Get Into It: J. Cole "Free" (Mike Brown Tribute)

This is why I love J. Cole. The raw emotion in this track echoes my own. There isn't much to say about it. Praying for justice for Mike Brown and his family and his community. Thank you Cole for this track. Get into it. 

Rest In Paradise, Dr. Maya Angelou

 



Maya Angelou lived an incredible life. She departed this Earth today at 86 years old. I know we are all mourning this loss. But, in actuality, we should be celebrated the well lived life of an amazing woman. I was a kid the first time I was introduced to the work of Dr. Angelou. From my first reading of "Still I Rise," "Phenomenal Woman," and "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings," I was changed. Her words enlightened me. Over the years, I became a fan. Her voice is so distinctive. There aren't enough words to fully express how important Maya Angelou has been on the literary world. She was one of my early influences when I began writing poetry. Her words made me want to write more. She will be missed dearly. Her legacy will live on for centuries. A writer truly never dies because they leave their work here for us. Rest in paradise, Ms. Angelou.

Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me."

 



RIP to Print

The world is changing at an alarming rate. We are becoming a more digital community by the second. In many ways, this is awesome. Everything is at our fingertips. But, on the flip side of that, it leaves newspapers and magazines on the decline.That makes this writer really sad. Magazines and newspapers are folding left and right. My own home town newspaper, The Times Picayune, just announced that they will be cutting back their production to 3 days a week. That means writers will be laid off. It means TP will be doing more with less. That is sad.

I don't know about you but I love reading the newspaper. I love the way the paper feels in my hand. I love the smell of the ink on the paper. I think it goes back to when I was the newspaper editor in high school. Newspaper are so authentic. I truly makes me said that things like this are going on all over the country. I think in our race to get to the next big thing in technology that we are totally forgetting about the little guys, the pioneers. Getting my news online is fine but it just doesn't feel the same. It isn't the way I'm used to getting my local news. I know that life is all about change. Some times I am just slow to adapt to it. It will be strange not being able to get a newspaper every day. Sundays will still be fine though. Oh well, it's the end of an era. Adapting will happen for me as well.

13 Years Later

They say time heals all wounds. I'm inclined to slightly disagree. 13 years ago, my Father was murdered. He was snatched away from his kids right when he was finally getting it together. I still get angry when I think about all the memories we will never have with him. I never got to tell him goodbye. Yes, he had his faults but I loved him still. I am not attempting to turn him into a martyr since he is gone. He was a man, flawed but real.

Every year, this day is full of mixed emotion. Some years I am fine. Other years I cannot deal. This year was a mix of both. I wish I could just hear his voice one last time. Hear him say my name the way only he could. I miss his laugh, miss him clowning around. I get sad thinking that my future kids and my nieces and nephews will never get to know their Grandpa. I am sure he would have a field day with them. I even miss arguing with him. I'm angry that I will never get the chance to become a better daughter to him and him a better father to me. This is just wishful thinking on my part. Some days, I just miss my Dad. September 23rd is always one of those days.

R.I.P. Kenneth Jerome "Kool Ken" Hawkins Sr. We will always love and miss you!