In The Mean Time

I am so grateful to all of you that have sent me notes, prods and encouragements to get back to blogging.  I will, I promise.  At the moment I am writing my second book.  It’s quite the undertaking and all my creative juices seem to be flowing to that project.  I will try not to keep you waiting long for new posts.

In the mean time here is some poetry from part one of the first book SCREAM.

Recess

Ding! The bell rings.
Doors burst open.
The daily stampede begins.
Teachers shouting
Children ignoring
Temporary freedom in the school yard.
Under the almond tree
The search begins for me.
Their words,
We don’t want to play with you!
You have no father and act like a girl too.
Come back when your Father comes home.
When he teaches you sports
We’ll know you’re no homo.
Until then you’re disqualified
You’re not even a real boy in our eyes.
Ding! The bell rings, time’s up.

Mr. Mom

I had my mom
I had my song
So my life soon went on
Trouble my eye did not see
All things deferred to mommy
Compassionate and tender
Fighting and mad
Reward and punishment
Who needs a dad?
When Mr. Mom
Lives with me
She’s My Mom
She’s My Daddy.
MOM
Teacher
Protector
Sacrificed all day
Showing her children the way
Girls to be, but boys to not
“Not meant to teach manhood to boys”

Seven Digits

Trail of tears left behind
Emotions overwhelm
On the bed, on the floor
Tears till she opens the door
Yes! You have a father, don’t cry
Don’t say you want to die!
I’ll give you his number for sure,
Remember always, God loves you more.
Seven digits she gave to me,
Seven digits for all eternity,
Burnt, branded upon my brain
Seven digits to call out your name.
Six times promised before made true
Two things you taught me to do
Three lies believed about me
Six hospitalizations, no visits from thee.
One sorry excuse after another
One focus, the pursuit of my mother
Two directions differently
We’ll never be son and daddy.
We’re sorry.
The number you have reached has been
disconnected.
Please check your number and try this call
again later.
Thank you.

Forgive Me

Father,

I thank you for all that you have done to ensure that a bridge has been built for mankind to move from a sinful state of seperation to a place of redemptive relationship with you.

I believe that you’ve called those of us that have accepted your free gift of salvation via Jesus Christ to be salt and light.

Forgive us.

Forgive me.

When I have condemned instead of loved the world and your church forgive me.
When I have complained about the church instead of praying for the church, forgive me.

When I have repelled others instead of compelling others to come to you because of my lack of authentic living, please forgive me.

Help me Lord to be more like you. To love others before I attempt to lead them. To serve others before I porport to save them.

Help me to be hope, encouragement and light to a gloomy, hopeless and discouraged world.

Give me a heart like yours, a heart of compassion and empathy. Let me be moved by the needs of others. Let me find no rest untill I’ve done all that you would have me to do. Help me to be committed to be a true reflection of you. Help me to connect to others that are true reflections also. Grant us your peace, give us your hope. May your will be done on earth through your church. May we awaken from our sleep and be disgusted by our slumber. Move us to love, move us to action, move us oh lord.

Amen

Love’s Sonnet

Impossible for me to comprehend
Not understanding how do I receive
A Love without price compromise or end
I can not shake not having to achieve

Too beautiful for me myself I find
In love with peace beyond this earthly sphere
At war, confused, amazed it blows my mind
That you would show such love to me man mere

You know my heart in which much evil brews
And yet you want to wed yourself with me
To be like you is what I truly choose
A love so simply pure, completely free

Oh Love, Creator, Ruler, earthly King
Perplexed by how my presence makes you sing

by Kwesi Williams