roots that anchor and nourish our reality

Domestic Disturbance

I felt like Usher Raymond 

Explaining all of his infidelities

My confessions were carthartic

The hardest part was when I was met with  

All of my insecurities 

Let it burn

No concern

Please don’t call the authorities 

Cuz' they won’t give us the benefit of the doubt

They’ll just shoot me dead and choke you out!

Let's let ccooler heads prevail

We ain’t got no cash for bail

With work and school in the a.m., we can’t afford time in jail.

I was wrong, my apology’s sincere

You stay at the house, I’ll find a couch, and get on up outta here…

On footprints and Isaiah 46:4

Apologies, for this may sound rehearsed

Jesus sees us at our best and our worse

Plus Shiloh needs us, please grab your wallet or purse!

For offering and tithes, folks now it’s time to search

Your soul, 'cuz the goal is greater than heaven or hell 

Rather life on earth, in the time that we dwell

The past and the present, the best and worst of times

Pandemics, racism systemic, income inequality, and crimes

Against humanity, the insanity of waiting for hours to vote in line…

The news is bad, but the gospel is good!

A thousand words paints an ugly picture, whenever the scripture is misunderstood!

So read them early and often

Between the crib and the coffin

Try to practice what it preaches

One set of footprints, along the shores of sandy beaches...

Isaiah 46:4 Even to your o...

Almost anything is possible

The past was ordinary

The future’s extraordinary 

The present is predictable

But your dreams aren’t fictional 

What you wrote, spoke, or willed into existence 

Can still come to fruition with focus and persistence 

If you believe that you can do it, and your attitude is good

Then almost anything is possible, is that understood?

Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho

Joshua saw a man

With a sword in his hand

Asked if he was friend or foe?

‘Neither,’ the stranger replied, outside Jericho

The commander of the Army of Lord

Pointed at Joshua’s sandals, quickly with his sword

‘What are those!?!’ he deadpanned

Take them joints off man!

This here holy land!

Joshua fell down, on the ground, at the Angel’s command!

Commander said our weapons are God and sound

Order seven priests to carry the Ark around

Blow their horns, scream, and shout

And Jericho, will fall without doubt!

Jericho is so secure, how they could ever begin?

Nobody can get out, your majesty, and no one can get in!

On scale from one up, our security’s at a 10!  

Seven priests wasted six days marching and tent pitching

Everyone here’s account for... excep...