8.28.2012

may i enjoy

may i enjoy the sunrise
now that i moved
to other side of insanity

left the bullshit
behind in other borough

no longer question
i am thorough

compared to what
no need to be
steaming on the corner
with some young hoppers
to be considered real

already seen
the crooked deal
we give to ourselves

shaky shuffle
too many cuts to the deck

went earlier than the priest to church
up before streetlights go out

what have the past 31 years been about

you still find yourself
returning to where the journey began

trying to retrace those steps
you was the only one left behind

still asking
where did all the fun go so quickly?

that coffee and cigarette
won't make you awake faster

have you spent that time judiciously
every moment was effective
still knocking at the door
who will let you in?

can't recapture innocence especially
when you handed sin
right outside Yankee stadium
after decisive blowout

scheduled for rain yet to see a drop
all these memories
keep flowing non stop

precise effort and responsibility
dedication determination belief

faith dreaming big execution

what type of follow through does it take
to be on top

now that you have plotted the plan
please connect the dots

first writing pinch (after suheir)

don't you dare
stay right where you are
no moving brains
to incite change

enjoy innocence
distraction from brilliance
entropy slowly drags you forward
behind you lies your future
in front of you lays your past

choose wisely
groove finely

ask yourself if
answer your reflection why

crazy reputation proceeds
lack of motivation bleeds

have you developed your potential fully
how you still smiling like it's all goody

so fly could call you flea
at your market any treasures you could see?


always here (after rich)

please don't call it a comeback
been here as long as tears taken to dry

was that fly on the wall during every reading
was there in spirit when you slammed your heart

we all caught the blood
everyone fought the web wrapped around
nightmares right where the needle
meets the vinyl groove before first note
causes you to rewind selector

bring back that classic from the top
no need for external affirmation
to make my dreams pop will believe
in personal possibility until gravity
drops apples causing epiphany

rapidly actually statistically if was
going with easy entropy likely wouldn't
even exist i won't ask for your permission
to cause you to listen

there won't be any choice
to acknowledge this voice
calling for recognition off rooftops

the air will pick up frequency across
breeze carry across seas causing ripples
in puddles every poem pieces to puzzle

don't need your help to make me spit
but sing along to my struggle

nuyorican ego tripping (after nikki giovanni)

Creo en mi

i was born in Bronx Lebanon
off the Grand Concourse
while we were still living on Sheridan
I walked out the womb dancing mambo
promptly recreated arrival of Columbus
all the Tainos kicked him off
la isla bonita for trying to steal fresh coco
instead we offered him cocotazos

i bathed en el Yunque
since then the forest been sweating

Yo Soy Malo

Mis santos said i was a cabeza dura
couldn't understand why freedom
wasn't promised to every man woman
child caught up in the enchanted rhythm
of coquis cantando

Yo Soy Jibaro Del Bronx

Searching for quenepas en every bodega
sweetest mango to drip down palms
ready to save lluvia to quench thirst

I gave my people chupacabras
named lelolai so we could balance
our pride with unrealistic fear
i turned myself into tasty frituras

This is my body which shall be sacrificed
for you do this en memoria de mi

My words are an offering to heaven
so that the Almighty can see
none of his inspiration went in veins
bubbling struggling against history's blood

dripping from beating heart
if I don't believe in my own power
cynical self fulfilling prophecies
will prevent future elevation

so i think i can
i know i will

rise above sticky surface
searching all along blocks of Planet Earth

to find the purpose that been living inside
underneath fear right besides confidence

miles away from motivation to build nations
organized barrios resisting gentrification

rather the elimination of beautiful people
who wer born to eventually move

let's dance to the endless groove
lack of self determination
gives bass to the blues

let's cry until our tired tears
overflow the Bronx River
purify all contamination
finally got acknowledged

never feel intimidated
by lack of representation

your smile is your passport to galaxy
universal identification

making up for lost time

continue on your path
please don't doubt yourselves
split into provocative personalities
with seasonal affective disorder
out of place but can locate concrete
without gravitational assistance
persistently illiterate to illuminating
bright side of dark outcome
can't run from sinister shadow
attached to the bottom of heels back of shoulders
every second getting older
with circulation of earth around suspicious star
giving love to alleys between building
warming sensation even when chilly
for really i will keep security close to chest
so won't be able to see my hand
joker up sleeve so you can always be wild
dial any number can you get quick convo
will you be satiated to activate the motion
boasting false pride want to stay alive
foreseeable future in rear view won't be
so sounding sweet shrill point clashing
barely see roses in garden
stay grinding so you won't be starving

que lovely

blessed our father

hour early for holy cross
sunday mass

hoping to hear homily
that would heal

lord understands exactly
how i feel

simple man granted
complex life

every opportunity
been a blessing

beautiful son
gorgeous intelligent wife

who knew that it would
have been a hood night

feeling ill seek comfort
for the origin

humble beginnings
to understand a harsh world

can never complain
7 corners 182 131
andover to columbia

right back home
never alone if
surrounded by angels
been got wings and halos

take whatever time
available for chance
to be grateful

happiness overflows
until you lost count
of smiles mixed with tears

faded pictures only reveal
snapshots of years
never to return

salud bendicion gracias

for everything i have learned

still got work to do
to earn coveted spot in heaven


authentically

authentic arrogance/persuasive palante/powerful people/integrity see through/transparent/tragedy apparent apathy/perspective/peaked only to fall drop quickly recover the pride/lost to disparates and piropos/lack of knowledge got you going loco/understand absolutely nada/mucho blah blah/hardly any palabras/to capture the feeling/of numbness/so many assumptions/no precise predictions/guesstimates of the guttural ghetto/too much grimy gangsters/how many have the courtesy to thank you/semiformal/ without proper indentation/