NO CHANGE COMIN' IN (aka White Girl in Da Hood)

This is dedicated to all of the students at Urban Environment (my current school) because I believe in you! I believe that you WILL be open to new ideas and people who are different from you --- whatever that means to you personally --- and to extend yourselves beyond "do or die Bed-Stuy" so that the world will be a better place. Think beyond yourself and what you see with your eyes!


Phat beats be blastin'
Dope cars be passing
Jay-Z and Biggie on the radio
Rollin' lyrics out my window.
No Crips betta come by here
Cuz this where my Bloods show no fear!

Yo, why this White girl rollin' up in here today???
Don't she know to roll elsewhere or has she lost her way?!
She be goin' in that wack school?!
She not lost, just some Cracker fool
Trying to be some Whitey Messiah to OUR kids
Yo sis, Jesus already came so STAY OUT OUR BIZ!!!

We don't want you or need you!
'Sides we know you a snitch too!!!
You think you can change our biz, crack and hood life, here in Marcy?!
Police and Whities always thuggin', can't they let a brotha be!!!
This is our hood, our school, our weaves, our skin
Leave it be. This is what it is; NO CHANGE COMIN' IN!

Through my Mama's eyes

This morning I went to a poetry workshop at my school. The workshops are part of a grant that my school was awarded to combine poetry and music for a performance in May. (I am teaching the music part of these workshops). We were asked to write about ourselves through the eyes of someone else. I chose my mom because I was thinking about her this morning when I woke up. While writing, I pictured my mom doing some mundane task when her mind gently drifts to thoughts of me. Thus, a poem to celebrate her love for me and the seven month of my life in NYC.


Transitioning. She still marches to the beat
of her own band.
1,200 miles away living her dreams. I miss her so,
but life is easier because of Calvin.
Calvin, I love him so. He pleases me so and brings me
peace after over two years of divorce.
It was hard to have peace with Kenny.
How my daughter loves him so and favors him.
Her hands, her hair, her music, her pig-headedness
They remind me of Kenny and ...
Well, enough about Kenny. I don’t want
to dwell on him but to dwell sweetly on my daughter.
Amanda, I am so proud of her. She has a heart
for Jesus and is now serving in NYC.
I saw it coming. She is a lover of danger and
adventure which will probably lead one day to death.
I am happy for you my daughter (though I miss you so),
and I know the City suits you well.
You love beauty and art just for the sake of both ...
and well, New York is big enough that it’s got to be there.
I know that you look forward to seeing me there
eventually. I hope others have already visited you.
My thoughts are starting to wander now but
my love for you never will. Amanda. ♥

Salvation from Tears

A poem I was just inspired to write ...

Tears falling down
As I look at pictures
And pour out my heart
To my Abba

Daddy, please save them I cry.

Sitting on the train
I look around
And think the guy with
The dreads and plaid pants
Is really hot
I look away to not look too long
And it moves my heart

Daddy, please save them I cry.

I have been here before
Moved to tears for those I love
Wondering why I don't cry more
For the lost, for the unknown all around me
Who still need you Jesus

Daddy, please save them I cry.

Will my heart stay soft and broken?
Will I intercede for others?
Will I spend myself on their behalf?
Will I take the crap as Jesus did so
That there need only be one Savior?

Daddy, please save them I cry.