Congratulations to Saadia Ali Aschemann - featured poet of BD, vol 1 - for being one of the two selected poets of the week on the PSH! Click here to check her out!
Click image to order your copy of her poetry book: lavish lines/luscious lies.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Congrats to Saadia Ali Aschemann!
Congratulations to Saadia Ali Aschemann - featured poet of BD, vol 1 - for being one of the two selected poets of the week on the PSH! Click here to check her out!
Click image to order your copy of her poetry book: lavish lines/luscious lies.
Memorial Day Epitaph
Here on the battlefield lay our heroes
From Salem Poor and Peter Salem on Bunker Hill
To Andre Borden dead from a mine in Iraq
And the brother who shot himself last week, despondent.
From Barney's black sailors on Bladensburg Road facing the redcoats
Who brought Napoleon's legions low, to
the 54th Massachussetts, the Red Ball Express, the 9th Cavalry.
The old 24th--outnumbered 50-1 yet besting the Red Chinese and North Koreans...
...the soul brothers, grim and enduring the Viet Cong, at Ka Sanh.
Here they lay, so we may be free.
Here they lay, so that we shall have dignity.
Here they lay, so the nation that shunned and reviled them,
Shall not perish from the earth.
From Salem Poor and Peter Salem on Bunker Hill
To Andre Borden dead from a mine in Iraq
And the brother who shot himself last week, despondent.
From Barney's black sailors on Bladensburg Road facing the redcoats
Who brought Napoleon's legions low, to
the 54th Massachussetts, the Red Ball Express, the 9th Cavalry.
The old 24th--outnumbered 50-1 yet besting the Red Chinese and North Koreans...
...the soul brothers, grim and enduring the Viet Cong, at Ka Sanh.
Here they lay, so we may be free.
Here they lay, so that we shall have dignity.
Here they lay, so the nation that shunned and reviled them,
Shall not perish from the earth.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sought Potential, Part II- Potent Potential!
Sought Potential Part I (read the origianl)..../HE thinks I shine/ Curiosity of my potential leads me to continue to climb and climb/But sometimes the hand of time refuses to shake my hand in agreement/ So I carve my name in the cement of patience/
Right now, I want you to do the same and carve your name in that same cement of patience and anticipate the continuation of this poem. Patience is indeed a virtue.
POTENT POTENTIAL!!!
by Christoph Jenkins
Now that I have engraved my name in that cement/ The clock on the wall of this world no longer seems relevant/ Because of the time that He spent on the cross/ He hung high and lost His life/ So that I might realize my full potential/ However, it is essential that you know/With all clarity and complete sincerity/ That I will never acquire enough credentials/ To reach the potential He has set for me/ He adores me!/ And I do Him/ Before I knew Him, my future was bleak as can be/ Desolate!/ My potential was weak as can be/ There was no hope!/ I'll testify right now/ It's best to try him/ And I know how/ Be honest with yourself and with Him/ Shelf your old ways and do away with them/ Verbally ask God to reside in you/ Because believe you me, He takes pride in YOU/ Especially, when you take pride in Him/ I use to take short timid steps/ Now, I can stride in Him/ Psalms 18 and 2 is my proclamation/ Let it be your proof if you need documentation/ HE told me I have Potent Potential/ All because I allowed my heart to become residential/ You should do the same?/
Give your life to Christ! Do it this day because tomorrow might be too late.
God Bless!!!
Right now, I want you to do the same and carve your name in that same cement of patience and anticipate the continuation of this poem. Patience is indeed a virtue.
POTENT POTENTIAL!!!
by Christoph Jenkins
Now that I have engraved my name in that cement/ The clock on the wall of this world no longer seems relevant/ Because of the time that He spent on the cross/ He hung high and lost His life/ So that I might realize my full potential/ However, it is essential that you know/With all clarity and complete sincerity/ That I will never acquire enough credentials/ To reach the potential He has set for me/ He adores me!/ And I do Him/ Before I knew Him, my future was bleak as can be/ Desolate!/ My potential was weak as can be/ There was no hope!/ I'll testify right now/ It's best to try him/ And I know how/ Be honest with yourself and with Him/ Shelf your old ways and do away with them/ Verbally ask God to reside in you/ Because believe you me, He takes pride in YOU/ Especially, when you take pride in Him/ I use to take short timid steps/ Now, I can stride in Him/ Psalms 18 and 2 is my proclamation/ Let it be your proof if you need documentation/ HE told me I have Potent Potential/ All because I allowed my heart to become residential/ You should do the same?/
Give your life to Christ! Do it this day because tomorrow might be too late.
God Bless!!!
You are invited to a book signing
I have a huge fault as an author; I suck at self-promotion. So much so that even though my book was published last August, I still get asked when I'm going to publish a book! Well, this post should clear that up. My book, Lovers Anonymous, is available for sale at just about all online book sellers. If you prefer, just go to your favorite book store. If they don't have it on the shelf, they will be happy to order it for you. Next month I'll be doing a discussion and signing of my book in South Florida and I'd love to see you there. Here's what you need to know:
Location:
African American Research Library and Cultural Center
2650 Sistrunk Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 US
Location:
African American Research Library and Cultural Center
2650 Sistrunk Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 US
When:
Saturday, June 7, 12:00PM
Phone:
866-230-5692
Email:
xavierpjr@gmail.com
I’m so convinced that you will want to buy Lovers Anonymous that I’m giving away the first 2 chapters for free. Just click here. I also encourage you to read a review of my book by Ingrid Moore. The review is followed by an interview. You can check it out by clicking here. And since I got such positive feedback from my last excerpt, here’s another preview from my next book, Twelve Steps:
"One Last Time"
A few hours into the work day, Nadine, the receptionist, called me. “Xavier, I have Alice on the line. I told her I wasn't sure if you were in the office. She says if you take the call she promises not to upset you.”
I sighed, “OK, I'll take it.”
The next voice was Alice's. “Good morning Xavier. How are you?”
“I'm OK,” I said suspiciously. “What do you want?”
I could sense her gathering her thoughts and her courage. “I know you're at work so I won't keep you. But I really need to talk to you privately. Can we meet tonight?”
Against my better judgment I agreed to meet her, but I insisted on meeting her the following night. I wanted to be prepared. She was staying at the Olympia Guest House, a discreet place that catered mostly to business travelers. It was clean and had good long-term rates. Our appointment was for 8:00 so the following day I stayed in the office until 7:30 but I got very little done. I kept having conversations in my mind with Alice.
When I got to the hotel, Alice was waiting for me in the restaurant. As I approached her table she stood up and took a step towards me. It was obviously calculated to give me a full view of her body and put me in the awkward position of having to hug her. I looked at her. She wore a short skirt and a jacket. She looked like a very sexy version of a paralegal. Her makeup was tastefully applied so as to highlight the elfish features of her face and her hair was tied up. My ex-wife was absolutely beautiful and desirable.
“Divorce favors you. I really hate to say this, but you look great.” We sat down.
“Well,” she started, “don't let it fool you. I'm not doing all that good, but I wanted to look good for you. I wanted to impress you.”
I didn't want to sound nasty, but I had to make myself clear. “Look, if you called me here to beg for another chance, you're not just wasting your time, you're also wasting mine. The answer is no. It was no yesterday, and it’ll be no tomorrow.” I stood up.
Alice put a hand on my arm. “Wait. I didn't ask you here for that.”
“What then?” I asked.
“Please,” she started nervously, “please sit down. I want to show you something, and I have a favor to ask you.”
Slowly I sat back down. “OK, what is it.”
Alice picked up her oversized handbag and put it in her lap. “Before I show you this, I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. Whether we together or not, I'll always love you.” She stared at me earnestly, “and I'll always watch over you Xavier.”
Inside I was feeling a bit uneasy but I hid my anxiety and stared back at her. “Stop with the creepy nonsense and show me what you got.”
Alice smiled and took a small plastic bag from her handbag and handed it to me. I took it carefully from her and peeked inside. It just looked like a white cotton rag. I looked at her and she was still smiling softly. “Go ahead, take it out.”
I inhaled deeply, discreetly, trying to look calm, but I could feel small beads of sweat forming on my nose. I looked around. There were a score of people in the restaurant, but we were sitting in a private out-of-the-way corner. I gathered my courage and reached into the bag and pulled out the rag. I assumed that something was wrapped inside, but when I opened it, I realized that the white cotton rag was really an unwashed, pair of men's briefs. I looked at Alice. “Where did you get this?”
“The real question is when,” Alice said. “You do recognize those don't you?”
Most of my underwear was colored, but I did own a few pairs of white briefs, and I had worn a pair during the week. “OK, what's your point?”
Alice's smile had become a sad and sincere expression. “The point is Xavier, that you can't trust anyone. You wore those the day before yesterday. You took them off and threw them in the hamper like you do every night. The hamper is in your room by the door. You lock your room when you leave for work. You lock the house and it stays locked until either you or Pop come home. But the very next day I had your dirty underwear. You know what I could have done with them if I had wanted to, but I love you Xavier. I just want you to realize that I'm the only person in the world that you can trust.”
I examined the briefs carefully. There was absolutely no doubt. They were mine, the very ones I had worn two days earlier. My mind started to fill with all the obvious questions that she expected me to ask, but I knew her M.O. all too well. Each question would be answered with a carefully crafted lie neatly wrapped around an item of truth. All of it engineered to sow distrust and animosity inside my house. I refused to take the bait, and I was determined to break every last bond we had, once and for all. “Well, this is interesting. Very interesting.” I stuffed the briefs back into the bag and turned around to look for a waiter.
Somewhat surprised, Alice asked, “Don't you wanna know how I got it?”
“Not necessary,” I replied calmly. “Besides, it's pretty obvious,” I lied. “But I do want to thank you. So, what's the favor you wanted to ask?”
I could tell by the hesitation that Alice's confidence was shaken. She looked at me with eyes that betrayed her doubts. “Xavier, I want you to spend the night with me.”
I was pretty sure she would want sex so I had decided in advance that I would give it to her. It would be my parting gift to the woman who had been the love of my life and my wife. “Man, when you ask for a favor you go for broke don't you? Why don't we just spend a couple hours together and see how it goes?”
Tears stood perched on Alice's lower eyelids. “Honey, I know it's over between us, and I know it's my fault, but please do this for me. It's the last thing you will ever do for me. You can take whatever precautions you want, but please spend the entire night with me.”
I considered the request. I had already decided that I would sleep with her, but I really didn't trust her enough to spend the night. I thought about it as she sat there waiting for me to make up my mind. Finally I said, “Let's just have a drink and see how it goes.”
.../...The next voice was Alice's. “Good morning Xavier. How are you?”
“I'm OK,” I said suspiciously. “What do you want?”
I could sense her gathering her thoughts and her courage. “I know you're at work so I won't keep you. But I really need to talk to you privately. Can we meet tonight?”
Against my better judgment I agreed to meet her, but I insisted on meeting her the following night. I wanted to be prepared. She was staying at the Olympia Guest House, a discreet place that catered mostly to business travelers. It was clean and had good long-term rates. Our appointment was for 8:00 so the following day I stayed in the office until 7:30 but I got very little done. I kept having conversations in my mind with Alice.
When I got to the hotel, Alice was waiting for me in the restaurant. As I approached her table she stood up and took a step towards me. It was obviously calculated to give me a full view of her body and put me in the awkward position of having to hug her. I looked at her. She wore a short skirt and a jacket. She looked like a very sexy version of a paralegal. Her makeup was tastefully applied so as to highlight the elfish features of her face and her hair was tied up. My ex-wife was absolutely beautiful and desirable.
“Divorce favors you. I really hate to say this, but you look great.” We sat down.
“Well,” she started, “don't let it fool you. I'm not doing all that good, but I wanted to look good for you. I wanted to impress you.”
I didn't want to sound nasty, but I had to make myself clear. “Look, if you called me here to beg for another chance, you're not just wasting your time, you're also wasting mine. The answer is no. It was no yesterday, and it’ll be no tomorrow.” I stood up.
Alice put a hand on my arm. “Wait. I didn't ask you here for that.”
“What then?” I asked.
“Please,” she started nervously, “please sit down. I want to show you something, and I have a favor to ask you.”
Slowly I sat back down. “OK, what is it.”
Alice picked up her oversized handbag and put it in her lap. “Before I show you this, I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. Whether we together or not, I'll always love you.” She stared at me earnestly, “and I'll always watch over you Xavier.”
Inside I was feeling a bit uneasy but I hid my anxiety and stared back at her. “Stop with the creepy nonsense and show me what you got.”
Alice smiled and took a small plastic bag from her handbag and handed it to me. I took it carefully from her and peeked inside. It just looked like a white cotton rag. I looked at her and she was still smiling softly. “Go ahead, take it out.”
I inhaled deeply, discreetly, trying to look calm, but I could feel small beads of sweat forming on my nose. I looked around. There were a score of people in the restaurant, but we were sitting in a private out-of-the-way corner. I gathered my courage and reached into the bag and pulled out the rag. I assumed that something was wrapped inside, but when I opened it, I realized that the white cotton rag was really an unwashed, pair of men's briefs. I looked at Alice. “Where did you get this?”
“The real question is when,” Alice said. “You do recognize those don't you?”
Most of my underwear was colored, but I did own a few pairs of white briefs, and I had worn a pair during the week. “OK, what's your point?”
Alice's smile had become a sad and sincere expression. “The point is Xavier, that you can't trust anyone. You wore those the day before yesterday. You took them off and threw them in the hamper like you do every night. The hamper is in your room by the door. You lock your room when you leave for work. You lock the house and it stays locked until either you or Pop come home. But the very next day I had your dirty underwear. You know what I could have done with them if I had wanted to, but I love you Xavier. I just want you to realize that I'm the only person in the world that you can trust.”
I examined the briefs carefully. There was absolutely no doubt. They were mine, the very ones I had worn two days earlier. My mind started to fill with all the obvious questions that she expected me to ask, but I knew her M.O. all too well. Each question would be answered with a carefully crafted lie neatly wrapped around an item of truth. All of it engineered to sow distrust and animosity inside my house. I refused to take the bait, and I was determined to break every last bond we had, once and for all. “Well, this is interesting. Very interesting.” I stuffed the briefs back into the bag and turned around to look for a waiter.
Somewhat surprised, Alice asked, “Don't you wanna know how I got it?”
“Not necessary,” I replied calmly. “Besides, it's pretty obvious,” I lied. “But I do want to thank you. So, what's the favor you wanted to ask?”
I could tell by the hesitation that Alice's confidence was shaken. She looked at me with eyes that betrayed her doubts. “Xavier, I want you to spend the night with me.”
I was pretty sure she would want sex so I had decided in advance that I would give it to her. It would be my parting gift to the woman who had been the love of my life and my wife. “Man, when you ask for a favor you go for broke don't you? Why don't we just spend a couple hours together and see how it goes?”
Tears stood perched on Alice's lower eyelids. “Honey, I know it's over between us, and I know it's my fault, but please do this for me. It's the last thing you will ever do for me. You can take whatever precautions you want, but please spend the entire night with me.”
I considered the request. I had already decided that I would sleep with her, but I really didn't trust her enough to spend the night. I thought about it as she sat there waiting for me to make up my mind. Finally I said, “Let's just have a drink and see how it goes.”
Peace and Love,
Alizé (LoversA.blogspot.com)
Copyright © 2007-2008 Xavier Pierre Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Poetry fests?
Hey people
What are the major poetry festivals (works for sale, recitations/slams, panels) in the PA-DE-MD-DC-VA area this summer?
What are the major poetry festivals (works for sale, recitations/slams, panels) in the PA-DE-MD-DC-VA area this summer?
200th Post - thanx 2 U!
Thanks to all of you who have been intrigued by this blog concept and enjoyed our old-school tunes enough to make this the Blog-Block-Party of the blog-o-sphere! Our humble beginnings on October 2, 2007 have blown up into a full-fledged happening spot! We are truly grateful for the enthusiasm of our contributors, readers, those who leave comments and even the lurkers. Yes, Yes, Y'all...it's because of y'all that we keep spinning these hot cerebral-"wheels of steel"!If there is one thing you would suggest BD2Write change in order to improve, what would it be?
*click image for source.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
love5-15-08
love
love is what my dear soul lies
upon my extincts like double soft pillows
my dearest soul sleep
and saw you in my dream
all over again
~
©2008 Kai C.
B.Delight, Vol 1: Great Income Source
Want to make the easiest $25 you'll ever make? Simply sell a mere FIVE copies of Bloggers' Delight, Vol 1 on Love & Redemption!!There are two options:
U take complete control: 1) Purchase 5 copies directly from The BD production team at $10 per copy and sell them at the full price of $15 at your place of employment, family cook out or at your local fair. The summer's a great time for this! This is also a great option for those who prefer NOT to shop via internet.
U set the wheels in motion and wait for the money to roll in: 2) Send the following link to ALL of your friends, relatives & colleagues (http://www.i-lit.com/). For every FIVE single copy purchases made by your contacts The BD production team will send U a money order for $25. You should send us an email of everyone you send the link to so that we can ensure you are properly credited when they make their purchase! Also, be sure to tell those you refer to put your name inside the link for special instructions just below the item description (Add special instructions to seller). The sales will be tallied at the end of each month.
Feel Free to sell more than 5 copies. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!
Email:
bloggersdelightbook@yahoo.com
Monday, May 12, 2008
Requiem Haiku for Condi Rice
In sea of fools you once washed wise
Your sorrow falls like quiet snow on the vale
Now that folks have wised up.
Your sorrow falls like quiet snow on the vale
Now that folks have wised up.
"The Devil's Bride" (excerpt)
This is a preview of one of my upcoming novels. The main character is based on my first wife. Let me know what you think. All feedback is appreciated.
***************************************
from Chapter 1 - Belle-Glade
“One of my fondest memories as a little girl was going for ice cream with my dad. I suppose all little girls love their dads, but my dad was special; he was a real adventurer. Sometimes he would be gone for months at a time. Once he was gone for three years, but he always came back. My mother told us he was never coming back, but I knew he would, if only because he had promised me.”
Claude reached over the edge of the bed and flicked his ashes onto the the bare concrete floor and stuck his cigarette in the corner of his mouth before speaking. “Just like that?”
Nancy sat up, took the cigarette from Claude's lips and took a short drag before returning it to his mouth. “No, not 'just like that', nothing about my father was 'just like that'.
Claude rolled onto his side and propped himself on an elbow to face Nancy. “So what he do, show up in a big fancy limo?”
Nancy smiled, “No, that wasn't my Daddy's style. One day we were playing in the front yard and I saw him walking up the road with a big old duffel bag over his shoulder. I told my sisters it was him but they wouldn't believe me. They started laughing when I ran down the street to meet him, but sure enough, it was him.”
“So where had he been all those years?” Claude asked.
Nancy got up from the bed, stepped over to the small vanity and sat on the stool. “Texas, Columbia, then jail for a while until the FBI let him out for some under cover work, but he screwed them and made his way back home.”
Claude sat up and planted his huge feet on the floor, careful not to step in the pile of ashes. “Your father told you that?”
Nancy looked at her reflection as she fixed her hair. “He sure did.”
“And you believed him?” Claude let out a raucous laugh.
Nancy swirled around on the stool. “You callin my daddy a liar?”
Claude just kept laughing.
Nancy stood up and faced Claude. She wanted to strike, but that would have been foolish. Claude was just under seven feet tall, and weighed over two-hundred and fifty pounds. By contrast, Nancy was 5'2" and weighed just over a hundred pounds. “Fuck you Claude! I really hate you some times.”
Claude still had more laugh in him but he fought to hold it in as he reached out to her. “I'm sorry Ceecee. Come here and lemme make it better.”
“Don't touch me you jerk!” Nancy stepped out of range and picked her panties up off the floor at the foot of the bed.
Claude Realized that she was serious. “Come on baby, where you goin now? Hey if you goin near the kitchen, bring me back a beer will ya.”
Nancy sliped into her panties and walked out of the room. A short hallway led to the kitchen. She walked through the kitchen and sat on the worn, threadbare couch in the small living room. She tucked her legs under her, exposing the dirty soles of her feet, lay her head on the arm of the couch, and cried softly. She cried for her father. “Oh Daddy, I miss you so much. If only you could have stayed with me.”
Despite what Claude thought, Nancy's story was mostly true. Nancy's father, Billy, had come walking up the road one day after taking a Greyhound bus from Amarillo Texas all the way to Riviera Beach, Florida. Belle Glade was such a small, out of the way town that it didn't even have a bus station. Nancy's dad had hitched a ride for the two-hour drive to the small town near Lake Okeechobee. Three years earlier he'd left after being home for almost a year. He tried to be a good husband and dad and supported his wife Mabel and three daughters by fixing TVs, radios and other electronics. The computer revolution was just starting and he was saving money to buy one when life took him for spin.
Billy and Mabel were always fighting, and the fights were always the same. Billy was a ladie's man and a drinker. Mother's warned their daughters about him, and husbands kept a close eye on their wives. But Mabel was up to the challenge. She was fearless and when it came to her man, she wasn't shy about starting scandals. If she suspected that Billy was sleeping with a particular woman, she might go right up to the front door, ask for the man of the house and tell him to please keep an eye on his woman. Needless to say, Mabel made a lot of enemies.
Nancy was the middle sister. Her older sister Marlene had a son and lived with her boyfriend. Her younger sister Stephanie was a high school freshman. Nancy had dropped out of school after getting left back in the 8th grade. Her boyfriend Claude was the coach of the high school football team. For obvious reasons, their relationship was secret. In fact, even if told, most people would not even have believed it because Nancy had a reputation as a tomboy. Nancy idolized her father so much, that she wanted to do everything he did. That included having at least three girlfriends at any given time. Nancy had no romantic interest in men. To her, they were just a source of revenue. Claude was the exception for a very simple reason. He had an uncanny resemblance to her father.
Nancy dried her eyes and picked herself up off the couch the same way she always picked herself up between her father's adventures. But she knew he wasnt comin back this time. Her father had been dead for two years.
***************************************
Peace and Love,
Alizé (LoversA.blogspot.com)
Copyright © 2008 Xavier Pierre Jr. All rights reserved.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
for my mom 5/11/08
Mommy's cheek
Mommy's cheek
I gently rub it
As she lean on me
She needs quiet & calm
So she came in my room
& have a little nighttime chat
Of mother- daughter moment
Yet her expression on her face
Was fondly tired & likes to go in a dream world
But still she's beautiful to me
She kissed my hand
& turned off the light
Saying "goodnight sweetie"
Indeed I told her
"I love you"
She replied, "love you too"
~
©2007 Kai C.
Happy Mother's Day!
Sought Potential
My mind is a canister filled with ink/ My thoughts take a timid dip the moment I think of my potential/ The pen is the preferred utensil/ The use of a pencil would lead to the temptation to erase the tread marks of my thoughts/ I cannot risk forgetting the lessons that I was taught/ As I climb life’s steps, I grasp the banister/ At times my pride releases my grip/ And then my canister begins to tip/ Causing my ink to slowly drip/ Drops of ink land on this paper/ With traces of my thoughts, the ink begins to taper/ Leaving behind italicized text in the form of a poem/ Its context stands on end as if it tempts me to comb through my life’s kinks/ HE thinks I shine/ Curiosity of my potential leads me to continue to climb and climb/But sometimes the hand of time refuses to shake my hand in agreement/ So I carve my name in the cement of patience/
Right now, I want you to do the same and carve your name in that same cement of patience and anticipate the continuation of this poem. Patience is indeed a virtue.
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