Questions on My Race

Are you Puerto Rican?

You look Asian with those small eyes

You sure you ain't Dominican 

I thought you were mixed 

One time I was asked were both your parents Black 

A few of the things I've heard from one side 

Now to be fair a few words from the flip side 

An Uncle Tom I've been called

You think you're white going to that Lab school 

Tennis is for white folks 

You probably don't like Hip-Hop 

Being Black is a full time job for me 

While you critique and call me names 

I smile and realize neither side will ever stop 

I won't apologize for the skin I'm in nor the choices I've made

I say it very loud I'm 100 to 102 percent Black and extremely proud!!!!

My HBCU Mission

I first met her in New Orleans a vision of beauty with brains to match

I ran wild not understanding her purpose in my life

I studied all the wrong subjects all-nighters were my favorite

The Barn was my spot instead of the classroom

I regrouped and focused in the city of wind

My next destination was Chocolate City

My consciousness was awakened liberation was my mission

My assignment was a degree from the Black Harvard

I was focused and then I discovered the Yard

I was cramped between Blackburn and Douglass

I studied the legacy that was there before me

Sutton and Eaton engulfed me with all night spades and conversation

Thursday's were a Trio of half price pizza with full price memories

I went  Wong messing with Tommy on more than a few nights

I was mesmerized by the the Fine Arts on Fridays with a 40 in my bag

Meridian was an Ebony palace I couldn't resist

Park Square was a hidden treasure for educated Soul Sisters

9th and T brought escapades that would live in Infamy

A momentous ride where  I met Nik who was a bit of a Freak 

I sipped too much on the amenities offered ignoring my original plan 
HU I Thank You I don't know where I'd be without you!!

She Was Anti-Social

She was anti-social didn't like when people came @ her

You couldn't book her face nor follow her on the gram of Insta

She spoke more than 140 characters 

Her chats were longer than a snap She didn't need to hash out her thoughts or tag who she was with 

She took pictures to document her journey and posted them to her mind 

Her friends list was her passport, suitcase, camera, and adventure

She requests her friends face to face 

Grief Is My Muse

                                

                                   

I couldn't put words together that felt right

Running on empty with words and ideas didn't know where to turn for either 

I listened to Sade, Lady Day, Ndegeocello to ease the pain

I even tried to swim in pools of Makers to drown the sorrows

Bourbon led me to barbells, treadmills, tennis courts, new friends and a slight feeling of relief

As time went by a few words trickled out of the pain

Progress was slowly happening but then grief struck again

Grief went viral in my life garnering the most views and likes

Looking for ways to evict grief my new roommate

A new opportunity came about I dove in deep thinking this would

start  the eviction process

Time kept moving while grief stayed still holding on to the top spot of my feelings

I took the less I thought about it the less it would bother me approach as a settlement

While traveling abroad I finally decided to meet with grief face to face

I studied grief from all relevant angles inside and out 

After our meeting I realized my new friend was of great use

Grief after all we've gone through has become my muse 

Lounge Poetry Love Chronicles "Orgo Chem Love"

As we ran into each other after going our separate ways our the meeting was the start of organic reaction

The embrace we shared was the catalyst of the reaction 

The longer we held each other the more this accelerated the reaction 

The ease of the conversation was the perfect solvent at this point in the reaction 

Your eyes, energy, and words were the flames that heated the reagents in this step of the reaction 

As the conversation ended I knew the products yielded from our reaction would last forever 

Love, Passion, Energy, and our appreciation of one another were the final products from this reaction 

I realized the love bond formed would never be broken

Fall Blues

Fall is upon us so the sun rises later and sets earlier

The morning air is now brisk with a crisp feeling on your neck

The feeling of summer still lingers inside and outside

The leaves will begin to change colors soon as will your mood

The Fall Blues will start to set in but these are not your ordinary Blues

Fall Blues are bright colors, sweater weather , and football

The beautiful summer days are now seductively cool fall nights

Fall weekends are filled with laughter, fun, homecomings, sweatshirts and strong drinks

Sit back relax and enjoy your colorful Fall Blues!!

New Orleans Energy

                             

As the night fell upon New Orleans I truly felt I knew what it meant to miss New Orleans

Satchmo and Lady Day's words running through my mind while the New Orleans culture fed my soul.

Music, food, and drinks were the spicy ingredients of the night which cooked up a gumbo of  energy I've never experienced before.

It was as if all my worries were  forgotten the only thing to do was to bask in the magic of the  Nawlins Night.

The energy and aura of the moment had me seeing life in a new light with me soaring to new heights and the forecast for my life spiritually bright!!

Neo Soul Loves

                                     

Neo Soul Loves

Arising from grief and frustration I found healing in the  sounds of Goapele, Amel, Havana, Meshell, and Erykah

Each one eased my mind, heart and soul with their words and rhythms

These ladies directed me to where I was going and where I needed to be

Amel helped me to see the Infinite Possibilities my life had to offer

She also showed me it was time to Get up and seek what was mine

I found the beauty in love when my ears were introduced to  For Real

Havana taught me to Shine on in my journey in life

I met Goapele when I was trying to get Closer to my dreams

I keep listening to find out how to Change it All

On and on I searched and found Erykah

Thoughts ran a little deep when she spoke about love  in  Next Lifetime

Had me really thinking about my baggage when I heard Bag Lady

She had my mind geared towards the many times in life I faced  Danger

I reminisced about Back in the Day and the first  Love of My Life

My first Neo love was Meshell whom I met when I heard  Dread Locs

Then she helped me see Who is He and What is He to You

She took my  mind to new romantic heights with the lyrics in  Stay

Rush Over elevated my understanding of being lyrically sexy

When my ears and soul were fed Comfort Women on Love Songs her genius was embraced

I will never forget what I learned from these  beautifully talented Women of  Neo Soul

Lounge Poetry "The Love Chronicles"

                                       

                                           

The beauty within the words spoken pleasured the mind so that the touch of the face was merely icing on a beautiful moment.

As the night grew longer her smile grew brighter while the connection took the moment from stolen to one that would be treasured forever.

Her love of life was contagious her passion for a good time was infectious while her eyes were seducing me into waters I never swam all I could say was Yes!!!

As a I spent more time with her I learned that if you aren't living then you aren't loving if that makes sense.

Now that love was our common denominator the equation of happiness was a solvable problem.

I stole a moment of her time and that led me to learn what love really is so as we walked towards the sunshine and as we headed down different paths she leaned in and said "Thank You for teaching me how a gentlemen shows loves"

I'll Be Gorgeous When I Die Album Review

           

I was looking forward to the release of this cd since reviewing the first single "Frankenstein". I will just get right to it this cd was a real pleasure to listen to showcasing her diverse vocal range and the production was on point. Carlitta released the album herself which I applaud she believed in herself and rose to the challenge much respect to her for that.  The cd is 16 songs and 57 minutes of good music you will not be disappointed with purchasing this true musical eargasm. 

The songs that are in heavy rotation for me are "100 Nudges of Love" a mellow groove about what else the feeling of love. "Papa Cool" a joint that will take you back and shows off just how jazzy this lady's voice is. "Anywhere" this song got me I was still off high of "Papa Cool" and this one took me higher. "I.B.G.W.I.D." the title track from the intro to the end this one will hit you deep make you think while nodding your head side to side. I won't give away the rest of the tracks you will have to purchase the cd to hear for yourself.

Please support a true artist who is giving you music from her heart this is what the game needs.

A cd can be purchased from her site: http://carlitta-durand.squarespace.com/

Happy Birthday Lady Day!!!

                             

                                               

I just want to wish one of the greatest singers of all-time Billie Holiday Happy Birthday!!!

I have always been infatuated by the lady with the flower in her hair.

Her voice was beautiful it encompassed the words of the song whether it was God Bless the Child, Strange Fruit, or Gloomy Sunday. I was introduce to her as a youth and was immediately drawn to the husky voice and the beautiful music accompanying that voice.

There are two new albums that  pay homage to the legendary Lady Day which are both must haves for your musical collection.

Jose James- Yesterday I had the Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday

Jose put his spin on Lady Day's music and it is a refreshing take on her classic music. Jose's voice is soothing to the ears a great purchase for those nights where you just want to close your eyes and go on a musical journey.

Cassandra Wilson- Coming Forth by Day

This woman's voice is amazing I have always loved her range and sound. Cassandra put her unique spin on Billie's music and hit a grand slam. There is one original song on the album "Last Song (For Lester)".  

This album is a unique spin on Lady Day's timeless music and will provide you with the ultimate Musical Eargasm.

2015 Motivation

                                           

Here we are January 2015 that time of year when we take our best shot at making this the best year of our life. The question is what are you willing to do to finish what you started. Will you give up when the going gets tough? Is it too cold for the gym? Did you eat bad already? You spent that money you were trying to save.

If the above things have already happen so what keep on your quest for the best year ever. If it was easy we would all be there just think about the things you want. Put your head down and keep moving forward don't look back forget about yesterday and don't worry about tomorrow.

These are a just a few of my thoughts to help inspire, motivate, and support all those who are like me working towards being the best they can be in 2015.

I am going to keep writing because if I stop that means I quit and quitters never win while winners never quit!!!