MAMA WHITE

Nigga Woman!  Nigga Woman!,
Sittin' rockin' her chair
Harvesting her sorrows,
Of her past plantation.

Tellin’ her grandchildren,
"Those were the days of prayer
workin’ til exhaustion,
and discouraging tomorrows."

"No takin' time for self."
She performed her duty,
No questions, just firmly
Responding only by "Yes Sir."

"With the fiery sun blazin' me,
My aging body ached."
But no one really cares
To hear her only say.

Lending an ear, the grandchildren
Listen impatiently,
Easily distracted,
By rustling autumn leaves.

Little does she realize that
Her grandchildren don't care
To hear stories of her
Historical past life.

"I chantin' you my life,
an' hopin' and prayin'
That you all remember,
The fight I fought for you long ago."

ALGEBRA TERRORS

My mind through thick or thin
cannot bear to imagine
that algebra is really
all that necessary to lead
a truly normal life.

Whether an artist or the
zoologist, I see no
application to really
apply towards my life - so
please don't slow down my life

'cause I really can't have the
knowledge when I don't know
when I am really all that lost.

For some reason I don't know
letters and numbers don't mix
'cause algebra really sucks.

I know I failed, I just know,
do you think I can get past
all that algebraic mess?

I am understanding less
and less every single day!
I know I won't have my way,
so please let my big fat ass,
pass this damn algebra class!

A SECOND SERVING OF TONIGHT’S DINNER

Mom’s been in the kitchen for some time,
Cleaning, dicing, chopping and prepping,
All the veggies, meat and whatever,
Putting together tonight’s dinner.

While the meat is bathing in spices,
The veggies sit and wait patiently,
Some will become part of a salad,
What’s left will be graciously plated.

Mom’s magical hands create something,
A five star restaurant would envy,
Appetizer, entrée and dessert,
Out of everyday pantry staples.

In the midst of setting the table,
I hear Dad’s key unlock the front door,
As I finish the current setting,
I hurry up to welcome him home.

He goes to greet Mom in the kitchen,
With a gentle kiss and a few words,
He then cleaned up and changed for dinner,
Then, I finished setting the table.

Mom brought her finished masterpiece out,
Set it down in the table’s center,
Dad took his seat at the table’s head,
Mom and I, across from each other.

Dad, the pack leader, served first, then me,
Mom took last, with what was remaining,
Tonight’s dinner was ethnic, comfort,
Nothing special, but homemade with love.

As Dad complimented Mom’s talent,
Combining flavor, quantity, thrift,
In creating something delicious,
Spontaneous dialogue occurred.

Most evening conversations were light,
Sharing a memory or a laugh,
From something that happened in our day,
Or flashing back to simpler good times.

Some evening conversations challenged,
Their own patience and parenting skills,
From discussing my latest progress,
Or how I just skimmed by on a test.

The highlight of my day was dinner,
From Mom’s home-cooked meals every night,
To time together as family,
We created cherished memories

When I started working in high school,
Now, I was the last one to come home,
From my long day of both school and work,
They both waited, as if nothing changed.

With each passing year, I see changes,
My dinners with them are less often,
But remain memorable and heartfelt,
Until time calls them home to Heaven.

Leaving me with lifetime memories,
Which started at the dinner table,
I reminisce on how much I miss,
Having dinner with both my parents,

I try to share this with today’s youth,
In their hurry, fail to hear my cry,
Without care to a milestone missed,
Towards their last rite of passage in life.

GOOD AND SO LONG CLASS OF '88

Its time to move past the alma mater
Of South Broward High School and go our ways.
Once we walked the halls with Bulldog spirit---
Now we walk horizons to the future.
No time in life again will be greater
Than the cheerful, fearful and tearful days.
Left behind are memories and that's it.
The time I met you I knew the future,
Would bring us a new forever friendship
That won't be forgotten too easily.
In the course of life's pleasure or hardship,
Your friendship with me will be missed deeply.
Good-bye and so long South Broward High School,
The class of '88 will forever rule!

 

ANGEL'S RAINBOW

The morning was cold, cloudy and rainy.

Thinking the day would drag on forever,
and out of the blue, I sought a rainbow.

It was not an ordinary one but –­
it was truly extraordinary!

The many colors are bright as ever,
I sought a rainbow...and had second thoughts
on what kinda day I'll have today.

Within minutes, the morning became clear,
With the sun sweeping the clouds away ... and
shining up the day ... thanks to a rainbow.

FAREWELL

She lay silently,
only her breathing is heard.
No more barking,
or chasing the cat.

She just calmly lay
on her favorite mat.
She shakes and quivers,
and quietly rolls over.

She looks up slowly,
her eyes have lost their silvery glow,
but the puppy's sparkles,
just refused to go away.

Her tail wagged softly,
and I smiled.

No more walks,
or summer games,
just memories
and faceless names.

The empty spot
where she used to lay,
makes me sad
to think she's gone away.

Farewell, Farewell,
my loyal friend,
I held you close
to the very end.

So many things I wanted to say.
But silently,
you slipped away.
Farewell.

 

 

 

FOUR SEASONS

Mother Nature's love
    awakens her biosphere
        to blossom her gardens.

The inviting heat
    of summer breezes bring
        joy to those around.

The changing colors
    of autumn bring tranquility
        to the eyes of those watching.

The cold winter wind
     bears no prejudices towards
         the life of nature.