Book Review: The Poetry Edition

I won't even tell you how many books I have in my to be read pile. Nor will I tell you that I just got more books from the library & purchased 2 others from Barnes & Nobles. We don't have to discuss that. I spent Saturday afternoon diving head first into a few of them. I discovered nayyriah waheed and her poetry via her Tumblr last year. I was instantly a fan of  her work. She writes from a place I know dearly. I followed her after reading only 3 pieces. I was delighted when she followed me back. We interacted once or twice. But, I was just happy to have her words on my dash daily. I was elated when she announced that she was putting out her first book.

Waheed's first book is "salt." I devoured this book in less than two hours. I loved everything about it. I bookmarked and highlighted more than 50% of the book. These are the pieces I knew from her Tumblr. I loved the story her pieces told. She writes of love and loss in a way that my heart understands. I love her tone and the affliction her breaks/pauses give to her work. This is my favorite of the two books. My love for "salt" is epic. I wanted to share a few of my favorite pieces. I placed them below. Enjoy. 

i am always writing.

of you.

for you. 

___________________

stay is a sensitiveword.we wear who stayedand who leftin our skin forever.                     - sojourn__________________

you blush like an ocean in lovewild with blueness.                - yemanja__________________ 

there is peaceful. there is wild. i am both at the same time.                 - sum__________________ 

Her second book is "nejma." From the cover alone, I could tell that the books would be decidedly different. I was write. It took me longer to get through this book. I wasn't as in to it as I was the former. There are some pieces that jumped out at me. They described my situation perfectly. I always find it amazing that there is another writer living somewhere near or far that can tap into my situation and explain what I cannot. I love writers like that. Both of her books are available via Amazon. Last time I checked they were $0.99 for the Kindle. Do yourself a favor and pick them both up. You will not regret it. Below are my favorite pieces from "nejma." Read and get into them. 

grieve. so that you can be free

to feel something else. 

______________________

can you feel my prayers.

there and.

there and.

there.

                 - pilgrimage

______________________

there is prayer in poem.

when i am writing

i am praying.

all the prayers that are too soft.

too young.

too old.

to say.

______________________

i am trying to remember you

and 

let you go

at

the same time.

               - the mourn

_____________________

#100Tunes100Days

I noticed a hashtag (#) on Instagram that interested me. It was #100Tunes100Days. I do not know where it started but it's music related so I was all in. I decided to focus on the songs that have special memories attached to them. Especially the songs from my childhood that made me into the woman I am today. I thought that this challenge would be better served if I did it on Tumblr. I wanted to do more than just list the song. I wanted a Spotify or Soundcloud or Youtube link to the actual song. As well as a little bit about why I chose that particular song. I am into week 2 of this challenge. It has been really easy for me to choose songs so far. I know it will get harder as the days pass. Feel free to join in if you like. I am having way too much fun with it. You can follow my list of #100Tunes100Days on my Tumblr. 

**My Picks for #100Tunes100Days**

1. "Out On A Limb" - Teena Marie
2. "Baby-Baby-Baby" - TLC
3. "Lyte As A Rock" - MC Lyte
4. "Purple" - Prince
5. "Roni" - Bobby Brown
6. "Push It" - Salt-N-Pepa
7. "I Can't Help It" - Michael Jackson
8. "Funny How Time Flies" - Janet Jackson
9. "I Need Love" - LL Cool J
10. "Children's Story" - Slick Rick
11. "Congratulations" - Vesta Williams

Let Me Tell You A Story in Just 6 Words (Part 2)

It's been a few months since I updated my 6 word story blog here. I've written so much more on my Tumblr page. My 6 word stories have a very obvious theme. Even when I try to deviate from what I label "love sh*t," I always end right back there. The heart only wants to write what it knows. I wanted to share my favorites so far. 

• Not loving you isn't an option.
• Nothing matters more than my feelings. 
• Twice loved, Lost double. No mas.
• Writing takes me away from it.
• It's 3am and I'm missing you.
• There's a story behind these eyes.
• Spending my nights writing my wrongs.
• I wonder about you too often.
• I truly miss belonging to someone.
• So many questions. Not enough answers. 
• You cannot hate what you love.
• Does everything remind you of me?
• Happens at the most inopportune times. 
• Give me all of my secrets back.
• Restless sleep. Haunted dreams. God morning.
• The moment you realize what's real.
• Vulnerability isn't my favorite personality trait. 
• All my stories are about you.
• I cannot deal with the residuals.
• Liking you. Loving you. Losing you.
• I'm fronting, just so you know. 
• Feelings are real but aren't facts.
• Feelings get caught in my throat.
• If I could forget to remember.
• Can someone turn off my thoughts?
• No one wins. We both lose. 

Let Me Tell You A Story In Just 6 Words

I started a series on my Tumblr page. It is entitled "6 Word Stories." I started writing it as a way to get my thoughts out. I just wanted to see where my head was at for the last month or so. It is very hard to tell a story in just 6 words. But, that's what I did. Every one is a glimpse into my life, my emotions. Words mean things. My 6 word stories have been very useful to me.  So, I wanted to share what  I have come up with thus far. I will also be updating the list so, stay tuned. 

• Nighttime used to be more comfortable.
• When did we stop being us?
• Today I forgot I was sad.
• I miss you all the time.
• When will my heart stop hurting?
• What happens when you stop caring?
• Every night fighting the same fight.
• This once was my favorite time.
• I'm going to be happy today.
• Music always makes everything much better. 
• Laying here I realize I'm tipsy.
• Smiling deeply from within all day.
• Made myself stop obsessing over you.
• Yes my ego is still bruised.
• Nothing people do surprises me anymore. 
• My brokenness is becoming my reality.
• If possible, I feel too much.
• I don't need much just you.
• Weird day turns better via text.
• I cannot stop dreaming of you.
• I appreciate laughter, music and books.
• Desires a sunny beach filled vacay.

Food For Thought: Love

This question was posted on Tumblr by Arsenicandgoldlace a few hours ago. It instantly caught my eye. This question had my mind racing because I had two different answers. I do not believe that love cancels out a person's ability to hurt someone they love. I've had family/friends/lovers hurt me. Their love for me didn't stop them from doing so. They hurt me. And, I am guilty of the same. Of hurting the ones I love. It was never intentional, But, we've all done it. It is something that none of us can live without. And, even when we've been hurt by love, torn apart by it, or crushed by it, it is still the most essential emotions that humans can exert. I love love. Even where I am right at this moment, I can say that and know that its true. It's that important, that deep. I've always said that I cannot define love with words but I know it when I feel it. It is an emotion that is undeniable and unlike anything I've ever felt. Lace and I had a back and forth dialogue about the topic. I posted it below. It is always interesting to hear others view on love and relations.

I stand by my words. We give so much power to the ones we love. We give it to them in hopes that they will cradle our love and hearts. We hope and pray that they never hurt us and vice versa. Love in any and all forms can be tricky. When you love anyone, you are carrying that person's heart in your hands. It is so easy to fumble with it when you aren't paying attention. I know I have to be better about the things I do and say. I just wish others in my life would acknowledge that as well. I put up a good tough girl front. But, I hurt, I cry, I feel pain. I actually think that I am more sensitive than most realize because of my strong exterior. That's partly my fault. We all need to be more careful with the ones we love because life is indeed short. We should tell the ones we love that we love them while they are here. I would love to hear from others on this topic. Let's dish. What's your take on it?

*Sidenote - This wedding cake is just DOPE. I had no other reason to use this pic other than I dug it*

Deepest Affections

I have the deepest affection for intellectual conversations. The ability to just sit and talk. About love, about life, about anything, about everything. To sit under the moon with all the time in the world, the full-speed train that is our lives slowing to a crawl. Bound by no obligations, barred by no human limitations. To speak without regret or fear of consequence. To talk for hours and about what’s really important in life. - via herarbitrarymusings

I read the above post on Tumblr the other night. It stopped me from scrolling past it. It made me nod my head. Made my heart beat a little bit faster. I totally agree with it. There is nothing sexier than intellectual conversations. Nothing. I'm talking about those conversations that go on forever. They stimulate a person on many levels. I am a sucker for intelligent conversations. Especially the ones that take all night. Just intelligent conversation, genuine interest and deep soulful laughter. Conversations like these are few and far in between. I crave them. I am lucky though, I am able to have them on any given day. I am truly thankful for that. I thoroughly enjoy the conversations that challenge me and teach me. Those are the best. I love hearing other people speak on things I know nothing about or seeing their point of view. I don't think that enough people truly appreciate this. It is an art in my world. I love the artist too. I was just truly moved by this quote so I had to share with my people. Hope you guys like it as well. Take this as an initiative to engage in deep intellectual conversation with someone today. Take the time to do this for yourself and them also. We all need it. I don't know about any one else but I crave it. Feed the craving! Talk.