How Poetry Affect What I See

"Be The Creator Of Light"

I encounter the darkness with outstretched arms

casting my light upon shadows and harm

Since I am the product of an old oak tree

I take steps on a bridge built before me.

My goal is to move forward leaving the past behind

and making the best of the future inherently mine

I leave light behind with every step that I take

to encourage any followers to stay consciously awake.

The direction I'm headed is to be totally free

from any type of poison or negativity

It frees me to roam to great places unknown.

We are particles of the universe, so this is our home.

"In The Mist Of It All"

A prayer for all who may be lost in the mist

I pray you are found or not on this list

there are so many ways I wish to assist

I prefer hands together instead of with a fist.

When the world is all foggy, it's easy to dismissed

that this thing called life, it comes with a twist

If you're not staying focused it can easily be missed

The fact that the 'purpose of life' still exist.

Finger tips up, pressed hands and flexed wrists

the stronger my prayers, the more I persist

recalling the feeling of first being kissed

That feeling revisited, I just can't resist.

"I Am One With The Universe"

Sunshine and blue skies I dance on the sand

wrapped in pure linen with a staff in my hand

I open my spirit to a higher command

as the wind change direction, I change what I can.

Bright clouds hang around my head like new friends

whispering stories, no beginnings, no ends

exposing my core in the breeze of the winds

with the essence of burning sage as I cleanse.

Together the elements and I are now one

my foot prints and shadows may fade with the sun

the edges I've mended might become undone,

but to the creator, I'm forever his Son.

Ingredients Of Me...

Integrity

...is doing the right thing even when no one is watching

Serenity

...comes when you stop expecting and start accepting

Humility

...the ability to give up pride and retain dignity

Respect

...is for those that deserve it, not demand it

Honesty

...has a power that very few people can handle

Love

...we accept the love we think we deserve

Imagination

...is the reality of the dreamer. it's the preview of life's coming attractions

Passion

...being fearless in the pursuit of what set your soul on fire

Natural

...embracing the beauty of the you that lives

Devotion

...is the product of being constantly attentive

Desire

...is what a creative man is motivated by to achieve

Stability

...comes when you trade expectations for acceptance

Thoughtful

...showing consideration for the needs of other people

Introvert

...a little isolation is good for the mind

Every speckle of universal dust, every bit of moisture in the air,

darkness and light blended equally to create the molecules that make me.

Ancestral dreams of perpetual perfection arise when I inhale and smiles of accomplishment when a pat on the back just won't do.  I hear my name being called in gentle whispers and gentle hugs in the wind.  I am full of goodness, wrapped in sun-kissed gold, and radiating the elements of me .

The elements of you.

The elements.

Cascades of Colour

(Musical Poetry that Paints in Color)

and at sunrise

and at sunset

but when night falls

but the music

and at sunrise

and at sunset

but when night falls

but the music

cascades of colour

slip right through your hands

your castle's in the clouds

turn back into sand

you'll find your swept away with no helping hand

the music is your beacon back to dry land

and at sunrise

and at sunset

but when night falls

but the music

cascades of colour

slip right through your hands

your castle's in the clouds

turn back into sand

you'll find your swept away with no helping hand

the music is your beacon back to dry land

oh the music

now this is why I sing

oh the music...

my sunrise...

(I do not own any of the rights to this song, video, or lyrics)

'Cascades of Colour' - Ananda Project (2000)

Music that I'm old enough to grove to, but young enough to still get up and dance to when the feeling hits me.  House music for the chill at heart, but still funky at mind.  Like most house music, it has a positive message and a driving beat to keep you in the element of life.  Enjoy your own vision.

Smudge Out Negative Energy 

& Purify Your Environment

Smudging your sacred space, your home or office, or even your body with sage is like taking an energetic shower, or doing a deep metaphysical cleansing. The smoke from dried sage actually changes the ionic composition of the air, and can have a direct effect on reducing our stress response.

Energy Cleansing with Sage.

One of the best ways to cleanse energy is with regular smudging, a traditionally Native American practice of burning herbs and resins, which many healers use to offer blessings and purify people, places and objects. Although cedar, lavender and sweet grass are often used during smudging ceremonies for their ability to uplift, purify, and bring positivity into a space, the most common herb used is sage.

If you’re interested in cleansing your body, mind, aura or just your physical space, try these tips for honoring the sacred tradition of smudging:

Select Your Sage.
You can find bundled sage at just about any health food store for about $10, depending on the size. Although white sage is the most purifying, some bundles include a mix of sage, lavender or cedar, which can be uplifting and relaxing. You can also grow your own from seed to save money and create a deeper connection with the energy of the plant. We typically harvest sage from our garden in the summer and fall and after letting it dry completely (takes about one week), we bundle it for burning in one piece or burn loose leaves in a fire-safe bowl.

Procure A Smudge Bowl.
My first sage utensil was a bamboo shallow bowl. It was natural, beautiful to look at, and lasted a very long time. As such, smudging is be best done in fire-safe vessels, like clay pots which you can find at just about any crystal/new age shop. Many have small holes built-in, allowing more oxygen to reach the flames and sustain the burning process.

Be Intentional.
Before lighting the sage, be clear about what you’re looking to release or bring into your life or space. Clear your mind and allow yourself to enter a meditative state. Say a brief prayer of thanks, invoking God, the Universe or Spirit to guide your use of the sage and remove any unseen energies that no longer serve your highest and greatest good.

Open a Window.
Although many love the smell of sage, according to Native American tradition, life-sucking energies and people carrying unseen negative entities in their aura are repelled by it. Give bad vibes a space to flee by cracking open a window or door before you begin and a few minutes after to help clear the space. You may also want to avoid smudging right next to a fire detector, or you can temporarily disable it before smudging and reset it after the ceremony is complete.

Light the Sage.
Sage is slow to light, so it’s best to use a lighter or long wooden matches to allow time for dried leaves to ignite. Once the leaves catch fire, blow softly and slowly on the flame until it goes out. This will cause a soft gray smoke to billow from the sage, which you want to keep going by gently fanning the flames as needed, or moving the smudge stick around, as if you’re painting the air with it.

Smudge Spaces/Objects.
It is recommended to regularly sage your space and treasured or frequently used items (e.g., your computer, cell phone, etc.) to keep their energy positive and vibrations high. To do so, slowly wave the burning smudge throughout your space, drawing attention to corners where energy often gets stuck or any areas that feel heavy or dark. For objects, pass them through or above the sage smoke to clear them of any lingering negativity. Since most people can’t "see" negative energy, you’ll have to trust your instincts on when to stop, which comes with practice. Often, the sage will glow, crackle or even extinguish itself when you reach heavy areas, so continue to smudge until the energy feels light and clear.

Smudging People.
Sage can be passed through a person’s energy field, or aura, to clear negative energy. This is especially helpful after an argument, a night out on the town or to lighten a depressed mood. To smudge, have them stand in front of you with legs apart, arms open in a “T” position. Wave the smudge in soft, elliptical motions from the bottom of their feet to the top of their head, including legs, along each arm, under each armpit and entire torso. Have them stand on their tip toes or lift each foot so you can pass the smudge underneath for clearing. With the sage still lit, go around their back and smudge the head, neck, torso and arms using the same format. Unlike cigarette smoke which damages the lungs, sage smoke is not harmful to your health. You can also sage yourself in the same way.  Allow the power of the plant to guide you. Trust the medicine.

Safely Extinguish Flames.
To extinguish the sage, cover it with a flame snuffer or take it outside and cover it with soil. You can also run water over the burning embers, but remember you won’t be able to use it again until the leaves have dried completely and it sometimes changes the overall smell when re-burning. Once smudging is complete and the ashes cool, safely discard the remnants and clear all particles from the pot and your space with intention. This ensures you don't invite old energy into your next cleansing ceremony. You may also bury the ashes.

Store Your Sage. 
Sage should be stored in clean, dry space. Some Native Americans believe storing sage in a drawer above waist height honors the sacred energy of the plant, helping it maintain a purified, elevated vibration which makes its cleansing properties more powerful.

Regardless of how and where you sage, your purity of intent is the most important factor. With regular practice, smudging can be a powerful tool for spiritual grounding, healing and rejuvenation.

Smudge Responsibly...

My Aura

Write about me and the aura that you see

but make sure it captures my full personality

 

Could it be infrared

ultraviolet

something unseen

blue

red

or a color in between

First gather all you can on what makes me tick

then think of black, or brown

where the opacity is thick

Then go from there, to the color of my hair

the shine in my eyes and the way that they stare

for those that dare

it's beyond compare

the questions not how

or why ...but where?

 

Write about my smile

write about my style

write about the God in me

something worthwhile

 

Write about me and the aura that you see

please don't forget to use the word mahogany

 

A deep shade of handsome with complexity

and undertones of integrity

higher than a basic mentality

oh well...

enough about me

 

Its not about the blackness of my skin

but the substance of content deep within.

 

 

 

Behind the poem

This poem was written by me in 2000

 

Routine day, Washington, DC, 2000 riding the metro 7-o-clock in the morning on my way to work for the largest hospital group in DC... DC General Hospital, Medicaid Division.  My co-worker expressed herself with a pad and pen in hand constantly and spoke with poise and metaphors that reinforced an essence of majesty and royalty within the black culture.  She wore her wavy black hair sporadically braided that laced against the sides of her face into fuzzy nests of silk.  Sometimes adorned with a real wild flower or an antique piece of jewelry of her distant kin.  I had known her and her family for at least 10 years.  She had a style of her own. Her name was Lisa, she lived poetry.

On this day, I remembered a poem that she recited out loud on the subway.  Within the poem, I recall words that colored my morning to have me feel like I was more than a passenger on a train, on my way to work.  I began to feel like I am a vital part of everything in this life.  She stood there in the middle of the aisles, armed with only words.  Words that floated out of her mouth with deeper meaning.  Words that blended together so well that every set of ears on the train was listening with the content of motherly advice.

I felt so in tune and captivated with her impromptu performance, the articulation of her wording, the raspy crispness of her voice, and her gentle yet aggressive approach to the unknown public.  I love words, and she reminded me of the pleasure to use them artistically.  At the last stop on our morning commute, before we separated into our own morning rituals and off into our offices, I asked her to 'write about me and the aura that you see.'

I pressed record on my cellular flip phone, recorded those few words and didn't stop talking until this poem was written.  It wrote itself.