Committments

The Silhouette of A Muse

Tucked in the corner of a

crowded spoken word den,

her delivery lit my mind’s 

wicking readiness,

casting the silhouette of a 

new muse.

I was left inhaling the 

capacity of her unseeable ink,

refilling my starved pen

with borrowed breath.

—JG  ©2026

The Spark

Tucked in the corner of a

spoken word poetry scene,

her delivery lit the wicking 

nature of my mind,

producing the silhouette of

a muse.

—JG   ©2026

Timeless Cadence

My words are bygone remnants, 

but solid—

spoken not to soothe the 

skeptic’s ear.

To fit the sound of my 

grandfather’s chimes 

into a lethargic wall clock.

But like an embracing thought, 

my pewter breath fogs its cold 

glass with bold reflections,

warming my tongue to still speak

timelessly.

Even if others cannot follow a 

tune 

they have never heard.

—JG    ©2026

Tutor Me (Philosophy)

Tutor me,

show me something about you

I didn’t know,

an inked note written on the 

dark of your shadow’s scroll

Something that makes me think 

about you vividly,

perhaps so sacred my mind

transcends 

into an inspiring blind fold

Should I lose sight, all is still well—

just as long as I can feel my role,

in touch with your affinity’s scope

for a higher learning

—JG  ©2026

Tipping My Crown

Thank you Almighty,

for the things I have seen,

foremost for those I have not,

but have still felt fall upon me

gracefully passed down 

from your hands.

As I kneel here before thee

with my eyes closed for the

moment may I open them

still seeing things for what

they are, but not to limit

myself where pain may stand.

May the universe continue to

expand its horizons as I 

always aspire to rise in its 

magnitude well beyond right 

now, this day, tomorrow, and 

so again.

Back to my feet, now I will

proceed about my day tipping 

my crown unto you as a great 

One Nation Under God

At a hierarchy of times,

I'm too black, he's too pink,

she crossed the border line;

a bunch of deleterious links tagged

that shouldn't come from America,

but while I felt terrible in my fight

for the flag I still salute.

Most folks are second-class?

No one really knows them all,

yet labeled and prepared toe tags,

their brilliant lights sheathed.

Bureaucracies with slick ways,

paving graves to hide the 

condemnation.

Elation cut short of dull blades,

an agony that lets the pain rage,

placing all ethnic groups in a body 

cast.

Be we a nation that lasts alas

without bloodshed,

of the flesh and the inner sp...

Women(My Respect is Given)

We live in a world where it’s

laughable to see a woman cry.

We live in a world where it’s

palpable to see a woman hide.

We live in a world!, where women

aren’t as precious as child birth.

We live in a world where women

hurt, and they hurt, and they hurt!

We live in a world! Where woman

only want to be seen as a masterpiece.

And yes women, you are the very 

exhibit of what the world needs.

—JG  ©?2026

Black Man(African King)

Black man, black man

know your roots

Black man, black man

know your truths

Shovel your melanin

find the beauties in you

For it’s okay if your first

journey has been recluse

You’ve got a whole 

Kingdom marching in lieu

How dem say ‘crown’ in my

Nigerian fingerprint, wear it!

Your are an African King,

bold, rich in value, own it!

—JG

Making Peace With Me

I remain in my mind for thoughts

to combine and make peace with me.

For on the outside I hurt with grief,

and it cuts when my flesh bleeds.

I try to make sense of things but can’t

stay out of the blade’s reach.

Right now they’re all superficial,

but what do I do when it pains deep?

I’m beginning to feel much like that

forbidden river, or worse, that red sea.

What if I cross over to the white light

and God keeps me? But I need me!

—JG

Imagine That

Go there with me

from the day into the night,

when the sun cools its temper

and the moon enjoys the shade.

Let us be free as a cloud,

skipping rain drops in a lake,

remembering that it’s possible

to have fun with the impossible.

Go there with me

from the calm into the storm,

when thunder becomes grumpy

and lightning holds its calm.

Let us be free as a cloud,

packing our bags and moving on,

remembering that it’s possible

to weather what seems impossible.

-Jg