I am committed

I wake up
in a cold sweat
the moon sneers - 
terrified - 
What have I missed.

Life kept life-in,
things
kept happening
while I was amidst.
Lost in terror
of fear
beaten down 
by wayward cares.

Finally,

the water receeded a little- 
thought I could walk on water
alone...
I must atone
To find my way home
I must walk in the sun

40 Years Long

I could cry...
40 years
long...
a cursed song.
What a fight
40 years of night...
always missing the light.

Why Lord why?

We believe the lies
and never try.
In circles we go
there was no Jericho
only dry dessert land.
Thrist
nearly kill we!
It took a rock.
Still we were loud
and wrong
not strong
we did not believe the Big Man.

40 long years
even after the splitting sea
it took one generation
long...
before we see
touch the Promise Land.

Black

My power comes from you
my strength is hewn
from your relentless authority
I see myself now
as priority.
I am important
I'm a big deal.
I know where I stand
on the pinnacle
of power
that I can command
the very devil
to disbanned
and flee
from me.
No need to chop
nor toe
the line
I find
my peace
I know I will not cease
in the beauty of your lines
and shadows.
I am Black.

But for the Grace of God

There goes a young boy
with spring in his cheeks
and the glow of the Sun 
he sees an old soul
going slow
not vital enough
to make a show
sweeps him aside
"Old man you must go 
death awaits!"
The old man shakes his head
he understands
seeing brings the young dread - 
they too one day - if they survive -
will be like him.
There is too much pain today
and so
into the corner he is swept for days
on end.
Then he goes further 
up the road -
an accident.
Slowly he moves closer.
Ah it is the young man!
His glow now diminshed
winter haunts him now
He has been brought to an early
end:
"there but for the grace of God go I"

Herd Mentality

Chose your victim
get ready for the kill
neatly packed together
we rush and snap at will.
No rhyme to our reason
displeasure is well seasoned
with the thrill...
Let's chase this sinner
stone him to death
then sweep our dirty linens
under our beds
to rest.
Once the act is committed
you cannot go back
remember
loylaty to the pack.

Now I do to get along
sick promises sold
now seem so cold
dreams once fashioned
now seem so old
wearied
lacking compassion.
Now I must walk against the tide.

I stop and wait.
I must go back.

Now She Sleeps

Now She Sleeps

We had to leave her

I wonder if she is cold?
They put her on ice.
Stiff.
Frozen in Time.
No more.
They left her
in the dark.
She could not find her way to me.
They took her shoes
gave her a box
left us a crystal drop.


Will I see you again?
In Heaven?
Can I hug you there?
Will they let me?
Can I kiss you?
Like I did not here?

For now I'll let you sleep.

John Crow Batty Sorrows

John Crow Batty Sorrows

You see me JB
don't test me...
I am your authority.
I rule
you are my mule...
I am the authority.
you better not answer
back,
stay silent
I will cut you to size.
You think you're bad
you are not my god
today you will learn
or burn!
the wife gone
mad
children gone
bad
but I ain't mad
I glad
Now....
I am the authority.

**Disclaimer: This poem is not autobiographical!