Thank you Jah Jah

When all is said and done
And you think the battle can’t be won
Your spirit rises to the surface
To show you that you’re in the right place
Then there’s nothing left to say
But thank you Jah Jah for a beautiful day

When the tide keeps rising high
And every ship seems to pass you by
From nowhere a life ring appears
To rescue you and allay your fears
Then there’s nothing left to say
But thank you Jah Jah for a beautiful day

When loneliness creeps into your door
And you think you just can’t go on any more
You remember one who’s closer than your kin
He loves you as you are and there will be no end
Then there’s nothing left to say
But thank you Jah Jah for a beautiful day

When you rise with the morning sun
And see another lovely day begun
You have your health, your mind is clear
And all is well for those whom you hold dear
Then there’s nothing left to say
But thank you Jah Jah for a beautiful day

Your Absence

Your absence digs a hole in my spirit
That can only be filled with the Majesty of the Divine
I say that as though you were once here, but you never were
Yet the knowledge that you are out there somewhere
Fills me with the hope that you will be here again
I say that as though you were once here, but you never were
I wake up every morning, retreating inside of myself like a turtle
Knowing I must go to work repairing that black hole you’ve left
That sucks out the beauty enjoyed by everyone else

I can live happily without you, in your absence
Fulfilling my purpose, loving, laughing, creating
But I don’t want to because your absence reminds me
Of colors I can no longer see, textures I can no longer feel
Again, I say that as though you were once here, perhaps you were
Are you a memory? Did we have a past life together?
I don’t know, your absence is too consuming to think about it
In your absence, I will assume the duties of making myself whole
So that upon your return, you will find no holes, I will be complete

Love Verse

No matter if you give me half or a whole of you
I can always feel the entire soul of you
Taking control of my heartbeat
You move me from my head to my feet
Always on time with the right words to say
You rock me, and your rhythm takes my blues away
So much harmony whenever you are near
You’re in tune with me that much is clear
One drop of you quenches my thirst
A day without you is certainly the worst
Sharp as a two edged blade
Even flat your beauty never fades
You’re the one that makes me feel free
Revealing the soul of a melody
I will never ever let you go
Oh music how I love you so

Mr. Dogooder

Mr. Dogooder you wanna do good
But you won’t go into the neighborhood
Thinking only of the bottom line
“Let’s raise money, as long as it ain’t mine”
Deciding what’s best for the poor
Just to keep them from your front door
Mr. Dogooder you wanna do good
Sayin to yourself “I wonder if Jesus would?”
Choosin who deserves help most
So on Sunday morning you can boast
Service becomes your payment for sin
Donations are write offs it’s a win win
Mr. Dogooder what good are you
When all your good doin helps so few

Judge Not

When you get an education outside the university
When your mind’s on something besides your money
When you know what it’s like to not feel free
When someone else chooses your possibilities
When you can’t figure out how you will fill your belly
When your child isn’t taught his own history
When you ain’t just tryin to taste my honey
When learn to recognize true royalty
When know how to honor your own body
When you feel the pain of senseless tragedy
When the roof of your house is stamped with GE
When you’re innocent but still have to take a plea
When you're not even allowed to keep your dignity
When you finally realize it’s time to take a knee
Even then you won’t be fit to judge me

Daydream

I saw you today, sitting under a tree
Reading a book, probably history or philosophy
Or something too complex for my state of mind
You are so peaceful in your silence, but I find
The silence to be deafening, and as I drew near
I wanted to run over and shout, “hey, I’m here!”
You probably wouldn’t have even seen or heard me
Sitting there alone, guarded by that tree
Immersed in your solitude without a care
Or was she there too? I didn’t notice or dare
There was a glow around you, beckoning me, a tease
If I came any closer, you’d disappear in the breeze
So I stood there and watched you not watching me
As you sat there alone, reading under that tree

My Joy Has Roots

You cannot steal my joy because
My joy is rooted in the knowledge that
I come from the land where civilization was born
My joy has the strength of a continent long desired
for its beauty and bountiful gifts
You cannot steal my joy because your hatred comes
from your own insecurities of your self imposed inferiority
To the wisdom, strength, and capacity for love that my ancestors
Passed down to me, my legacy
You cannot steal my joy because my joy is rooted in a beauty
That is lasting and strong enough to mix with any blood
And still pass it on to many generations
My joy is rooted in creation, revolution, resilience, and love
My joy is ethereal, omnipotent, merciful, and terrible
You cannot steal my joy with your worldly schemes and
Wicked devices because they are powerless to my joy
If you would just accept my love and allow yourself
To love me the same way I love you, we could
Change the color of sunsets and set the world on a new axis
But you are determined to steal my joy in all of your jealousy
Well I have a secret for you, my joy is immovable, because
My joy has roots.

Life's Journey

Drifting on the lonely sea
Rough winds come to bother me
Can’t I just drift peacefully?
If lonely is where I must be

Treading down a ragged road
Toting my own heavy load
Snakes come by just to goad
My patience will certainly soon erode

Finally at the mountaintop
Never got weary, so I didn’t stop
Looking down it’s quite a drop
But my journey I wouldn’t swap

Soaring above the clouds in the sky
An angel did come flying by
And with a twinkle in his eye
He said, “I always knew you could fly.”

Serendipity

Come with me tonight
Leave all your worries behind
Let your heart take flight
And unchain your mind

This is our moment in time
Our morsel of eternity
Allow your spirit to climb
To a state of ecstasy

Trepidation has no place here
Hesitation murders chance
Relax and release the fear
Allow our souls to dance

Fate may per chance fail
To yield to us forever
But passion will prevail
In the moments we’re together

Would fortune ever dare
To smile at destiny
My love it is rare
This serendipity

True Wealth

You say you want to be a friend to me
But you actin more like a frenemy
Telling me your secrets to keep
Hoping I'll let all mine seep
Diggin to find what you can find
To tell everyone what's on my mind

Stop tryin to play me Sista
You'll only play yourself
Don't keep taking me for granted brotha
Friendship equals true wealth

You refuse to see what Jah created
I 'm aware that I am hated
For the gifts the Most High gave me
Gifts I know will always save me
Frenemy why do you betray
Why you screw faced when my name you say

Stop tryin to play me Sista
You'll only play yourself
Don't keep taking me for granted brotha
Friendship equals true wealth

You say you love me
I know you hate me
You can't overstand me
Yet you want to be me

You playin yourself
You losin your wealth
You playin yourself
Friendship equals true wealth

Everyday

Soaking in the beauty that’s all around me
Each day something manages to astound me
Staying up all night to experience every moment
This life is what I make so I’m gonna own it

Living with eyes wide open so I can see my blessings
My mind is working overtime so I can learn my lessons
Dancing to the beat of my own drummer inside my chest
No one can tell me it’s wrong because it’s my best

Singing the sun up in the morning even when it rains
Worries don’t seem to last long because joy remains
Creating in hopes to bring more love to mankind
Love is right before you, seek and you shall find

Offering up my supplication to the Most High
I want to get it right on this try
Praying someday someone will join me in all of this
Because even the sun has the horizon to kiss

Allow me to Elaborate

I’m still confused as to why you hate
It’s not my intention to discombobulate
All I want to do is elevate…

Your mind
Your heart
Your consciousness

Hoping to improve how we relate
Forgive me if I infuriate
Let me give you something to contemplate…

We are one
We are equal
We are unique

Don’t know if I am able to eliminate
The apathy they seem to propagate
But let these thoughts penetrate…

Racism exists
Deception is real
Ignorance is winning

I hope your disdain for me dissipates
It only serves to separate
We’re more productive when we generate…

Love
Peace
Unity

Time

The hands of time have wreaked havoc on me
Caressing one cheek while slapping the other
My spirit has taking a beating
Yet I maintain a youthful and optimistic mask
Yes time is a bitch and a best friend to me
So many things left unsaid and undone
So many possibilities yet to come
How much time do I spend loving the unlovable
How much love do I give to those who won’t accept it
Time will tell? That bitch can keep a secret, for a minute
But she always tells at the most inopportune time
Just when I feel good, she tells me he doesn’t love me
When I think I finally get it, she shows me all I DON’T know
But time, my best friend, now she can be cool
I start feeling old, and she tells me I’m lookin good
When I’m feeling lonely, the phone rings
Yes, time, she’s a little schizophrenic
Can’t tell from one moment to the next what she’ll bring
And you never know when she’ll leave for good
She’s fickle that way, thinks it makes her mysterious
Crazy time. She gives and she takes
She forgives and forgets
She deceives and forsakes
She causes joy and regrets
But one thing I know for sure
I’m glad I have her.

Your Blues Ain't Like Mine

Hated by all throughout time
Even by my own kind
Judged simply by my hue
Not by what I say or do
Told I’m less for a lifetime
Your blues ain’t like mine
My ancestors swing in the breeze
My brothers pushed to their knees
Cause they’re in the wrong neighborhood
They can’t be up to any good
Stopped for the cars we drive
Halted just for being alive
While up the latter we strive to climb
Your blues ain’t like mine
Imitate our music, our style of dress
The food we eat, our nappy tress
Adopt our speech, mark our dance
And it becomes such a lovely romance
It’s a blessing you try to overstand
And walk like siblings hand in hand
Yet you’re a different creature in the public eye
"You’re not one of them" they sigh
Appreciation is good and fine,
But your blues ain’t like mine
Forget the past it’s said and done
Yet the battle still is not won
I know who I am, do you know what you see
Do you think you know what it’s like to be me
With good intentions the road to hell is paved
But your reality is not how I’ll be saved
Will love really conquer all
Only Jahlove will make babylon fall
In peace you say "be colorblind"
But no, your blues ain’t like mine

African Queen

Skin beautiful and black
The wind at your back
A sista with an ancient soul
Worth  much more than pure gold
The Lord holds you in His hand
So boldly you may stand
Blessed and you know it’s true
Giving to those what was given to you
African queen wear your heritage with pride
Your loveliness do not hide
It’s in your breasts which fed the world
It’s in your heart, a true black pearl
On your back you carried man
Holding him up when he could not stand
A village for the children are your loving arms
Treasures for memories, your abundant charms
African queen hold your head up high
Don't let your ancient spirit die

Stalled Consciousness

Consciousness is stalled turn it over again
You must get this journey started and it starts from within

Stop believing all you hear
Fearing what they fear
Don’t speak on something unless you’re clear

Judging those you don’t know
Lettin your ignorance show
Stop being surprised when you fail to grow

Got your mind on your money
Or chasin another honey
Your baby mama’s on welfare and you think it’s funny

Showing all the world what the Most High made
Skin all out making your true beauty fade
Then you’re stuck wonderin how you got played

Now is the time for you to elevate
Stop treating yourself like you’re second rate
Gaining wisdom has no expiration date

Consciousness is stalled turn it over again
You must get this journey started and it starts from within

2 b Alive

To open up your heart wide

And let someone else inside
To put away foolish pride
That’s what it is to be alive

Take all of your barriers down
Let your lost self be found
Throw away what’s making you frown
Possibilities abound

Let yourself feel all the joy and pain
Don’t think if you’ll lose or gain
Stop worryin about how to explain
It’s all very simple and plain

You can do more than just survive
Don’t you know you are made to thrive
Stop easing in just dive
That’s what it is to be alive

in Potentia*-for all the children taken too soon

Just a bud beginning to bloom

Your potential to blossom thwarted too soon

A world of possibilities brought to an end

Hearts left behind may never mend

Innocence eternally frozen in time

Too little of you left behind

A life abandoned in potentia, a waste

Springtime ended in such haste

Time to fly away home to Zion

Home to your Father, fly on.


*positive aptitude to be realized in the future

Word to the brothas (men)

How did you forget that I was human?
Tell me why don’t you recall I’m part of YOU man
With a serious face you say I’m lesser
Is that why you have to be an aggressor?

You say you’ll show me the way and the light
Must that way always involve a fight?
Daily you want to check my virtue
But you pay no mind to the things that you do

Raising your voice, you think I’ll cower
That tells me you ain’t fully aware of my power
Because I love you, you think that I will stay
But your selfishness just pushes me away

You say be patient woman, understand
But this disrespect has gotten out of hand
Is this how you would treat your own mother?
Then why do it to any other?

What you’re sending around will return
And I pray then maybe you will learn
A woman is someone to be treasured
And the love she gives cannot be measured

I’m hopin you’re takin this to heart
Because we’re already far enough apart
If you love you then you should love me

And you should treat me like I am royalty

The Revolution Need Not be Televised

The revolution need not be televised

It's occurring right before your eyes
When will you recognize
They want you to despise
Your sistas and brothas
Teach you to take others
Make us enemies not lovers
Get you to spend your hard earned dollars
So you can pop somebody else's collars
Too scared to lead, you'd rather follow
The truth is too hard for you to swallow
Where's the next Malcolm, Martin, or Marcus
Is building great men too much fuss?
My people my people, why won't you read?
Your belly ain't the only thing you should feed
Knowledge is power and we're getting weak
This revolution ain't for the meek
Know your enemy, better know thy self
Stop letting them label you like a jar on a shelf
This revolution is already in progress
Fight to rule your destiny, PRESS
Focus on the task at hand
You mighty warriors take a stand
Accept the throne bestowed centuries ago
Your ancestors taught you what you need to know
This revolution is a spiritual one
Self knowledge your bullets, self love your gun
Father and Mother Creator your shield
Unity is the sword you'll wield
No the revolution need not be televised
It's happening now, OPEN YOUR EYES

Dreams

Sand in a fist when held too tightly
Slips through your fingers and blows
Away in the wind

Castles made of sugar
That glisten in the sun
Until the rain comes
And it melts into nothing

A mirage in the desert
Shimmering in the distance
As you get closer
You see more desert

A star in the sky
Shining so brilliantly in lights your way
But it has long burned out
You are just watching a reflection

If I can't be me

If I can't be me
Who can I be?
From myself I cannot flee
Why won't you let me be free

I don't want to be you
What would that do?
I could never do anything new
Why in the world should there be two

I don't want to be quiet
I'm not on a word diet
Nah, don't ask me, I won't try it
I don't think anyone would even buy it

I'm not changin my hair
So don't go there
I won't taste that meat
That's not what I eat

That's who YOU worship
I'm off that slave ship
My culture is my pride
So don't ask me to hide

If I love that man
You don't have to be a fan
My clothes have no name
And I have no shame

If I can't be me
Then I can't be free
And from that concept I will surely flee
This is who I am, so let me be

Angels

As I sit here in mellow town
I feel there are angels all around
Angels here to guide my life
Angels here to ease my strife
Wisdom she is my mother
Knowledge he is my brother
I learn as I struggle to find
In this world some peace of mind
That there are angels all around
Angels waiting to be found
Wiping all tears dry
Making clear every eye
Bringing some sense to this crazy world
Making sure the truth unfurls
Angels always saving me
Showing me what's meant to be
There are angels here in mellow town
Angels, yes, all around.

Invisible

I am here
Bold and bright as the sunrise
I am here
Delicate as the first spring bloom
I am here
Loud as the trumpet sounding the day
I am here
With the scent of honeysuckle in my heart
I am here
Donning textures of rose petals and elephant skin
I am here
A drop of honey on the tongue
I am here
And I'm here to stay

Always True

If home is where the heart is
Then I'm at home with H.I.M.
In the comfort of His arms
Jah's my refuge and my friend

Never will He deceive I
Always true Rastafari
Never will He try to leave I
Always with me Rastafari

In the heat of life
Sometimes you can get burned
Rastafari is the One
Who is there at every turn

Can't get lost with H.I.M.
He is here to guide
I will turn from sin
And His precepts I'll abide

Hurt can't touch me
With Jah standing as my shield
All the wicked ones
Will be forced to yield

How lovely it would be
So much peace and harmony
If His children were the same
Instead of caught up in this game

Never will HE deceive I
Always TRUE Rastafari
Never will HE try to leave I
Always with me Rastafari

Talkin to the Wind

I heard you just before the door slammed
Movin in such a hurry knockin things over and
I looked at the mess you made on the carpet
As you blew past me like an arrow towards its target
Never noticing me waiting for your attention
And all the effort I put in, not a mention
Yes you blow through my life with words left unsaid
Sometimes you’re so cold it’s like a hammer to my head
So often I see you being so upliftin
But I guess I’m too heavy cause I see you start shiftin
There’s times when you seem to love to wreak havoc
Shuffling things up like a self proclaimed maverick
While patiently I wait for you to settle down
And stop needing to move everything around
I start to realize you never will
Because the wind just can’t ever be still

Haiku for Spring

Daffodils in bloom
All animals shed their coats
Rebirth, renewal

Unfinished Love Song

Oh king you’re making my heart sing yes

You’re filling that emptiness

Careful or you'll set it ablaze

With your royal and righteous ways

The care you show humanity

Sparks a fire inside of me

You live a life of consciousness

How I pray the Most High will bless

A union that has yet to come

It may be a foolish dream to some

But king you make my heart sing

And that’s no small thing

So I know it won’t be too long

Before I can finish this song

The Rising of a Queen

When I move that mountain into the sea
Will you believe that Jah is inside of me

What will it take for you to realize
That I am a queen on the rise

Lifted up by my ancestry
I give thanks for the gifts they’ve given me

An indomitable will to persevere
A faith so strong it conquers fear

A mind as sharp as a two edged sword
With my spirit and body in one accord

I follow the light shone by those before me
Lighting the pathway to my legacy

My destiny is to build kingdoms
For and of those to come

So when that mountain moves before your eyes
You’ll know it’s this queen on the rise