Poetry Corner "Move"

(Sorry for the delay in posts peeps. Between a busy and emotional weekend, I haven't had much time to put some thoughts down. Especially when it comes to work.

This poem - the second I wrote in my first poetry binge in over a year - not just captures some of my personal conflict there, but also just with life in general. The last few months, I've talked a lot about my issues with being complacent and unsatisfied with my life's direction. This is my response to my blog about being complacent)

Move
EJB 4/21/10

Neutral is lonely
Sitting on the bench
Eyes dart back and forth
Watching everyone go around you
Waiting for that sign to make your move
But stuck
What am I waiting for?
Why am I here instead of there?
Go on, don’t be scared you eager fool
The world is waiting to see your move
A scared pawn
In a big world of change
Tell my feet, my legs, my mind
It’s time to Go, Go, Go Forth and Do
Don’t waste more time for your move
Let’s go, Let’s fly
Jump off comfort’s bridge
Leave that soft and easy feeling
Scared? So am I but remember this too
Faith is about proving and daring to move
And so I must
I must stop dreaming
I must start living, believing
Destiny’s waiting and so is your cool
Whatever I do, I must make my move


I love when I can write poems that have a unique form, theme and variation, rhyme scheme. This one means a lot to me just because of how long it's been since I've written one and it just speaks to my state right now.

Like Elvis once said, "A little less conversation, a little more action." Just need to take a leap off this mountain and trust that I'll land on my feet.

Poetry Corner "This Night Was Ours"

This Night Was Ours

EJB 4/21/10

(This is the first poem I've written in over a year. It's hard writing poetry when it used to come easily to me but this was written like I how I used to be - off the top, freestyle, no worries about form.)

This night was ours.

We owned every inch from start to finish.

Now we walk as strangers in foreign land,

Wondering when it passed us by

Are we vampires or lost souls?

Either way, we cant wake up and realize its moving time.

Time to fly away

But we're slaves to the thrill

An empty thrill

Thirst no longer satisfied.

But we return every night like drones because we hope

One day, a night will be different

One day, our glory will return

Those new faces will greet us like heroes

But those are far and few

And we return home. Dazed, confused

The night was ours.

These streets were our haven

The escape from worries, the pathway to joy

Every bar was our crowded refuge.

What happened to these familiar sights?

The welcomed hugs turned into cold stares

Go through the motions cause we’re led by hope

Fools marching to the same old drum beat

Remember that night, we walked with pride

Now we walk with insecurity

Yes the night was once ours

But now it’s a lonely reminder of the past.

Poetry Corner "Invictus"

After the year we all just witnessed, this was something that motivated me at times throughout the year. I think we can all be motivated by it now as we start 2010. No matter what happened to us or around us, we will not give up. Thank you Clint Eastwood and Co. for bringing this poem to a new audience in the movie which bears its name.

This poem still holds as much inspiration as when I read it in an English class in college. I guess being an English nerd has its advantages lol - you read some fantastic things that stick with you for years.

"Invictus" by William Earnest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
for my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance,
My head is bloodied, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll.
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

In Latin, Invictus means unconquered. That's how I feel about 2010. By the grace of God we made it (line 3, stanza 1) and we have a chance not to give up but be encouraged to determine how we respond to it (final stanza).

Poetry Corner (Dear Summer/The Last Dance)

I started writing this in New York during a summer conference I took with some friends from school. I realized that the summer before senior year would effectively be the last as I know it. No more summer breaks, no more lazy days - the only breaks I take would be ones I create. But it was also a chance to make it the best summer ever and go out in style.

I also listened a lot to Jay-Z's "Dear Summer" and it got me in that frame of mind, hence the title of Pt. 1

The first part is saying goodbye, the second part is a uplifting message to my peers to enjoy this moment. I liked how I used different rhyme schemes to distinguish both poems. I remember trying to write this in my hotel room and it started as one poem before I got the crazy idea to split it up. It was the first time I ever split a poem up to capture two different moods and it's perfect here.

Dear Summer/The Last Dance
EJB 5/27/05

PT.1
Dear Summer hows it goin
It’s really nice to see you
After 9 months of struggle
These next 3 belong to you
I think we know why I’m doing this
Cause we realize something’s near
This is our last time together
Before we separate my dear
After 20 plus years of commitment
20 plus years of happiness
This is last time we’ll be dating
At least on full-time status
Now I know your heart is heavy
Believe me, mine is too
And the next girl I’ll be dating
Won’t be as fun as you
I’ve already prepared for our transition
My first job showed me how
I got myself ready for the inevitable
The day which seemed so far from now
A time where work would be a constant task
No more seasons with breaks in between
The only breaks are holidays and weekends
A cycle that continues for as long as it seems
But I’ll always have the memories
Of days that were carefree
Of moments that were magical
A relationship as great as can be
Sunny days, I marveled at your beauty
Sunset glows, I stared at your gaze
I felt your presence with a cool breeze
On a warm night after a beautiful day
Now I sadly have to let you go
A full-time love to an occasional date
Let’s enjoy the last go-around
And live it up til the last call is made


PT.2
The last dance, the last joy-ride
The final summer of our young lives
Days once spent living it up with friends
Will soon be filled with work to no end
We’re leaving summer for future careers
Where the only breaks come with holiday cheer
I can’t believe it’s really here
The last few months are now in gear
Work will soon become our passion
A full time replacement for summer madness
Think fondly of days spent with friends
Waking up late, then doing it again
Remember parties and amazing vacations
All of those wonderful relaxations
Enjoy them now cause the music stops soon
And we’ll be marching to a different tune
Summer dances to corporate sidelines
Casual strolls to stressful deadlines
Cherish those memories every one
Fondly look back on times that were fun
Summer now truly becomes a fling
An escape from making that corporate cream
Raise your glass for the final toast
Let this here be our final boast
The last summer of our young lives
Will not be spent on the sidelines

Poetry Corner (Def. of a Tease)

Definition of a Tease
EJB 12/06

A simple short story
It won’t be boring
It explains clearly
Definitions of a tease
Minding my own biz
Faced with a sign
Come in they said
Smooth words plus a smile
Tempted with fruit
Pleasing to the eye
Didn’t see a warning
So I leapt blindly
O me of great faith
Why didn’t I wait?
Now I’m trapped
Ensnared by fate
Toying with my mind
Like putty or play-doh
It sure ain’t silly,
Funny or playful
I speak in code
About no one person
Just stating my view
On people untrue
Lure you with lines
Soothe you with smiles
Stroking your ego
But playing your mind
Nothing but a tease
Just eager to please
Won’t let you drown
Won’t reel you in
Just got you hooked
Like bait from a snake
You want to leave
But love the taste
Appetizer satisfied
You crave the full plate
It tastes so sweet
But substance was lacking
Feeling was hollow and empty
Like words with no action
Or lost and stranded
Like a flight in the air
Waiting for a landing
Flying high with no place to go
Nothing’s definite
Nothing’s for sure
Just waiting
Waiting
For something not there
Use you when needed
Then cast you aside
No cares for your pride
Just got what they needed
And showed what they are
Definitions of a tease

I hate teases with every inch of my being. People who lead you along with the promise of something good but leave you with emptiness. I had a friend who I thought I was close to but she ended up being a tease because everytime I tried to hang out, she'd offer up excuses. This poem was a long time coming so I kept it short and sweet.

The "O me of great faith" is a nice play off Scripture "O ye of little faith"...matter of fact I love all the little lines in here. I was mad (partialy at myself for being easy to tempt) so I wanted to take all my sarcastic intuition and use it full force here. Focused anger is far better than random anger.

Poetry Corner (Pool of Regret/Gray Clouds)

Pool of Regret

Stuck with my decision
Relying on my intuition
I’m here lying in a pool in regret
Soaked with thoughts filling my head
Before I drown, I hear a faint sound
Small voices trying to reconnect my senses
I’m in too deep, too dazed to respond
My body is numb
One word, a fleeting question
Briefly brings me oxygen
Why?
Like a spark
More words are added
Why did I let this happen?
This pocket of air gives misleading hope
I toss and turn trying to breathe but things get worse
Random thoughts start to disorient
Why am I here?
I thought I was fine before
My frantic body resembles my frantic mind
Out of control
Helpless
Alone
Saddened
My mind’s playing tricks like a jester
Laughing at my pain while adding to it
Hindsight now creeps in
Always in 20/20 vision
Can’t ignore it while I’m here
In this pool of regret
Lying facedown
Waiting to recover
Or end up drowned

Gray Clouds

Gray clouds fill the sky
Rain falls down
Acid to my soul which pollutes my mood
The sun which once reigned supreme
Is now conquered by a foul villain
He cares not for how I was
His goal is to drown with showers
Kill any joy that gave me power
Destroy hope’s flowers that filled my field
I know not when they will leave
For I detest its effect on me
The sun feels so far away
Where has it gone?
When will it return?
Gray clouds have pierced my heart
Surrounding it with hollow bark
The tree of shade now covers my soul
I crave light but this shade feels comfortable
Either I’m lazy or resigned to my current state
Maybe I’m confused, can’t you tell?
Gray clouds have blurred my focus
Truth feels odd and like nonsense
Light is bad while dark feels good
A temporary feeling that changes so much
Mind gets warped and I let it happen
I contribute to the rain and the clouds of grey
Refusing to fight, I became an ally
Now I alone can turn the tide
Force the clouds to leave the sky
Return the sun to its proper place
But before that, I wallow in this filth
Not knowing where I go from here
The sky is still grey and still I hear a voice say
There’s no escape from these clouds today

I wrote both of these while studying for finals (5/17/06) after I broke up with my girlfriend at the time. Both of them dark, both of them sad - I had a lot of sadness and regret in my mind. Two different poems saying the same thing. The irony is that after I wrote these two, I wrote a third that's more optimistic and pretty much is the manifesto of a poet - it's the best therapy.

I don't like writing dark stuff but sometimes, you have to go with the flow. I love the metaphor of the first one and the second is all about creating the mood.

Poetry Corner (Atmosphere)

Atmosphere
EJB 4/2005

The beauty of being in your atmosphere
Is something that I hold very dear
Sharing your world as you share mine
A thought that can only be described as divine
I’m loving the way I feel your energy
Nothing but good vibes and positivity
You’re a beautiful day that blinds my sight
You’re mysterious and cool like a magical night
I wanna know what makes you who you are
Cause I can see you must be unique like a star
We can just hang and shoot the breeze
Whatever we do, let’s do it with ease
No need to rush, take your time my dear
And lets enjoy each other’s atmosphere

I was in a total zone when I wrote this. I got inspired by Mos Def's "The Panties" - before you trip, it's a mellow song about being with a girl that's not dirty but romantic. The music is so melodic and there's a line that says "Don't wanna be nowhere but here, nowhere in this atmosphere, stratosphere, ionsphere, ain't no sphere that's bright like here"

That spoke to me and I had to write this dream-like poem. It's shorter than I usually like to write stuff but it was so perfect. So beautiful. So celestial (and you can tell by the words that I tried to keep that theme going.).

Poetry Corner

A Redemption Story
EJB 8/19/05

More creative than an Impressionist painting
More style than Hilfiger and Lauren
This is my intro to let you know that I’ve stepped into the belly of the beast and birthed something beautiful for you to perceive
It lay in the gutter, alone and cold
This idea wasn’t told to the ears of my peers
A sight to behold, it sure was ugly
It needed a makeover and I planned to take over
Add some sweetness to this rank odor
I gave it new life, a fresh start, rebirth
I showed it love and how much it was worth
After some time, the world saw its new look
That’s not correct, the world saw its true look
Style was bright, mind was right
The lost was found, made new and sound
It had a purpose, a drive, a goal
A will to succeed and wander no more
Now its aim was to please its savior
Who redeemed him from being undesirable and lost in its trouble
A simple story of redemption
Yet the world sees it foolish and full of suspicion
If I cant make it plainer when served through this strainer
I’ll let my actions reveal why I feel what I feel.

(This one literally was a "Kubla Khan" poem. I was waiting to leave to hang out with some friends and had my laptop nearby. I started screwing around - if you can't tell from the intro - and all of a sudden I just let it flow. Didn't think twice until I finished and I came with up this incredible metaphor of salvation. Now I know how Coleridge felt - incredible burst of creativity and thankfully I didn't get interrupted.)

Cruisin on the 105
EJB 10/2003

I got in my car to take a ride
Out for a cruise on the 105
1st thing I pass is the L.A. airport
Watch planes arrive or see them depart
As I drive on, I pass over a highway
Observing people pass going on with their day
That freeway leads to my new hometown
San Diego is where I kick it now
I continue my drive as I pass through the Wood
A place that people say is always up to no good
Pass by the Shaw on a beautiful day
Then on to Vermont and the 110 freeway
Cruising through Compton and the LBC
My music’s blaring as my speed reaches 70
The day is perfect, few clouds in the sky
The sun makes me warm like fresh apple pie
I pass the 710 without much thought
But I decrease my speed so I won’t get caught
The metro rails are on my side
Taking people on a quick train ride
Either for business or just for pleasure
The metro rail gives the highway texture
Lakewood’s up next and then the 605
I’ve almost reached the end of my drive
Pass a couple more exits then I reach the end
As I slow down, a weird feeling comes from within
This freeway is the one that my dad designed
Now because of this drive, he’s on my mind
Dad and this freeway were like school in June
There for a while, but gone too soon

(This was the first poem I tried to set to music. It's also a tribute to my Dad, who passed away the summer before. He was an engineer who helped design buildings and freeways in Los Angeles. One of them was the 105 Freeway so I wanted to paint a picture of what it looked like for those who never saw it. I was more conscious of rhyming here cause it was supposed to be a song.

I love this tribute though. Just like Tennyson's "AHH" or Ginsburg's "Kaddish", when someone passes, you never know what'll remind you of them so you look at their handiwork to find inspiration. The music I had was almost dreamlike so it felt like I was in another place)

My Greatest Thrill
EJB 1/14/06

In the crowd of faces, she stands apart
The one of my dreams, the girl of my heart
Everytime I see her, my stride gets happier
She brings me so much joy and laughter
A heavenly treasure with down-to-earth vibes
Who gives me the pleasure of sharing her time
Once this was only what I saw in my mind
Now it is real, this vision is alive
When I’m away from her, I wish I hadn’t left
She fills my soul with her slightest breath
Her eyes pierce me and captivate my senses
With her, I’m real with no false pretenses
No weak player lines, no cheap game
Just honest truth without the fame
I’m open and honest and I can’t help it
She’s so precious like she’s draped in velvet
How blessed I am to have someone like this
Amazing like grace with each single kiss
I could run-on and on like a bad sentence
To tell how much I love our friendship
She inspires me to persevere and be strong
She must be from heaven cause that’s God’s calling card
I’m the one she’s been waiting for
Something I’ve heard her say before
But she’s the one I’ve searched and longed for
Someone with God’s light upon her
Tears of joy stream down my face
My world has been a much better place
No one can lead me astray from her sight
There’s something special about her type
And I’m longing to figure out what I can gain
So I’m sticking with her, ignoring their game
She’ll never worry about me ditching or leaving
I’m an honest player, I win without cheating
What more can I say….she’s got me hooked
Like a fresh meal that my mom just cooked
More than her looks, she’s smart with the books
Her vibes are magnetic so my heart she took.
It isn’t love but we’re on that track
Taking our time so we don’t look back
And regret any move that was made too soon
This is definitely a poem that sprang full bloom
Birthed with ideas like a spring flower
Like a spring shower, she refreshes my power
So I look amidst the growing sea of faces
And she stands out, pretty like laces
The vision is real, so is how I feel
She has possibly given me my greatest thrill.

(No words necessary, just the feeling you get when you're with the right person. This is a common theme I wrote about a lot - relationships. I've experienced it before and I can't wait to experience it again. A lot of my best poems happened on winter break from school and this is one of them.)

Poetry Corner (Introduction)

The summer before senior year, I started writing a lot of poetry. It mushroomed into a full blown affair that I carried on in college - that was my way of expressing myself. Me and my pen serving as the extension of my thoughts.

I still do it on occasion but I'm nowhere as prolific as I used to be. To me, poetry is simple - talking to other men like William Wordsworth said. I didnt realize it til 2004 but I'm influenced by the Romantic movement of keeping poetry simple, talk about common themes and shed your own insight. Ralph Emerson said the Poet has to be unique so that's what I tried to do.

I didnt know it then either but being a Poet is like what James Baldwin called a Witness. Be a witness to the truth, testify of yourself and the world around you honestly. So without further adieu, here's the first poem I wrote at college (with some commentary I added later)

1st Day Emotions
8/30/2002

At last, it’s finally here
The day we’ve all been waiting for
We’ve anticipated this moment for so long
Now we are beginning to experience it
The emotions that are running inside our minds
Are becoming difficult to contain in the brain
Anxiety, nervousness, relief, and elation
Are running a race through our heads
It’s hard to describe exactly how we’re feeling
Cause all of us are affected in different ways
Some hide their emotions with a positive vibe
Others let it out when no one is looking
Despite all this, there is one common thread
We feel the same things one time or another
We may come from different places with different plans
But we are all starting the same journey.

I wrote this my first night of college in my room. I was listening to Ice Cube on my radio and started thinking about what this day meant. It’s the beginning of a new stage and I figured that everyone, no matter how calm they looked on the surface, everyone felt as excited/nervous as me. Starting something new brings about a whole set of emotions and people deal in diff. ways so I tried to capture that as well as describe my thoughts.

Poetry Corner (Black History Month Edition)

I figured I'd post up some of my favorite poems by Black poets. I used to write pretty often and thanks to my job, I don't do it as often as I like to. But pretty much, this is where I'll drop some of my old poems that I posted on MySpace as well as feature some of my favorites. With that said, here's three to ponder.

Langston Hughes "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"

I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Countee Cullen "The Incident"

Once riding in old Baltimore

Heart-filled, head-filled with glee,

I saw a Baltimorean

Keep looking straight at me.

Now I was eight and very small,

And he was no whit bigger,

And so I smiled, but he poked out

His tongue, and called me, "Nigger."

I saw the whole of Baltimore

From May until December
Of all the things that happened there

That's all that I remember.

Paul Laurence Dunbar "We Wear The Mask"

WE wear the mask that grins and lies

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while

We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

We wear the mask!