Reminders

She was someone who needed to be reminded that she was beautiful
She thought that she was lost in poems unwritten
She thought she was lost in blank spaces
And sometimes just for good measure she’d turn the pages
Hoping to maybe, somehow, find herself in someone’s words
Someone’s book and not someone’s pocket

See, she lost her locket
Now her memory, she’s trying to block it
Stop it from returning when another man is trying to Amen her beauty
Trying to praise God for her creation

But she’s lost in the elation that raised his manhood
In the man’s hood
Because that was his block, and he kept it on lock
So she thought, why would he hurt me?

But even though he didn’t have the key to her locket
He unlocked it through force and no remorse
Of course the source got out to the streets
But everyone knew, it was just a good beat

So the treat was that he accomplished a feat
That no one was to keep till her day of marriage
Her courage weakened and she seeped in the lies everyone told
So, it was quick sand
Because time was running low and she couldn’t catch up

She didn’t know that Aids were made to kill
Because she always used bands to soothe her day
Move her away, even if she stayed in the same room the whole time
So she would lose herself in the music
That twisted and turned around a pole for money

She was a broken melody
But no one wanted to tune her strings
And all she ever wanted was to die in the hands of her killer
Because the first day she bled
Felt like her last day alive, and ever since, she’s been dead
To words that would woo any women
So she waits until someone takes her out of their pocket
And puts her in a locket so she’ll never go forgotten

For A Friend, To a Friend.

Saving Amy

I’m not Superman

But you make me feel like him

Only because your tears are my kryptonite

So your tears kill me

But being afraid of dying is living in fear

And I’ve never let anyone live alone

To some,

Being alone means being misunderstood

But God gave me knowledge over age

And I serve to use it

So when I met you,

After conversations between hello’s and goodbye’s,

I realized what it meant to be a Good Samaritan

I’ve saved many lives before

But you, you’re saving yourself

And that’s the most important thing in life

Because staying alive for your own purpose

Is better than feeling numb and searching for crumbs

Especially when meals fulfill

As though searching for your soul holds back hunger pains

And I’ve learned, from you,

That to be independent

Does not mean to live alone in your own room

But, instead, it means to take a vacation from everyone’s definition of YOUR life

So you just enjoy yourself by yourself

You find wealth not in the feeling sand leaves between toes

But in the comfort of knowing your self-worth

So you’re no longer looking for meaning

And more like searching for a way to fulfill His purpose

So instead of me dying, you have taught me to live

And I thank you for that

Peace, Deuce. One.

Purple Heart

His letters were always received

With tears and fragile hearts

Too tender to bear news of bearing arms

Arms stretched out on enemy’s soil

Toiled, recoiled only when it’s too late

Now it’s over, no more shoulders

So who’s to hold her up when he’s gone

She’s numb to pretenses of expresses

She remembers his caresses

But he used to caress an AK-47

Like his baby back home

Now he’s unknown to memories of blind beholders

Who behold him as a hero

Zeroes in on captives, because his mind was inactive

Reactive to a bullets cry

So his revolver resolved problems by answering with wet blood

That drips down from the rivers bed to the killers head

So he thinks he’s ahead

Knowing not that he’s a head

In someone’s target

And now it’s too late to market

Too late to go shopping for freedom

Because he died fighting for symptoms

That made the gratis crave this thing we call power

Their hearts are as cold as showers because when it reigns

We are the AMERICANS that can’t hide from the drizzle

Missiles that kill soldiers with a heart that’s not purple

But hearts that are colored red like the blood that bleeds on the flag

So when will we stop wearing purple hearts

And start caring about crumpled parts

Let’s fix the broken pieces and complete this piece of Peace

CWP Slam Jose Robinson 2

That's me (a long time ago).

"Gone Till Tomorrow" - Proverb The Poet

I listen to music to leave this world.

So when I walked around Detroit today I left reality.

And I lived in the Beauty Detroit Holds.

Here's a new poem about Detroit (wrote it tonight at the Jazz Cafe.)

Thank you Eboni for this line [They don't know you mean no harm]

(She helped me get out of being stuck)

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Back Home

Detroit

I'm back home

I missed your sweet melody

Honey, I'm home

So please, sing me to sleep because I'm tired

Take me in your arms

And whisper your songs

After all,

You are Motown

So sing, Detroit

Sing for me, sing to me

Let me hear you dream in poetry

Let me see you live in stereotypes

Let me know you are safe,

Even if you don't have a job anymore

Let me feel like I'm home

And that you'll never leave me

So sing, Detroit

Sing for me, Sing to me

Or wrap about burritos in South West

Keep the harmony of Jay Dee

Make me wonder why 9th wonder didn't have you in his songs

Because even the instrumentals he made were missing an Angel

But now everyone treats you like a stranger

So when they get close they call out Danger

But they don't know you like I do

They don't know you mean no harm

Your arms are like Miles so they hold me through my blues

And keep me on the road to home

So I'm always safe, even if you're smiles are boarded up

Because I know one day

I'll bring sunshine back to you

I just have to unpack it from my suitcase

It's in here somewhere

But until I find it

Sing Detroit, Sing for me

Sing to me

Sing Detroit, Sing

It Really Aint Easy Being Green, Now Is It.?

You TOO Green.

House

She sleeps on the couch after a long day at work and life.

He sleeps in the basement.

They both sleep at home.

Go ahead you judge.

I wonder if I'll be that male in your life that you hate

Not because I'm perfect

but because I make you pay for my mistakes

So you're in debt to my happiness.

Still I wonder if guys will learn

that Beauty is Her name and that Love is as sweet

as Her kisses.

I would never hurt you and if I do

I'll be Him.

So if you want a lover

you have to be my friend first.

I have seen both sides and now I just sleep them off

I dream of them so I won't have to deal

With everything that goes in between U and S.

So you can call me amish.

Well, one day I'll grow tired and when I do

I hope I land in your heart.

To whomever it may concern, I'm just walking...

City Year Miami Founding Corps ('08 - '09)

There are more than a hundred people here. We’re all making a difference. We’re all different but we’re here for one reason. We’re here so things can get better for me, for you, for us before we don’t have an us, a you and a me anymore. I need you and you need me. Why not be at peace in knowing nothing is ever the same? The only thing constant in this world is change. And it doesn’t take someone with sense to understand that the presence is a present of the past. Nothing lasts more than memories. But if we all think together we can make a movement towards moving forward into an imperfectly perfect world. A world where everything is beautiful because there are those who are the village that raises this child named [Enter Students Name Here]. No, really. Enter students name in the blank spots you once held as space in that heart of yours. Enter your ‘without wax’ supreme being’s name. They are called Powerful, but to us, they will always be our kids. They will always be our students, but most importantly, our teachers. So let’s stop worrying if we’re even making a difference at all, because just thinking about it means we’ve done something. I once heard someone say you fail by not trying to fail but I’m proud to stand here with you – shoulder to shoulder, idealism to idealism, Corps Member to Corps Member, or better yet, a Corps Member to a future Corps Member - as we begin to serve others. We all know “it doesn’t take a degree to serve. Everyone can serve.” All it takes is a ripple of hope for founding stories to create a cathedral from a book that Puts Idealism to Work. So grab a Can Do Attitude and take a sip to quench your thirst of Mountain Dew. The mountain’s dew that makes it feel as though our Moccasins are treading water. So let’s get to marching. Let’s begin to live a dream of Peace that has a piece of each generation and brings them into our final circle. Let’s break on the barriers that keep us separated because society has given the leftovers for school to throw out like end of the year materials. Let’s recycle and renew the spirits of the F schools that Don’t C Being An Ambassador of wisdom as grades. Let’s continue to make a difference. We’re the Founding Corps of the City of Miami. I hope this isn’t our Only Year to change the world. I wish you all luck and the best in life because you have just changed Miami.

What your father would say.

I met two kids who lived with a hole inside. Part of their heart had been left aside. They abide by the rules of school, so they no fools. They try to be smooth even though their hearts not cool. Their faces were heated when they learned death just cheated. History repeated in their books, pages where rages greeted. Needed a home to come to when they didn't want to eat. It was all defeat even though mom tried to be the spoon to their meal. Feeding words that cut like swords, it was so absurd. The news that left clues lost in blues because it was the truth. They were stuck in a booth, a box to hit the Snooze. They didn't want to wake up to the news that was the truth. So they cried as reality tried to keep them dreaming. Thinking that every night they would be on their knees praying. Saying things like thanks dad for being around. But now he was nowhere to be found.

Your father would be proud...as so am I.

JDR

9.24.08 Alone

When i'm alone

i listen.

As teardrops fall like rain.

Issues filled with crystals

because pain only shines

at night.

A scene explodes with humor

only to

hide stress arised.

Who am i to talk about my tears?

They cry themselves

to sleep and

still i can't seem to speak.

So when i'm alone i listen.

Hugs

Have you ever just held on to a hug? Just let that hug stay on your mind after both bodies have walked away. If you have go back in time. Do you remember why you kept that hug longer than you could hold on to it? Was it because you felt safe and the walls held you at home. Was it because it was an 'haven't seen you in a long time. I miss you' hug. Was it a 'don't ever scare me like that again' hug. Or was it 'i don't do this often but i figured i should give you a hug' hug. If you haven't don't worry. I didn't forget you. I see you. Even if you're often overlooked. You're a human being with emotional needs. So if you need a hug because its been a year since i've seen you come here. I have a hug for you. Did someone close to your heart come to pass? Me too. I lost someone. Come here, i have a hug for you. Yea i know i have just been with you for the whole week but come here give me a hug. Is your day so bad you wish you didn't live anymore. Yea, i have those days too. Come here, i have a hug here somewhere. Don't worry if you hate hugs. Sometimes you need a hug so you know someone cares enough to open their arms instead of holding out a hand. Did you lose the game? Its ok, there is always next time. You're a winner in my books. I have a hug if you want. Congratulations. I'm so proud of you. You're graduating and soon you'll be living on your own. You're so grown. Time flies by but i still have a hug to give. Come give your brother some sugar. Yea i know your friends are watching so what. I care and you can 't leave my hug hanging. Thats not right. So if you ever need a hug for whatever reason don't wait for me to open my arms just come attack me and i'll be glad to share a hug with you. As long as you don't squeeze too hard.

Reflections

Reflections lay you awake at four in the morning
Rives calls it “a time for even more grimmer time”
Alicia keys calls it “6:30”
I call it lying awake trying to find a time machine

Moments are times you see as flashbacks
You think,
“If only I could flash back to those moments in time
So I wouldn’t be up reflecting on them.”

You still do
You go back to smiles on lilies
You go back to roses in eyes
You go back to blues in tears
You go back to violets is another word for purple
You go back to colors

I’ve never seen any of those colors
I see in black and white; it’s so simple and pure
So I just watch my memories in old movie scripts
It’s all history left to be dug up by historians
I want to preserve my past so I can find my future

In the end they become reflections of my own reflections
They become my yesterdays, my todays, and my tomorrows
They will always be on my mind at a time too late to even want to think of them
They will be reflections and never a Kodak moment
A freeze frame that let’s me hold on to them forever
So they are lost until I find another time to exchange my sleep for thinking

I cry because it cant stay in.
The pressure.
The stress.
The frustration.
I cry in the dark.
No one sees.
No one hears.
No one judges.
I cry because it`s easy.

I smile because it`s free.
There`s no consequence.
There`s no shame.
There`s no regret.
I smile because you enjoy.
So I continue.
So I fake.
So I give.
I smile even when there`s no audience.

I scream on the inside.
Because of the pressure.
Because of the stress.
Because of the frustration.
I scream on the inside.
Because no one sees.
Because no one hears.
Because no one judges.
I scream on the inside.
Because there`s no consequence.
Because there`s no shame.
Because there`s no regret.

I write because it`s what I know.
It`s my blanket and it warms me.
It speaks back & comforts me.
I write because you listen.
I write because you write back.