What's Going On with Us These Days

There is a lot of wrong in the world today. People are the main cause of the wrongs. The animals known their roles and they live for that -whether they hunt or are the hunted.

We humans however prefer to cheat, steal and lie to get our own way and to gain power. It is a fact - "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely." Biggy and Puffy also sang it well "more money, more problems."

So why the inane drive to gather it all? Unfortunately this is the cliche - it's human nature. Everybody can't be perfect and we should not try to be. We all need to focus on trying to be right with God, ourselves, our family and friends.

We know there is wrong everywhere. So what we can do individually. Do the best that you can and hopefully your good works will influence others to do the right thing too. It is always hoped that good works will be infectious. Some people look at good works like it's a negative thing but I think that those people are the ones who just need to re-evaluate themselves. Instead of watching and criticizing - we need to set better examples for our youth to help them to excel rather than rebel.

No matter what - wrong and crime will be there. There is no perfect world for us on earth. We just have to really pull ourselves together - accept defeat when it comes and celebrate the wins that we gain.

Let Your Light Shine - stop waiting and LIVE

I can no longer leave my blog untouched. There is too much to write about. From hair to politics, I have so many thoughts that I need to share.

Today is about getting the 'GET UP AND GO.' There are so many times that we find reasons to deny ourselves or to refrain from taking action or speaking up and out. If you read this blog, don't wait until you reach 25 or until January 1 to be proactive. Do what you have to do today.

I will not say that I am perfect but I take risks that are worth my while. People think that I am crazy because I put my car down after the transmission broke. It was a hard decision but I have to look out for my best interest. People would also say that I was stepping out on a limb to sign up to write for an online publication. I love writing for Suite 101 because writing more only advances my talents and resume.

While I live on a small island, it does not mean that I can't extend my talents internationally. How can I become a better writer or poet if my work is not shared. Too many people are afraid to experiment with opportunity. There will be challenges especially those that after intellectual property. However, as the hymn 'This Little Light of Mine" says "hide it under a bushel - NO, I'm gonna let it shine."

You have to find ways to inspire yourself. Sitting an waiting for your parents, boss or spouse to push you forward will get you NO WHERE. You have to find that inner drive and propel yourself forward. It's not every venture that will give you the best results. On the other hand, just taking that step into the unknown is a good learning experience.

THINK. BE INSPIRED. SHARE. LIVE

Ribbon

Blog, oh Blog - I have not Forsaken You

I know I have not written in my blog for while. I am now writing for Suite 101 and I love it because it keeps me busy. My blog in recent posts has more become the poetry generator. I will admit that several more poems have been written since the last post here on Blogger.

Poetry seems easier for me to write. I play with words and it comes. I guess it's second nature now - maybe more first. It's like my singing - I do not sing as much as I used to and I think my voice has deteriorated but the more I write - the easier it is to share my poems.

These are my thoughts tonight (while listening to some Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Marvia Providence):

spirit
alive
passion
be free
smile
unhinged
in one look
it's me
feeling
so special
being
a new me
surrounded
by nature
this love
how it captures
with joy
it enlivens
with peace
it strengthens
YES
it's indirect
and YES
it protects
never rejects
shows respect
and in fact
I know know
that this
is the
only
love
that
I need
because
it comes
from
heaven

© ribbon 2010

Music Makes Me Tick

Sweet reggae has an effect on me that I just can not explain. It makes me mellow and then I start to sing in a high falsetto and smile. Ras Attitude, Niyorah and Pressure are US Virgin Islands reggae artists who have a knack for really making me smile. I think it's just the positive lyrics that always promote a healthy image of a woman and also of the family unit.

Of course my British Virgin Islands brothers like Shine-I, Maccabee, Capable, Imo and Ritical bring the hard-hitting positive vibe as well.

I love most kinds of popular music - soca, reggae, dancehall, R&B and hip-hop. If you get me in the right mood, I may listen to some pop and enjoy it.

Music is really my favorite hobby and pasttime after writing poetry of course. I can only dream about composing lyrics because I am just straight up poetess. I leave the song lyrics to the lyricists.

the beat
and the vibe
touch me
embrace me
making me convulge
in a manner
not expected
even when
driving
I can't keep still
It's the music
the music
the music
YEAH YEAH
RAH RAH
I just
love the music

ribbon

POEM: Cloud Love

Above
my fears
above my dreams
stands strength
hope and love
and this is only so
because your love
rings strong and sets me
straight
no longer narrow
but love wide
enough to fill the ocean
and capture the skies
since you came around
it's a new dawning
a new morning
a new beginning
a strong feeling
it's a perfect rhythm
style and fashion
of beauty
poise
and refined peace
it's love
in the highest sense
highest form
highest order
sent from above
Cloud love

Words

this is mind-blowing sex
yes I said sex
because you blow my mind
with your word sex
you are suave
slick, smooth
and sly
and I like you
like that
that sex
that makes me
quiver
with
just two words
'Hi Honey'
the opener
that opens my mind
to accept
your sex
O how I love
to hear you
speak
so direct
so street
so sweet
that
figurative words
can't contain
how I want to
literlly
love you
yes
and your
mind-blowing sex
is all I need to get me going

You have done it all

You have become my strength
Filling voids so deep and so expansive
That I feel so filled
So rich
And so complete

You release my inspiration
Making me more creative
More powerful
With more of a flow
That gives me the real high

You are my source of love
It’s not how I love you
It’s how I need you
You calm my fears
And more and more
Everyday
I need you near

The joy that you bring
Is intense
I’m so elated
And so enriched
With happiness
Every time you smile at me

I am now solidly happy
Strengthened
Inspired
Loving
Joyous
With these feelings you
You make me complete

Right & Just

Haiti has trembled, Port-au-Prince is crumbled and Haitians are in need of help. California's beaches are receding. The BVI's nasty little secrets of pollution, environmental degradation and lack of proper waste management practices are trickling to the big world.

Crime is everywhere. AIDS is everywhere. Cancer is striking both young and old. It seems to be a worldwide epidemic of global suffering.

CNN's cry is that the survivors of the earthquake have a harder fight in staying alive - water, food and medicine are what are needed.

As all the different issues go on in the world, I sit at home trying to figure out why there is no UNITY among us all. It appears that even in times of crises, we are divided. I cannot understand or fathom what the agenda - hidden or known might be. The only agenda for me right now is to do what is right and just!

POEM: What have I done?

What have I done to help the oppressed?
Have I ever said a good word to one who is depressed?
Do I behave like I am human when I am stressed?
Or do I act like I don't know people when i am dressed?
Up and down the road of life as each daily move brings us strife,
why can't we treat each other better?
Why should you be hungry while I get fatter?
Why should you always be first and then I am left behind for your laughter?
Will you smile in my face as your lies get more craftier?
Don't you think that you are your brother's keeper?
Don't you think that we should all be richer?
Are you focused only on material things?
Aren't you tired of dragging others people's purse strings?
Don't you think it's time to spread your wings?
Don't you know what showing love can bring?
Don't you know how a good deed can begin?
Do I need to lose for you to win?
Or can we all just forgive each other's sins?

ribbon

Soca in Me Waist

I love SOCA music. It is so me, so Caribbean, so BVI, so cultural and so moving. You can speak about issues in a smart way while getting the populace to wine and basically exercise their cares away - without whining! Everyone knows I love a good play on words.

My children seem to love SOCA too. I find awesome videos on YouTube, like Claudette Peters, Alison Hinds, Peter Ram, Rupee, Kevin Lyttle. Of course, these are the artists that have been able to receive full Caribbean fame and some are internationally recognized as well.

In the past, I wanted to be a calypsonian but I'm not really a good enough singer to pull that off. I have a friend and fellow poet, April, who has that voice and that range to sing, sing and sing! She's definitely going to do many great things in her lifetime. Ribbon said it!

For me, SOCA is the best music to exercise to. I tried that Soulja Boy business, but I was out of breath. lol Of course, the children loved that music too. They are born into the generation of hyped yet lyrically empty music so I guess it is my job to ensure that they get a taste of examples of lyrically deep music.

I'm not saying that I have the greatest collection, but I do have some Luther Vandross, Bob Marley and Steel Pulse in my house - of course this is the music that I appreciate. If you have some Bach or Bon Jovi - that's all good too!

Whatever your taste - enjoy and appreciate it. I love my soca, reggae, gospel, R&B and Hip Hop but for keeping in shape - SOCA is the way!