Rise and Shine
Peace Ya’ll. a few words to stew on:
Rise and Shine
Written by Antoine Terreell aka Madgesdiq
Rise and shine
Transcend space and time
Calm mind
Accompanies dayz w/o rain
King James
Forceful obedience
10 or less
Cut off your right
Force u left
Protest
Ultimately ambidex*
Envy and fear
Distrustful concepts
2 control cattle
Implemented long term
Sports Illustrated
Reason 2 be concerned
Politricks
Unfulfilled promises
Cognizant
State of the Union
No communion
Divided souls
Now assumes both roles
Takes its toll
Process begun b-4 it grows
As a youth told
Set goals
On hold
Memorization mode
Unretained
Well trained
Thoughtless repetition
Beatin’ into submission
Untapped potential
Income most essential
Element
Agree 2 disagree
Purpose of soul
Not 2 do
Just 2 be
Who u be
No strings attached
Given freely
More easy
Path w/ a heart
Life is art
In the truest sense
About self expression
Tools possess em
Good or bad at your discretion
By reflection
See all up 2 u
Neva see yourself thru the eyes of one who hates u
Judge not
Negative on deaf ears
Fortitude and prayer
W/ patient who persevere
Right here
Discard fear
Coast is clear
Visualize
Strategize
Move w/ assurance
Stay focused
W/ intent
Not thru the motions
Upright
All I have is my life
Nuthin’ else
Allies here 4 help
Lay it on the line
Till it ticks 4 the last time
* Short 4 ambidextrous
“Rise and Shine” will be freatured in a up and coming book release of I and I titled, “Signs of the Time”
Peace and blessings, and do what you can to stay awake.
Time
Some thoughts about time:
Time
Written by Madgesdiq aka Antoine Terrell
Prisoners of time
Thought time does not exist in a real sense
Its makes no differeence to Most High
H.I.M. vibin’ on different clock, no death
Life goes on it never stops
So mature at your pace, you ain’t gotta race
No Competition with others only yourself
To be the be the best you can be
To set yourselves free
No more runnin’ or stressin’, anxiety
Got us missin’ out on most of our lives because we runnin’, clockin’ in
Checkin’ the hour like every ten (minutes)
Where I’m at, where I gotta be
I can’t be late
Shackled at our hands and feet by certain date
By a certain month, certain year, a certain age
What’s age? Its just anutha page in the book
Slow yourself down
Take some time to look around, look within
Enjoyin’ this life is no sin
Time, it really does not exist
Time, allowin’ me to flow like this
Time, forget about that watch on your wrist
Time, the only time I know this is it
Time, it really does not exist
Time, allowin’ me to flow like this
Time, forget about that watch on your wrist
Time, the only time I know this is it
Full on sprint lookin’ for wealth
Got us workin’ but not for ourself, not by ourself, but majority
24 hours not the authority
Its in your mind for your soul don’t know yhe time
Yet it just wanders from place to place, never in haste
I do agree that moments we shouldn’t waste
Doin’ things that we do not like, do what you love
At the moment that feels right, deep in your heart, then do it
Natural rhythm get into it
Start to move to it
Grab a partner and groove to it
Set the mood to it
Eat your favorite food to it
In a nice zone
Don’t even where no watch on my wrist
Green, yellow, red that’s it
Soon come
I mean no disrespect to none
Pledgin’ my allegiance to the ONE
Time, it really does not exist
Time, allowin’ me to flow like this
Time, forget about that watch on your wrist
Time, the only time I know this is it
Time, allowin’ me to flow like this
Time, forget about that watch on your wrist
Time, the only time I know this is it
In the end, the point is not to be irresponsible when it comes to time, or waste it, but to make an attempt to relax and enjoy every moment, for each is a gift. To get the fullness out of each moment, we have to be completely in the moment. Even if you find yourself running behind, or in a pressure situation, don’t panic, don’t stress, stay calm and maximize the opportunity to live in the present time. Don’t let age become a barrier for you. Don’t be so antsy and pushy that you delay your blessing, by pushing it away with your own energy or lack of patience.
We are on a lifetime journey here, no reason for one to feel as if they have to live on anyone elses schedule or live up to their expectations, especially if they don’t jive with the expectations you have for yourself. Life is about feel, life is about love and life is about growth and evolution. Only the Most High knows of the plans he/she has for you and the proper time table as to when these plans will manifest themselves. Get in touch with self, get in touch with the Most High and let your spirit guide you as to where you should go and when, not man, not woman, for most of there expectations of you are tied into their dreams and desires as it relates to you. When you take time to breathe, and settle yourself down, you will see yourself perform at your maximum level. Even if you are facing a deadline (rather imposed by someone else or self imposed) and are overwhelmed with work, and all the other respnsibilities that come with life, take your time, find a pace that is comfortable and workable for you, a pace that you can produce what you are trying to produce at a high level. Breathing slows you down, slowing down helps you to focus and see things more clearer, and when you see things clearer, your decisons become wiser, your output and results become better. A stressed out person is not a productive person. A person who is always in a rush, misses out on a lot beautiful things that life has to offer. Rushing, stressing, and worrying ds nothing positive for you.
Get the most out of everyday by getting the most out of every moment. Remember you are on a journey that never ends and when it does end it begins again. Remember, as long as you are breathing, it is never to late to change your mind, your approach, your course of direction, that choice is yours. Every man and woman must learn to walk to the beat of thier own drum. At times, yes we must we must be in sync with others, but in order to effectively do that I feel we must first be in touch with ourselves. If we all were to concentrate on becoming more in tune with our creator, life would be a lot smoother, a lot easier, less stress, less worry, less pressure, things would happen more naturally. We wouldn’t have to force the issue so much but just let things be, leaving them to happen as they should. A point to consider, it was man that invented time, not the unmoved mover from which all has come. Jah knows when your time is too shine, just make sure you are prepared for it. I leave you with this quote, “A calm mind is a creative mind.” Let’s calm our minds and create something different than what we presently see, realizing though it will take time, for everything will. One Love and Jah Bless
A Ray of Light
Hello world, its a beautiful morning here in Portland, Oregon, and I just got done getting my morning basketball run in at Lewis and Clark College. It feels good to still be able to play and compete, while at the same time getting in a good workout, not to mention gettin’ to vibe with the fellas. I have had better days shooting, but it was still cool though, I tend to be a hard critic on myself when it comes to my expectations on the court. I was far from bad, above average but still could have been better. Some days its just like that, you’re lacking a little focus and things seem slightly out of sync, but it happens, that’s life and that’s basketball. All in all though it was a real good run. Appreciate it fellas. 10 games of three on three full court, now that’s a good good workout. But anyway, I wanted to share with you beautiful people some thoughts that I finished up last night around 1Am while watching “I wanna work for Diddy 2.” It was my first time watching the show, it was quite interesting. The title of this entry/poem is “A Ray of Light”, written for those on the brink of giving up, written for those who are a little stressed out, written for those who need a reminder that things are not as bad as they seem, written for those who need a little pick me up, some words of encouragement, a sign that things can and will get better. Enjoy and I shall be back tomorrow with another entry for you. Peace be with you and have a great day.
A Ray of Light
Written by Antoine Terrell
We make believe in our minds what we know in our hearts
That a sparkle of light means its’ never really dark
At least not completely
A glimmer of hope
Exist within the darkness
So hold onto the rope
Start 2 pull yourself up
By letting yourself go
The moment you stop believin’
Is the moment you will know
That everything will run its course
“Say it isn’t so”
That you lost hope
Stop believin’ and you still don’t know
That everything you need 2 know
Is everything you feel
You can only make it worse if you don’t learn 2 sit still
2 acknowledge that the pain is there
Is how you start to heal
2 ignore that its there it only makes it more real
So don’t suppress the feelin’
Let it spin upon the wheel
Life is a cycle from which we all take a spill
At which time we can surrender to something stronger than our will
Or continue going on acting out how we feel
See life is full of pressure
Man its hard enough 2 deal
Without the added pressure that we place when we feel
That we have 2 be sumthin’
Sumthin’ bigger than ourselves
In order 2 see heaven we have 2 learn 2 live in hell
Findin’ peace amidst the chaos
Quiet moments in the noise
When the pressure starts to mount
Don’t panic “keep your poise”
“Be cool”
Lord and master yourself rule
Give praises to the Father
If you know it all a fool
“Be cool”
Lord and master yourself rule
Give praises to the Father
If you know it all a fool
Don’t be a fool
Use your skills as a tool
A vehicle to move thru the rocky unsmooth
Sailin’
Make sure you exhale what you inhalin’
If you never choose to quit then you never truly failin
So don’t quit, don’t give in, and don’t give up
For there would be no need for faith if life didn’t suck
In one way, shape or form
Come up out the rut
Even if you covered wit’ mud a bit of luck
Must be on your side
If it wasn’t could you survive?
Whatever it is you going thru now
Its’ soon to pass
It will not last
But only for a little while
Until it goes
Making room for sumthin’ else to come
What that sumthin’ is we don’t know
And may never come to know
If we don’t have the heart and courage to let some things go
For certain things we holdin’ onto will wear us down eventually
Until we start thinkin’ differently
About what we thinkin’ ‘bout
It could happen instantly
What you do and who you are
Is what you do consistently
If you can’t change the situation
Change the way you think about the situation
Altering the circumstances
Yeah!!!!
That’s the power that you possess
A prayer is only answered if you working out to sweat
“Do the work”
Not only that, make moves intelligent
Its time to work smarter not harder
“Have the right attitude”
Positive “don’t be rude”
Pessimistic don’t complain about every single thang
Cause it won’t help
Especially if its’ out of your control to begin with
Reduce stress level 60%
Maybe more
For most of our stress has to do someone else
And what they think about us
What they want
What they say about us
What they expect
What they assume
What we assume they sayin’ about us, thinkin’ about us
Check it
From negative thoughts a vicious cycle jumpstarted into motion
Don’t get caught up in emotion
“Be cool, stay calm, don’t panic, keep your poise
Take a deep breath”
Now take a step back
To analyze the situation
Not as an actor but a viewer
Bringing everything into perspective
As you settle down
What you saw before you no longer see
“Slow it down” what you didn’t see you now see
That even when the sky is grey
And life appears bleak
The sun is still shining somewhere behind the clouds
So stay on your feet
Get off your knees
Here, have a seat
For a moment
So you can regroup
Turn to your roots
Your roots
Water your roots
Nurture your roots
Care for your roots
If you open you gotta shoot
Stay on the move
I know its’ easier said the done
But somebody gotta say it
Or the past you will replay it
Over and over until you paralyze yourself
Feelin’ sorry for yourself
Can’t let you drown in yourself
But I can’t do it for you neither
God helps those who help themselves
Get out your mind go to your heart
Where you can always find a spark
A ray of light to keep you going
A simple reminder its’ not the end
Of the world
Be realistic also pretend
If you imagine that things will be better
Then soon they will
You will make it to the other side
“So keep on pushin”
“Stay the course” when you feelin’ them low’s
“Stay grounded” when it’s the high’s
That you feelin’ its great to be alive
When you breathin’
You still got a chance to stem the tide
Turn the ship around
Changing the course of your direction
Wit’ a single choice
Its all up to you
Now make the choice . . . . . . .
Love Affair
Hey now beautiful people, its been a long time since I last posted something, but felt now was the time to get back in the swing of things. I hope all of you are well, and if you’re not, doing the things to make it well. This is a short poem/verse I wrote about my beloved. Enjoy!!!! Feel free to leave your comments. One Love and Jah Bless
Love Affair
Dedicated 2 Hip Hop
Written by Madgesdiq aka Antoine Terrell
I got this thing 4 creative art
Been down from the start
She captured my heart
2 death do us part
The way she makin’ me feel
Her vibe like no other
Things about myself
She help me 2 discover
Into her eyes I stare
This is a love affair
Lonely and vulnerable
W/ u completely share
My worst fears
Concerns + desires
When I’m feelin’ down
You’re my energizer
Remember when we met
In that store parkin’ lot
Back in 79
Knew u was mine
But like most men
I’m havin’ many friends
In love unconditional
Support me 2 the end
I wanna make u my wife
Commit 2 u my life
Have me excited on sight
U know the type
Inspires me 2 write
And poetry recite
Plus she keepin’ me grounded
Don’t believe the hype
Incense and candlelight
Holdin’ each other tight
We’ve been separated
It’s time 2 reunite
Oh yeah it feels so good
It’s well understood
The little engine that could
Conceived in the hood
W/ faith 2 move a mountain
Power 2 heal the masses
Bein’ lectured on now
In college classes
W/ rhythm + appeal
Magnetically a force
She was clearly sent 2 me
By a higher source
I love her
And I always will
Nuthin’ can change the way I feel
4 your love I know it’s real
I knew it back then when we met
My life would never be the same
Now with the whole world callin’ your name
I love her
And I always will
Nuthin’ can change the way I feel
4 your love I know it’s real
I knew it back then when we met
My life would never be the same
Now with the whole world callin’ your name
Hip Hop. . .
Untitled
“Meet all who seek your aid in a spirit of love, free from personal criticism and with intelligent reticence”
Taken from the writings of the Tibetan teacher Djwhal Khul
Life
A Beautiful autumn day in the city of Roses, that’s what we have been blessed with. I send peace and lots of love and positivity 2 you, my friends, here and abroad. Today shall we keep it short, sweet and simple. Another Quote for us 2 stew on. Have a day is created by you and not by someone else. One Love
Out Quote Today goes as follows:
“All there is, is life”
Madgesdiq
Beauty
Today my friends, we share with you this Quote:
“All is beautiful when radiating at its maximum illuminative capacity”
Madgesidq
May your day be well and may you come 2 recognize the beauty that exist within and throughout. Jah Bless
What Happened 2 Her?
Hello and blessings 2 all of you today. On my mind this morning is the culture and music that I love and have loved for a greater part of my life; 30 years 2 be exact. The culture that I’m speakin’ of is Hip Hop. This past weekend as well as many other days previous, I have thought to myself, what happened 2 her? She used 2 be so inspiring to me but in the last few years I have grown less and less inspired by the music that I have been hearing, especially in the main stream. The content of the lyrics, the visual imagery, the whole thing has turned straight physical, material and sexual. All of the songs sound the same. Many of them have no depth or real substance. Yes I see people enjoying themselves which is cool but I thought this music was supposed to do more than just entertain. This music is supposed to inspire, uplift, educate, inform, as well as entertain. Now where in the club or hustling all day, looking for the next young misses we can exploit and she’s going for it because she wants a little bit of shine, fame, and fortunes also. Funny thing about this is that the men are so caught up in there own egos that they don’t realize that its not even him she really wants, but what he can provide. A line from one of my songs; “Inflated egos you better watch it/realize they fuck you for the cash found in your pockets.”
His status and reputation are very important 2 her, for if she is associated with him in any way, in her mind she feels that makes her look good as well. Both parties are actually getting what they want although on some superficial level. These sorts of experiences along with the struggle, the violence, the drugs, the money , and the latest dance are what we see and hear time and time again, conditioning the minds of all those who choose 2 take it in. This is not just the fan either but even those who may not like hip hop because this is where they form their judgment of the African American culture. If I don’t live amongst and interact with someone regularly then you are left to what you see to form your perception and opinions. How we are being portrayed in the media and in the music business arena is quite disturbing.
It was a sunny afternoon back in 1979 and my mom and I were pulling into the lot at the 88 cent store so she could buy a few things. As you can tell by the name it would be similar to the Dollar Trees of today. As my mom parked the car, I sat in the passengers seat listening to the radio. Normally I would go with her into the store, but this time I decided to stay in the car and listen to some music. Moms exited the car and there I was chillin’ when I heard this song come on the radio that I had never heard before. Come to think of it, I had heard nothing like it before. The beat was swinging and moving, but the voices were not singing they were talking real fast over the beat while keepin’ the rhythm, I was like, man I like this. The song i was hearing was “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang. I had this feeling like I had never had before. I was bobbing my head and paying close attention to the words (From the start It has been about the words 2 me), I felt this sensation in my body that felt way 2 great 2 ignore. The wittiness and cleverness in the lyrics had me hooked. I quietly sat and enjoyed the song. That was 30 years ago, the day I fell in love with Hip Hop.
I dove deep into the culture from that day forward. It has been a beautiful love affair ever since. Some of my favorite emcees now and then are Rakim, Special Ed, Grand Puba, Tupac, Method Man, Ghostface, Run D.M.C., Andre 300, L.L. Cool J, K’naan and many many more. I am usually more attracted to the emcees who are saying something, something that displays there thinking on a deeper level than just the material world or should I say the surface. I judge not any one for their choices but we must realize that what we are saying as emcees affects everyone who has a chance to hear the music. I grew to love Hip Hop for its art and culture, but now the business is more of a priority than the art and culture. And we all know that when business enters the scene, in most cases the creativity and integrity seem to suffer. The music is not just created for the love of the art but now for the sale. This is some cases in alright, meaning if you create something authentically from your heart and soul and the masses like it and buy it, cool, but if your predetermining songs and inspiration because that’s what you see selling, that is not cool. That’s what I see happening now. There is a formula that has been proven to work, now everyone is following that same formula. that’s why all the songs sound the same. Back day, songs were original, everyone had their own style, not today, its carbon copy central. The messages in the music have turned toward for the worse. It is all about money, cars, hoes, pimps, players . . . . .etc.
What was once a powerful tool/weapon for expression of our culture has now been turned against us and is now being used as the primary weapon to destroy ourselves. These record execs and the people choosing to play the game say they love their people but they are exploiting their people as they lead them down a road of self destruction. The youth are being dumb down by the music of today. I am not judging these artist who have chosen to sell their souls for the almighty dollar but I am holding them somewhat responsible for the demise of hip hop and some of the things our youth are being taught through the music. To come from nothing into a lot something is respectable for sure, but the means by which you do it are also important. “You cannot kill another and truly live.” That is what is being done thru the music. Not solely the fault of the artist, these vultures, whom, we call label execs are responsible as well. The powers that be understand what kind of experiences and thoughts certain conditions and environments will create and through the means of their crooked system have created the environments and things that these rappers are talking about. They have sent the message that money is power, so most are just chasing the money as to acquire more power. The middle man, which is the label exec is about the bottom line as well. So if this music sales, then all three win, while the masses still lose. We may get entertained for a while but that’s it. These three, the powers that be, the label execs and the artist now play rather consciously or unconsciously on the same team. And the masses are the spectators who pay to be dazzled and entertained by them while being manipulated all the long.
If this has no truth in it, then why are there so few artist who have a positive, well rounded message being pushed in the mainstream. Why do they always have to be underground? Why is Hip Hop the only genre of music where negativity and materialism are consistently pushed. I’ve seen it from time to time back day with Rock, but now a days Hip Hop is glamorizing a life style that really has no long term glory in it. The trend of the time is just not moving me. I try to give things a fair listen but if it doesn’t do anything for me, than it doesn’t. There has always been some braggadocio in Hip Hop but these days it has risen to the extreme. Its no longer about the skills its about what you have.
I saw this trend begin to enter in around 95 or so, since then it has grown progressively worse, to the point that now a days I barely listen to Hip Hop at all. Interesting being that this is the genre I best express myself in. I have my few favorites I listen to and that’s it. Why do we have to make a fool of ourselves to be accepted by the masses? Why do we have to be pretend to be more than what we are? So many of us are pumped up to the point we believe our own hype. I ask you, What are your lyrics and your music really doing for the uplifting of your people? We have allowed the business to cloud the music and the message. And as long we keep giving in to the pressures and demands of expectation this trend shall continue. Its time we take the art form and culture back and use it for what it was meant for. It is 2 be a positive voice of the people. Now I hit you with a little rhyme;
What Happened 2 Her
2 Hip Hop
Written by Madgesdiq
What happened 2 her?
Love of my life
What happened 2 her?
My people not lovin’ her ya’ll
Just wanna screw her
They wanna smack it
And flip it
And do her
Like they neva knew her
After they pursue her
So I guess my love
I outgrew her
Moved on
Tell me baby
Am I wrong?
I’m thinkin’ 2 myself
Can things eva be the same
B-4 whips and chains
I saw her life change
She fell in love w/ the fame
Now she praisin’ her own name
Among other thangs
That I ain’t really cool w/ it
But if u knowin’ me well
U know I wouldn’t quit
I may venture a while
But u know I’m comin’ back
But why u gotta do me like that
I wanna love u girl
And treat u right
I wanna love u girl
But u just wanna fight
There was a song that said
These women come out at night
That’s why u only gettin’ one night
Stands
Now u wanna blame on the man
What u wanna do baby
Left in your hands
Evolution part of the plan
Remember
We were meant 2 walk across sands
What happened 2 her?
I’ll tell ya what happened 2 ya
Listen up close my friends
Explain it 2 ya
She was led astray
She started livin’ 4 the day
W/o the past
How long expect 2 last?
In that brief moment
When she be sittin’ on top
When she shop
When she gettin’ her boots knocked
Stop
Told her 2 drop it like it’s hot
I like it 2
But every song the same plot?
Shocked
When she no longer on top
Just a few minutes is all she got
I used 2 love her
No doubt
Love her a lot
But now she only standin’ on corners
Slangin’ her rock
She used 2 be so warm and sweet
B-4 she got shot
But now she cold as fuck
Stuck in a box
The system got her brain locked
Thinkin’ she hot
2 trot
Now they got her livin’ on their clock
Everything she learned b-4
Guess she forgot
Now they got her slavin’ 4 them
I’d rather not
Now they got her playin’ they game
We livestock
Gettin’ rid of us
Just as soon as R stock drop
Now they wanna blame Hip-Hop
4 goin’ pop from the gloc
Come on ya’ll
When will it stop
This exploitation
This unfair manipulation
Can we get back 2 inspiration
Spiritual creation
Education
And elevation
That’s what we need 2 heal the nation
©2006, 2008 Freedom Train International
Peace be with you and Jah Bless
“Spreading, peace, love and freedom thru the power of words and music”
Food Aid For 6.2 Million requested by Ethiopian Government
This morning I was awaken by the sounds of BBC news and heard some very heart wrenching news. Severe droughts in Ethiopia are damaging crops and leaving millions without food. Many of these are children. It has prompted the Ethiopian Government to request emergency food aid for 6.2 million people. Could you imagine what it would feel like to be in that situation? To be a farmer out there laboring in the blazing sun and no rains coming, therefore your crops are yielding nothing and you have your family to feed and cannot. Then you seek to borrow from someone else and they want to charge you interest on what you borrow. What king of world are we living in where people feel they always have to get over on someone. If a person can’t yield any crops, hoe are they supposed to make money to pay back anything? and then one wants to toss interest on top of that. How sickening to your stomach is that?
I bring this to your attention today, because many of us take for granted the blessings we do have. We complain about this or that and a lot of it is not even worth complaining about. Here is a country in the midst of some serious food shortages, the very thing you need to live and here we are complaining about material things and the extra shit we don’t have that we really don’t need and there are people out here dying because they lack the basics. We waste so much food here in America, never giving any thought to the fact that what we waste could feed many people in another country. We are blessed to be able to go to the grocery store and see the shelves full of options (although most of it may not be as good for us as we think) for us to choose from and on top of that have the funds to purchase it. I realize that there are many who struggle here as well but there are over a billion people in this world living off of less than one dollar a day, Yes less than one dollar a day. Could you imagine that one? Less than one dollar a day. We are all victims of this lack of appreciation, even I. We so caught up in our lifestyles that we forget how fortunate we really are sometimes. We rarely stop to think about how others around the world or even around are city, state are actually living. There are many who are suffering. 
We must stop from time to time and think about these things, thanking Jah for our blessings. I realize as my man Robert Nesta would say, “Every man thinks his burden is the heaviest” but to not have the very basic essentials that one needs to live is heartbreaking. The UN says that they are short on food relief as around the world there are many suffering from lack of food. This could be due to drought, war, and other circumstances. We have money to spend on nuclear weapons, war, space research and all this other jazz but we are always lacking when it comes to taking care of the people, and I mean all people. What goes on around the world, near or far has a affect on us all. These are are brothers and sisters rather we no them or not. Martin Luther King was quoted as saying, “What affects on directly, affects us all indirectly.”
It is appears as if we are living out prophetic times right now. Rather you are religious or not, it would be hare to argue against what is taking place. My eyes do not deceive me. I see what I see and feel what I feel and if you are watching then you see it to. Some things we don’t see unless it is brought to our attention for as we go through are daily lives we are not confronted with certain things so we do not think of them, so sometimes we need a little reminder. I seek not to strike a negative blow to your day, but to ask of you to pray for these families of not only Ethiopia but all around the world where there is suffering of this magnitude. Many of our future are malnourished and sick and need our assistance. Prayer is very powerful for we can call into being that which we want to happen. We must pray for a world where we look out for one another in time of need and this most certainly one of them. I thank you for your time today and if you would like to read more about the situation in Ethiopia you can go to bbc.com.
I leave you today with this poem that was published in my debut poetry book, Steppin’ Out.
Imagine all the people
God’s children living in peace
Imagine all the people
none hungry enough 2 eat
Imagine all the people
asleep not on the street
Imagine all the people
havin’ dreamz helping em reach
Imagine all the people
feeling good happy 2 meet
Imagine all the people
Love and compassion when they meet
Imagine all the people
Lovin’ hip hip without the beef
Imagine all the people travelin’ deep joy when they weep
Imagine all the people learnin’ from him
learnin’ 2 teach
Imagine boy could he speak gifted with speece
Imagine all the people
practicin’ what he preached
that would be a beautiful scene
come true a dream
Imagine all the people
climbin’ a mountain reachin’ its peak
imagine all the people
takin’ a rest end of the week
Imagine all his people
His people takin’ a leap
imagine all his people
sharing their gifts not 2 compete
Imagine all his people
coming together system defeat
imagine all his people
stronger than ever helpin’ the weak
Imagine all his people
treated as equal mission complete
Imagine all his children bein’ themselves snowflake unique
Imagine all the people
findin’ in lif that which they seek
Imagine all the people seekin’ 2 find presence divine
Now Imagine this
sand on a beach a reggae beat
feelin’ no grief
singin’ one love i-rey retreat
Love is our relief
can u my friends imagine this
that would be a beautiful scence
come true a dream
now imagine people
far away from the concrete
Imagine all his people
eatin’ ital balck and we proud
Now imagine people
no fear saying it loud
now imagine people
on sacred grounds no guns allowed
now imagine people
under control not runnin’ wild
now imagine people
mother and father for every child
imagine all his children
willin’ 2 travel that extra mile
imagine all his people bathing themselves in River Nile
Imagine all his children
doing the things that make em smile
imagine all his children
humble with theirs do it w/ style
Imagine all his people
wailin’ no longer its been a while
imagine all the people
with the almighty have reconclied
now imagine this 100,000 in the crowd
that would be a beautiful scene
come true my dream
Copyright 2006/2008 Freedom Train International
WHY?
Greetings to you all. On this beautiful fall morning from Portlland Oregon, I offer you these words. This poem is titled “Why” and it appears in “Steppin’ Out”, my first poetry book, which was self pusblished first in 2006 and again in 2008. It was writtten about four years ago (but as you will is still relevant today)) and directed at those who fall under the description of the particular acts mentioned. I must leave that up to the consciense of each individual to decide if it fits them, for inside they will know because one’s consciense will always tell the truth. Some of us will ignore it but deep down we know when we are doing something that morally we are not supposed to be doing and if for some reason we grow numb to the feeling, the outcome/results/effects/affects of our actions will come to remind us of the truth or should I say lack of truth in our ways.
I write not only because I love it, but to free myself and others from the chains that have been shackeled around us. We must confront and face the truth about ourselves if we ever hope to make true progress and improve the quality of life for all who exist upon this earth. May your day be well and one of growth. Growth comes only if challeneges are met and overcome. One of the biggest challenges we have as humans is to be honest with ourselves. We all have things we can improve upon but if we keep running from ourselves we will never come to see and know our true selves. I posed this piece in a question form, becuase I really wanted people to take the time to think about why they do what they do and Is it really the best way? Time for reflection is necessary.
I will not fight with violence but I will use the power of my words to help change some things on the planet. I will not forces but seek to awaken the spiritual consciousness that exist within. Enough said, here’s the Poem. One Love and may your day be well.
Why is it we so rude 2 one anutha
Why is it we won’t stop 2 help our bruthas
Why is it we care so little 4 our sistas
Walkin’ dead hate the livin’ please tell me Mr.
Why is it Mr. u takin’ money from the children
Why their future any hope from them u stealin’
Why is u say Jah only found in a buildin’
Know u lyin’ say u love em but keep on killin’
Why is it Mr. most people struggle in debt
Fast asleep dyin’ a slow death
Why is it Mr. that u ignore the poor
Receivin’ less when its him that needeth more
Why is it Mr. that u choose 2 play unfair
Why is it Mr. that we can’t afford no healthcare
Why is it Mr. with the devil do u pair
Becasue of u and your system I grow my hair
Why is it Mr. that u promotin’ guns and violence
Why is it Mr. that u hopin’ I keep silent
Why is it Mr. u fightin’ war after war
Don’t u have anything betta 2 live 4
Besides your power
Your money Your luxeries
Beyond your needs
Every man ego 2 feed
Why u pushin’ alcohol and cigarettes
No Self Respect no love makin’ reduced 2 sex
Why is it Mr. from the masses the truth is kept
Why is it u don’t want us 2 smoke the Ganja
healing power found in the leaf of Marijuana
Fruit of the Earth
U sell drugs that’s man made
Not groomin’ leaders na Mr. u groomin’ slaves
What is it Mr. u don’t want the blind 2 see
Why is it Mr. that u won’t set the captives free
Where is it Mr. our history where did it go
U know w/o knowledge of our roots we can’t grow
Why is it Mr. most slavin’ from 9 to 5
Makin’ their wages yet unhappy most of our lives
Why is it Mr. so many end in divorce
Why is it Mr. on us your life u force
Why is Mr. we movin’ further from the source
How is it Mr. that u feel no remorse
4 what u doin’
The rapin’ of Mother Earth
Of Jah’s children
Peace 2 come that’s if your willin’
Why is it Mr. people starvin’ w/ no shelter
Why single mothers cryin’ but u won’t help em
When will it be that u will learn your lesson
When will it be you’ll have the answers 2 my questions
When will it be that we will stop regressin’
When will it be that we’ll see life as a blessin’
And learn 2 love it
Ourselves as well as others
Creatin’ happiness together
Sistas and bruthas
Livin’ as one
So shall it be let it be done
I Love You Jah and I’ll be ready when u come
Peace and love I friends.
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