30 for 30 Take 10

Word of the Day: Blackout

DISCLAIMER:

So inspired by @thisismiavera with reading a Court Case Transcript as poetry,

I referred to the OJ case and did a blackout poem using the words of the incomparable Johnnie Cochran.

Hope you all enjoy! Cheers to Day 10 of National Poetry Month and getting creative with words! 

Hope you all try this out too! 

#poetry #blackoutpoetry #spokenword #30for30 #nationalpoetrymonth #thesilentpoetout

30 for 30 Take 9

Word of the Day: FREE

“I’m not gonna change the world,
but I guarantee
that I will spark the brain that
will change the world!” —Tupac Shakur 

Even though many may not feel so free among us all,
voices of the youth carrying
their ancestors’ roots keep chains broken.
Giving them the benefit of the doubt,
we unlock our ears and attention.
Zoom in on their knowledge
since we are their first teachers and
remain in awe of their excellence.

Freedom...

Was lost in history books

Burned in churches 

Gunned down by humanity

And locked up to never be seen 

Yet my eyes are tired 

Guessing why anger lies in these streets

Captured in this cold world

Witnessing more body bags than graduation caps 

I want our youth to be elevated 

Feel the power of appreciation and build up this world in solitude 

We are destined for greatness 

But our masks protect nothing more than our opinion 

Our masks corrupt more lives through social media

We barely know if people are alive or barely living 

Live moments being captured quicker than the news 

Our youth needs this outlet 

To voice more than ranting emotions 

Knowing that they are heard 

Dreams are written to manifest a future plan

With hope that it will come true

In essence it will give us a way to work on those possibilities

Fragmented through the DNA of our children

They see more than we wish could be covered by blinders 

Yet the blinds are open 

And through fear and disappointment,

they have been captivated by a future of let-downs 

Where no one is held accountable for their actions 

But these voiceless voices have been awakened 

And are not sitting, waiting for action 

Better yet taking action 

With the tools and resources that are gauged for greatness 

They will not sit back and be told what will not happen 

Rather than just do.

by: The Silent Poet

WORD OF THE DAY: FREE

Today's Word of the Day is FREE

And I am going to be FREE and cheat!
Yes! I am not going to write an original poem BUT

Please believe the poem I going to share will be worth the 30 for 30. 

I apologize for not giving my all today but I am consumed with my daughter's work today. 

But I will be back with an original on Friday. 

SO for now enjoy an original poem by me! 

I dedicate the poem to EVERY student I have ever taught! 

Love, 

The Silent Poet💓

30 for 30 Take 8

MOON:  I see you love


As I stand grounded
Welcoming my spirit to the foundation
Craving redemption from this earth
I look to you
Brightly shining upon me
Requesting truth, power and serenity
Release from depression, anxiety and fear
Things that need to be denied at the door
I wish for peace on this earth
Speak to me
Remind me of my purpose
Cradle my needs
Satisfy my wants
I am here for you
To be used in my BEST Ability
I see you, Love
And I hear you

Signed ~ The Silent Poet

WORD OF THE DAY: MOON

I am realizing that I need to give you all time to create so I will post the word of the day and then I will create my poem later in the day.

Let's keep this writing going!

And I also want to say how proud I am of YOU!

This is not an easy task but yall are keeping up and I LOVE IT!!!!

Let's Have A Great Day Everyone!!!

30 for 30 Take 7

Word of the Day:  SHADOWS


Today I will take on the world through filtered shadows
while sun-kissed halos rest on unforgotten pillows
that once remembered love
comparing air follicles to viruses
masked by fear and deception
Oh what I would give to breathe unapologetic-ally
yet these four walls will protect me from myself and do no harm
Today I will take on the world...
through filtered shadows.

By: The Silent Poet

30 for 30 Take 6

Word of the Day: ANXIETY


Today has truly been a day. I hate to give a back story before the actual poem but....
Life has collided with the realness of the pandemic.
I assumed after the first three weeks that my fear was gone from other people's fear but...
I guess not!
It started Sunday... I was able to focus on my family and make sure we were ok.
Yet there was a feeling that came over me and I wanted.... well NEEDED to go back home.
I couldn't explain that to my mom because I didn't want her to think I was no punk!
I WAS EVERY BIT OF A PUNK!!! I wanted to get out and scatter away from everyone!
Yes, I needed groceries and yes I needed the ESSENTIALS! So I sucked up my feelings and grabbed everything that I needed.
NOW my sinuses wanted to act up and my jaw was hurting. You know like we just had to add something else to my already pan of emotions.
So I clearly just needed to be home.
Now fast forward to today! Home trying to homeschool and not only am I overwhelmed but I feel like technology is against me.
So I breathed and let my daughter take over her own schooling, which was the best idea I could have thought of all day!
Yet my anxiety was through the roof and I just wanted this day to be over.
Crazy thing is people assume that I always have it together; so much so that I am usually skipped over when it comes to asking if the room is alright. I would be the first to say yes. Ok, ok enough about my stress. Here is my poem:

Society is stressing me
to be every ounce of super human
yet who am i to complain
my cup runneth over
so i should keep my soul maintained
in the world
that shelter the poor
who am i to want to be upheld
in higher form
so i retreat in my strength
cradle close to my courage
praying to be uplifted from sorrow
this storm can't hold on for to long
just have to wait for it to blow over
I'll be alright...

by: The Silent Poet

30 for 30 Take 5

Word of the Day: Memories


The best memories feel like they are frozen in time
Smiling back at you
In movie reels
that can't be unseen
yet who wants to erase a memory?
Standing still so the moment can recreate itself
If only I was present during the moment
Or life could have paused for this moment
Left alone
Why didn't I snap enough photos
or make memorabilia
to hang in my room
why are memories so precious
yet so easily to be removed
how can a memory be so solid yet so cold
frozen then mentally melted by a disease creeping in you brain
Oh memories oh memories
please stay with me.

~by The Silent Poet 💓

30 for 30 Take 4

Word of the Day: GROCERIES

This poem is dedicated to Your Store of the Queen City.

"Even when we can't get too close-
we rise to the challenge.
Together we make sure
everyone has their groc-eries to
stay in balance." -- Reba Hennessey (President, Founder at Your Store of the Queen City)


Grateful for the youth who are on the front-lines
     shopping for the ones who are at-risk

Respectfully getting essential needs

Our communities creatively feeding the young

Children feeling the bond with their families
       as Parents take this time staying-at-home

Even with uncertainty

Rising to the challenge of community learning;
     cooks at home; supporting our small businesses

In a time that makes us remember that the arts are important to
    push your mind and widen your horizon that you are not alone

Especially when the world is sitting calm

Safely washing our hands
      while keeping our distance; in time we will not feel alone.

Signed ~ The Silent Poet 💓

30 for 30 Take 3

Word of the Day: HOMELESSNESS

This poem is dedicated to Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition.

"We're in this together"

Yet where are you?

Stay safe 

Has become a phrase 

To common to Uncertainty

Yet those that are in "Lock-down" 

Barely fear the unknown 

When was the last time shelter in place 

Took food from your home 

When was the last time shelter in place 

Paused a normal reality

When was the last time shelter in place 

Meant to relax and take a pause

When was the last time shelter in place 

Made you think 

that the phrase pay check to pay check 

will no longer hold

Yet 

"We're in this together" 

Burns to the eye sockets 

Of those knowing there is no home

Money running low 

But the country is willing to stimulate

Pockets 

where is that gold mine 

no one really knows 

yet the poor is suppose to continue betting 

on the rich 

powerball running low 

so why not try your luck 

BUT 

"We're in this together" 

As the poor becomes cold

Remember its Spring time outside.

Poem dedicated to Mark Mussman. 

#30for30 #NationalPoetryMonth #poetry #homelessness #spokenword #thesilentpoetout  

30 for 30 Take 2

I missed posting my first post for 30 poems for 30 days in celebration of National Poetry Month but I am here to catch up!

Title: Today's Word is CHALLENGE

I am perplexed
Battling if I should raise her
Or be her first teacher
But will I get this right?
I barely know my equations
So how can I be right
Shrugs shoulders and pray
That I am capable to be all she needs
Nurturing her creativity
While CHALLENGING her mind
I know that it will take time
But I am afraid that the game
Will have her questioning my brain
Yet that's why I am here to be her support
When the system has failed her
Yet I question who prepared me?



30 for 30! I'm just getting warmed up! So what is your CHALLENGE?!

30 for 30 Take 1

Social Distancing:


Missing the sun kissed skies
Conversations holding me up high
Now sitting close to the windows
Hoping and Praying to catch Sun Rise!
I just want a face to face
Yet you must be six feet away
Because I need to stay safe
Yet
I miss you.

Today's Writing Prompt!

Happy National Poetry Month!!!

Write your first poem today:

A Poem Shift…                                                                           April 1st, 2020

Instructions: Create your own poem from one of The Silent Poet’s poems. Don’t think too much about what The Silent Poet wrote but more about how the words that are left make you feel. How would you replace the words that are there. What words or lines jump out to you and which ones would you replace or cross out. Creativity is up to you. Don’t hold anything back. But if this poem says nothing please feel free to do your own thing. Maybe there is only one line that stands out for you, then work with that! 

Let’s have some fun!

Title of Poem: 

When my heart beats, I am reminded_______________________________! 

I know the circle of life, therefore _______________________________________.

I know the circle of life, therefore________________________________________.

I know the circle of life, so as I wake with arms stretched_____________________.

You can’t predict your future, but_______________________________________! 

Why stick boundaries on your life or others? 

You can’t organize your _______________________________________________?

Give yourself a break from depression and live. 

Give yourself a break from boundaries and love. 

Give yourself a break from reality and________________________________! 

No one can tell you how to grieve or how to let your emotions flow. 

Yet the moment you can feel freedom from the lows and embrace the highs, 

I acknowledge that THIS MOMENT…this moment brings harmony to your soul. 

Feel free to fly. It’s ok. I promise. 

The Silent Poet Writing Prompt / HUMAN Poetry Book ©2020

Top 10 Poems for Poetry Month

I have picked my top ten poems that range from love, to pain, to happiness, to relief, to forgiveness and acceptance. 

Please leave a comment when you visit to let me know if you enjoy. Follow if you would like to see more from me. I am excited to be here and hope you leave excited to! Happy Poetry Month and I will attempt to do the thirty for thirty beginning tomorrow! 

Read, Write and BE INSPIRED! 

-Signed The Silent Poet 💓

Poem #410

February 13th, 2017

If I could write a love letter to you

I would tell you how I speak about you constantly

Yet privately I am distant from you

Stacking up emotions of what could have been

When in reality

My rational is incomplete

I support your DNA with grace

Yet shunned through the eyes questioning

How can one raise

Solely on one’s own

Silently a question thrown to the wolves

Since this life is the norm

Strong

Black

Stigma

The matrix covered most of the blue pill

Since 18 years will be covered by shadows of what used to be

18 years of being told that my life is only the reflection of my offspring

That 18 years signify how my dreams will only collide with walls of determination

And proving to the world that they are wrong

Needing motivation as a drug to live

Yes... live... a life that is sentenced to 18 years

And since you are my offspring you are destined to a life sentence

And since you are my offspring your dreams may shatter walls at 15

And since you are my offspring praying that you will not leave me just to be on a pole

Is the only prayer I will know

Because the moment my love died

I was giving my daughter a life sentence of what she could only hope for…

is love

So writing a love letter stops in tracks of misguided attention

Streamed to the world as hate

Yet I’m loving…

Black

Woman

Angry at the world for taking a man

Yet I pray to the Man upstairs to protect us from harm

I pray that he will guide me through these storms

He would not put more on me than I can handle

Yet HE never told me that a bullet of words would strike me

And have no compassion for a love that I can only write for

Classified as a gift

So I write love letters

To a love that has died yet left me his extension

With a hotline that needs me to guide them through life

Cradle her with love

Shelter her from triggers of

Self-hate

Denial

Truth

Through verbal designations

Since Valentine’s Day is merely about candy for a six-year-old girl

Yet I patiently wait for more

More of what love can endure

Yet I sit to write a love letter to you.

Poem #409

A rare love story

Tu est mon a'more (You are my love)

Je suis ton a'more (I am your love)

Adorn sweetly...

By the pressure point of your love

I stray away from you

Distance myself from the image of wanting you

I can no longer breathe

Each word

Staining the carpet from the effortless walks to you

Once I cared

Knowledgeable from the tiniest cuff link you wear

I knew your being

Expressed melodies of Coltrane and Davis spoke to me

Intertwined with each melody

I immensely saw our family

Grow from you and I

Into US

Daydreaming that nightmares did not exist

Because you protected me

Secured my heart with lockets of everlasting

Our youth being the purest free souls

Aligning foundation into soil

They knew how precious it was to hold on to their roots

Writing you an average love story

Would die from being incomplete

I need for you to understand the fight

Yes I fought for you

But who would believe

From the disconnect of feelings

I place my heart on a pedestal

From pain and hurt

It doesn't even exist

Chalk outlined happiness

I wish it was so simple to say

I love you

Poem #408

Coffee

My love is strong
Just like coffee...black
With a hint of sugar
To tickle my funny bone
Imagination runs wild
From the misconception
A future added through timeless years
Built by the presence of you
Old love clouds my judgement
Through friendship and good laughs
Never tainted
The touch of your cheek
Soft...silk-made
Melted into our everlasting
I'm kept close
Hugs turned into eternity
Well maybe just a reflection
My thoughts hold tight to your smile
Almost captured in safe havens
Locked away 
Only flutter to your heartbeat
Replicating my first love
With a twist
Because this existence is different
Yet I'm prepared

Set and ready

To learn you

Be open minded to your ways

Flaws that fluster my days

Yet I can’t stay away

Gaining a crush through every connection made

Baby, understand you had me by the eyes

You are a consistent memory

That I try to hide

Because no one needs to know

How bittersweet

Your friendship is to me

Giving me such security

That you will always be here

My love is strong
Just like coffee...Black….With a hint of sugar. 

Poem #407

Where I’m From.... written during a workshop with Pauletta Hansel in response to George Ella Lyon

I’m from love and acceptance

Tears are sheltered

And the weak must learn how to rebuild

No suckas in this house

 Where accountability is shut down

By not in my house.

I’m from masks parading around

Because denial is way easier

Than admitting you are wrong

Yet I love you

Being the closest apology you will ever receive.

I’m from reminders of wisdom

Through the soul connected in food

Mac and cheese from scratch expresses the love

Of knowledge of home-cooked

More than a box needing the additive.

I’m from laughter and smiles

Cooking greens seems to always bring family together

Through hard times

Even though the heat may be too much

But if you can’t stand the heat

Then get out my kitchen.

I’m from accepting your mistakes

And holding you down during hard times

Judgment being thrown out the door

Because at the end of the day we are family

And must learn to love unconditionally.

Spirits and good deeds

Sprouts during the holidays

While phone calls of

Did you know?

Or did you hear?

Are constant reminders that something is going on in the family

But no one actually connects with the source.

I’m from hugs

Hugs of peace and recognition

You know and respect your elders

Yes ma’am, and Yes sir

Goes far

This is my safe haven

I don’t have to pretend

Just be

And wouldn’t trade where I’m from

Because it's home.

Poem #406

Wrap your heavenly wings around my physique. Compress your flesh upon mine. And (hold on). Cling to me like memories of the fallen, remind me of what a functioning heartbeat feels like,

(Be Silent). --Atlas

I’m sorry I neglected your heart.

Not allowing you to freely exchange

Who you are through the pain

I was just raising you

Doing my best with what I had

And I know that holding myself accountable

Takes time and reflecting

I’m a mother nonetheless

But raising a son alone was never my quest

I wanted a man to show you

What I thought I could handle

But life escapes those that once loved

So I became complacent and determined

At the same time

Refusing to listen to the naysayers of what I can’t do

And became blind

Your expectations of what you needed me to be

Became the reality of what I fed my hunger

Only to satisfy my guilty conscience

Yet in order to breathe, you have to live

And in order to walk, you have to move

So I became a shell

Never processing of how you would grow up to be

Rather knowing I created a man in my reflection

While rejecting your vulnerability

Layering you with only the labels that cripples our being

Yet I need you to come here

And sit

Be still in this tiring time and realize that i never meant to neglect nor reject

I just need you to look into my eyes and know

I’m sorry.

Poem #405

A mother’s cry

My heart goes out to every mother who has lost a son to gun violence
My heart goes out to every mother who has lost a son to police brutality
My heart goes out to every mother who has lost a child
My heart goes out
To every bullet that has been pulled back
With fault of fear
Of a skin color that was not chosen by the fallen
Mind triggered the minute I walk out of my door
I am a walking biblical verse
Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
Surrounded by angels,
Pain only exists in the eyes
Of the ones who can't protect me
Pain only exists in the eyes
Of those marching on the front lines
Pain only exists
Who will hold my mother in this trying time
Who will console her
Who will give her peace
While reliving the incident
With a conclusion already written
Another damn moment
Repetitive language
Slurred in anguish
Devastation
Paralyzed
Scripted grammar
This dialogue only awaits the hearts of those fighting freedom
Yet this fight has been going on for so long
We fight
Blinded by failed pretenses
Failed system
That we get yelled at for our votes
But I'm still awaiting an education
Promised through masters and whippings
God forbid me knowing more than I should
Yet another mother will be in tears
Another grievance
Another not guilty
Another

Poem # 404

On reflection of my artistic ways, I look into the life of being a woman and the imagination of how to embrace the beauty that one is given. Ending Phillis Wheatley’s poem at “triumph song,” I want the audience to hear my “song” of embracing the beauty of self. Once you see and feel the words of encouragement from yourself, you won’t have to search for it from anyone else. “On Imagination” and “She is Beauty” take on the spirit of inspiration and being triumphant.

On imagination

THY various works, imperial queen, we see

How bright their forms! How deck’d with pomp by thee!

Thy wond’rous acts in beauteous order stand

And all attest how potent is thine hand

From Helicon’s refulgent heights attend

Ye sacred choir, and my attempts befriend;

To tell her glories with a faithful tongue

Ye blooming graces, triumph in my song.

—Phillis Wheatley

She is beautiful

Scarred with unmarked flaws

Sterilized with damaged goods

All she ever wanted was a hug

Mixed with the temptation of love

But instead she got lust with no glove

Penetrated words of how she would be mentally struck by any man

Because he held her beauty in the cups of his hands

Never grasping that she holds the title of her self-worth

She is beautiful

Timeless effort

Being the dream

With eyes open

Make up cascading

The essence of her soul

Awaiting approval from any man

Rejecting the thought that love even from her lack thereof

She is beautiful

Mirrors talking back to her

Labeling herself as the fat chick

Plastering more pills

Into a dying gestation

Trying to compete with her inner thin

Not realizing she will kill her

Before she learns what beauty is

Yes she is beautiful

Crafted to be resilient

Holding her strength by the fingertips

Tears painting murals of attention

Failed to be given

Yet she represents beauty in its rarest form

Milestones built through triumphs

She holds her own crown

Fixated on misguided self

Love

Who can truly tell her that she shines?

While radiance screams Queen

Yes, you are Beautiful!

Take hold of who you are

Appreciate your flaws

Take control of who you are

Know that beauty lies within you

No need to search for it

Just embrace it

And be proud to say

I AM BEAUTIFUL!

Poem #403

Pearls of Truth

I stand alone

naked to the eye

Wishing for a reply

arms out

a teardrop gracefully sliding down my cheek

how can one question this beauty

so i opened my mouth

to let myself know

dear reflection

I love you!

Picture by: Chloe' (my daughter)

Poem #402

Freedom..                   

with lyrics from Lift Every Voice & Sing and The Star Spangled Banner

Lift every voice and sing
How can one honor a land that captured my ancestors before knowing they could be free?
Yet tears shed for those chosen to fight for freedom
Because they are told they are brave
Blood shed on the very land represented by each stripe
Paraded by stars that slaves wished upon to be freed
Yet I'm supposed to be free
Laughed upon because I barely know my history
Which was pushed, held back
And the only representation you have of me
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
But I'm free
So Black History Month celebrates pride upon those who came before us
Malcolm X
Those who found our freedom
Harriet Tubman
Those who showed us we could be anything we want to be
President Barack Obama
So yes I'm free
With a voice of not only hope and faith
But doing the work that needs to be done
Well by being the minority
Yet I can do anything
Because of those who went through the trials and tribulations to prove
Planting this seed of possibility can come true
So yes I'm free
I don't need to be handled by negro spirituals, or whippings, or work that paved the way for me to stand here FREE
Enlightenment of freedom

This soil, this cotton, the breeding of your animals, land

Which in hindsight is mine

My ancestors did the work

So I could find pride in this land

So yes I’m free

There is no need to explain a pain that reflects your humanity

African American

Yet my heritage is unknown

Black being the shade that reflects my representation

Negro turned Negro turned Nigger turned back to Nigga

A term of endearment

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us;

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us

Facing the raising of our new day begun

Reflectively stated, see I'm that generation

Not afraid to hold back my tongue

Knowing that our ancestors wanted more than RIP shirts and us mourning the deaths of those with their hands up

Turning in their grave due to the marches they hear

Knowing we should be One

And not divided

Yet the Revolution is being Televised

And shared, going viral

So we are the demise of taking two steps forward just to go backwards

Trumping a civilization

With anger and hate

Yet I was taught love

Being told I am not from here

But I was born here

Being told that I am ignorant

Yet my education exceeds yours

But I was taught love

Nothing can break me

Because we were built strong

Nothing can break me

Because I was taught faith

Nothing can break me

Because I stand on the land of the free

Nothing can break me

I will not be broken by one man

Because I know we are equal

So as I stand

Over the land of the free

I will be brave.

Poem #401

Interlude:

When my heart beats, I am reminded that life has been given to me to LIVE! 

I know the circle of life, therefore I don’t wait on it…

I know the circle of life, therefore we are not destined our next breath…

I know the circle of life, so as I wake with arms stretched and yawn with the blessings of the sunshine (I’m too lazy to wake before it rises) I understand the beauty. 

You can’t predict your future, but YOU can create your day so LIVE! 

Why stick boundaries on your life or others? 

You can’t organize your feelings to embrace freedom so why indulge in others? 

Give yourself a break from depression and live. 

Give yourself a break from boundaries and love. 

Give yourself a break from reality and DREAM! 

No one can tell you how to grieve or how to let your emotions flow. 

Yet the moment you can feel freedom from the lows and embrace the highs,

 I acknowledge that THIS MOMENT…this moment brings harmony to your soul. 

Feel free to fly. It’s ok. I promise.

 

When the wind blows

When the wind blows

I will not shudder from discomfort

Waiting for warmth to appear

For Mother Nature wants me to know she is near.

When the wind blows

I will embrace the feeling of freedom

Flying gracefully beside

Taking away all of my lows

While lifting me high.

When the wind blows

I want to feel peace

Acknowledge the ability to breathe in life

As its purpose will bring hope to lifeless moments

That try to keep me still.

When the wind blows

I will fly away

Take each step

Weightless, loving, appreciative

That this wind chose me.