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
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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!
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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
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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…
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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?
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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... |
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