NEVER THOUGHT THAT IN MY LIFETIME
A FRIEND OF MINE
WOULD BE APART OF THIS WAR.
A SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE,
OUR VIEW OF VIOLENCE,
WAS SHOTS THAT RANG OUT IN THE MIDNIGHT SILENCE.

HE WAS OUR FRIENDLY SCHOOL HOOD FARM BOY,
A HUNTER,
HE WOULD TELL US ABOUT HIS KILLS,
BUT NOW HIS KILLS A STRATEGIC,
HE WAS SHARP SHOOTER,
BUT HIS GAME WAS BETTER IN THE POST.
HIGHLY DECORATED MAN ON POST,
POSTED IN TREES,
BETWEEN VILLAS ATOP BUILDINGS,
FEELINGS SHATTERED
WITH EACH LETTER OF MISS YOUS
BULLET FLYING,
SERGEANTS SAYING THAT JUST MISSED YOU.
TALENT MISSED USED,
NEVER THOUGHT I'D HAVE TO WRITE
MISS YOUS,
AND MAN WISH I COULD SEE YOU,
A FATHER FIGURE,
GUESS HIS FATHER NEVER FIGURED
HIS SON WOULD BECOME THE NEXT GENERATION SOLDIER,
BUT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WHEN HE'S TREATED LIKE A SOLDIER,
HIS FIRST BORN HE BROUGHT BY THE HOUSE FOR MY MOTHER TO HOLD HER,
PROUD FATHER AS SHE HELD HER,
CALL IN "RUN FOR SHELTER"
BUT YOU CAN'T SHELTER HER FROM  CRYING,
LIE TO HER
TELLING HER DADDIES NOT ONE INSURGENT FROM DYING,
MOTHER ONE KNEE FROM LYING HER BABY TO REST,
AND WHAT I HEAR HE CAN REST,
RECURRING NIGHTMARES,
WHERE NIGHT WARES,
ON YOUR ABILITY TO LET GO,
MIND STEAD MOVING AS IF HE
JUST HEARD "GO, GO",
BUST IN DOORS
AND OUT OF COVERS IN THE SAME MOMENT,
LIKE WORLD WAR 3 ALL OVER AGAIN.
BUT INSTEAD OF BEING UNCLE,
ITS NOW MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND.

REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO SHOOT THE BREEZE..
NOW YOU SHOOTING THROUGH SCOPES
DELETING THE HOPE OF A SAFE RETURN..
30 + WITH A BULLET PROOF VEST
STAPLED TO HIS CHEST
TO PROTECT HIS HEART,
BUT ITS NOT HIS HEART THAT JUMPING OUT,
MORE LIKE HIS MIND,
ONE ROOM AFTER ANOTHER,
BLOOD BEATING,
AND SOUL RACING,
DARE THEY PLAY THE DRUMS AND 21 GUN SOLUTE,
DON'T SHOOT,
PLEASE DON'T...
FOR I WILL BE FORCED TO..

TO REVISIT OUR CHILDHOOD PAT..
TATTOO YOUR BASKETBALL NUMBER JUST ABOVE MY HEART.
OUTLINE IN RED,
WITH A TEAR DROP FALLING,
FOREVER WHOEVER FELL FIRST...
AND JUST THE THOUGHT OF THIS HURTS,
CHOKES MY FINGERS
AS TEARS FALL UPON KEYSTROKES.
YOU CAN'T WIPE AWAY EMOTIONS,
YOU CAN'T TURN YOUR HEAD AWAY FROM SORROW,
YOU CAN'T AVOID THE PAIN..

ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PAIN IS DEEPER THAN FRIENDSHIP...
ONLY CHILD SO I CHOSE FRIENDS WHO RELATED TO ME..BUT HOW DO I RELATE TO THIS?

MOTHER PASSED ON HIS EMAIL...
SO I DECIDED TO CLICK SEND...
So I will start this like this..DUDE what the hell? Football, basketball, tractors...all things we used to dream about doing some days...So how is everything over there? I know its hard not being at home with your  kids..How are they? and how old now...you have to send some pictures. I will forward your email to crew. Matter of fact I will CC them on this email so you can have their Addy...

I didn't know you were over there.
How long you been there?
when do you come back...

3 WEEKS LATER ALL THE EMAIL READ WAS...

What's goin' on man? Yup football, tractors, and all that made it easy for me. I got a free trip to Iraq with a couple close calls. I gotta go . Time is not on my side. TTYL

TTYL - TALK TO YOU LATER
SOMETIMES SEEMS TO NEVER COME...
 
I WANT TO SEND POSITIVE THOUGHTS,
INSPIRATIONAL TEXT,
MOTIVATIONAL SONGS..

SO HOW DO YOU HIT,
CLICK SEND REPLY?
WHAT DO I SAY,
HOW DO I PICK MYSELF UP
WHAT EXACTLY CAN I SAY THAT WOULD BE BETTER JUST SAYING HELLO?

HEY C,
I LOVE YOU! AND THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME...
WHEN YOU RETURN HOME,
MY PHONE WILL ALWAYS BE ON...
IF AND WHEN YOUR READY TO SHOOT THE BREEZE...
I'LL FIND AWAY TO FREEZE TIME..
PLACE ON THE COUNTER NEXT TO US..
SO WE COULD FINALLY SAY,
TIME WAS ON OUR SIDE..

P.S. NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE...I'LL BE THERE..

ALWAYS AND FOREVER..
CHURCH

Hosted By: Imani Rhema
When: Saturday Jan 19, 2008
at 8:00 PM
Where: The Harambe House
1018 16th Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee|43 37013
United States
Description:
Imani Rhema

Click Here To View Event

Shairi's Spit that Poetry Dec. 15th "Last Shairi's of the Year" $100 Slam Taped live for Movie Producers of "The Great Debaters"


Jambalaya Soul Slam Dec. 21st at the Hayti Heritage Center Friday Decemeber 21, 2007
with
National Spoken Word Artist
"The Original Woman"
Doors Open @ 7:30pm
Show Starts @ 8:30pm Get their early to compete for your chance to win cash and a spot
on the 2008 Bull City Slam Team.F.M.I.
Visit
www.hayti.org
 
Dreams and More Catering Launch Party - featuring Spoken word artist "CHURCH da'POET" Dec. 30th.



Jan.4th at Common Ground Theatre 8pm
"BLACK POETRY" Performance Poetry meets theatre RETURNS. This will Kick off t the BLACK POETRY TOUR... Please come out and see the what everyone is talking about.


Campaign4Change
"Riding with Joe Crack"
"Anti-Gang, Anti-Crime Production"
Saturday January 5th, 2007
 
Campaign4Change is a two hour anti-gang, drug and crime production
that is designed to change the mindset of our lost youth, especially teens,
gang members and those who are incarcerated in detention centers,
group homes and prisons.
 
 Our program consists of poems, messages by prominent speakers, musical entertainment performed by professional R&B and hip hop artists. The finale is a very powerful play pertaining to drugs, gangs and violence. The dedicated crew of "C4C" has put their heart and soul into this production.

"Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have."

F.M.I.

www.c4c4life.com

Jan. 11th Stammer at Artspace in Downtown Raleigh.
"Black Poetry" Performance Poetry meets Theatre. You don't want to miss this showcase of talent. Black Poetry~Is filled with completely original prose delivered in a fashion rarely seen on stages. Their combination of rhyme, rhythm and music coupled with their originality and thoughtful words makes for an evening filled with thought-provoking theatre. It is a performance not to be missed!

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA IS DOING IT BIG!

Spoken-Word is about break the BULLS CITIES BACK OUT

NOV.15^th thru NOV.18^th

Thursday Nov. 15^th Open Mic at the Red Onion

On Fayetteville Street, Durham NC

 

Friday Nov. 16^th

Jambayla Soul Slam with Guest Feature Taalam Acey from Baltimore

Shairis Spit that Poetry Radio Show

From 8pm-10pm call in Live with Monica Daye

Karma's Open Mic at The Taste of the Caribbean

Feature: LOVE the poet from Baltimore

 

Saturday Nov. 17^th

Shairi's Spit that Poetry at Broad Street Café

Guest Host : Church da'Poet with Special Feature LOVE the poet from Baltimore

And Special guest

 

Sunday Nov. 18^th

Fayetteville, NC OPEN MIC

 

Hello All,
 
As many of you know, I have decided to take a job in New York City to work for a design firm in Soho!  I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity but deeply sadden to have to leave this place.  Each and every one of you have been such an incredible source of strength in my life.  Know that my thoughts, prayers will always be with each and everyone one of you, and I pray that I leave with you a spirit of peace and positivity.
 
I will always be assesible to you at any time.  My cell phone will remain the same ,for the time being, any changes will be communicated to you all.  I leave next Friday November 9th, and really hope that I will have the opportunity to see you prior to my leaving. I will be preforming for the last time at McDonalds Poetry Night on the corner of Wake Forest and Six Forks Rd (TONIGHT).  As you know we've been hosting a poetry night there for quite some time.  It's absolutely free it starts at 7 ends at 9 and I invite each and everyone of you to come out, grab a big mac and hear some great poetry!
 
I love you all.  I will be in touch!!  And please go ahead and start planning your trip to see me, cause I'll be expecting your visit! :-)
 
Take Care
God Bless!
Keisha

Hello All,
 
As many of you know, I have decided to take a job in New York City to work for a design firm in Soho!  I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity but deeply sadden to have to leave this place.  Each and every one of you have been such an incredible source of strength in my life.  Know that my thoughts, prayers will always be with each and everyone one of you, and I pray that I leave with you a spirit of peace and positivity.
 
I will always be assesible to you at any time.  My cell phone will remain the same ,for the time being, any changes will be communicated to you all.  I leave next Friday November 9th, and really hope that I will have the opportunity to see you prior to my leaving. I will be preforming for the last time at McDonalds Poetry Night on the corner of Wake Forest and Six Forks Rd (TONIGHT).  As you know we've been hosting a poetry night there for quite some time.  It's absolutely free it starts at 7 ends at 9 and I invite each and everyone of you to come out, grab a big mac and hear some great poetry!
 
I love you all.  I will be in touch!!  And please go ahead and start planning your trip to see me, cause I'll be expecting your visit! :-)
 
Take Care
God Bless!
Keisha

Seems the very distant of whats chosen,
gloomy day so I was hopen,
for a Freestyle friday,
upbeat, sweet, and mind tasty,
but lately I see the "B"'s got  "." down,
it's around frowns,
so since we may not get a second round,
Guess I better go with straight Tequila no salt,
Cut my umbilical,
and take this one for the team.

Dear Jesus,
I've sinned and came short
to many times to count in one lifetime,
My lifeline is basically like halftime,
at a breaking point.
i'm to far into the game to end now,
but 3 quarters away committing mental homicide.
God who side are you on?
The Visitor or the home team?
we all looking for sign,
but I'm in the batters box,
Satin giving the Home run sign,
Guarding angel signing bunt,
and God well, no signs flashing,
guess I better take a pitch till you send me one,
down 1 strike, no balls,
but these walls be empty,
stomach on starve
pocket with penny wholes in it,
theres no holding it,
money disappearing like quick sand,
I'm the man of the house,
pot to piss in, but nothing  to drink to quench the thirst,
so saliva is my Gatorade,
mind on raid,
one strike and convenient store looking easy,
knock out the camera, and go Micheal Jackson on cashier,
Just "beat it" till the money drawer magical open,
Damn he throws the picture scenario in,
Cops on stake out,
they want to take me out.
Two strikes I be like,
what have I gotten myself in...
Halftimes over and third quarter just ended,
Satin still giving the home runs sign,
Angel saying swing away,
But Lord still no sign,
finally a ball in my court,
1 ball 2 strikes,
ex baby mama always said,
If you ever need anything
so come through bend me like used to do back when..
Job not paying enough, times to rough,
girlfriend always fuss, bout the cuss the ump out who holding the counter,
know if I mount her,
she'll ask for more encounters,
but I can't count on her,
her checks be late,
what if the monthlies late?
Thank God, he through another ball low and outside,
2 balls and 2 strikes,
Foul tip, quick just put tip in,
now I'm tippin,
in between the midnight hours,
one to many, and I knew 5 was plenty,
Envy,
but quitting ain't in me,
drink till drunk knows me,
gone of the herb, violating the curb,
brick back braces, and fondling the asphalt.,
this here be my fault I guess,
damn this foul ball
2 balls and 2 strikes
Satin standing on the line giving the 2-2 sign,
Guardian angel, on first, signing swing at anything good.
she looked good from a distant,
brown bag special,
but she felt special
blind date,
date late
met him at speed date,
wait how does my life mix into this story,
Oh I'm serving the liquor,
broke and ain't made rent,
okay back to story...
she down, like the "." got "B",
said she shouldn't have listened to her friends,
whole life story over a absolute & pineapple
she had an apple from the waste down.
this her fourth time around,
3 kids 2 marriage,
3 different baby daddies,
they fighting over custody,
whose raising their sons,
she had all she can take....
head down, how did I get in this position.
she a certified head doctor,
graduate from the school hardcocks,
damn will she ever stop?
drinking herself happy?
well close to where she feels okay with who she is?
therapy session over,
shes asleep on the couch,
doubled over...
this was supposed be about asking God for help,
so where did this story come in the play...
while paying attention the lady,
God gave me the sign,
open up your stance,
listen, take what she saying,
job offer, owner of her own business,
she was down in her count No balls and 2 strikes,
she realize life was worth living,
had the Gatorade for quenching and the ambition,
of diction.
went on from helping to kissing.
3-2 pitch and he walks me to load the bases...
Guess we know who sides Gods on..
the person who asked for help and listens....

Butterflies

by CHURCH, Karma & Desi-baby

 CHURCH

so for now I dream of shedding my Cocoon,
Grow wings and blossom to the sky,
butterfly kisses to the wind,
and flap high five with the sun,
open the morning with fresh colors,
spread joy with the color of each wing,
beautiful, I leap for tomorrow
and flip a bird to yesterday
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Karma

As days go by my sun sets just to leave the wonder,
The what ifs and maybes are all that seem fill my night sky,
But I still find the courage to wish upon a star,
Hoping that where you want to be is not to far,
from where I am,
and even though there is no you or no me,
I still sense that we will meet on a divine encounter,
what's on your mind...

 

CHURCH

the shadow of missed emotions,

ocean views and passion coves,
doves blessings,
and midnight undressing,
resting the moments of days upon soft chest,
where protection for my past,
and uncover the future that lies
beneath the sky,
I could write tomorrow
if only mother nature would listen,
but it seems like my air-pens empty,
so I'm left to write her messages with each wing flop.

Karma

Sometimes things need not be written,
but a simple thought could cross your mind,
and somehow you feel connected to something so right,
some things that air pens can not write,
but are embedded in the soul,
and there does not need to be physical presence
to make you whole,
just holding on to the memories of pleasant bliss,
an imaginary kiss,
is just enough to keep dreams alive...

 Desi-baby

It was always in my nature to listen
walking in our garden fed by melancholy teardrops
Stuck in a beautiful state of misery
Lay your head to my softness
To dull your erratic heartbeat
I would erase the yesterday
and fill your memories with beautiful promises