Mandika’s Acid Afro PoetryAn Ethnic Journey

I thank my Mama for havingme and instilling in me goodqualities

Step into This Roomon June 27.  © All rights reserved

Fallin up in herelike air off Miami wateron a hot midnightSayin come on lady step into thispartyStep in to this roomWhere you and I could the clear roomI’m talking me and youI’m talking me and youIntermissions you dream about a manwho can talk you into round when you know it’s flatSuspectin something’s gone breakpretty soonbut you want it to begin

Come on lady step into this partyStep into this room

Fallin up in herelike lemonade and ice chillin on the days in JuneSay come on baby step into thispartyStep into this roomYou wonder what’s over the thresholdIt’s like he reads the signalsTellin you this thangwon’t start til it’s me and youJust me and youSunken feeling washes overyour frameCause this is insaneNothing comin out of his mouthmay be the truthbut you wishin it wuz

and his voice repeats itselflike déjà vu

Come onlady step into this partyStep into this room

Think of small miracles and guiltypleasures If you’ll argue with yourselfover silly regretswell over the strike of back to back afternoonsor could it be a good move thatleads to another

All because you fell intowhat posed as scintillating stream at the mention of , “Come on ladystep into this party”Step into this room

You know you shouldtake this groove

Bluebells & Cockershellson June 27.  © All rights reserved

Bluebells and cocker shellssome of my little friends couldn’tgrow ponytails when we were littleI thank god for make believeWe weren’t just prettyMay not have had pink lipsbut we could soul screamWe could do just about anythingelse

Mama couldn’t spoil us rotten

Working for everything she gotAlways covered meNever went sleevelessHer hot combing skills were spotlessCould get heat within aninch of throat Nary a flesh sizzledAll you got was a little smokeIt wasn’t second hand

HamburgersChee burger Ike cold coke some of my littleGirl friends held more than one notebut couldn’t tie their plaits into braid holdersJust looked for things to get betterand some things really did Some things may neverand some things never did

Kicks on Six on January 7.  © All rights reserved

Blinking lights shine ripe at nighton the streets and the highwaybefore I reach flight

Their my guideAlong the coast after middayI love the night lightsWear my clothes skin tightThen I slinkSlink

Sweet perfumes rises up in the airfrom the city when it’s in full bloomin the dark on fairways

Zoom …ZoomZoom

Top down with the wind blowing througha lioness maneNot a care for the insaneI love the night lightsWatching shiny colors blend downthe pikeLookin out to see I’ve become a driveron the stretch of glossy glamourIndie 5You can’t get no closer to heaven than this

Welcome the midnight breeze with a natural kissBedroom eyes and a georgia mistThe atmosphere puts you in a tranceI love the night lights with the hint of romance

If it can’t be me then give someone else the chanceRacing to the hot spots where lovely dancers meetIf that ain’t where the party isLet’s do it in the streets

Chase the night lights to where ever they goThey never steer brokeGet me ready for the showGlitz and glitterSharing their electric glow with someone like meI’m not just the ticket I can be seenI love the night lightsI wear my clothes skin tightThen I slinkSlink

ZoomZoomZoomOh I gits my kicks on route 66

Think She A Drugon January 7.  © All rights reserved

SheSittin smugLegs crossed up Shining with VaselineCause she think she seductiveLookin at me causeShe think I’m awakeDreaming about hurShe think she what’s upAnd she the only prettyI know in this worldShe got me openI must not be enoughCause she too much

And she got somethingSpecial that liesAnd moistens when sheDecides and juicy got her highShe see it as her mating callAnd I should want it allEven when she think’s IBuy it when she tell meIt’s my name on itWhen I know I didn’t hone it

but I got the leash I can tame thatI could mame thatAnd she still want itThat’s what the problem isRight thereShe know I got the chairWon’t me to chase itBut I’m not thereThat’s what the problem isShe know if I claim it she’llGone careAnd she got this thang twistedI say gone gurlPat yoself on the backWhen you ain’t gotNobodies paper

She tryna be thugAnd I’m the one that’s gotIt roughShe think she a drugAnd I’m on her stuffBut what she really scaredOf...Is if I can get up andWalk away then she ain’t potentAs she thought she was and goneI might stay

and anotha thang...I puff puff passedI puff puff gaveI passed after playin tapsA point she won't discussShe don't seem to wanna graspYou don't what to do with yourselfCheckin to see what happened

I don't get hungryas I see it dangle

Phiya Phiyaon February 2.  © All rights reserved

PhiyaPhiyaI sho wanna be yaWalking proud like a role modelIn the cloudsNot to confuse with a misuse of exampleThey way there is a misuseof the divaAre you complicated?

Not reallyI’m just fascinated

PhiyaPhiyaHow I need tofollow your spiritual walkPermit my directed feet

Nice to meet cha sistafied I’m so elatedLike to hold your handlike we’re relatedAm I that liberated?Not remotelyJust fascinated

Best kept secret Cause everybody wouldn’t understandLove between two sistahsand there ain’t no manbetween usLike my blood sistahHow you doinIt’s means a lot to havesomeone come into my spacea lot like you

Lost of blood sistahsand their Mama tooNeed a sista that’s gotme where I'm lackingtil when and long afterI get my family backGone carry me throughthis single period that’s gotten seriousI’ll testify like I’m deliriousOh yes, it would be niceto tell a man butWhere I’mma find oneIn this womads landEveryone hanging tosomebody else’s pantsI’m gone grab me a shirt tale

PhiyaPhiyaHow I need toFollow your spiritual walkPermit my feet directedSo I don’t land myself in thestreets where goats are paved

Many don’t fully understandLife line to paradise never endingWide is the road butthe travelers are fewSalvation in Haiti’s grinSea of black crowning woundingIn tileGod knows he blesses theChild who develops her ownindividualitySpiritual keeper in the cry of allwho are receivers

PhiyaPhiyaI sho wanna be yaWalking proud like a role modelin the cloudsNot to confuse with a misuse of exampleThey way there is a misuseof the word divaAre you complicated?

NawNawSimply fascinatedby what you have achieved…

as we all will be

Rush Sweet Freedomon February 23.  © All rights reserved

Me thinks me shall soonfeel the hush of sweetfreedom todayCome here with a quickness

for quickness sakeHave a chance to play betweenmusic and wordsHopefully some things you’venever even heard beforeIf it don’t take too longI get to smell jasmine and vanillaPheromones in the airWe will throw our worriesinto a zone

Watchu thank… until early moaning (morning)We can sit and watch treesPoint out mythical gods with their Achilles The big dipper betwixt the simple starsYou think you would be able recognize mars?Let our imaginations take off like kidsTake our bids on the juiciest cloudsLook through each other and wonderout loudWith no inhibitions of fantasy and secretsI have one of those hissy fits aboutthe pending storm

Let my body float into your armsSail away like we are in love with invisible feet that never touch the groundHear those words that defy soundLips that are unspokenThe sound of sweet freedomCome with a quicknessWatchu think?

Dirton February 23.  © All rights reserved

I had to do my dirt in the shadowsYes I didHow much damage done no one knowsNo one knows my name

I ran the biggest scores in the shadowsHow much hurt was done no one knowsHear them screams of pain

I learned to hit the mark in the shadowsYes I didHow much hurt was done no one knowsNever made a shot with an arrowBeat of living hearts was my goal

Beat of living hearts was my aimTil they learned my nameTil they learned my name

For the Mutha In Youon March 13.  © All rights reserved

Word’em up Mutha lo - vahssssAin't a sistah undercoverAin't a sistah undercover for a minuteFrom a lover of thee butit’s a mess and it wouldn’t rest

Gettin it off my chest

Sposed to be my big daddy

Hate my addiction Staying loyal like a pupHardly strayingWhen you ain’t loyal to stuffLove and hate the gutsMutha lovah

Hate when we confiscate ish

Speak up for yo when you aspirateMake excuses for yo failures

Mutha lovahssssAin’t no worse than nobody elseWe ain’t even riding the busas much but the fair is goingunder the brush

Hate when I hang aroundHanging around for youto love me Mutha lo-vaaaahWhen I’m sittin at a tablewith threeWitness you spin rap on a foeI'm the one losing soundround heyaaah

Leaving me a bit furtherin the windAin’t near the beginning

Faces cracked and faces flyinWhen we grew up wantinone of ya and dyinbut for you it ain’t crucialMutha lo-vaaaah

Hate chu but i I love youbut this loverknows she been dupedWish I never stooped foryou mutha’s

Ya’ll ain’t checkin for the right stuff

Label me still swole upMutha lo-vaaaaahs

Lateron March 17.  © All rights reserved

Dawg why can’t it be?Wish it was me twisting himEngaging in such excitementSwap gazes like that He could recognize the one he had spell boundWonder if she wished to havehim enthralled with her insuch a deviant wayQuestion if it got anything at allto do with brainsor is he merely infatuatedwith the lines of body and faceas she pivots to go opposite himSwinging peach cakesLove if he would measure meIf it means his eyes deliver that flavorHe can consider the faculties later

Them Eyeson March 19.  © All rights reserved

Them eyesI remember them eyesI can’t forget about’emIf I triedAnd I went for it aMillion times

Them eyesI remember them eyesFollowing me around the roomChillin me and killing these bluesSituation is I left to soonNot realizing I seen something new

Gotta find  who theybelonged toThem eyes that goneDust off the gloom

Gotta find the man who borethem eyesHe the one got me singingthis tuneHe’s the one helping break this moodBe the one that make theBabies boom

I remember and I never sleepGave me paradise at just a peekAnd I wanna do it one more timeThinkin bout the chance of makinem mineGot the best vibe and it won’tgo outGotta touch the lipsof eyes so proud

I remember them eyesGotta find me them eyes

Five Dollars!!!on March 25.  © All rights reserved

Yes five ones they saidcompared to 42 thouthat’s a penny worth dead

LiesWhen there’s an all outbounty on these hips and these thighsLies according to thoseweighed in India, yes you areyour skinForge on fitting inwhere you fit in

Throw some bowsif you mustMaking sure thetips don’t touchEvery thing on memake moneyDon’t divvy me upby some high endstandards honeyor we subject to look likepanhandlersRate me by theIdeals of me

Cause by most measurewe ain’t gone never bebut five bonesLiesWhen there’s a bountyon these lipsI rebuke the questionof our worthThough I suspected thatwas the consensusIt hurts like hadesputtin a chick back onthe auction blockCome on sistahsdispel these notionsChop chop

Though we may

perform chin ups from the sources curbBe the stronger causewe still got the nerveThe audacity tovalue our worthmore than we are counted

Mysteryon March 30.  © All rights reserved

Love a good mystery?Inside your head Beside your bed like soGood book that you long to readMuted yellow candle lightSomething you just can’t extinguishTil you reach the cliff beneathKeep you on the edge of the seatThat’s the theme of meit’s how I like to beBetween real and make believe

Don’t cha just feignDon’t cha just feignDon’t cha just feign for the mystery

You can take it off when you pleasePut it on againChange the dial once there’s relief or you can dance with realityTake a trip in an odysseyLead advances with a single stroke of inkYou can turn up the energy

Don’t cha just feignDon’t cha just feignDon’t cha just feign for the mystery

Check the line of alia-seeeeeNot a flicker with the lights outTo blend when the shadows leave

I’m a mysteryDon’t chu know I’m mysteryCheck the line of alia-seeeee

Mad Merci Kuon April 1.  © All rights reserved

Uh

We maimedClueless little manitee’s being brainedMay as well beLameEvery shade poacher manPainedWalking the long court of

our husband’s shameUh

Saddiq

Peeped dat picTwisted like a primal pretzelwithout the primeStraight on top graffitiwith ah kinky behindTaking big leaps to doback of the lineBut chu a happy jungle lion I suppose… at last

Naked Video Protest

Click on the musicSee Badu bootie bangShe git called skankCaucasians shoutinTalkin bout knockin her saneMadonna threw the va-jayHitchhiker’s for MarilynMonroe…o-taycause everybody love a blondedame so it ain’t no thangBring Erykah downcause it ain’t the same

NEGRO uh da GREEN

You are notwhat you keep

Not what you tryna beFore!You didn’t want to bebut you areYou can’t read?Couldn’t for see clubsyou use comin at chu?Club thought you joined didn’t claim a steedToo many holes sittin in onesHNIC uh da green…maybeNEGRO every day

Make Me Feel Iton April 2.  © All rights reserved

You said I should trust youI decided that I’m going toHere I am right out the blueThough,  I don’t really know youYou say you got my backThat I should just  relax Even though I’m not sure bout datBut can you to make me feel  it?Make me feel the way I want to

Make me feel itFeel,  cause it’s over due

You think I should trust youand I only know your namebut is it what you sayYou could tell me any thangEven though  not  eye to eyeSeems like I could kiss your smileI could easily talk to youIn your words get lost awhileBut can you to make me feel  it?Make me feel the way I want toMake me feel itFeel, cause  it’s over due

You might be playing with mebut I’mma think about itWait a minute

You say go away with youbut what makes you think I want toGo ahead with your confitudeYou must be a handsome dude I might be persuadedBut you’ll have to be patientI’m fighting palpitationsBut can you to make me feel  it?Make me feel this feeling that Iwant toMake me feel itFeel a feeling over due

Sweet Merci Kuon April 5.  © All rights reserved

Sometime he wanna hear herwhisperingHanging from a chandelierIn Leperla drawsand brassiereLike Vicky's wing can meltthe air waves lick his earsMaybe dey can soshe throw down dat rapSang dat sultry vixen songby phoneSlidin down the side ofsheer threadsin her silk thong withthe tag say Sears

Noon Scape

Whenever you get hereI close my eyesI be kissing your smileNibble at your bottom lipFull and whippedPerfect male to dipmy mouth of fruitBefore I’m too fullMove my honey chips awayfrom the bowlIt’s about twelveTakin up my afternoons

Ain't Many Left

He wanna marry meHe got issues but hepointing at theseI got issues buthe ain’t had to call the policeLose his dignity

Stray from his beliefsbut ain’t many left

Sorry 'Bout Mr. Jacksonon April 6.  © All rights reserved

Once upon a time“Hey baby”“Hey girl” meant you wascheckin for meNow, I don’t even bother withfaces for readingFigured out the placewhere my seat isAin’t embarrassing myselflike this so to my chagrin I don’t look up again tilthe polite tap on myelbow followed by“Excuse me Miss”

Been Making It Sweet…Sheer Fantasyon April 8.  © All rights reserved

with a far away candy man…chile that man can work his fingers like nobody can.Don’t know where he got being so funky at but every note he plays meltsthe keys black... on my piano. Tried giving my love to an African, lawd knows I did but hepreferred another’s hand. Her voice obviously tweeted much sweeter.

Just as there was the urge to give up this candy man scooped me, for him my style was enough. My sexy serenade for him is right on time now I am his and he is mine. Feels as if this movement we create will not stop...will not stop 'til we reach the top… wherever that is... so we made ourselves a couple...catch ourselves smilin and shufflinbecause there is the realization that in some cases, you have to feel the one feeling you.

Own My Companyon April 8.  © All rights reserved

You ain’t really my friendcause ioun have your respectYou ain’t been the friend youthought since we first metI wish you would gonebut you got this thangmake you hang onStay around don’t chu to torture meAin’t got the decency to let me beSomethings wrongSomethings wrong with you

You see me as the under dogI done let you know too much Moaned too longMy misgivings makes you bigger Hair grows long off my miseryYou ain’t no friend Ain’t got the decencyto let me beSome kinda of obsessionthat you retreat toSick investigation that ensuesAll the inspiration I must give youEmission of beauty outside and inSchool of thrill bumps 'neath yo skinRising yet subtle abuse

These indiscretions

Human fallacies are metals and personal trophiesfor your mantel peiceBothered looks don’t helpIf yours is so straight and mine is so dimWhy insist on the gift of being... my friend

Somethings wrong Somethings wrong with youI don’t know where this moment beganBut you ain’t no companionYou’re not really my friendI wish you would go onLet me own my company

If You Git No Biggeron April 8.  © All rights reserved

Sometime it takes amighty love

You mah sistahEven if you git no biggerYou were my rockIf you wanna know thetruth about itYou pushed when I needed to goWhen I asked whyyou said, “cause I said so”In them timesthat’s the answer that was needed

Sweet sistahYou hipped meWhen my answer was noWhipped me into shapeWhen I needed to show it

If I close my eyesYou said stay aliveDon’t be brokenand then broke it down fah me

Cause you was Mah Mah Mah MahSistah

Mah reason for seeingmatters throughSistah I needed youBless mah back bonethe one i grewBless mah stoneWouldn’t let me go wrongYou mah sistahif you git no biggerYou mah rockIf you wanna know the truth about it

Borrowed It From Hawthorneon May 2.  © All rights reserved

"Ain't a storm thatcan take me off my gameI run this"

I like this and I'm true to itYou can bring your A attitudeand I won't break and runCause I done blown fuses greater thannastyDisasterousYou can't place an asterik'sby my fameWhen I git there is gone be realOn top of this thangand won't be carriedI'll do it on my termsNever taking a match to one body

The only thunderous applausethat would truly be heard is mineCome stamped with tag sayingPreapprovedIt is my signature you seeThe blonde in the handsof a giant jungle gorilladon't have it on MerciOh yes I'mma take you there

You know whybut you don't have to knowhow and where

I'm an artist in progressClay molded with personal touchMy finger prints show uplike neon

I'm practically self madebut not before the initial creationYOU know who I need to givethe glory tooFirst me then YOUWill kneel before no other

All womanAll the timeI strut like the insaneCause I run thisand ain't no stormcan take me off my game

D Wordon May 11.  © All rights reserved

De-wordedDevoid of letters in the soup toniteLeft me perturbed and frustratedI’m no good with frustrationsA finger turns me tightly woundCan’t figure noun or verbNothing gotta do with wordsWill cease profoundFeel bereft of nervesI am de-worded

Call me D Word like a rapperIt’s rap I’m after becauseto rap you have to form wordsIouno whatchu heard but I’mdisqualified and  been rejectedRefute being messed upover this news

Turned down so in a sinceclowned by words Obviously no one was movedAlphabet didn’t serve my purpose

Step child for surplusMust blend as a calf among the herdMundane and commonplace Unfit for recognition though thought deservedMistaken I wasStripped down and renamed

D wordedPainted like an impressionistthinking I might be godbut someone else did me a favorCould not savor my own juicesTook me off the burnerbefore it reached the woodBody not smokingActually, sensed I couldAwakening is cruel and it has chastisedme

Said you ain’t too bigScribe like one half years plus threeA cover on seasoningand a remix on the herbsIt hurt-edGuest I’ll revisit the spot whereyou go to learnGo back to earn Reword

She Blew Youon May 16.  © All rights reserved

Heard when she sangshe was singing to say"yeah I know I can sang"Wiggle her hips and rangever slightwhile herlips hissed and sizzled

Wanted to snatch her clothes offwith hot melodyGlared and she poutedGripping the seatthrough a sultry, fire engine red croonShe stood strikingSettin off stage alarmsShowing off curvesTurning up your noseShe turn up hersMen melted off her bones

but she can't walk through theirfront door She blew smooth in twoShe blew through the audienceSlowly siphoned adoration Shut down standing roomsTooted magnolia's with southern voo dooCornered stormy weatherRiveled GabrielShe said "I gotcha ornament"Sassy Brassy JazzyLenaThe Horne

We Ain’t Victim Uson May 17.  © All rights reserved

I get upset but God wants me to forgetand I do forgive Reward forbeing couth to turn the other cheekbut being sad and cryingis the only thing I’mma doSpell out my disgust on paper

cause I gotta do somethingSo full of regret

Wouldn't taze nobody anduse a gunWouldn’t pursue the blue forcecause that’s what killin be done to a lot of usand it doesn’t matter the ageWe afraid cause driving in thehigh end areas could git us killedYou know DWB?

Really don’t know what we supposed to dobut go tell GodThat’s what we did in the scabof imposed sores Amazing cause we got through thatIt was far from tameMost of us then were maimed and boiledSome swang as mangled boys

from bigot trees but we supposed to forget aboutthese and us thenGit upset cause things still hard but notas hard as when...Wella...ain't gone ever rest causeGod don’t want me upset so I will forgivebut it’s hard to forget

cause a lot of it still is going onbut we don’t want to talk of it...do we?Wonna answer some questionsWhen are black people gonestop being the victim?When are black people gone git overIt?Wusn’t that some hundreds and some pluses?

When “IT” stop rolling over on us

Loves Last Word Mixon May 20.  © All rights reserved

I love what your motives areDidn’t think we’d come this farBut…I just know when it has reached ecstasyWhat fostering tinge has done for it'sprogenyTranslation, look what lovehas done fo me

Love you like you was gub-ment cheeseand yo middle name is Houseinwith a fine lady named MichelleIncites a bit of jealousy but no dramaHold the button on dramabut quell the notioncause I know where your confidential emotions are at

Hit with cupid Browns bop gunFelt it and knew I was doneFeel you like make believeJoined togetherI have entered a “Different World”Antiphony of the “life” sitcomsWhere there is a wealth of intellectand it’s black all aroundA little mix in the back groundFor 30 minute we’re the stars of theshow

I know you didn’t knowI loved you like thiswith a strong sense of communityDesire that’s bottomlessA love that maintains controlWaiting til the last minutefor us to magic kiss Hold each otherbecause I breathe for the benefitof what lies beneath firstand passion is held short-termprisoner with a light sentence

and I recognized my loveand how good it looks on youWe was always downlike finger waves and stocking capsbut now you wearing it like a hatYea we let in sautee’before you saw me as Eve to yourAdam "Jankins"Somewhere we were saved foreach other in our pastIt ain't never been for loveto get in your bed

But to get in your headYou take the abuseout of the termLift it to unlimited heightand breaking altitudesCharge the batteries in itCall it love ever readyAnd it keep goingNever quitsWe love wrong sometimesbut we are up to the taskand love’s word was the beginningand it is the last

Love’s the last word

Fanon May 31.  © All rights reserved

It's hugeBig thangs

Advocateto your internalgameIn tuned with yourperceptionsMaster of your complexionWish I wasn’t an exitbut an entranceDownright extinctionOne of usMe or you?

Wish separationanxiety wasn’t trueA nightmare would beacceptableWe would be compatibleNot on the outsidelooking inI would be your friendbut as it stands I’ma ghostIncomparable toa good oneSituation do or die

Almost pine fora younger livewhen love couldbe a trick of disappearanceand now wasn’tthe final act

However, I will remain a memberof your audiencewith standing ovationsthat never stopDesolation won’tbind my handsI gain as your propellerYour alluvialYour loyal fan

Great Divide (Other Side)on May 31.  © All rights reserved

PositionOn the other sideof the great divide

Unfortunate deathis the only equalizerFrom where I stand the cloudsain’t fluffy whiteRed carpet don’t roll outcause I’m in clear sightDon’t have money that makeswallets free and openOnly thing turn over for mewas hollerin out red roverNearest I’mma see is make believebut I am from the nationof true survivors

On the other side of the greatdivide

Trust enough to be proud ofRaised on the sync of funky stuffWasn’t just a sound it was the earHome grown among the lions and deerCome from a long line of handme downsFrom them I learned to pass it roundStretch and make it last a second cupTaught to bless fo it was eaten Reserved for suppingRoar with laughter in the lineof fearLive with half a family What’s left banned from hereEndured from creaseindelible in my motherAdopted theme to dig and tryto love some otherand if it didn’t hurt too badlet it ride …

from the other side of thegreat divide

What Was That?on June 1.  © All rights reserved

I don’t talk pretty but I do talk reallyReally girlIs it really like thatIs it really all smackOr is it really blowSucked up your noseComing out your poresClosed so many doorsAll locked outAnd we can’t go backNow what’s that calledIs it being blackand what is it called now

Don’t think I’ve ever done prettyBut I’ve always done reallyReally girlHas it really come this This pis that it isI wanna be sickCause it’s sho pitifulCome to the dustEvaporates in the handsUsed to make some senseHow it's sunk and it’s sadIt can’t go backNow what was thatIs it called being blackIs it really such a black at this time

I’ll never do pretty

Ain’t no time for it reallyCause I’ve always done reallyBut to me real is prettyGittin down to the grittyPut the nitty to the grittyIt’s all from illnessFar from being sillyWe done lost most of itYes lost the cityHere it crumbles throughthe fingersIt was what was up manIn a sense going backwardswould be a plussign in these massesBut we can’t do thatwhich was really being blackThere used to be a knackWas it called that for a lack...of better words

Cause I don’t talk pretty

A Prisoner When Prison Won't Doon June 1.  © All rights reserved

He keeps coming for mePrior to entreat there is warningGives me three daysbefore the dreamsand on these dreams hehas me feed

Upon them as he ascends Hoping I’m inspired to let him inHoping so exhausted I relinquish and what will beWill beThough hiding and seepingInto pocket

There is no hiding place that

upon investigation he can’t aspire to meWhere I whisper and shudder to myselfout of desperation to shun his advancesCan’t be nobodyCan’t be nobody can sift me out like heEven if I go down deeperDeeper

Sends his force higher to look belowBurrow through my treasure troughDigs up artifacts I am unaware ofAbout needingIdling his touch to paralysis where there’sno leaving

Trappings with in a memory of himwhere I am unshielded but unscathedBathed with intense but fleeting chivalryThere are three days to rip my bodyFrom false security to ditch this revelryThere’s no simple resolutionIf I think too loudly he will hear mebreathe

Subjected and no matter howquietly I tow he maps the locationHe keeps coming for meI am his prisoner and prison won’t do

I don’t know

Reverend Leeon June 3.  © All rights reserved

Don’t look so proudDon’t look through meTalking about God

and what he beGod and what he beGod and what he beGot nothing to dowith cho feelingsReverendReverend Lee

Don’t be condescendingI won't spoil your familyas you so willinglyWhere they don’t already beWhat chu think you saintlyWon’t resent you terriblyResent you terriblyReverendReverend Lee

Underneath that robeI know what you probeIt ain’t to save mah soulCan’t nobody do that but meSo don’t even botherShe is not your daughterYou are not the fatherGuess we'll never gatherfor innocent bread and holy teawill weReverendReverend Tarrell Lee

Lil' Girlson May 18.  © All rights reserved

Lil girlsthat I’m one ofwho skinned their kneesTwists their ponytailsSay pleaseand thank youGrandmothers made themsit to readfor their own goodlike me

Lil girlswith short cropped fro’swho humored peoplepulling them by handsto ask they singSang like Ms. ReeMade far away smile that drifts to sleepsimply to dreamlike me

Lil girlswho go to ChurchSit alert when someone hurtsShedding big tearsTake them by face Hush their fearsLoan their laps toplaits and caps of lilgirls who needed a friendlike me

Naked Button June 7.  © All rights reserved

Sittin on the bedwith blueberry flesh nextto the crème cheeseGay, so it wasn’t the topping butwith a body like an ash-edAdonis he could’ve have been

Wanted to get underneath hisskin and flip him inside out He was with out a doubt anotable specimenDang all that good a equipmentCould there be some straightleft over and there may havebeen but it wasn’t baring itselfthen like everything else wuz

Saw one who was the lion kingand sun god all rolled into onewith a behind so righteous I started to suck my thumb andask for my blanketWho was the fortunate matron that spanked thatferocious tail into a good citizen

Flanked in a wife beater with anatural buildKnow he got those physicality’s fromthe fields of which his great grandfatheronce garneredYou can’t harness that kind of sinDon’t have to be without clothto be buckNoticed all the good stuffbut I hope there’s somethingsolid in betweenCause from the striking surfacemy dark knightwit dat bat mouthyou make the cut

NakedNaked butt

Glory, Glory You Deadon June 9.  © All rights reserved I shot youYou shot my brotherI shoot your sisterand we keep shootingeach other til we all stretched underand none of us left a mark on the worldI promised I wouldn’t say itbut you hardcore

We just a bunch of dead n******in this turbulenceA blood warWhere is yo gang sign?Decomposing with the compostwhere you layBut can’t nobody sayYou wudin a brave muthaWent out in a blaze of gloryWhat glory?

I git to pour a forty over your graveJust anotha dead n******Afraid you ain’t left nuthin behindbut your claim to crimeRippin the headlinesThere's yo fame fa ya

Can’t nobody praise your legacyCause you didn’t make nobody smileand heaven help the child whogrows up to follow suitCause he gone grow just so farthen he gone be another deadn***** just like you

Left a daughter without a fatherOr a son with a martyrof an unworthy causeInstead of following Martin,

Malcolm or JohnLead by the sword and fallenby one

so BANG you over and doneYou thought that was sumpinBut you dead and just a few peoplecareThe otha’s glad you goneGlory hallelujah you gone!

Pass Thenon June 18.  © All rights reserved Drive and wave as a passer byOffer looks of essenceand tremble as you rideSudden jolted stop and do not cryTell them you’re the same as thoseyou pride Whether hidden or deadWhether dead or alive With those you stand With those a wanted sideSame as valentines race whenspied a trouble manSame as the tingle when heard of carob timbreSame as thrill of jingleTambourine shakeSame as the peal with

intensified shadeBop and swagger where money’s being paidPassing is the speed at whichone jumps to path’s harmPassing is the love with whichto please before the loinsPassing is initial for othersyou savePassing not the body butthe passion of being hatedPass then

Merci Afrosentimentson June 18.  © All rights reserved are there cluesthere is but onebut one quethere is much haikuthere is only one kusacred and unleavenedone Sonja Sanchezone Angelouone Nikki Giovannithere are cluesmuch haikuonly single kupatented but discreditedflattered and liftedson of a gunwhat they donewhat is I gone dojust one

Dig On The Mezzanine

on June 12.  © All rights reserved See my beauty It ain’t in no movieThe moment Iturn aroundLookin as good as itwanna look…goingYou know it look prettygood comin

True comeliness is there when you not presentMounds of it pourinlike rain wantin to cleanseyour mouth forletting obscenities prevailor whether you thinking about goodies If they protude and pout

When you haven't checkedfor the internal cutieIoun make nuthin clapWhen what really deservesapplause is what’s manufacturedin the membranesDig on the frontal lobe

Never mind how it fillsout the clothesAdmire it later when there’srecognition of the invisibleworkingsRespect the packageRespect the trunkRespect the bootyRespect the junk butit’s more impressive ifthe mezzanine is columnizedprimarily

See my beautyIt ain’t in no movie

The moment I turn around

Dig what’s up on the mezzanine

Love Over My Headon June 21.  © All rights reserved Let a river run through me and stood by Said nothingA stream trickled by me and I stood bySaid nothingSaid I’d never let anything get by me andI stand bySay nothingBut I let the things go over my head andwhat I do?Say nothingIt was right there up in my face andI stood thereSaid nothingIt came up with arms that embraced

I said nothingCan’t believe I let it escape me while I stoodSaid nothingStood right next to me, vividly and I did nothingInvited me to sit exclusively I did nothingTook it’s hands to meekly hold my chinI did nothingStared in my eyes to stride pass the premiseI did nothingWhat I wanna know is...Did I miss the time with you?Did I miss a time with you?

Row A Ginger Pearlson June 21.  © All rights reserved Flipping through EssenceGinger pearls strewn acrossthe page Realizing so manydon’t know what that meansStill asking them same questionsThinking those pearls still don’t meritthose kind of dreams

Not even considering that if leftin the hands of the human heavenSome things aspired to wouldnever see the light of dayLike those leaflets where there’sa row of Nubian honey All mac make upped with designercadence

Hips big and mouths born fullFiercely unashamed Ain’t apologizing for nobodyor they mamafor big thighs and closeafros, long plaits and wide

noses piqued for dramaTaunting with sassiness

to see the beauty in themSee the beauty in youCause God didn’t make onepigment of burnish He put the peacock in the backRipped with textureFlan moodsUsed to call it big bonedand body for days

Say you can try but take it lowor bring it high as the everglades Bar Delta Sigma Theta hood has been raisedNobody can be a Benita likethe girls of colorMs. mama jama do don yourfeather’s Hold down the seal to the mold

Afronueon June 23.  © All rights reserved

po missah leaderstirrin pot of hopepo missah leadermasses gray his hairpo missah leaderWho got you up there

Mon June 25.  © All rights reserved Chills conjugatingIt’s been an entire yearYou been gone away from hereThough I can’t behold your presenceRotate your songs and feel the essenceI watch as orbital discs do turns

Within the crux the memory burnsWhile I miss you in the soul of meGlad you shared grand totalityGonna miss signature MIcheal cryStars sit shining in your eyesWhirly sequined show like spindle

Walking backwards made grown folk grinSparkle so big they called it “moon”Time got faint the way it flewThe world is proof you came this wayGod is proof from whom you cameHe’s got M's spirit in his hands

We thank’em dear for such a manWe thank’em dear for such a manSinging prince once charmed a landSinging prince once charmed a land

Whut Hur Number Frocentric?on June 26.  © All rights reserved

Because she is youthfulDon't confuse wit no cougarHer body trick itselfIgnore her hot flashesas her muted lashes betraysecrets keptHer mouth lies but it'sall in her eyesHer body trick itselfShe stay youthful and vexingCan't no body be guessingwhut uh number is

Mandika’s Afro SentimentsAn Ethnic Journey

I thank my sweetness T Edward Smithin collaboration with Golden Bear Enterprise