Monday, March 24, 2014

But what about the Soul?


     Once upon the time there were two lovers. These two lovers were very different from each other. One was a spiritual man and the other a woman without faith. The man saw his woman as a blessing; an opportunity to perhaps mentor his lady towards spirituality. He felt the desire to love and be loved spiritually, yearning from the outer edges of her soul. He also saw her pertinacity to love in areas outside of romance; so their union made sense to him. Keeping in mind that they found each other at an early period of his faith. He was very naive in his wisdom of spirit and flesh. His lady, not sensitive to the frequency of spirit, did not mind her partner's spirituality at all. She wished that she could be in tune with the higher power, but she was unable to be... and consequently did not believe in its existence... She, like her man, also saw this union as an opportunity. An opportunity for love to overpower their spirit and make it a slave to its will. An opportunity to be ministered in a faith she felt was forced on her as a youth, long before the union was made. An opportunity to love in a way that would break the curse of loveless partnerships in older generations of her family. 

Underestimating the relentless nature of evil and the heat of fire during a soul's baptism; both realized after the fact that love doesn't over power anyone who is unwilling to let love into their hearts. 

Starting on a foundation of fantasy and not friendship, their union aged in a manner that made time longer than it was. Their love had the wear and tear of two battling soldiers, not lovers from two different worlds. Naive lovers make naive mistakes... Their circle of friends also handled their love in a manner that was not productive to the union between the two. Their circle of friends handled the couple individually, not as one entity. They would tell the spiritual member that he needed to be stronger... they would tell the spiritual member that he needed to deal with it... they would tell the spiritual member that he would needed to adjust his approach... Perhaps they felt that way because he had faith to fall back on. Or perhaps they felt that it would be very unlikely for his lady to evolve into a spiritual form of compromise that she was not accustom to. Regardless of motive, the spiritual member felt as if he was asked to be infallible; perfect in every way to make the relationship work. 
Ironically, many of the same people would tell the other member of this union differently. They suggested to her that her and her man may have out grown each other... They spoke to her about exit strategy and independence... 

Very wise words on both accounts...


But what about the Soul?



Man and woman in a union such as theirs are of one body. 2 halves of a whole heart, 2 sides of the same flesh, Yin and Yang, Earth and Moon. 2 different forms of advice going to in essence one entity only lengthened the crack in their armor. It caused anger and confusion. Ultimately, as human beings we may all be guilty of loving 2 people in a single bond in different ways. So this author will not judge or throw stones at anyone who does...


      But what about the Soul?






A friend with the proper wisdom would attempt to get to the root of the problem. I say attempt since many couples themselves don't know. However, if there was the discovery that this union was experiencing a failure to connect on an intimate level, the approach and advice may have been different. Perhaps the spiritual male could mentor differently. Perhaps his lady could be more willing to allow love into her heart. Perhaps they both could be more patient and transparent with each other...

Failure to connect on an intimate level suggests there's a great fear hiding in the shadows, perhaps behind perceived success or a genuine looking smile... 


Regardless...

No one should ever be told "deal with it, or haul ass" before a search of the soul is pursued. Someone may leave but have the same intimacy problems they were told to run from before. Someone may never learn the taste of sweat that the deepest and strongest relationships are familiar with. 
It is my belief that our souls have a temporary residence in the crude and fragile flesh we occupy.

Man's job on Earth is not to save souls... However we shouldn't undermine them either... Love is always an option. 

If the soul itself is crying out, if hearts are aching, if spirits cannot rest peacefully...

Why not speak to the soul first since that's where the pain is?



Bleu...
  

Monday, January 27, 2014

Letters2TheMic: "Origins"

Origins.

     Many times, in entertainment (or any art form in particular) many of us are unaware of how that art, show or movement came to be. I am big on history, even though my high school days did not reflect this fact. So when I was approached by the founding members of "Letters2TheMic" in regards to the upcoming show at Kat's Cafe on January 29, 2014. I was curious as to who they were and where they came from...

After we talked over brunch, we thought it would be great to share the details of their movement on this blog...




     Letters2TheMic was created from the combination of our individual entities, The Remedy and Poetic Reservoirs. we, DeCoide and Jasmin, individually had hopes of one day hosting and/or performing in our own poetry events, but feared failure. We attended the same high school, but didn't know one another too well just from walking the halls. Friending one another on facebook started a communication base between us. The start of Poetic Reservoirs (Jamin's website) in 2011 revealed a similar interest between the two of us, poetry. TWO years later, we still shared the same venture and vision! That vision being hosting, performing and giving back to the community, all in the the name of Letter2TheMic. Our dream is large and we hope to gain many supporters to share as well. Letters2TheMic will start in Atlanta, GA; but we do not plan to stop here!

Thank you for supporting us thus far!

- Jasmin DeCoide




Saturday, January 11, 2014

Could it be because we trust each other?








So many speak on trifle hoes and why dogs stray - So few speak on dignified Queens and the Kings that stay...

She makes other girls look bad/ Just with conversation/

With the wisdom to overthrow a mighty nation/

Cupid shot us both/ double homicides/

Now it's Heaven on Earth with her by my side/

Showed her the way of the streets/ and taught her how to move/

She gave me books to read/ so that I could improve/

Ain't no female dog/ just a grown woman/

Started on a high level right from the beginning/

knows my every move/ because I chose to tell her/

We run our family sorta like the good fellas/

No outsiders or weak chit chatter/

And only f*** with family that really matters/

So beautiful before you come and spit your game/

With a number on a napkin right next to your name/

Selling Cat for a track because you can sing/

Know when I get home I'm telling Wifey everything/


She said I could read her mind/
But she's fucking with me/
She says I'm one of a kind/
And she's touching on me/
She says I was on her mind/
And she's hugging on me/

Could it be because we trust each other?

Like a lemon to a lime/
On a drinking glass/
As fine as a dime/
With the perfect ass/
Ordained and designed/
And we're moving fast/

Could it be because we trust each other?

We have our bad days and our cold nights/

And I’d be lying if a fronted like we don’t fight/

We’re both passionate/ we both wear crowns/

And neither one of us really likes to back down/

No ratchet bars tho/ No yelling and cussing/

Our arguments are sorta more like a discussion/

Between 2 who have each other in check/

And won’t go there simply out of respect/

After the storm passes and the rain stops/

We find a clever way to make our own rain drops/

From tears of joy/ and the throes of passion/

Through sweat on sheets from animal attraction/

This is what love looks like with out fear/

This is what love looks like when you care/

Enough to keep it real and play your position/

Knowing the power of dominance and submission/

She said I could read her mind/
But she's fucking with me/
She says I'm one of a kind/
And she's touching on me/
She says I was on her mind/
And she's hugging on me/

Could it be because we trust each other?

Like a lemon to a lime/
On a drinking glass/
As fine as a dime/
With the perfect ass/
Ordained and designed/
And we're moving fast/

Could it be because we trust each other/

The moral of the story is this/ we are at war/

And anything worth loving’s worth fighting for/

The Devil works hard to get his point across/

Love is light and the dark want’s it turned off/

Working hard, rain sleet or gloom of night/

Never takes a day off and his game’s tight/

Wifey and I ain't mad tho at what he do/

The Devil’s just doing what he is supposed to/

We both know Love is a battlefield/

To win you've gotta keep it so real/

Trust is the foundation if nothing else/

If your insecure you better get over yourself/

Ain't no time to bare false witness/

Against your other half and that's square business/

Relax your mind and let your conscious be free/

And get down to the sound of 
l - o - v - e

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Just My Thoughts: A Letter to my Brother on his birthday...

Just My Thoughts: A Letter to my Brother on his birthday...: Damian Preston Wright 12/14/1977     Dear Damian, I hope this finds you well. You're on the other side now. I feel you mov...

A Letter to my Brother on his birthday...

Damian Preston Wright


12/14/1977


    Dear Damian, I hope this finds you well. You're on the other side now. I feel you moving in and out of the worlds we cannot see, having fun in your spirit form, finally free. I am well as you know. Taking things day by day. I tried hard to be by your side and I apologize for not reaching you in time to say goodbye. There's a mess back here, as you well know. I can only imagine how you and Grandma are shaking your heads in respects to the petty. Kiss her for me and tell her that I celebrate her peace. I know she guides you. I finished the music project, just like you told me to. I laid it out all on the line too. Hot Beats, hot bars, clever hooks and my truth. The family came together and represented for you in great numbers as you well know. They were there, lifting Mom and Dad towards the healing process. I must admit tho... I am cynical in respects to unity, and I will explain why. 

     We lost our young Cousin Dolphus Johnson Jr. last year, then you, and then Grandma 24 hours after. During every wake, service or gathering that followed, my ears heard whispers of the same phrase and sentiment repeated by almost everyone. 

"We shouldn't wait for someone to die to get together" 
or 
"Don't wait until I'm gone to give me flowers"
or 
"We need to come together and celebrate life as well" 
etc... etc...

So in my eyes... on the heels of this talk, I release an album in your memory. This is the album you told me to make. This is the album I would have not made unless you said, what you said. This is a body of work that celebrates life. So I am having a difficult time with the family that knows this work is quality (as well as my reputation for putting out quality) in your name and not supporting it. It is not like the $5 or $10 dollar purchase is going to put me in a Bentley. Every member of our family could buy 10 copies and that wouldn't happen. It's not about me... It's about principle

In my eyes, if you can speak on unity at a funeral, then you should support something positive in the name of that unity. Period end. 

Moving on...

Jasper... the punk bitch that shot you got denied bond yesterday. His charge got upgraded from "Malicious Wounding" to "Murder" although I'm not sure which degree. The attorney said his swagger was arrogant and cocky. I won't be able to look at him and not flip, but you know that. I will celebrate his sentencing with a bottle of something smooth that doesn't burn as it goes down... Mom and Dad are strong, however I must admit, I have never seen them so shaken. I go home now more than ever. And I am on a new mission. Not to "save" the family. But to connect with the members that walk with me in spirit. Your son makes me proud. We are closer than ever as I know you've seen. I see you and me behind his eyes. In the soul he carries are the dreams of the closeness I wanted between you and I. That dream was not in vain, because it has manifested in him.

Have fun up there Bra... I will see you again when it's my turn to rest. 

L. 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Just My Thoughts: The Illusion of Utopia and The Lies of Like.

Just My Thoughts: The Illusion of Utopia and The Lies of Like.: The Illusion of Utopia and The Lies of Like. I don't like her and she doesn't like them/ They don't like us and she ca...

The Illusion of Utopia and The Lies of Like.

The Illusion of Utopia and The Lies of Like.





I don't like her and she doesn't like them/

They don't like us and she can't stand him/

He doesn't like me and I'm not trying to be friends/

Because none of that matters when the day light ends/

Is the enemy of my enemy really my friend?/

Are we all just playing a grown-up game of pretend?/

Where the flesh of my flesh tries to rip away my skin/

Where folks look tough on the outside/ but are cowards within?/


News Flash!!! 

There's no family/ No J-O-B/

No pulpit/ school/ or agency/

No get money click/ no Blood or Crip/

No Sunshine Pussy/ or Mandingo Dick/

No Pastor/ No Actor/ No Exotic Dancer/

No Poet/ No Rapper that has the game mastered/

No Choir/ Messiah/ or Athlete on fire/

That's respected by all/ adored and admired/

The Illusion of Utopia and The Lies of Like.

The Devil told you to reach and when you did he said SIKE!/

He dangled power, status, prestige and position/

Promises of "Easy Living" for the lazy who'd listen/

The same ones who scream "Grind Time" and "Can't Stop The Hustle"/

Are the same who complain about every day struggles/

Ownership, leadership, humility and compassion/

Sweat and hard work are no longer in fashion/

Players but no coaches/

Hard Rocks but no boulders/

Bosses without workers/

Soldiers who don't salute soldiers/


The Illusion of Utopia and the Lies of Like/


News Flash!!!


Poems do not have to rhyme and some spoken words are better without mics/


A thousand nations/

can send a thousand ships/

that each carrying a thousand men/

with each man carrying hate in his heart/

Off to war on the surface of a peaceful Sea/

With orders to kill their enemies when the signal is given/

And those thousand ships/

each carrying a thousand men/

with each man carrying hate in his heart/

will occupy the surface of that peaceful Sea/

starring at their enemies/

Waiting for that signal that gives them permission/

And there they sit...

On the same body of water/

Looking at each other/

Hating one another/

Peacefully waiting for the orders to kill/

Peacefully waiting for the orders to kill/


My point is that the water of the sea is peacful regardless of the discontent between people that share the same space/
We don't have to "like" one another to co-exist/

The world has become less about who gets the job done and more about who doesn't like who/

It is our differences that make us versatile/

The ability to accept, challenge and debate those differences is the path to greatness/ 

The only utopia I know of is not of this Earth/

But we can at least be great while we're here/

Let me be great ~

GB.