The POET in ME

I took a week off from writing in my blog and I ended up wiriting more poetry. So I think I need a good balance in my writing. Check this out:

My jeans tell the story of time
As we walk down the runway line
Bell-bottoms
Stone-wash
high waisted
and low rise
Pleated front
And faded
From back then to now
The fashion shows
That fashion comes
And goes
And comes back
And is unique
To each soul


I have just been playing around with words a lot more and have been able to think of topics and compose. I feel like I have grown as a writer. I guess too that since I am the one coming up with the topics, there is no pressure to write in a certain way or to focus to a certain audience.

I typically don't like to write for competitions or when asked to perform at certain events unless I have a piece or pieces already written on that theme. What I hate more is when the persons asking you to perform request that you include certain ideas or issues in the poem. Excuse me, you should have written the poem yourself then. Let my inspiration flow and work in the theme. Anything else is forced and shows in the performance.

I wrote a piece for my sister's wedding and I did not even try to rhyme - I played with a concept and it worked and I was happy with it.

Of course, I love writing happy pieces but I have a piece to write for my great aunt's funeral and it does make me sad. I plan to word it not as a 'missing you' piece but as a higlight of her accomplishments. I may share that one with you.

I didn't create this blog to share poetry. I created it to improve my writing overall. I guess the poet in me must share a piece every now and then.

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Some Choice Words

I am down to earth. What does that mean? I am short? I am live in Australia? No, No - it means that I am cool, friendly and accepting of new people and new ideas. So why term it 'down to earth?' English is really a crazy language. 

 Even to say I am 'cool' today does not mean neither in between warm and cold. It means, I am nice and helpful. 'She cool man, she will help you cause she got my back'. 'Got your back'? She took your 'back'? Then how are you standing straight? No, she will help me in what ever way I need, like a good 'hook-up'. (Holler if you hear me!) So she's going to hang me or gut me, then - hook-up? I don't think so. She knows ways to make things easier so you don't have the hassle, kind of like a facilitator. (Or is she aiding and abetting?) 

 You better check your cool, down to earth hook-up cause she may not have your back when the thing hits the fan. O man, more twisted words - this language is ridiculous. Can we speak for one day without using these terms? We are so accustomed of twisting the language and adopting phrases from other dialects and cultures that many things we say will get lost in translation. [no pun intended].

 It is most important to know how to speak professionally in an office setting versus speaking with family and friends. Read more (read my blog) and write more - not just social media writing. It will help you to maintain the balance. Persons who are supervisors and management should still type certain correspondence for themselves. 

I have been lucky to have superiors who have a command of grammar but I know persons who have 'airheads' for bosses. The airheads are the worst because they can't write nor spell. So, what's an airhead? I think that the connotation is quite clear - emptyheaded, ditsy, asea, dumb .........

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Flavor or Flava

FLAVOR FLAV is the MAN! I really like that show because simply it makes me laugh. I don't think that any of those girls actually want to know or love FLAV. They are all just looking for exposure and want to be like New York. New York's show ran for two seasons and she is probably sitting with a chunky bank account right now. 

Reality Shows are the rave right now. All ages and races are tuned in. All I see is the nasty side of human nature showing on these shows. Backbiting, fighting and cursing make the ratings go higher as the participants strive for more camera time. Anyone who sits quietly on a reality show is always sent home. 

In cases where, LOVE is the prize, one loud person always make it to the finals. I guess on American Idol, a quiet and introverted person would get the big boot. The TV networks have us stuck in reality mode as they have cancelled so many sitcoms - how will the TV actors get work? As we make way for all these budding reality stars, they are looking for more roles which are slowly becoming minimal. 

So it's Top Model, American Idol, Flavor of Love, Miss Rap Supreme and I lost track ... VHI probably has the biggest budget for reality shows. There's no more Pop-Up Video! It's a mess but it 21st century TV. Reality shows will be what we see in 3D. See the gold teeth up close.........

S H O E S ................and shoes

Shoes...where are you? 

 I wear size 6 shoes. I love shoes. 

BUT I have a problem with shoes. 

...shoe shopping specifically. 

 I have visited the many shoe stores in the BVI and have had the hardest time finding dressy silver shoes in a size 6. Please note that for size 7 and up, there is an abundance of styles to choose from. Prices start from $20. These silver shoes are for a special occasion. I would like to use them again but for $129 - I'd rather not go that far. I'll be using them until I am 40. I have made up my mind and convinced myself that metallic gray is silver and this is what I will buy. 

Hopefully, when I go for them tomorrow - they will be there. I have bought shoes and in one week, the pairs have been forwarded to Red Cross or Humane Society because I found them uncomfortable. And for $129 and after starving myself for week, I would be a crazy and hungry fool. $30 pair here I come. I will make them comfortable and convince myself that they are perfect. Who's gonna care anyway! 

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What, Hair? Wear....

A woman's hair is her crown. A black woman's hair is her glory. Yet, when you look around today, many black women are unhappy with their roots.

Why does no one like their curly/kinky hair? Straight and afro weaves are more commended and adorned. Hairdressers and braiders blow dry hair straight to make the corn rows look better. When did we give up our crowns to look like other races?

All of a sudden, my braids are not good enough for work or a wedding. Have the lye and no-lye relaxers burned black women's brain cells? I think my knots, braids, or afro look great every day. Everyone wants to live in the norms and look like Britney Spears or Tyra Banks. I don't mind standing out.

All I am saying is 'do yours' and I'll 'do mine.' If I don't fit your norms, then so what? 'Oh you know in the States, you can't get a job with your hair like that!' Have you seen my credentials and my experience? Have you seen me in an interview? As my good poet Oren said, "it's Neither Hair nor There."

So who cares about my hair? If you have to have a conversation about my hair or me, that means I am important. It doesn't take anything off of me.

Big up to the natural hair, dreads, cornrow, bongo-wearing ladies - wear your crown proudly!

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My Name is.......

My name is simple. Someone said my name sounds old and boring and it suits me.

According to http://www.thinkbabynames.com/, the meaning is "idol; a small songbird". It may not be popular now but hey, I learned to spell it quickly and I love it.

These days, we play with combinations or parents names or we make them up and that is cool. What parents should be mindful of is Elementary and High School classmates who can be cruel and twist people's names around. I am very good at ignoring idiots so they can twist away. However, we should teach children the meaning and origin of their names so that they can appreciate it and defend it.

I am BLACK DIAMOND to the bone. I did not understand the name at first but it has inspired me and I wrote a poem about my grandfather, the original BLACK DIAMOND. See VI Callaloo: Poems from the Caribbean to read it. Actually everyone in my grandfather's lineage is proud to be a BLACK DIAMOND descendant. My children will be taught to appreciate it as well.

A nickname like BLACK DIAMOND is good but to call yourself Toilet Paper or Soot or Dirt is just ridiculous. I prefer not to use a nickname. People cut my name short and then it's like they are calling my dad since my name is a derivative of my dad's. When he comes by, he is quick to correct them. GO DAD!

Check yourself - check your name - don't let anyone call you down!

Callaloo Poets & VIIA nourish the Mind, Body & Soul on April 19, 2008

Callaloo Poets & VIIA nourish the Mind, Body & Soul on April 19, 2008

April 19, 2008 is the third Saturday of the month and the Callaloo Poets and the Virgin Islands Improvement Association (VIIA) will present 'Food 4 Thought: Nourish the Mind, Body, and Soul'. This 'open mic' event starts at 7:00pm at Mellow Moods in Road Town, Tortola. Performers are asked to arrive at Mellow Moods at 6:45PM for sign-up.

Poetry Readings are held every third Saturday of the month. For more information about the Callaloo Poets and the VIIA, please visit http://www.myspace.com/vicallaloo and http://www.viimprovement.org/.