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THE POETS' CORNER
Alas, Beauty..
Alas, Beauty has come into being, a Queen
has arisen
Her glory is often heard in my mind, just
listen
Because it is quite possible that the
thoughts I think
As my eyes blink could be manifested like
the gloss covering mink,
Alas, beauty has entered the cipher called
by my name
And in expressing feeling for this princess
I bear no shame
Whatever she asks will be the guide of my
actions
And for her to ever mention my name
from her mouth
would cause eminent satisfaction
Alas, beauty has been refined in the prism
for Black men to see
Quite, mannered and sexy is the aura, but
whether she sees me is a mystery
I hope with all the effort that my soul and
mind can afford
That you will receive the love my heart
has stored
Alas, beauty is embodied in the grace of an
original Black woman
Apparently, the contour of her body is
adequate to make a dead .man stand
Or raise a God - King like me to realize that
I am never alone
As long as the vision that is you is never
gone.
By Jimmie Ophelia Woods, Jr.
I Once Dreamt of A Queen
I once dreamt of a reflection in a small pool
The sky was orange, the earth I knelt in, damp and cool
1 only visualized and realized that morning that I am a King
Because the image which laid before me was Queenly
1 once dreamt of a Queen so royally accented
1 complimented, and I submitted because I knew she
represented
The wisdom of my grandmother, the compassion of my
mother
The love of my wife, and the caretaker of my seeds
I once dreamt of a Queen that delighted blind men
Then astounded those who actually saw, when...
She entered the temple and the Gods became silent
For the gloss of silk-covered black skin, commanded...
I once dreamt of a Queen whose dark eyes allowed a glance
into her soul
Without a word, or gesture to cajole, I was “stole”
I only have to offer, the things which I possess
A truth I attest, lest, 1 suggest... offering knowledge, compas
sion, and understanding
No Kingdom do I own..., other than the universe
1 think it a meager gift hardly worthy of your purse
For it is true, that it is for you, I am gladly made a hand
servant anew
Only because The Queen I once dreamt of, is you...
By Jimmie Ophelia Woods, Jr.
FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
The rising sun awakens the ocean.
Feel the new day coming in?
Oh, how I’ve awaited this moment
when life can stand still in a picture frame
and yet continue with every soft ripple that rolls
onto the shore.
I sing wind songs as I’m caught in the melodies
of the breeze.
Soft.
Cool.
Refreshing.
Alive.
Non rhythmic notes that flow freely -
From the heart... to the heart.
There is no need to open your eyes to see the
light, my child
For you ARE the precious sunrise.
I go with the flow as each wave
qaptures the serenity of my mind
EASY! EASY!
The sun grows stronger, the ripples grow louder
And each represents one more layer of strength
which never
surpasses me.
Do you hear my cry my child?
I bathe in that which has not yet overcome me.
I do this for you.
Rise my child.
For as you stay strong, I will dwell on
your energies and await what is near to over
come me.
Time after time after time after time.
It is near, you are here.
I weep in the glories of the heavens above.
We are one now.
... But why do you depart so soon my child?
Shine a little longer!
I can feel the energies slip through the winds as
the waves
move to the lands beyond.
Do not feel sad - we shall meet for eternity.
Go easy.
Come back easy.
Easy come.
Easy go.
And what is that cool glow that eases my every
pain?
Makes all waves of troubles move to far, far
away lands?
Gives peace and serenity in mystical ways?
Answer me!!!! oh, answer me!!!!
For I am in your shadows that reflect from the top
of the skies
Alas -1 am secure.
I I I
I am home my father.
By Rhonda L. Terry
GAZES
Slow drips of water glide down the
shell in your hand
on to the sand where my toes are buried.
The sky is placid az.ure above us and the sand
is warm cotton below.
Av / grasp the shell, it falls to its home
inside of its love.
And we gaze into eyes; each mirroring the
same passion. ^
And match our breaths and marbeaA
By Redelia Shaw
Death of a Black Woman
(IN TRIBUTE TO ZELONDA McNEAL)
Tears upon her face
with no soothing place to go
Her heart ached with pain
leaving a deep and burning sore
Eyes all cold and vacant
by thoughts that can't be found
Her body absorbed by hurt
her life no longer a crown.
Drops of tears keep falling
they roll so sadly away
They go about their journey
with no sure place to stay.
Touch of a vicious gun
captured the life she knew
Marred by an outrage
by the apathy of me and you
A precious life of beauty
has faded into the air
While those who shared her virtues
must live henceforth in despair
Drops of tears keep falling
they roll from day to day
They go in search for Zelonda
the Queen we took away.
By Brother Artis X
In memory of the girl who was the
victim of a drive- by shooting near the
Garage night club.
Darkest Man
Go ahead, look out for
the Darkest Man;
He has a look that
the world can't stand.
He is cool, but could
be deadly; and for
the world he has the key
He knows not much about
the book on the shelf;
but He knows all that
He says of Himself.
By Rodney E. Mitchell
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