If Not for Love/Life of the Party

If Not for Love
If not for love, there could be no joy
There would be no you or me
Imagine no love among girl between boy
Now just how strange that would be
If not in love, the heart coughs and sighs,
Gasping for that which sustains
Give all to love, make reality rise,
Through time it is all that remains

Life of the Party
I chose this wine with love and care
Yet no one will dance with me
I did that decorating over there
Still I’m partnerless and free
What’s the use in having skills
When they’re chided and ignored
Why bother adding frills
When they end up torn and floored
You try and try to do your best
To stand out in an crowd
While all around you whirl the rest
Having a ball and laughing out loud
There’s not a lot of difference
In the urge to smile or cry
I need to understand not wince
At the given reasons why
I’ll not give up the party
Till my dance is over and done
I’ll celebrate hard and hearty
Even if I’m the only one

Worship

This poem was written in memory of my grandmother Mrs Sadie R. Webb who made the church experience fun, educational, and ultimately life changing. I always think of her when I enter any place of worship any where.

As dawn delivers day
I jump quick to your command
In the pull of swarm and sway
I move only by your hand
If I'm to shout or sing or say
I'll convey what you demand
As I travel on this way
I obey where 'ere I stand

It's my priveledge to carry
Everything to you in prayer
I'll not wait in wan nor tarry
As I go to linger there
To your countenance I marry
All my earthly wants I bare
May your light be loud and glary
O'er my soul your love I wear

All through test and tribulation
Be the task robust or small
I tune in to your vibration
And stay prepared to heed your call
Let the ear of every nation
Know the scope of this resolve
My whole selfless dedication
Is my worhship all in all

Welcome Sound

Come upon this circumstance
Given only once to prance
Up inside a moving phrase
Still repose in dazzle daze
Outward feelings left to energize
Knowing less than other wise
Times to be like non before
Simple journeys shore to shore
Moving round to cover all
Wrapped up tight in memory's shawl
Often beats a heart like drum
In early rhythms mouth to thumb
Clearly marked is chance so rare
Those who dance rise one with air
Of such a relished hour as this
Find all my self in blooming bliss
Got up too late to write this down
All that's left is welcome sound

Pride In My City

Pride has always been a word that I've had difficulty in internalizing since moving to NYC and experiencing the sometimes overbearing festivities of the yearly celebrations of the gay community each year. Granted, there is a true divide between the white and non-white camps when it comes to partying and being open and out, yet I have been a willing participant in activities of merit in each.
August 2006 finds me joyfully working with POCC's Pride in the City www.prideinthecity.com. Everywhere in NYC are the signs of the "official" Black Pride events for 2006. If you haven't been to any of the myrid choices in which to participate, then you must get OUT and go. The opportunity to FRATernize and commune with others in the family that is Black Gay NYC could not now be better or more profound. The artistic voices that are our own are rare, rich, powerful, and overwhelmingly beautiful.
At just one event, the Black Out Art Series, I was priviliged to experience the voices and visions of some of my brothers and sisters which influecned me deeply and added to the texture of my life. I've come to realize with this one evening of performance and presentation that I am not only proud to be an artist and black and gay, but I have a unique responsibility to be all these things to the best of my ability. The mere act of conversation takes on added demension when surrounded by and engaged with others who have come together openly. I have a heaven blessed chance to share in the works, wishes, hopes, dreams and accomplishments of my brothers and sisters by just stepping outside my door and that is a gift I won't turn or walk away from.
Power to the people! Power to the pride!