If the World saw less black & white, there would be room for More Color…
So many say the words to receive no answer.
A hurtful thought that can eat away at your very soul like a cancer.
That’s why I always promised myself if I ever got the chance to
Fulfill that role I would do it well.
I look my father in his eyes and say thank you
even though I may have gave him pure hell.
He stood there, through the fire storms, from the day that I was born,
and here he stands today
Yes, I may be the cause behind a few of those gray hairs
I thank him because he didn’t have to stay.
Times have truly changed, the role of women being so independent
sometimes the role of a father has to be defended.
No one is perfect but some do use that as an excuse for that same song.
Planting a seed into the cavities of fertility, the true fruit of life.
No one said you have to make her your wife, but be a father.
A true father, so much more than just a dad,
I look at society today and must confess that it is sad.
My daughter will always know her father
I tell the women out there who act as mother and father…stay strong
Times are hard but not as hard as they have been.
Valued who you are, and on behalf of them I’m sorry.
I’m sorry they he doesn’t get it.
I’m sorry that he “got it” then refused to accept his position,
And I’m wishing….. he valued your worth.
I wish he appreciated that birth that was given to him.
To be more than just a donor,
I wish he could accept being the owner…of a blessing.
A lesson of love and life
The number of men that don’t understand…too funny
Its more than just the money, It’s the value of time spent
It’s the feeling of reminiscing on the places you’ve went.
It’s the comfort of having someone there for you…. as an angel sent.
To those that do… I SALUTE YOU!
We piled inside the small compact car smelling like Vodka, sweat, and good times.
Someone yelled ‘Let’s take Marta.’ After all, it’s smarter. Well, it’s just we all had been drinking. Summer was approaching and there was a sudden silence in the air, you knew what everyone was thinking.
Ralph was such a good guy is what we all seemed to pray. He was one exit from home on that fateful day.
With a driven purpose in mind we walked towards the next arriving Blue Line. It’d be ten minutes or so before the next rail was set to arrive. Under the influence it seemed like forever. In the meantime, we’d admire a smoke and a share a few thoughts of laughter. Philips Arena, Five Points… Georgia State soon after. We waited along with a few others in the morning dim. There were no panhandlers in sight, it must have been too early for them. That’s what Greg joked but I saw truth in that. I was almost at a dose when I felt a sprinkle of inspiration in fact. Awakening was the rail’s brakes and images of flying sparks. The old woman sitting by the young lady I met tonight both got off at Inman Park. Those other guys I believe were migrating West. I thought to myself, ‘Marta is Smarter’, even they know what’s best. The conductor insisted Edgewood/Candler would be coming up next. I looked around and there weren’t a familiar face left other than one guy from yesterday’s game. By the time we reached Decatur I had forgotten his name. On similar paths we travel some of our minds lose tract. Then I saw my reflection realizing I am a man of my own and fully understand maps. Have been for awhile now and soloist decisions have become the norm. Through many roads I’ve traveled while weathering the storm. Further I’ve gone, but nowhere near home. Then I see through their eyes. Faces show smiles and in hearts true gloom. Or perhaps, maybe I’ve gone too far as a train passes flashing, ‘No, we were all born to be stars, some just get off to soon.’
Picked up a few vintage items at a yard sale this weekend. An old storage trunk, a Singer sewing machine (Cabinet Model), and a Nikon EM. Being a collector of vintage and antique items these pieces spoke to me. History often has a story to tell if we take time to listen. It was a pleasure speaking with the woman who was selling a host of items that belonged to her father who’d recently passed away. She stated that he had been collecting so many things that the home looked like an episode of “Hoarders.” With the quality of these items I was only sorry I didn’t get there sooner. Vintage in today’s world is something to appreciate by all means and uncannily we throw away a piece of the past without even thinking about it. Knowing the value of something beyond the price tag is truly…priceless.

“You mean I can’t stay here forever?”
This seems to be the question many find themselves asking as death creeps onto the doorsteps of life. The bad news is…at some point you’re going to die. The good news is….well, you’re going to die. The fear of death is one I overcame at a very young age that I attest mainly to my fascination for the spiritual & unknown. As far back as I can remember the fascination of life and death only grew after a near death experience(drowning). From that point on, the mystery that so many fear became a tool for truly LIVING. After the death of my dear godmother, grandmother, other relatives, and friends the thought of no longer being in the physical seemed to be more intriguing than frightening.
If we place those fears and distractions aside for a moment there is so much more to life that we fail to see. Live everyday like it’s your last and the worry of death tends to fade. Exercise your right in servitude and the solemnness will slowly die. That’s my mantra. I find it disturbing that we still fear one another simply because of the color of ones skin, or the god they may worship. Why can’t we all just be?
I recently had a conversation with my mother who I believe is beginning to go through a denial of death. To deny death is to shun life, for it is another chapter in this journey. Besides, you can deny it as much as you want…it’s still going to happen. In the book,” The Many Faces of Death” by Jacqui James she states,”
One of the faces of death, a very common one, is the
terrified face. It is the face seen by those who have ignored
death throughout their lives and who have
refused point blank either to talk or to think about death,
regarding the subject as morbid and one which, if
indulged in, would hasten their own deaths.
This superstitious attitude is a common human failing:
‘ignorance’ of anything found unpleasant or threatening.
This is so true and the face that I firmly believe mother is dealing with. I’ve tried comfort but that doesn’t fly over too well. I’m at peace simply knowing that I have attempted. With the recent loss of her brother and close friend in her religious sect, time is slowly withering away and she is now realizing this. The relationship I have with her is one that has been off and on, for years for a number of reasons. One of those reasons has been my determination to follow a path of my own; straying away from the limitations and struggles of so many “religions” these days. Following a path of my own I was able to awaken the Giant within & overcome those difficulties that many face when it comes to creation, life and death. Once embarking on this voyage of self and harmonizing the world within, the hereafter is no more of a threat to me than say, a morning jog, or going to the grocery store. I find it saddening when I look in her eyes and others who’ve followed the tutelage of so-called “leaders” or sects whose only true motive is profit- only to find them suffering and fearful in the end? To be misled and not ask why is asking for your own demise in any case. I pray that some sort of solace does rise in their hearts and minds. Death is something that is within each and every one of us when we are born. Death is the quiet passenger tagging along on this highway of experiences. Along the way, it simply became another one of the fears we conjured up to this point in life. We have yet to scratch the surface of the “tomb” that we currently embody as life. From the most logically perspective, how can you be afraid of something you know nothing about?
At some point, we must all fly away … Maybe we’ll meet again next lifetime…
A picture is worth 1000 words. This shot of a land crab was taken with my Nikon off the coast of La Romana, Dominican Republic.
A year ago I noted this date as to where my mind would travel
Remaining stagnant is hard to adhere, perhaps relapse racing to and fro
I paused as I answered that very question to myself
Overlooking any shoulders to lean on…I wanted to do it without any help.
I can honestly say I lost a few friends in the process,
Gained one or two I consider my best.
The Soul within at the very top of my list,
And even if all others were dismissed… you are there.
Looking at this cycle as One whole,
Then again, I wouldn’t recommend the tribulations endured,
That made the anniversary to my revitalization so pure.
Individually grounded in an awakening, knowing there is no time and there never was a wound to heal.
Steer me closer yet keep me clear…a lighthouse to my mental a guiding light foreign to fear.
Don’t mind me… I’m just trying to make do with what my heart sees as real
See through me as I trod along an open path,
I will strive until the very spirit decides to fast.
It’s the Anniversary to my revitalization…to thyself give cheers,
as we chant mantras in hopes of rejuvenation to our peers.
It’s the Anniversary of My Revitalization… I planned this a year ago,
Now that my revitalization is complete…there are no limits to where I may go…
Sometimes the sentiments of life tend to shatter random moments of the past,
And glancing into the dimensions within a soul that knows forever will last.
I don’t know what matters as what seems to matter to me always seems to let the ignorance surpass destiny & the very factions many fail to see.
Sometimes the reunion of minds seems to redo what we have rendered and rewound through time
And souls refusing to include the presence of reality just misuse these flaws to every degree
Lost priorities focused away from mankind’s need to decipher a misguided seed
We need better conditioning…so on the sidelines of this corners being…I wait.
Enjoying the wondrous attributes created through nature’s very symphonic scheme
Knowing these thoughts painted across the canvas of life weren’t just some silly dream.
photo taken near Lucea, Jamaica with my Nikon D3000 w/Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G. Lucea is the little coastal capital in the Hanover parish. Lots of boating and attractions between Monteco Bay and Negril. Beautiful people, great good, good times…enjoy!
While at sea I lost a thought today,
that very moment when seas blend to skies
smiles to turn frowns and lens turn to eyes.
The melody of the sea knows more of my mind’s smiles than I could ever see
While the world frowns & hopelessly drowns
I’m fond of the way the sea seems to understand and see the peace in me.
It’s not too often you get beautiful views of the sea before a storm. This picture was taken with my Nikon D3000 in La Romana, Dominican Republic. A fairly inexpensive escape for couples and families alike; it boasts a relaxing yet colorful palette of great food, cervezas, and attractions. Flights land at the international airport in Punta Cana which is about 35-40 miles away. Ground transportation is available via the airport but most hotels may provide for any additional costs.