Day 40 – Just Jill: Words & Sounds Live


Recently had the opportunity to catch Jill Scott live as part of her Summer Block Party tour. And what an amazing experience it was. Still think and dream about it to this day. So I wrote this poem as an ode to her magnificence.

Just Jill: Words & Sounds Live

There’s something about Jill
Natural beauty and wonder,
Talent that seems limitless,
Has a heart and soul so deep, so pure that it boggles one’s capacity
     to understand.
She gets you as soon as she makes her appearance
Immediately captured.
She’s a musical wizard,
Who casts her spell within the first few notes.
The studio is great,
But there’s nothing like the real thing live.

Jill’s larger than life spirit commands the stage.
Head held high, never down;
Always standing in high-esteem like a regal Goddess,
Like the Queen that she is.
Undeniable authenticity,
And a familiarity that makes you feel as if you’re in the good hands of a
     loved one.
Jill’s better than your best friend
     she’s family.
So real, so genuine, so true;
She goes places very few dare to go on and off the stage.
Saying all things we’d like to say so beautifully, so eloquently
She’s not afraid to go there.
She’s fearless.
She’s wide open to the point of being selfless.
That’s why we relate;
That’s why weyour core fansjust can’t let anything get in the way of 
     what we’re feeling when it comes to you.

Jill takes us on a journeyone we’ll always wish could last a little while
     longer.
The ride is an indelible experience
One we’d relive any chance we get.
Because Jill’s the whole package;
Never needing to depend on the pyrotechnics to put on a great show
She’s golden like that,
She’s divinely touched,
And we are so grateful that we can experience the blessings.

Whatever it is, whatever it is;
Let it be, let it be.
YES!
Let us PLEASE let Jill Scott be!

© BuddahDesmond

Day 17: No More

No more second guessing
Time to cast away the doubts,
The insecurities and the fears
And go with my gut instincts
The first thought or answer to come to mind is usually true

No more beating up myself
What’s done is done — it’s a thing of the past
Time to accept it, reflect upon it, gain from it, and move on

No more bouts with despair
Time to move beyond and get over things that I simply do not have the power
Or control to change

No more worrying
Time to channel that energy into something better
Something useful
Something creative
Time to just live and let it be

No more tears being wasted
On those who said that they loved me
Or those who said that they cared
It’s their loss, not yours

No more sweating the small stuff
Because it’s just that
Time to accept letdowns and disappointments as tests of character,
Endurance and strength
They are gifts in disguise
It’s all a part of life’s journey
And I’m going to enjoy the ride
Whatever happens, happens
However the cards will be dealt
I can guarantee this:
The game will be played and it will be played well

I am now more aware of myself than ever before
I realize that nothing is wrong with me
I am perfectly fine
No more downgrading or shortchanging
I accept myself for who I am
I will not bow down or fall victim to the expectations
Of what everyone says I am supposed to be

No more
I am all of who I am supposed to be and much more
Take it or leave it

(c) BuddahDesmond

Day 12: Poetry Spotlight – Not Anymore

Not Anymore

Taking out the trash.
Getting rid of all the old shit.
Locating all the hidden treasures that squandered
     in the presence of you.

Started over.
Went from lost to found.
Spirit renewedfound a new love,
Not as costly or exhausting as the love I had
     with you.

Got it right this time.
Didn’t give way to self-doubt.
No more self-interrogation.
No longer being the criminal to the victim always played
     by you.
I realized when problems in relationships arise,
It’s usually not just one party to blameit’s two.

I’ve washed myself clean.
Still have my issues,
But I acknowledge them and make it known.
There’s always room for improvement.
But I can be myself.
No need to hide or disguise face, as if I would at heartbreak’s
     masquerade ball.
I’ve been welcomed and accepted completely.
And did I say loved?
Loved like nobody’s business.
Loved better than I could ever dream of.
So there’s no need
     to look back
     anymore.

(c) 2009 BuddahDesmond

Day 11: Poetry Spotlight – Ain’t Worth It

Ain’t Worth It

Why get fully vested in something that has yet to prove
     its future’s promise?
Why get emotionally involved when you still are unsure
     if he or she has your heart and you have theirs?
What’s the sense in crying over it if the tears and your efforts
     won’t change a thing?

When substance isn’t fully formed,
And the foundation is absent or still weak
It’s too much to give your all if you haven’t seen a return…
     especially when he or she is fixed, unbending.

When the union can’t get beyond shallow matters
Ain’t no sense looking for depth.
Cause superficial love ain’t love at all.
It’s all a facade
A fantasy of what it could but will never be.

If you’re looking in others for what you can’t do or find in yourself
You’re hopeless.
You’re only killing timeyours and others
When you drag someone else along and you’re not ready
    (or you know they’re not ready) for the commitment.
The wise choice:
Go play.
Get it out of your system.
Or stay single until you’re ready.
Cause it ain’t worth it.

(c) BuddahDesmond
—————-
Now playing: Amel Larrieux – Weary
via FoxyTunes

Never Knew

Never knew I could feel this way about someone
I always thought about it
Always dreamed about it
Fantasized about it
Prayed for it
But never knew it would be like this

What I’m feeling far exceeds expectations
It trumps predecessors
It squashes competition
Smashes records
Wins every time
I had a feeling before but it doesn’t equal the real thing

Everything I’ve ever wanted in a man
I’ve found in you
All the wonderful things that dreams are made of
All the qualities to brag about
All the characteristics I find attractively appealing
Intellect and wit that keeps me on my toes
Handsome sexiness that I can’t resist
Tenderness, care and compassion that brings tears to my eyes
With flaws and all you are simply beautiful, inside and out

Never knew I could find everything and more
I always wrote about it
Always sang about it
Talked about it
Wished for it
But it eclipses all that I’ve ever hoped for

Didn’t know it would be like this
It’s better than I expected
And I’m glad to finally have it
I’m glad to be in this place
Glad to have this feeling
So glad to be this in love
And for this, I will continue to express my gratitude

~ BuddahDesmond

—————-
Now playing: Chrisette Michele & Ne-Yo – What You Do (Single Version)
via FoxyTunes

Inherent – A Throwback Poem

What’s goin’ on folks?! Hope you had a happy, safe holiday weekend. I’m good, or shall I say better. I just got over a two-week illness this past weekend. I had an upper respiratory infection and acute pharyngitis. It was no fun. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. And the antibiotic made me feel worse. I’m sorry but I will never be a fan of medicine that makes you feel worse in order to make you feel better. Can I get a natural remedy instead? LOL! But luckily – all is well. I’m so happy this happened now as opposed to next month when I have to travel for business or during vacation later this summer. Anyway, I’ve been reviewing some of my poetry for a few upcoming projects. And I thought I’d leave you with a poem I wrote back in 1998 entitled, “Inherent”.

Have a wonderful week!

Inherent

For so long I
Breathed your love
Drank your air
Digested your breath
Tasted your feelings

For so long I
Savored the kiss of your lips
Devoured your kindness
Enjoyed the flavor of your touch
I lived inside your heart

For so long you
Gave so much
Maybe I didn’t give enough
But I’m inherent to you and your
Love
I live you
And oblivious of this you are not
And maybe these feelings are ambiguous
But I’m inherent to you and your
Love

~ BuddahDesmond

—————-
Now playing: Christina Milian – Dip It Low
via FoxyTunes

If I Was A Ho…

Of all the dreams I could have,
One is kind of off and raunchy,
Not anything you’d expect of me.
But hey, one can dream…
If I was a ho…

If I was a ho,
I’d be slaying muthafuckas day and night.
I’d have my regulars,
And my one-nighters.
And there’d be no overnights.
Do the do and get out!

If I was a ho,
I’d make ‘em work for it.
You’ll be treating me right
And treating me well.
And you won’t be stopping by empty handed
     Or unannounced.
Cause this ho wouldn’t go for that.

If I was a ho,
I’d acknowledge that I was a ho.
There’d be no lyin’,
No frontin’.
You ask, I’m gonna tell you,
     Straight up.
If you have a problem with it – STEP!

If I was a ho,
Protection would be essential each and every time.
I’d make sure I was getting tested on a regular basis,
And demand the same from my conquests.
Because no one else should succumb due to irresponsible
     sexual behavior on their part or on the part of those
     they trust.

If I was a ho,
You would respect me.
Cause I ain’t that type of ho.
Thinkin’ you can get at me whenever you want and
   treat me like shit –
Oh no, not me.
Ho or otherwise!

If I was a ho,
I’d give it a new name –
Some grace and some class.
I’d bring new relevance to the jump-off.
And show that even hoes got it goin’ on!

But I ain’t a ho.
Though I could be one,
I can’t bring myself to do it.
It’s crazy out here.
And it’s just easier to be in a committed relationship
Or at home with a porno flick jerkin’ off.

So no, I have no plans of being a ho
     anytime soon
But if I was –
I’d be number one!

~ BuddahDesmond

—————-
Now playing: The-Dream – Rockin’ That Thang
via FoxyTunes

Kiss

When our lips met, I felt myself
     leave this place.
I was transcended.
And from the looks of it, you were too.
Something in the way our lips met,
Suggested a deeper feeling between us–
     Something we’re only beginning to experience and explore.
If this serves as an indication of the future,
     it’s going to be explosive.
What brought us together will only continue to grow.

~ BuddahDesmond

—————-
Now playing: Kid Cudi – Day ‘n’ Nite
via FoxyTunes

The Love Inside

You can have all the love in the world,
But the love that really counts is the love inside
The love for self that shines through in each and everything
     you do.
It is only when you can love and accept yourself that you can
     begin to love someone else.
And once this happens,
You will be able to proclaim honestly and passionately,
“I’ve found true love!”

~ BuddahDesmond

Next Time

After this last go round with love,
I’ve decided
Instead of lambasting my ex for the wrong done
     to me,
I’m going to focus on me,
Own up to what I did,
Embrace the mistakes
My faults,
And figure out just what I need to do,
So that next time I don’t end up in the same
     situation.

I need to take this time
Reflect upon me.
This is my time to rectify, recover, release,
     and regroup,
So that next time
     I’m ready for love,
     fully and completely.

~ BuddahDesmond