The Journey Begins

Peace

He told me where he was and my imagination met him there

I had been desperate for that place for so long

and I only find it when I am with him

close

the two of us

no sound but the beat of our hearts

no worries

except those of the neighbors who are too concerned with tomorrow

he allows me in his space

and I give him permission to evade mine

no pressure to talk

or laugh

no pressure to cook

or do a dance

no questions about my latest poem

or desire to hear my latest song

I

can

just

be

carefree

breathless

tranquil

his home I call my own

rest

The Black Church; One Large Funeral Home

There has been a decline in the relevance of the black church as it pertains to ones holistic well being. What was once a place of spiritual empowerment, social involvement, and economic strength is now a masquerade show for the masses and an institution that is allowing its congregants to die due to ignorance.

Millions of African Americans gather at their local churches weekly to engage in a religious experience that is looked upon as a social norm within the culture. In most recent studies, denominations such as the Church of God in Christ and the African Methodist Episcopal church, are responsible for the largest number of attendees per week. Across pulpits, common sermon topics include,” freedom from the oppressor, ” “the struggle is over,” “loving your enemy,” and the all too popular, “prosperity gospel.” A glorious scream and shout are expected to conclude these services as congregants return to their lives and await another camp high experience that their over-powerful, lavishly dressed and over paid clergy man/woman will usher them into.

The anti-intellectualism of the age has caused people to subject themselves ignorantly to upholding bi-laws and traditions and supporting the lifestyles of pastors and preachers while their personal lives and communities suffer greatly. African American teenagers have high rates of sexual intercourse and teen pregnancy’s; over 230,000 African Americans have died due to living with HIV/AIDS and to date, merely half of the HIV/AIDS cases in the United states are African American. One Million can be found in prison, or in jail; 32 percent are divorced, 25.8 percent are in poverty, 28 percent are employed, and due to suicide, 4.5 percent are no longer alive. In the land of the living a common experience seems to be a death of some sort.

These numbers may be ignored by some, but it is necessary that these facts leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those who worship in the Black church. There is a dire need for clergy men and women to address the issues and pandemics that are hurting faithful members of communities they serve. Instead of acting like “church people” aren’t having sex, churches should provide information for HIV/AIDS testing centers. They should set up marital/relationships classes with local psychologist and relationship experts. Making financial advisers and coaches known to congregations would be of economic benefit as well as partnering up with local job centers and business men and women who can provide tools to aspiring entrepreneurs. Churches can organically engage in inter-generational discussions and provide interactive and relevant programs and classes that youth and young adults can benefit from while having community leaders provide innovative ways for civic involvement.

Because the Black church has not consistently upheld its essence and reason for existence, many have walked away from her in disappointment; However, the good news is, there is hope. The Black church must retrace her steps, go back to the drawing broad, and intentionally aim to help the reality of their community rather than ignore the reality and pacify congregants with a feel good time and well planned sermons that will help them, “get over.”

Leaders must be aware that people still desire to have “spiritual encounters,” and seek to be closer to God just not at the expense of making pastors celebrities and having  services guaranteed to get people high from empty routine rituals before asking them to give all of their money for yet another building fund. Church -goers can no longer give leaders permission to misuse and abuse their money, time and interest with churches void of substance and no benefit to the community of which they are to serve. Annual events, and gatherings should not exist if they will not improve lives for the sake of the kingdom; rather than for the sake of a denomination or keeping in line with traditions. Hold leaders accountable to leading a people and do not let down on this demand due to popularity or desired greatness among the religious.

Desperate times are calling for the church to engage in culture, make gatherings relevant again, and provide a theological foundation that allows one to make decisions in their personal lives that will positively effect those around them.

Millions of Americans give their attention to leaders weekly during church services; it is evident, we can come together. May our growing objective become to make the most of our gathers by educating, empowering, and challenging a community that is dieing on our watch. Our grandparents and ancestors would not be proud of our recent displays of religiosity in the name of the God they introduced us to. A nation awaits for the crisis of the Black church to cease.Death should not occur by default in the place chosen to give us life. The chance to do better is now. An entire generation seeks to live.

For Bud (1st draft)

You are your fathers son

speaking out and considered out spoken

how he smiles on you

still

you be the testimony of his leadership

the glory of his crown of manhood

the steps you take

he wish you’d take boldly

aint no tip toeing in a land thats your

aint no silence in declaring war on ignorance

folks consider bliss

aint no promised land found

in a waste land

rise up now

you have his bones in you

and they be strong

you have his love over you

and it be real

you own just the right amount of mess

he said life wont clean up

you are the perfect kind of imperfect

and he knew this

he was proud of his boy turned man

and you know this

the impression of his presence lingers

and we feel it

the sound of his voice hasn’t drifted in the clouds yet

the memory of his laughter and glee still awakens you

loss of conversations and dinners break you

at a cross road in a valley of decisions

you have to make on your own

sometimes leaves you

wanting to call out to him

for just one more word

one more time

and his was up

all too soon

we sing

gone too soon

its true

he will never experience the youth of your children

the beauty of your wife

see the fruit of your labor

yet

the life you live is the witness that your father was here

we are sorry for those who never knew him

and the memory of this man is better than the failed attempts of boys trying to be one

he didn’t leave you his shoes to fill

not because you couldn’t walk in them

he said yours were greater

walk tall

you carry his legacy

the heaviest yet most

honorable currency to lead others to freedom

may you march on

til victory is won

your father is your drum major

still

and he will always be the good man who made you a better man

soldier

#2790

two friends

two worlds

one decision

one journey

one love

fullness…

Attn: God pt.2 

Dear God,

i am thankful for the beauty of who you are. How you love me and how you chase after me with a reckless abandonment. this season of transition is vital to what you are doing for kingdom advancement. Thank you for not doing this great work without me. I have the opportunity to be apart of the 6th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit. WOW. This week we are going to WIN in a major way for the team. I want to bring you the nations. I want to make you famous. May the display of my gift cause the recipients to be in awe of the one who gave me the gift. Help me to not take this moment for granted but to see clearly how you are using this hour for serious transition. I will not be distracted. I will not give in to familiar temptations. I will no doubt what you have given me. I will not forget the truths you speak over me.For your glory I move and rest. You have inclined you ear to the cry of my heart. Ever faithful. Ever true. Ever gracious and free with your stead fast love.

you are my head and you are making me the head.

to you i owe my everything.

i loveyou

charity

Love

love is too reckless to have a lane

talks too much sense to be whispering sweet nothings

sees too well to be considered blind

is too alive to be considered dead

is too eternal to be given a day of intentional recognition

is too much of an opportunist to be considered an oligation

and is too necessary for us to make her an option in a room of our fears and folly

He who has an ear to hear (freewrite)

They say

everybody needs a release

that everybody should have some kind of someone they can talk to

some times

about some things

some of us have that

or at least

some of you have that

i am left with talking to a journal

it dont talk back but at least it listens

words heard

are some times better than words spoken

in times like these

i think i prefer it that way

i dont need sympathy

excuses

or pats on the back by hands too numb to feel anything

just the assurance of a listening ear

and the desire to help me change what they had to experience hearing

from the depth of a soul that be broken on nights like these

will be okay

and then maybe

i will be okay

again

maybe

Perfect(ed)

Master.

Me.

Master Builder.

Master Build her.

Master me.

you wish to tell him, “i want to be where you are” but its still the early stages of things so you say,” you’re too far.”  ….#poetry