THE BALLAD OF SAM
(T. Beechey)
Sam was a boxer from the neighborhood,he loved to box but he wasn't that good
Out of thirty-eight fights,he'd only won five --- three cause the other guy didn't arrive
His manager told him to call it quits,his doctor said he took too many hits
His wife and mother got on their knees and begged him,"Sam,retire! Please!"
But Sam had a dream since he'd been a boy and thinking about it brought him joy
He dreamt about getting a title shot and this is the part that he liked a lot
He punched the champ again and again,he finally falls,the ref counts ten
And the crowd begins to cheer and scream,Sam is the champ --- boy,what a dream!
In his thirty-ninth fight against a southpaw,Sam twisted his knee and broke his jaw
In his fortieth fight against an unknown,Sam's shoulder snapped and he broke a bone
His manager said with an angry scowl,"Sam,it's time to throw in the towel"
But Sam wouldn't listen to the man because he had his own little plan
You see,Sam had a dream since he'd been a boy and thinking about it brought him joy
He dreamt about getting a title shot and this is the part that he liked a lot
He punched the champ again and again,he finally falls,the ref counts ten
And the crowd begins to cheer and scream,Sam is the champ --- boy,what a dream!
One day while promoting his upcoming bout,the champ stopped by to check things out
He watched all the fighters spar and train --- some looked real good,others seemed in pain
That night,he received a troubling call: his next opponent couldn't fight at all
So either the fight would be surpassed or he'd have to find a replacement --- fast!
Sam heard the news and,at seven A.M,he called the hotel and talked with them
The champ and his manager,telling them how he wished he could fight the champ right now
They both started laughing,"Your record stinks! All you've fought is a bunch of finks!
"And lost them all except for five! You're about the worst boxer alive!"
Sam got undressed and crawled in bed,thinking about all the things they said
Was he no good? Just a joke? He called the hotel and again he spoke
With them both and pleaded his case as tears were streaming down his face
"This chance may never again!" he tearfully explained to the men
"I've had a dream since I'd been a boy and thinking about it brings me joy
"I dream about getting a title shot and this is the part that I like a lot
"I punch the champ again and again,he finally falls,the ref counts ten
"And the crowd begins to cheer and scream and I'm the champ --- that's my dream!"
The champ thought it might be good for a laugh,he'd finish this bum in a round-and-a-half
The fight was set and Sam's manager shrilled "I won't be there to see you get killed!"
Sam entered the ring all alone,the champ's manager said "He's yours to own!"
Rounds one to three belonged to the champ as he beat Sam's face bloody and damp
Thirty-five seconds in round four when Sam didn't think he could take any more
He threw a punch with a resounding thud,the champ's whole nose exploded in blood
The crowd began to wildly applaud,the announer screamed "Oh my God!"
Snarling with his face beet red,the champ exclaimed "Sam,you're dead!"
Sam threw another with a deafening smack and the champ fell flat upon his back
Back to his corner Sam did run but the ref didn't even count to one
The champ was out just like a light! Sam was the champ --- he'd won the fight!
The crowd arose and chanted his name and Sam thought about his sudden fame
Yes,Sam had a dream since he'd been a boy and thinking about it brought him joy
He dreamt about getting a title shot and this is the part that he liked a lot
He punched the champ again and again,he finally falls,the ref counts ten
And the crowd begins to cheer and scream,Sam is the champ --- boy,what a dream!
Night falls as blossom closes
Tickles starlight as the gale begins
Soon clouds drop beneath the speckled canopy
Heavy shroud pressing on petals shut
Wind raises dust in the night
Stirring, stinging, blinding with force
Flower holding breath trembling with fright
Crying out with a gasp, "Where is the dawn!!!"
Trees sway, boughs bend and break, dust swirls
With only a dream and a hope on which to remain
Clinging to earth's soul with all of his little might
Little flower at broken gate, night watch to keep
Life all but ceases while absorbing storm's lashing
Seems like forever until it passes
Survivors lick the wounds as blanket of hurt hovers
Gently releasing a baptism of blessing
Sweet drops of divine grace
Soothe and comfort stem's soul
Giving strength to hold securely
Until the warm hugs of sun's smile
And kisses from summer's breeze receive.
"Good morning, Morning!"
"Do I dare spread my wings again?"
"Oh, it hurts!"
"It's not the same!"
Straining with tears to meet the light
Wondering what colors now will be
Leaf is broken with damaged blossom
Yet remains steadfast living its purpose.
Copyright Pushkva May 8, 2004
Have you the lamp of change
Light it up!
For thee alone 'twas not given
Let it shine!
To lighten the dark world,
To brighten the Lukewarn Stagnant earth,
To illuminate the gloomy planet.
Dare not put under a bushel
For that was not the mission
rejection shall thy portion be
if thou accept not thyself
bother nobody with your travails
so they 'll not boast and fume
when the rainy nights are over
to give way to the sunny day.
Blame nobody not even yourself
For your calamities and misfortunes
and if what ye have with thee
is not the harvest,
make it a seed.
think you not that you
would have salvage the situation
should you have done something else
never you live in your past.
Unchangeable, but your morn 'll
be bright and fufilled.
You can't get there fast
like your comtemporaries!
but can get there slow and steady
even more successful than they.
And till in the future the deed appears
Light it up!.
some days i am green. i want and want what others have.
some days i am red. i am angry with myself and others.
some days i am yellow. i am scared of the world.
some days i am blue. i reach for others but there is no one.
some days i am grey. i can't see happiness.
some days i am orange. i need attention.
some days i am black. i can't see the light.
some days i am white. i see goodness.
some days i am a whole spectrum.
those are the days when i am complete.
-1-
أغني لتلك السواحلِ
يمضغها الرملُ ،
يأكلها وجع’’ من بطونِ التواريخِ ،
اتكأتْ عند خطِ التماسِ السماواتِ بالبحرِ ،
تغزلُ من موجهِ خيمةً
يستريح بها القهرُ والصبرُ والانتظارْ.
أغنّي وصوتي مئذنة’’ حملتها الرّياحُ ..
تُزفزفُ من آخرِ الزمنِ الآسيويِّ –
فريح’’ تُدحرجها للوراءِ
وأُخرى تلوذ بها للأمامِ – الذي
يتحصنُ بين الشذى والبهارْ .
-2-
أغني لرملِ السواحلِ
احتشدتْ فيه أشباحُ عشاقِ عصرٍ
من النورِ كانَ ،
وإنّ عصورا من النورِ سوف
تجيىءُ .. مع النورسِ القُلْزُميِّ ..
ومن كلِّ صوبٍ وحدبٍ
مع الخيلِ والليلِ .. والفرحِ المستجيشْ .
أغني لرملِ السواحلِ
والصوتُ يَعلو .. ويَسمو
وينثالُ فوق القراميدِ ،
يُدلج في البحرِ
يضربُ في البِّر ...
حتى إذا أدركته المرافىءُ
حطَّ لكي يستريحْ .
-3-
يساورني –
حين ألقاكَ نهباً مباحاً لكلِّ قراصنةِ البحرِ...
كلِّ لصوصِ أُوربا ..
وكلِّ نفاياتِ آسيا – بكاءْ .
فأمتشقُ السيفَ والنصلَ
أغزوكَ ،
أغزو المروءةَ فيكَ
وأغزو البطولةَ فيكَ
وأنتهرُ الخيلَ كي تستفيقَ ..
وأنتهرُ العربَ القدماءْ .
وأخرجُ فيكَ بجيشيَ..
لا تغربُ الشمسُ فوق مضاربه ،
جندُه باع دنياهُ
واقتحم الموتَ ..
متظراً في الحدودِ الإشارةَ
حشداً من الشهداءْ .
فقُمْ .. أيها البحرُ ..
قُمْ واغتسلْ وتوضأ واقرأ ،
لنعطي الاشارةَ
للواقفين صفوفاً .. كُتوفاً
من البابِ للبابِ ..
بالسيفِ والنصلِ والكبرياءْ .
-4-
فها هي ذي السُفنُ العربيةُ
تنشرُ فوق البحارِ القُلوعَ ...
تعود محملةً بالتوابلِ والعاجِ والعطرِ والآبنوسِ
من الهنِد والبونِت ،
طالعةً في أعالي البحارِ
“Baby Boi’s Delima”
How dare you let that fool u fuckin with deprive you of your justdue respect?
Why is all of a sudden is it acceptable for him to ignore you while he spits game at some other cat?
Since when did independence become a thing of your past?
And just how long do you think this “co-dependence” will last?
You had it going on before you met him you were doing just fine!
You are priceless, but you continue to let him reduce you to a “dime”?!?
Lately you second guessin your thoughts and goals all for what?
Because that niggah didn’t support them or cuz he’s got a cute butt?
Recognize game pimpin you know a player when u see one, don’t play a fool too long!
Before you know it he’ll have u beleiving that you no longer belong on your rightful throne!
Don’t let that punk stop your progress, you on the right track; don’t let his insecurity become yours as well!
And I bet if he was put through the trials and tribulations of faithful love he’d fail!
Just call it how you see it if you haven’t let your lust for him blind you to what’s real!
Next time you consider bein wit him remind yourself of all the teary eyed nights he was supposed to be with you and how it made you feel!
Baby Boi you’re beautiful, and not just because you built like a movie star, but because you are truly a rare find!
Sweet hearted, sensative, loyal, intelligent, spiritual, family oriented, strong, but the true treasure is your mind!
Just take inventory, weigh your options, stay focused, think about what’s best for you!
Compare the times he’s made you happy verses not and if they’re out of balance then that’s your biggest clue!!!
By Bryant Mosley
Life is filled with many mistakes
The chances you take baby
are worth your many tries
Don't stop unless you see the sign
Keep it moving chile'on down the line
Life is filled with grief and heartache
Seek peace and you'll find sure relief
You might just say,
"I can't walk on these sorely achin' callused feet."
You just keep on struttin'down chile'
that long narrow street
Life is filled with sudden mishaps
But your dreams..
Don't you let disappear
It's worth your many experiences
and your reap of harvest is near
Keep on marching, you better march on chile'
through your bitter yet never wasted years
Life's a game some folks say
We play till the death
There's purpose and meaning
in your God given breath
Beloved you're tired and you've cried
Lift up your head now hold it high!
Oh....it's some journey that a man says,
"I'll rise and walk today."
Chile' life you know will end
then down to the shallow grave
My world is crumbling 'round me
The ground shakes beneath my feet
The sky is falling upon my head
And yet I can't admit defeat.
I cannot lie- I'm frightened.
And I don't know what to do
I'm losing half my family
And slowly losing you.
My mind's caved in completely
I'm trapped beneath the rubble
Stuck in quicksand of confusion
Yet I dare not say I'm in trouble.
I hope someone breaks through this wall
And Just holds me in Embrace
Comforts me, Loves me forever
I pray this is the case.
Freedom Flight
Such a wondrous sight to see,
The flight of an uncaged bird
Unteathered, self reliant
Rising above all obstacles.
Free to soar the earth
In search of new discoveries
Gliding the winds
With passionate wings...
"A free spirit abounds!"
by Barry Anderson