african american poetry

Monica

Bruised

Today was not too bad.  Good thing I stayed busy at work.  Was the exact day that our Beloved one departed from us.  The year seemed to go by so quickly but yet was so difficult for us all.  I want to thank each and every person out there that shared in our grief and supported us.  The journey of healing is not over but it does get easier.  As a part of the healing process, I often turned to writing.  I hope that this poem is received as being straight from the heart and encourages someone to move forward despite the grief.

 

BRUISED  by Monica Terry

20/7/2020

Dark scarlet resulted as capillaries burst underneath brown, supple skin as a result of the initial impact of the horrific injury. As the words, “Hu Neftar” departed from his lips I began to replay my life’s history.  What? Within 24 hours I need to come up with an obiturary?

Blue and purple brilliantly emerged with the tenderness of the skin that received blood into surrounding tissues as we stood and looked at the body before the funeral.  Reality setting in, nociceptors delayed sending a proper signal that was computable.  Stop!  Aren’t there loopholes in the CNS for situations so Immutable?

Pale green didn’t want to show itself so quickly, because that would mean time marching on without him here; as birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, graduations occur and we all try to persevere.  Is time speeding up?  Maybe he knew the end was very near.  I would like to think that when he was brought back that he said, “Peace out Ya’ll, keep faith, nothing to fear”.

Yellow-brown introduces a new reality as old hemoglobin is absorbed and we make an attempt not to show the discoloration.  The fear that the old and new friends when we speak of him may think it’s an unhealthy fixation.  Really?  And I ask that with a bit of indignation.

Eventually, I know without a doubt that a Pure brown will emerge again, and perhaps other bruises will appear to join the colorful array on our skin; each one’s dermis displaying what phase we are currently in.  It’s bruises that make us who we are so we rise to win……time…. time….and time again.

 

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Photo credit:  Lifeat139a

Monica

Say Their Names

After tragedy strikes, yellow tape stripped away

Broken lives, dreams shattered, discontinued birthday

Bad news, knock on the door, “Mam we have news to relay”

SAY THEIR NAMES

Someone’s son, father, wife, daughter

Sister, brother, can no longer comfort one another

Loved one, GONE, a generation goes no further

SAY THEIR NAMES

Precious children, gutted aspirations, never to graduate

Stolen time to ponder, contemplate on life, or reevaluate

Holocaust proven by history, can hate be innate?

SAY THEIR NAMES

He is not happy with the bloodshed, innocent souls cry out

Those with bloody hands, punishment coming, no doubt

Prayers for perseverance, let justice swiftly come about

SAY THEIR NAMES

Let the fallen never be forgotten.  Let their families be comforted.  Let us see the day where we don’t have to say another name

of a soul perished from this injustice.

Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction:

for thy word hath quickened me.

And Sadly…….the list goes on…..

George Floyd--Breonna Taylor–Akiel Denkins-Sandra Bland-Trayvon Martin–Alton Sterling–Philando Castle-Tamir Elijah Rice-Michael Brown Jr.–Aiyana Jones–Oscar Grant-Renee Davis-Frank Clark-Akiel Denkins–Gregory Gunns–Samuel DuBose-Brendon Glenn-Freddie Gray–Natasha McKenna–Walter Scott-Christian Taylor-Ezell Ford–Eric Garner–Akai Gurley-Laquan McDonald-Yvette Smith–Jamar Clark–Rekia Boyd-Shereese Francis-Ramarley Graham–Manuel Loggins–Sean Bell-Ronald Madison-Kendra James–Amadou Diallo–LaTanya Haggerty-Margaret LaVerne Mitchell-Jason Michael Robinson–Ricky Whidden–Chase Anthony Tuseth-Jamal Rollins-James Rich Jr–Gerald Hall–Terrence Thomas Jr-Anthony Eddington-Ryan Joseph–Marlon Lewis–Lavar Douglas-Earl Eubanks Jr-Waltki Williams–Redrick Batiste–Mark Hicks-Norman Gary-Bruce Johnson II–David Crosby Dowdy–Jason Stringer-Irecas Valentine-Abdul Artan–Terrell Walker–Richard Grimes-Jerome Harmon-Cloetha Mitchell–Kajuan Raye–Talif Scudder–Ivory Pantallion III-George Bush III–Erickson Brito–Darius Jones-Samson Fleurant-Dontrell Carter–Rasheem Singleterry–Andrew Depeiza-Ritchie Harbison-Darryl Chisholm–Joshua Beal–Ferguson Laurent-Keenan Bradley-Michelle Shirley–Terrence Coleman–Jason King-Thad Hale-Malcolm Hickson–Roy Richards–Aaron Ballard-Demetrius Moore-Deborah Danner–Darius Wimberly–Kirk Figueroa-Deric Brown-Larry Matthews–Jaguar Mathis–Christopher Shackleford-Donte Jones-Carnell Snell–Reginald Thomas–Najier Salaam-Jacquarius Robinson-George Richards Meyers–Douglas Rainey–Christopher Sowell-Alfred Olango-Oddis Colvin Jr–Keith Scott–Philip Hasan-Kadeem Trotter-Dahir Adan–Terence Crutcher–Nicholas Glenn-Tyre King-Markell Bivins–Terrence Sterling–Gregory Frazier-Sadiq Idris-Robert Brown–Moses Ruben–Jerome Damon-Michael Thompson-Levonia Riggins–Jaqwan Terry–Alfred Toe-Donta Taylor-Kelley Forte–Brandon Coles–Omer Ismail Ali-Kenney Watkins-Colby Friday–Sylville Smith–Kendrick Brown-Fred Barlow-Darnell Wicker–Jawari Porter–Jamarion Robinson-Demarco Newman-Joseph Mann–Korryn Gaines-And in no way is this a conclusive list-Say their names-Say their names!

For more info:  The Guardian-The Counted

A Huge Reason for the Police Brutality…..1033 Program

Monica

Recycled Capitalism

Blood soaked economic system, Private ownership

Solely for profits, Echoes ring from cracks of the whip

Old face Britain & Amsterdam, New face honors the Duke

New York’s stench from lies, Can’t mask the truth

Made legal to own African people, forced to build The Wall

Pillar of oppression, that Eagle, Babylon must fall

18th century slave code, Now born with bar code,

Auction block to auction market, 11 Wall Street Manhatten tortured souls sold

Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, Are we just derivatives

Of greed laden trades and transactions, Deliberate and annihilative

Auctioneer, broker, big board, Lehmen’s cotton,

Aetna’s insured slaves, Same players, different names & days, fleshly crops gone rotten

Sold to the highest bidder, Merrill and Goldman supply the collateral

Capitalism with a botched facelift, devil in the mathematicals

What goes up must descend, was never worthy to wear the crown,

be found blameless in these days,

Repent, seek truth, change wicked ways, be heavenbound

For the end will not delay

 

Monica

The Performance

Trained

Blistered

Feet

Engage

Shellacked

Layered

Wood

Creating

Beheld

Rhythmic

Masterpiece

One

Fleeting

Moment

photo credit:  Chicaco Artists Resource

Monica

What Are You G For?

G

 Greatness of His presence

R

Righteously judging between men

A

Awesome, His unconditional love

T

Tremendous forgiving of sin

I

Inspirational story of a People

T

Treasures of rain not fame

U

Unity of His he delights in

D

Deliverance makes end to pain

E

Everlasting GRATITUDE for His blessings, Cup seen as half full,

Positive mindset a must, Avoid negativity’s rule

 

Monica

Wanted, Long-term Workers

Job Description & Benefits:

Wanted, enthusiastic workers, immediately for hire,

Maximum job security, very few ever choose to retire

May require some travel to many extraordinary places

Pays in dividends such as smiles, hugs, and happy satisfied faces

Often as your clients age the job challenges may intensify

But not to worry, take blows to the chin, on the Father you can rely

Don’t be surprised that if in time clients take on your looks and ways

For job success, correct them when needed, but ALWAYS save room for praise

No experience required, make mental notes and train along the way

There’s no manual, so share your gained wisdom with co-workers without delay

You see this job has a huge network, we encourage reaching out to your peers

However, the measure of success may not be seen for many long & grueling years

The organizational chart is made of fathers, sisters, aunts, uncles and brothers

Bypass the glass ceiling by taking the wisdom of grandfathers and grandmothers

This job is of great importance, NO, not president,  scientist or actor on a sitcom 

For with gratitude I’ve had the pleasure of being blessed to serve in this job called “MOM”

I thank our Heavenly Father every day that I haven’t had to do it alone

For to raise a child with support from a village propels him to achieve every milestone

villagetoraisechildBig thanks to all of the parents, grandparents and extended family as well as friends that take part daily to make a positive impact in support of the children, our future.  Keep your head up and know that we all make a difference.  One love Ya’ll!👪❤💕

As always, why not SHARE IT🔗🙌, LIKE👍,  REPOST♻, COMMENT💬, and YES, SUBSCRIBE 👏by clicking Follow? Thanks so much for dropping by!

Monica

Who Are We

We are those which are undeniable

Try as you may to sum us up, your formulas become unreliable

Exponential spiritual growth, magnified and powered by His Word.

Stereotypes smashed, obliterated, set free from those  bywords

Make a stand for truth, time quickly winding down

Exhibit faith although enemies will no doubt surround

Bnei Yisrael, your walk and talk mark you

We don’t fear being different, for we know who and what we pursue

Who Are We?

We are Children of Light, who walk by faith, execute what’s right

Strive to arrive at a new height, who fight to make the flesh an oversight,

So we can ultimately UNITE to heal the world from this diabolical plight……

AND TRULY EXIST AGAIN IN HIS IMAGE

If you found this post inspirational, why not SHARE IT🙌, LIKE👍,  REPOST, COMMENT💬, and YES, SUBSCRIBE 👏by clicking Follow? I Pray all that seek healing find it and thanks so much for dropping by!

 

Monica

Recycled Capitalism

Blood soaked economic system, Private ownership

Solely for profits, Echoes ring from cracks of the whip

Old face Britain & Amsterdam, New face honors the Duke

New York’s stench from lies, Can’t mask the truth

Made legal to own African people, forced to build The Wall

Pillar of oppression, that Eagle, Babylon must fall

18th century slave code, Now born with bar code,

Auction block to auction market, 11 Wall Street Manhatten tortured souls sold

Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, Are we just derivatives

Of greed laden trades and transactions, Deliberate and annihilative

Auctioneer, broker, big board, Lehmen’s cotton,

Aetna’s insured slaves, Same players, different names & days, fleshly crops gone rotten

Sold to the highest bidder, Merrill and Goldman supply the collateral

Capitalism with a botched facelift, devil in the mathematicals

What goes up must descend, was never worthy to wear the crown,

be found blameless in these days,

Repent, seek truth, change wicked ways, be heavenbound

For the end will not delay

 

Monica

Say Their Names

After tragedy strikes, yellow tape stripped away

Broken lives, dreams shattered, discontinued birthday

Bad news, knock on the door, “Mam we have news to relay”

SAY THEIR NAMES

Someone’s son, father, wife, daughter

Sister, brother, can no longer comfort one another

Loved one, GONE, a generation goes no further

SAY THEIR NAMES

Precious children, gutted aspirations, never to graduate

Stolen time to ponder, contemplate on life, or reevaluate

Holocaust proven by history, can hate be innate?

SAY THEIR NAMES

He is not happy with the bloodshed, innocent souls cry out

Those with bloody hands, punishment coming, no doubt

Prayers for perseverance, let justice swiftly come about

SAY THEIR NAMES

Let the fallen never be forgotten.  Let their families be comforted.  Let us see the day where we don’t have to say another name

of a soul perished from this injustice.

Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction:

for thy word hath quickened me.

And Sadly…….the list goes on…..

George Floyd--Breonna Taylor–Akiel Denkins-Sandra Bland-Trayvon Martin–Alton Sterling–Philando Castle-Tamir Elijah Rice-Michael Brown Jr.–Aiyana Jones–Oscar Grant-Renee Davis-Frank Clark-Akiel Denkins–Gregory Gunns–Samuel DuBose-Brendon Glenn-Freddie Gray–Natasha McKenna–Walter Scott-Christian Taylor-Ezell Ford–Eric Garner–Akai Gurley-Laquan McDonald-Yvette Smith–Jamar Clark–Rekia Boyd-Shereese Francis-Ramarley Graham–Manuel Loggins–Sean Bell-Ronald Madison-Kendra James–Amadou Diallo–LaTanya Haggerty-Margaret LaVerne Mitchell-Jason Michael Robinson–Ricky Whidden–Chase Anthony Tuseth-Jamal Rollins-James Rich Jr–Gerald Hall–Terrence Thomas Jr-Anthony Eddington-Ryan Joseph–Marlon Lewis–Lavar Douglas-Earl Eubanks Jr-Waltki Williams–Redrick Batiste–Mark Hicks-Norman Gary-Bruce Johnson II–David Crosby Dowdy–Jason Stringer-Irecas Valentine-Abdul Artan–Terrell Walker–Richard Grimes-Jerome Harmon-Cloetha Mitchell–Kajuan Raye–Talif Scudder–Ivory Pantallion III-George Bush III–Erickson Brito–Darius Jones-Samson Fleurant-Dontrell Carter–Rasheem Singleterry–Andrew Depeiza-Ritchie Harbison-Darryl Chisholm–Joshua Beal–Ferguson Laurent-Keenan Bradley-Michelle Shirley–Terrence Coleman–Jason King-Thad Hale-Malcolm Hickson–Roy Richards–Aaron Ballard-Demetrius Moore-Deborah Danner–Darius Wimberly–Kirk Figueroa-Deric Brown-Larry Matthews–Jaguar Mathis–Christopher Shackleford-Donte Jones-Carnell Snell–Reginald Thomas–Najier Salaam-Jacquarius Robinson-George Richards Meyers–Douglas Rainey–Christopher Sowell-Alfred Olango-Oddis Colvin Jr–Keith Scott–Philip Hasan-Kadeem Trotter-Dahir Adan–Terence Crutcher–Nicholas Glenn-Tyre King-Markell Bivins–Terrence Sterling–Gregory Frazier-Sadiq Idris-Robert Brown–Moses Ruben–Jerome Damon-Michael Thompson-Levonia Riggins–Jaqwan Terry–Alfred Toe-Donta Taylor-Kelley Forte–Brandon Coles–Omer Ismail Ali-Kenney Watkins-Colby Friday–Sylville Smith–Kendrick Brown-Fred Barlow-Darnell Wicker–Jawari Porter–Jamarion Robinson-Demarco Newman-Joseph Mann–Korryn Gaines-And in no way is this a conclusive list-Say their names-Say their names!

For more info:  The Guardian-The Counted

A Huge Reason for the Police Brutality…..1033 Program

Monica

Guest Poetry by Yahna_D_Vine

This special guest poet is a friend of mine that has been writing for some time now.  In addition, she is a very talented model.  Enjoy her creative work entitled, “I Pray to Thee” and please give her some love on my blog by liking, sharing and leaving a comment!