Archive for Poetry

Beautiful Black Man

black manHey there, beautiful black man.  What brings you here?  You know beauty like yours is rare around these parts.  You make a sistah wish she had taken art appreciation 101 to delve into the intricacies of the unique sculpture you are.  I didn’t notice you at first, but once we made eye contact I knew you were something special.

What is it about you that makes me rush to a pen and pad to capture your radiance and encapsulate you in my mind?  Is it because you’re simply beautiful or simply a rare find?  You remind me of an African warrior prince—your locks long and strong; your height towering; your complexion dark as chocolate; your physique tight and chiseled like an ebony statue.  I did a double take when you passed and became tongue-tied.  Too beautiful for words.

What is it about you that makes me silently grin?  Are you such a hot commodity where you’re from?  What is it about you that makes me want to see you again, not to date you or take you home to my mom, but to lay eyes on your captivating self.  I only saw you once, but from my point of view you were somebody to remember.

Ooh beautiful black man, what is it that you do, where did you come from, and did you bring anymore brothas with you?

Beautiful black man you are a sight for hungry eyes; a testament to the wondering soul; an answer to the plaguing question:  Where are all the fine men?  Do they even exist anymore other than Hollywood, on my tv screen or in the gay magazines?  What is it that made me talk about you to myself once you left?  At that moment my tongue became the pen of a ready writer.  I couldn’t believe I had seen you, met eyes with you and nearly bumped into you.

You remind me of a cool condensation drenched glass of lemonade on a scorching day — Ahhh refreshing!

But I have a few questions: is your personality as radiant as your smile; your character as steady as your stride; is your faith as strong as your jaw line or your soul as deep as the dimples adorning your cheeks?  Or are you one of those shallow brothas, the looking for a dime piece, but can’t find peace kind of brothas?  Are you the kind of guy who appreciates a woman’s strength or are you intimidated by my standards?  Do you have integrity or are you shirking responsibilities and playing the victim?  Does hard work and honesty characterize you?  If not, then keep it moving because I’ve actually seen your kind too many times—lazy, trifling, good for nothing but looks type of brothas.  The kind of guys who instead of owning where they are, want a woman to stoop to their level to make them feel adequate.  You know what?  On second thought, don’t answer because I don’t want to ruin this fantasy with thoughtless words or justifications for mediocrity.  I’ll just bask in the luxury of you, Mr. Beautiful Black Man and wait for a real man to take my hand.  But thanks anyway for the lovely view.

Written in 2004 by yours truly.  

Ladies, have you ever seen a man so gorgeous that you had to just stop and stare?  Have you ever met a guy whose exterior qualities didn’t match his interior qualities?  I’d love to hear about it.

Raise a Standard

Raise a standardstandard

Raise a standard that guards

Raise a standard that guides

Raise a standard that protects

From unecessary heartache

Raise a standard that substantiates your true worth

A standard for your time

A standard for your life

A standard for your love

Raise a standard.

Keep your head and your sights high

As one who hopes

And one who believes

One that seeks to please the Lord

To be an example

Raise a standard

Not an endless list of shallow wishes

Or false pretenses

But purposeful, God inspired standards

That all can recognize

That no one can circumvent

A standard that shields

A standard that dignifies

A standard that anchors

A standard that personifies righteousness and true holiness

Raise a standard

A standard that eliminates the dead weight

And a standard that keeps the path of your feet straight.

Raise a standard

Not just in word

But in deed

A standard that one worthy will meet

The worthy one

The one that appreciates virtue

That has standards too

Raise a standard in everything

Know that the journey will feel like eternity,

But the wait will be worth it

So raise a standard

A standard in your home

A standard in your relationships

A standard in your walk

And let your standards be non-negotiable

For settling is effortless

But standing—priceless.

I’m just sayin’.

Don’t Call Me a Ruby

rubies

These are beautiful, but according to Proverbs 31:10, my price and yours is far above these.

Don’t call me a ruby

I’m far more valuable than that

I’m more precious than any jewel as a matter of fact

Virtue is my nature and truth is etched within

If you had to put me on a value scale I’d be a perfect ten

I’m wrapped in a radiant shade of red, but like I said,

Don’t Call Me a Ruby

I’m far more valuable than that.

I’ve been hand picked by the Master

and polished just so

through every trial and every test my brilliance–it shows

The Word is my standard and its light directs my way

If I fall into temptation, His Word I will obey

I don’t need a man to feel complete, so I’ll repeat

Don’t Call Me a Ruby

I’m far more valuable than that.

I will not be disrespected or neglected

because my Father cares for me

He’s got my heart in his hands and that’s the best place that it can be

If I ever forget my true worth, He’ll remind me with his touch

I’m made in His image–by Him and for Him; that’s why I’m worth so much

I’m more than just my shape, and by the way, let me reiterate

Don’t call me a ruby

I’m worth far more than that!

As always…I’m just sayin’.

I’m not the best at poetry, so let me know what you think by commenting below.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.