Monday, December 28, 2009

Dry Eyes

Dry Eyes

She done cried so long she has dry eyes
No longer asking God whys
Almost as though her heart dies
…One last sigh…
Then it’s off to get in where you fit in
Big bright door leading to a life of sin
When you come from dirt and beer bottles, what’s left?
The pain is wearing on her flesh
They say skies the limit, she can be a chemist
But looking up at pollution everyday, that dream diminished
Her heart is dark and cold like the other side of the moon
Don’t care; she’ll eat off your plate with no spoon
Using what beauty she has left to get by
Using man made material to get high
She’s barley two and a half decades old
But you would think she’s been through double winter cold
Nature, nurture, or out of her control?
Who determines her role?
Everyone has a choice but she’s behind the eight ball
And what help are tears that fall?
Stuck between what has to be done and the fast life
She’s left the Tribe and the Quest like Phife
So when she can’t cry for herself, who cries for her?
God does during spring rapture
Knowing that, she can turn her life to the high side, God’s side
And she won’t worry about wetting a dry eye

Monday, December 21, 2009

Stand for nothing, fall for any thing....

Where I Stand

Where I stand is important to who I am
Rather then sit I’ll stand up for the black vote
I’m a laid back dude and I don’t really stand out
But when I’m needed I try to stand in
To protect my closest I’ll stand in front
But if they want I’ll stand behind to watch they back
And when you really need me I’ll stand beside you
Got to keep it moving to succeed so I’ll never stand down
Keep pushing forward, not one of these dudes just standing round
I know I’m short but through it all I try and stand tall
In today’s world you can’t just stand by
Because while you standing by, life is passing you by
Take a stand for something….anything
Where do you stand?

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Obama's 90... so far

The author is Professor Robert Watson of Lynn University who was once a writer for the New York Times.

Professor Watson writes:

Hi friends,


I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert

1.Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover A.F.B.
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover A.F.B.; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30.The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear non-proliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Re-engaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Re-engaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba , allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57. Increasing student loans
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; re-engaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66. Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!

by
Robert P. Watson, Ph.D. Coordinator of American Studies
Lynn University

Monday, December 14, 2009

Roses

Roses

Every night he goes to sleep with roses in his hand
He hopes she will find her way to them
He stayed late at basketball practice and she walked home
Problem was she never made it home
So now he dreams with a broken heart like John Mayer
And searches his dreams for her cause he is his biggest hater
He blames himself and won’t give up
But he is killing himself slow, like the burning of a blunt
He has to forgive himself to find his way to her
That’s the wall that’s blocking him from her
And every day he wakes with roses in his hand and pain in his heart
So he prays to God and says that waking up is the hardest part
God tells the man it was her time, her earthly walk had been complete
Still missing her, but with a better understanding, he rose to his feet
And that night he went to sleep with roses in his hand cut perfectly from the stem
And the next morning, he woke with out them

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Lonely Bed

Lonely Bed

It’s crazy not to wake up next to you
Forever left our lips, who knew?
I stare at this bed for the last time
Don’t know what to say, speechless like a mime
Covers made up so neat, you liked that
Now I can’t recognize it, like losing fat
Remember our 1st time in that bed
I lay in your arms while you rubbed my head
These were the best times we had
Never together in that bed were we mad
Memories people wouldn’t believe
Couples + bed = sex is what’s perceived
But we changed the rules of what’s expected
We would go just to lie together when things got reckless
I’m going to miss picking your brain
Or how you always stole the covers on nights when there was rain
It’s now a lonely bed
Complete with two, but now only has one head

Thursday, December 3, 2009

By Way of Cleveland

Remember that "project" I said I was working on with a few friends? Well yeah, it's about that time. By Way of Cleveland will be hitting you very very soon!! Cleveland get ready to be represented! I hope C-Town gets behind us, as we've been behind the Land. Cleveland is such a great city and historical city. Every city goes through their hard times and Cleveland has been hit hard, but there is so much culture and history in this small/big city.


The writers involved in this project can be found under the blogs I'm following (Dave, Te'Erra & Patrick). These writers are amazing and greatly talented in their own ways. So for us to come together and put this book together is awesome. I can promise you some very good poems and ideas and real emotions. This city means something different to us all and we brought that to the table. From every aspect, from sports to specific stories about our life.

Since y'all are cool with me, I'm a give y'all a little something to let y'all know what's in store... spread the word....

Dedication

By Way of Cleveland is a compilation book of these four writers ideas and thoughts. The back drop is the City of Cleveland, Ohio; or the 216. One way or another, the city has impacted these writers lives and you’ll be able to see that through their words. A strong sports town and well known historically, Cleveland has a lot to say through these artists. But it doesn’t stop there. This book is dedicated to Cleveland, but Cleveland is only where the journey begins…

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Nice Guy Box

This poem is from my first book, A Walk through My Mind..

The Nice Guy Box

So I guess I’m in the nice guy box
For me personally, it’s not a bad box
But I’m usually the underestimated dude
Or looked at different if I catch an attitude
I guess you just have to scream and shout all the time
But if I do get loud with you, I’m lying
So I’m acting now, when I’m just being me
I don’t have to be a thug to stand up for my girl or me
There is more than one level to a real man you see
No need to fight, for bull crap my skin is thick
But if you get under it, it can get crappy quick
But why?
Am I less of a man cause I let it fly?
Come on man, the world is changing
Rappers are in corporate America and maintaining
Save ya mean mug frown for the mirror
Look beyond your self to see much clearer
You not hard cause you a thug, being a thug is a choice
How proud are you when you not around to hear ya daughters voice
I didn’t walk down that road, I chose another
But I still get stereotyped cause of my color
I live in the hood, but I’m not “of” the hood kid
I’m a soft guy because I didn’t do a bid?
I’m a nice guy, so…
I’m not You, but I bet I’m a real man though
Prolly more real than you
You a coward, man who knew
So why I got to be in a box, why?
Nice guy. Why can’t I just be a guy?
Street cred, that’s overrated
Fighting because some one said you soft is out dated
Black men not taking care of they’re wife and kids, I hate it
So you can call me soft, I’ll stay humble
But when ya hard, tough guy self gets hit, I’ll laugh when you crumble
So if you’re looking to find me, I’ll be in my box