Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Me, You, Music

Watch me
kiss me
let me
make music
with you
transcend
the sound barriers
explode
the ear drums
beyond repair
can you
hear me
as your heart
speaks
to me its
melodious
inciting a dance
of palpitations
frequent and fervent
this song I recite
and commit
to memory
permanent
engraved
binding
the love
engulfs the spirit
that forever connects
to you and your opus.

Published in NUMBAT Western Austrialia Poetry Journal Issue 2, May 2008.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Soul Mates

Like infrared lights
I can see you in the darkness.
In a crowded room,
we speak with our eyes
secret conversations,
if they only knew.

My arms are weak
yet strong enough to
carry your burdens and
combat your insecurities.
Your body is hard
but like an over-stuffed body pillow
you catch me when I collapse.
And on days when I pick the scars
and re-expose life’s painful memories
you reach deep inside my
chest cavity and caress my bleeding heart.

Our connection is profound,
multi-dimensional, transcending the natural.
Drowning in turbulent waters
my buoyancy is you, your life jacket is me.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Hiding behind a Fictitious Name?

My favorite, favorite, favorite artist, Beyonce Knowles, recently unveiled her stage name, Sasha Fierce, with the release of her latest album, “I Am...Sasha Fierce.” Sasha Fierce, Beyonce’s performing alter ego, shows her more outgoing and sensual side. Beyonce has been reported by Ananova.com as saying: “I have someone else that takes over when it’s time for me to work and when I’m on stage. An alter ego I’ve created that kind of protects me and who I really am. Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken and more glamorous side that comes out when I’m working and when I’m on the stage.”

Of course there’s been a lot of buzz about Beyonce’s alter ego, Sasha Fierce. I’m not sure why, because she’s not alone. Writing under a fictitious name has been a very common practice since the eighteenth century, when writers and journalists used pseudonyms to pen controversial or even illegal articles and letters to the editor. It’s still common practice today for actors and artists to use fictitious names (e.g., Eric Bishop as Jamie Foxx). And it’s just as widespread for writers, who sometimes choose to write under a different persona as well -- pseudonyms or "pen names" (e.g., Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman).

Like many artists, I, too have a pseudonym, Sage. Like Beyonce, when I write under the name, Sage, I am bolder and less inhibited. However, unlike Beyonce, it’s not an alter ego; instead, it’s a way to make my name more distinctive. More importantly I am free from preconceived notions, assumptions, stereotyping, etc., as my race and gender are disguised. But I am open to judgment -- of my words and craft, which I always welcome wholeheartedly.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Friday Favorites...

This Christmas By Chris Brown

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Reflections

The frigid snow
chills my aching body.
I can’t get warm,
my heater is shoddy.

Yet, I sit and reflect
as the holiday nears,
it’s not about money or gifts
or Santa’s reindeers.

My steady outlook remains
despite the inclement weather,
I’m flying high, soaring free
Blissful…light as a feather.

As I think about Christmas
my spirit shines with glee,
I laugh. I smile. I am thankful.
Jesus died on the cross for me.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Love

An abstract concept,
allow me to explain…

Loveless.
I experienced starvation and dehydration,
which caused me to hunger and thirst
and eventually, gratefully…I was able to succumb
to the intense hunger pangs and parchedness
with your nourishing touch and emotion, and free-flowing spirit.

Beloved.
My love for you is inherent,
intentional, unequivocal.
As my body proclaims its love for you, I experience
increased heart rate, sudden loss of appetite and sleep,
and an overwhelming feeling of excitement.
Essentially, my heart is burning with whole-hearted desire
for you.

I love our natural affinity for one another,
the passion, romance, intimacy, and commitment.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Her Kind

By Anne Sexton

I have gone out, a possessed witch,
haunting the black air, braver at night;
dreaming evil, I have done my hitch
over the plain houses, light by light:
lonely thing, twelve-fingered, out of mind.
A woman like that is not a woman, quite.
I have been her kind.

I have found the warm caves in the woods,
filled them with skillets, carvings, shelves,
closets, silks, innumerable goods;
fixed the suppers for the worms and the elves:
whining, rearranging the disaligned.
A woman like that is misunderstood.
I have been her kind.

I have ridden in your cart, driver,
waved my nude arms at villages going by,
learning the last bright routes, survivor
where your flames still bite my thigh
and my ribs crack where your wheels wind.
A woman like that is not ashamed to die.
I have been her kind.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Friday Favorites...

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd


A very poignant book that explores race and female relationships while allowing readers to fall in love with the central character, Lily, as she discovers love and the idea of home in turbulent times. A lovingingly-written drama that truly touched my heart.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

She Sings

Small in stature,
yet, her voice and spirit are extraordinary.

The warm-blooded vertebrate chirps
her harmonious song at daybreak.
Her song is a natural phenomenon
of her intense beauty.

Unbeknownst to them,
her bright, cheerful demeanor is a façade.
Her eminence and intrigue fill their home.

She sings…

Every morning
they gather and stare --
pointing and admiring her
beauty and trill.

They smile
as they walk past,
waving and promising
to return to listen to her lullaby.

She sings…

Day after day
she quietly watches them interact.
They talk, laugh, play, and dance
without her.

Her song is her rhapsody
that passes the time
and combats the solitude.

She sings…

Her song is her instrument
that travels far beyond
the bars of the cage.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

No Poetry, Just Facebook and United American Insurance

Instead of writing poetry, I've been on Facebook. Facebook is easily addictive. Somehow I've racked up close to 110 friends. One of those 110 friends I recently reconnected with was diagnosed with MS a few years ago and has no job. No job, no benefits, no insurance. Health insurance, life insurance…insurance, you name it; some folks just don’t have it these days.

I recently learned of an affordable healthcare insurance company, United American Insurance Company. United American Insurance Company offers a full line of individual life and health products to meet every need and budget, including: Hospital, Medical, and Surgical Supplements; Cancer and Critical Illness Policies; Whole and Term Life; Medicare Supplements; Accident Plans; and Annuities. United American Insurance Company also offers Group Retiree Health Insurance and Worksite Products, including Limited-Benefit Health, Life, Critical Illness, and Cancer Plans.

Sounds promising? Check out United American Insurance's Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. I’m going to pass this information along to my old high school friend.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Friday Favorites...

Make it Work (Sabra and Dominic) - Shane Sparks Choreography



Who said there's no romance in hip hop? Got to love Shane Sparks for this piece; the music and lyrics truly meshed with the choreography, especially at the scene -1:05.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

55 Words, No More, No Less

I only do it once a week. Doubled-over, holding my stomach, pleading with my intestines. Indeed, the pain is excruciating.

This week is no different. I’ve found myself back in line, waiting to be asked, “May I take your order?”

One-by-one, I devour each lightly-salted, ever-so-golden, French fry. And now for my extra-greasy cheese burger…

Monday, December 8, 2008

A Meme...

Tag from Sam Rasnake:

RULE ONE, I have to grab one of the books closest to me, go to page 56, type the fifth line and the next two to five lines that follow.

RULE TWO, I have to pick five people who love books and who could receive the Bookworm award with honor.

...

yet there they were
pushing up
with the force
of an old love.

- "White Crocuses" from They Tell Me You Danced, poems by Irene Willis.

Tag: Amy, Ana, Emily, Rachel, Tonia

Friday, December 5, 2008

Friday Favorites...

Don't Speak - No Doubt



One of my favorite songs and videos. Great song -- Gwen Stefani's vocals and the guitarist did it for me. Great concept for the video: No "I" in Group or Band.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Poetry Circle -- Free!

Facilitator: Elizabeth Warner, MSLS, AHIP
Second Saturday of each month
1:00-2:30 PM
Location: The Little Portion (LP2)
1049 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ

Drop-ins are always welcome!
Gather to consider, to compose and share poetry as creative healing expression. The emotional, the sacred, the spiritual, and all that is human are the “stuff” of poetry. Come and experience poetry as praise, celebration, and grace. 

Please call (856) 869-3125 to register or register online now!