WOW!! I have to comment on what I witnessed yesterday. Had the pleasure of watching "12 years a Slave." Great (real depiction) of the horrors of slavery. As I was watching this film I was taken back to the farce of "Django" made a year earlier. A film that was liked by a bunch of black people!! Which really shocked me to be honest. Both these films used the word nigger, but the big difference was nobody in audience of "12 Years A Slave" was laughing about that demeaning bullshit. I'm not sure how many people I spoke to about "Django" but 95% of them loved the movie. I was amazed to say the least. But I told myself it was my hyper sensitivity to "step n fetch it" theater. I'm sure many will disagree with me on this... and that is fine. But please go see "12 Years..." and compare. You be the judge. When speaking about the horrors of slavery ain't a damn thing supposed to be funny regardless of what Samuel Jackson says. Too sensitive you say? You are absolutely right. It is estimated that between 10-60 million Africans lost their lives during this period of history. I think that merits some kind of sensitivity

Jeffery Martin

To have a vision, something that adds relevance to your creativity, an idea pregnant with potential is a marvelous experience, but limited without the support to bring that vision into a tangible reality. This short note is a request to you to offer your support, to give wings to an idea which seeks to take flight in the direction of human collaboration under the guise of poetry. Below is a link that describes in more detail what my project is all about. It is my hope that you will embark on this journey with me as I attempt to bring worlds together through the connecting power of words.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1447678059/poetry-weaving-a-tapestry-of-culture-worldwide-boo

 

I need a thousand people to pledge $20 a piece. The money will not be withdrawn until December 12, 2013 and only if pledge goal is met. Thank you for your support

Understanding the Essence

Understanding the Essence

Not giving much time

to trivial endeavors

you go to the bread and butter

of a thing

to the core of understanding

with the precision

of a saint, a goddess

Through your third eye

the mysteries reveal themselves

and all the hurt that stumbles

from doorframe to doorframe

is subdued in your presence

Why you possess this gift

may be inexplicable

yet comprehension is only

required in terms

of your cohesiveness

to the intuition living within

your bosom

Walking in the spirit

allows transformative powers

to settle like dew

upon the injured leaves

of humanity

all in the swift moment of

hello and goodbye

Understanding the essence

of a thing, anything

removes hardened hearts

and blank stares

it engages all because

it is part of the smile

hidden away

the good forgotten about

the joy wanting to resurface

and it has aligned in such

a way

that it corresponds with your

being

Do Gooders

                                                       Do Gooders

The worst kind

greet you with a

“god bless you”

but never mean it

Of course they understand

all there is to know

about the universe

just ask them

and if there is a lull

in the verbal onslaught

they direct you to the faith

department

where unanswered questions

find their final resting

place

and a slew of pathetic souls

wander aimlessly

under the banner of

“just believe”

For some reason they were

born smarter

than the almighty

because they make him

look stupid daily

or at least spiritually

challenged

No matter what injustice

they cohabitate with

a sorry to the victim

is never necessary

because forgiveness is

only between them and

god

and he is far too

passive

to contradict or chastise them

New Growth

New Growth

  The dye has been cast

the steel molded

and the stone sculpted

there can be no variant

of that which intends

to impact

as the universe

has deemed necessary

The fight seen in the eye

is not the look of the mere

insubordinate

but instead seeds planted

by the tears of the

conquered, yet unbeaten

souls

                                                           who moisten our gardens

Priceless

Priceless

Behind closed door

what is the price of fame

and your image on buses

and trains and billboards

Where do you draw the line

on how much of you will be

intact

after contracts have been signed

and checks cashed

When the red carpet finds you

does it speak of tortured

souls also

or is the magic of the

moment

enough to nullify screams

of those in the purgatory

of sensationalism

who truly believed

the world would stop

and offer a helping hand

once they had lost their

grip

In quiet moments

are you capable

of having quiet moments

or are lights always on

with the audience

of your imagination

critiquing and analyzing

your next choreographed step

Behind closed doors

and pulled blinds

is the window of opportunity

menacing

or is it as wide

as it seems

does stardom appeal to the

core of you

or has the core of you

been lost

in the abyss of red carpets

and fanfare

Rarity

Rarity

The magic of this union

is alluded to in ancient

civilizations

all around the world

they speak of a love

which poets

have difficulty defining

a love which takes on

perfect days

and comes through shining

An emotional perfection

held in reverence

by distant stars

and galaxies unseen

When two hearts merge

as in this case

nothing is impossible

today is sapphire

and tomorrow is always

a diamond