Rapping vs Spoken-Word

Everyone says that rapping is poetry.

But is poetry rapping?

What is the difference????

Good Question

Let's Explore...

Poetry has been dated back to 3000 BC (poemofquotes.com). However, spoken-word is still fairly new. Spoken-word started to develop in the late 80's and early 90's (Wikipedia). The art form is still on the rise. HBO's Def Poetry opened a whole new world for spoken world artist. For some this was the first exposure to spoken-word. When looking up a definition for spoken-word is the performing of something out loud.(Merriam-Webster) There is no exact definition of spoken-word poetry, but we can infer that is the performing of poetry out loud.

With this definition rapping would definitely fit this category. But is it really the same?

According to thefreedictionary.com rap is "A form of popular music developed especially in African-American urban communities and characterized by spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics with a strong rhythmic accompaniment." This constraints rapping to music. This separates spoken-word and rapping slightly. What happens if you snatch a beat away from a rap song or write intended rap lyrics with no beat. Is it then poetry? And if you perform it, is it spoken-word?

Clearly spoken-word is performing of a poem. What is a poem exactly, and does rap qualify?
The free dictionary calls a poem:

a composition in verse, usually characterized by concentrated and heightened language in which words are chosen for their sound and suggestive power as well as for their sense, and using such techniques as metre, rhyme, and alliteration

Looking at definition does rap qualify? Sometimes.
Now, you may have been expecting a concrete answer but there isn't. Some rap artist do take the time to make lyrics that fit this definition. Rap takes advantage of rhyme, metre, and alliteration. Depending on who you listen to it can also make sense. In the end its mainly a matter of opinion on the difference.

To me, the main difference is in the purpose, execution, and quality. I believe spoken-word is the expression of the poem not of the artist. The purpose is to expose to others the true meaning of the words on the page. The quality of the performance defines the quality of the work in order to do the poem justice. Often times (not all the time) in the rap industry, an artist's purpose and execution is based on money. Which decreases the quality of work. It's no longer about the works but the artist.

Any one can put rhymes together and make a rap.
But it takes a more than rhymes to make a rap into true poetry.

©Lyrically Poetic

Chemisty I Biology II Performance

It Was A Chemical Reaction Performance

Female Identity in Hip Hop

Females of Haraka Writers and Black Voices of Inspiration at Purdue University

S-I-N-G-L-E Performance

Hidden: Behind Love Collaboration

Originally Written June 23, 2010

A collabo between Allias and I on fb chat. Its two poems at once meshed into each other. You can also read them separately and it still works.

Allias - italics
Blondie - Bold


if only I could draw her attention, yet I'm so caught up in apprehension my soul fights my mind causing inner tension, all at the mention of her name

Famous she is. And I sit envious. Wishing that instead of she it was me. Me that he was wanting and hoping for. I smile and speak to her as jealousy slips of my tounge

Tounge tied and stupefied, I stare, in awe of how much she makes we want to care, all the while her demeanor care...less. Wondering if she even knows I exist

Existing behind her in her shadows. I have no choice but to lurk. My vision is distorted by her. I look at others cross-eyed. Vexed. Wondering why they stare at me funny

Funny how I always joked about those sprung brothers, those by-the-collar hung brothers, so willing to give away their life and love for this so-called "one delivered from above" and yet

And yet the one I seem to love is bound by seams to her. Cross stitched and latticed. I want to be the Reaper. Grim in thoughts. And tear the two apart.

A part of my life. MY life. I caught my self wide open, completely changed all I know when she came to me and we became one and one became two ready to begin anew

Anew plan every day I devised. Kept notebooks of blueprints then revised. Tweaked and sneaked. At last my plan was complete. There can be no shadows in the dark.

Dark is once where I resided, her heart is where I now confide in, souls intertwined out and inside and pushing out foolish loneliness and pride so that now, I can live in the beauty that is and always will be, mine

Mine is what he will be. I know I seem devious but no one knows my side. Continuously playing side kick to a face loaded in mascara. Powdered with beauty. And catching the eye of all in her path. Not knowing her true self. Her rath. Her ugliness. And her deceit.

Her happiness, her pain, and her joy. I'll take it all.

I'l take it all away from her. And she'll finally know what it means to be me...

what it means to be free to give all of yourself

To be free from the black outline casted upon a side walk or wall

the wall that was around my heart will now come crashing down

Her fame will come crashing down around her. Such a Surreal Life

Such a Surreal Life.

© Lyrically Poetic

S-I-N-G-L-E

Performed at Harakafest 2010 spring show: You and Two Others Like This

Originally Written April 5, 2010

S-I-N-G-L-E
Letters that alphabetically suppresses me mentally
Almost depressively
I lay sleepless
Imagining the arms of another surrounding me
I want a real man
but all I hear are dogs hounding me
Because attention to the lonely is like attention to the weak
But the span of this situation is too loose so it just leaks and
eventually, leaves me waiting for the next stray to come along
Night and day go on too long
I get sick to my stomach when I hear those cheesy as love songs
Or when I see those couples that are so intertwined
that their actions are like Siamese twins
Where the girl ends the guy begins
I’m not jealous
just displeased
we're standing in the same line
but for some reason happiness hit them
and for some reason skipped over me.
I swear that I would flap to stay afloat
or gasp for air if it didn’t make me look like I was in despair
So for now I will continue into the blue
hoping some one will notice and come to my rescue
To feel the breathes of another revive the life of mine
so that now
they are so intertwined in line with me

© Lyrically Poetic

It Was A Chemical Reaction

Performed at Harakfest 2010 spring show: You and Two Others Like This

Originally Written February 02, 2010

It was a chemical reaction.
It happened
within the fraction of a second
something like a black candescence
This minor infraction caused by a-like magnetic attraction
The opposition of repulsion
Deep breathes filled lungs like convulsions.
Leading me into this death trap of explosions.
In action you work diligently to cause my inaction.
Intelligently you inject me with this infection
So that I most gratefully and gracefully
fall into your arms.
Dancing thoughts of you entangle my mind
leaving me wrapped up in you like tango
you are now calling my number like bingo
I’m speechless, trying to put letters
into words like lingo.
Almost to the top like Ringo
because stars is all I see from
being woozy and wooed by you.
Asking me to go from dating to relating
and I stare at you as you are anticipating
the moment you have been patiently waiting
are we really ready for this.
I’m not scared of going forward
but of the things that I might miss
But in the midst of my contemplation
I leave my answer encrypted on the softness of your lips
And in your amazement, all you could do is just look.
We’re official everybody…I put it on Facebook

©Lyrically Poetic

The Art of DJ'n

Performed at the BCC Cultural Arts festival. Tribute to one four elements of Hip Hop

Originally Written November 2009

I was born into this art of DJ'n.
Known as a disc jockey, a DJ,
but most importantly
a certified turntable-ist!
A bad mutha- SHUT YO MOUTH!
A professional author of this
complex beats of scats and scratches called Hip-Hop
"And you don't stop"

See from me came B-boys.
You know? Break boys.
And oh yea!
Those MC's...yeah I made those.

I have been pleaded to by the masses.
From the poorest to the highest of social classes
with lines like
(sung)"DJ, Please. Pick up the phone I'm on the request line"
and
(sung) "DJ, wont you play this girl a love song Ooo!"

Yeah, back at time when this type of music was considered wrong.
But thank God for Cool Herc and Grand Wizard Theodore
for exposing this beauty for everyone to adore.
This score! Has never been measured in eight notes on staffs
with black marks with flags.
Just plain artistic expression.
Scratching my soul out on black vinyl.
Leaving myself stretched out on records.
Knowing you get all of my when you hear the final
(scratching) I'm out!

© Lyrically Poetic

Lupe Fiasco - Hip Hop Saved my Life Cover

Performed at the Black Cultural Center Coffee House

Originally Written September 2009

It's like a life in 4D.
Tried to draw the art
but that's out of my league.
I'd like to make it like the sites on TV.
Got a blank sig, still have no I.D.

Be, something that I'm proud to be
Not a superficial entity out for greed.
Believe, money comes fast and it's quick like spent
in the streets all night and daily.

That's a path that's weak and a goal that's bleak.
They all geeked! I'd rather be that geek.
A chick with the melody, and a voice thats heavenly
with the mentality, to make money.
Wake up in the morning (Make money!)
Do it right or wrong? (Got to think!)
Throw my life away? Man it's not that deep.
Got a lot on my plate but I'm still hungry.

Writing what's in my head keeps giving me creed.
Then they all buy my album and they go repeat
back to the pen and pad then see.
The people in the street now Identify me.

Blondie

©Lyrically Poetic

Truth And Light

Inspired by a sound circle on the BCC Hip Hop research tour in Harlem.
The birth of Blondie!!!!

Originally Written October 2009.

I am the truth and light
I am the truth in the night
And I'll be the blaze of the bright
Close your eyes while we rise
or get blinded by the sight
Be the soldiers in the army
as we steppin' through the strife
Use the truth as the weapon
end corruption and the blight
Learn the lesson and you'll find
All that's pure is not white
And everything beautiful in life is no light
I could tell you that it is
but it's just not right
No prophecy could ever hit you
with the validity that comes out of me
as frequently as seasons breeze
Spittin' cold flows icier than arctic freeze
And I'ma sacrifice myself until the truth bleeds
Truth and Light

Blondie

© Lyrically Poetic

Chemisty I Biology II

Originally Written January 26, 2009

Never from a distance could I feel a slight moment or an instance of longing for all the things that remain constant when you are present. But when your absence is absent and your physical being is in my peripherals I seem to lose sight of all the scenery. My conscious becomes void and the intelligence from my endocrine kicks in. Now, I can’t say that you have my heart but you definitely have portion of my cerebral cortex dedicated to you. Designed, colored, and with a label like one of those anatomy and physiology diagrams. Yeah, that sounds right. The anatomy I haphazardly seemed to stumble upon innocently, an increasingly interesting subject that is at much relevance to me. Ideally, I was supposed to ignore it but my physiology is just as hard headed as you are.

And obviously our hands are too.

It was an accident how we caught each other while laughing jokingly at a play list, but never mind the descript of this, just remember our kiss. The heavy feeling in the middle of your chest from no rest just silent conversation. Communicating by means of which words no longer have significant meaning; that through this only true feelings can be expressed. Without detest, the stress of tension is released by the decrease of space between you and I.

There exist no such thing as personal space I guess...

There is no doubt that if I am positive and you are negative then there exist some calculated calculus formula that looks like German on paper however that’s too hard so we always just KISS (keep it simple stupid). See, I know for a minute your mind may have gone south but there exist no STD testing or no mouth to mouth but what exists is an attraction that is so much more than physical, more than visual but subliminal.

Yeah...subliminal...I believe the word fits perfectly.

©Lyrically Poetic

Day 12: The Process

Originally Written September 5, 2008

Venting...

Still pulling my self away
until you realize what it means to have me here,
until you realize what it takes to keep me there,
until you realize what we have here
right now.
But I am not sure it is sure to happen.
Happenstance is not in my favor.
Patiently, still waiting for the chance to savor
the taste swelled with flavor.
And still I am slowly pulling away from you.

And as I am slowly pulling away from you
I am slowly giving up hope.
The dream hanging on a string
held up from the tattered fibers of a rope.
And if it broke, I don't think I would mind too much.
But my mind would have to rewind and stall
because you seemed to be my clutch.
They say patience is virtue and I'm struggling with that
Looking at a bleak failure,
time to grab the tissue, and remain intact.

I come back and write on that pages
that just so happened to be lined with the phrases
that I had previously taken into thought.
And I see that I keep noticing the same thoughts...
over and over...over and over...over and over...
But you would think after while
I would have nothing more to say,
but I have more to express...

I am on Day 12
and I still can not tell you the same thing
that I mentioned on the first day.
Damn!
It has made me realize
I am making no true progress.
Trapped by the things that I wish to confess.
The only thing I have done is
make my self feel somewhat better.

But every time I see you
I have to look into your eyes
and the hardest thing to do
is look away.

©Lyrically Poetic

Ride or Die

Originally Written August 4, 2008

One my favorites!

I love everything you like and hate everything you don't.
If you stop breathing for too long,
I wont.
I inhale you like smoke.
Take the puff but never pass,
Instead of letting you go I'd rather choke.
You spoke-words.
We both-heard,
the sound, when the moment occurred.
It dis-turbed, all the balance,
and re-turned,
all that we love to help fill the void
when we are absent of each other's presence.

I could almost suffocate when you’re not here.
When you’re not near,
me without you is one of my, biggest fears.
And it’s weird.
Because if I never met you,
The feelings would never be so severe.
It was then so clear,
Our expressions were so candid and sincere
that from then on we decided
From each other we would never veer.

You have taken me, not sexually
But exceptionally, from tragedy
to the realms of ecstasy.
You pleasure me, intellectually
and here I will always be.
In me, you have rooted yourself
And now have planted the seed
The two have become one.
Not ever separated by lies
Because If I tore myself from you
Then we would both die.
And the entire world would cry.
No where on earth could anyone match a pair like you and I.

I am with you. Ride or Die.
And if We shall lead to the death of me
then I guess I'm more than willing to try.
And in this instance,
would be the exact equivalent
to the perfect sentence ending
of our fairytale existence.
Not distant,
from each other,
but in the arms of my acclaimed lover.
Instead of dying of pain,
I would die from love's smother.
As I inhale for the last time
And as my grasp begins to get weak,
my last breath compliments the sound of your heart beat.
Ride or Die

©Lyrically Poetic

Sucker For Love (Cupid's Chokehold)

Originally Written June 10, 2008

I have dwelled amongst the reams of drunken lovers dreams.
And I have thought the thoughts that were greater than they seemed.
Had the exposure to the closures of Cupid’s lucky clovers,
and reaped the consequences of his unlawful deceit.

See these Journeys, or should I say these tourneys?
Have been going on for a while.
I first fell in a fallen state of infatuation with his smile.
He introduced me to his friend that he plays like a children’s game.
A slave on his list of names and soon mines would become the same.
He told the name. I was familiar with the fame.
The most famous and the blame for the happiness and the shame.
But as soon as I was introduced to that world,
there was no turning back.
The name was Love and with the strum of Cupid’s bow
It was me it would attract.
Mixing of dangerous chemicals not knowing how it would react.
But that
wasn’t of much relevance to me.
Because I fell in love with Love but
Love refused to catch me.

But I suppose one can claim that it’s all my fault.
See, I gave the two the combination of the lock
leading to the vault.
The safe-haven and protection to my sensitive heart.
I was controlled under a spell, loyal as well,
and compelled to follow them no matter where they trailed.
And every time I said I was done and reset the numbers to my lock,
It wouldn’t take long before I gave it up again. Each time in record time.
Just seconds of the clock. I couldn’t block their attacks.
It felt like they were the only thing that kept my sanity intact.

But before it all went sour, I was happy to play the fool.
Fooled! By their trickery.
Intrigued by the false images before me.
I believed I would never be done wrong.
I felt at home. Each relationship, I felt that I belonged.
And it was great! Each morning at day break.
I couldn’t wait to greet Love's face.
Curtailed within the day would be the kiss of curious ways.
And I remained oh so faithful. But not long after turned hateful.
Love soon became ungrateful.
I was no longer enough to satisfy the hunger of the fiend.

My dreams. Crushed.
I was rushed with angry anticipation to confront the team.
I told them to leave! A termination of services
of which were no longer of need.
But with speed, I told them to quickly return.
I am gluten for punishment, addicted to the burn.
Because no matter how much it hurt with it,
I would die without Love .
And since Cupid is Love's master the both reappear
and the cycle reoccurs.
Maybe one day I will be finished with love
Or maybe Love would finish me?
Until then I’ll dream the dreams that lovers dream.
The pain of Cupid’s arrow in may back,
Aaah…so lovely…!

© Lyrically Poetic

Random Flow on AIM

Originally Written June 10 , 2008

Free style on AOL instant messenger

I'm walking down my path reflecting on my past./
But it is gone and it has past./
I'm now greeting my present./
You are standing in my presence./
Looking to the future,/ I hope I get a lot of presents./
I'll say hello with a smile./
Have welcomers from a mile./
Outside I feel I'm grown/ but inside I am a child./
But even when life gets wild/ I look up to the sky./
Staring up high as the clouds go by./
Looking for the consulting when my ignorance is potent./
Quote it/ The effect on the mic when I spoke it./
On the same frequency as that sweet sounding middle "C"./
on that 262, a sound you can't diss./ The best you can't miss./
I'd hate to quote Kelly, but "I told ya'll I was gonna bump like this!/

Do not mistake my strong confidence for naive arrogance./
A beat is a flat balloon until I blow air in this./
I am the heir to this Hip Hop World./
With my Hip Hop boys/ I'll be the Hip Hop Girl./
And we'll box the beat that will rock ya socks./
Thought you were the best?/ I got news you're not./
We'll be the coolest uncool even when it's 500 Degreez & the Block Is Hot!/
Main stream, the theme, the seam/
The reaching but the failing of the American dream./
The lost souls on the search for the bling./
Falling in the trap/ It's just a vibrant thing./
The paper chasing grungers on the hunt for the green./
Can't calculate the average or the means./
Once the Kings and Queens,/
Now only entertainment for the big screens./

©Lyrically Poetic

Emotionally Paraplegic (Rap)

Originally Written April 2, 2008

I am emotionally paraplegic.The damage? You can’t see this./
I’m wandering vision less. My mind is absent and decision less./
And you all have withered this/ psychological mute/
The control is detrimental and I refute./
I smile and I laugh and I laugh and I smile./
Pretending that this life is worth while./
You can hear the screams of my mind from a mile./
And every one stares in fascination and beguile./

I am the entertainment for your amusement park statement/
Did you enjoy it? Smell the aroma, Can you taste it?/
But I'm sure when you're done you'll just replace it./
You use the best of me and rest is all wasted./
You inflict pain on me like a sick sadist./
I could tell you that I'm hurt but you'd pour salt in my wounds./
As I cry in agony you'll just peruse and amongst others./
Who'll take the knife out their brother/ to put in another./

You'll follow the followers lead by the soul of the hollowest/
With the damaging bombs and 47's in their harnest./
The Hollowest Eve. Rolling with the crooks and thieves./
And you'll be a matrys standing at attention lifeless and heartless./
Dying in the belief of nothing but once you had everything./
And I'll try to shout to you but remember I am mute./
Rest in Peace to loved ones/ and the death to the brute./
I refute!/

©Lyrically Poetic

Be Strong (Song)

Originally Written March 25, 2008

A song I wrote...I really do love it! I might get a video up one day!

-VERSE 1-
I see you stuck in your sadness./
Looking for the answers to your questions/ but you get no responses./
I see the expressions on your face/
looks of so much pain/
and it hurts me to see you this way/
Your heart is heavy and hurting/
You fall to the back of the crowd/
in the dark wondering how/
it ended up so foul/
Don't know what to do know/
You feel like time is running out/...but

-CHORUS-
Be strong/ You gotta keep your head up/
Trouble won't last always/
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger/
Even though it seems harder/
Just remember to be strong/

-VERSE 2-
You search yourself for the answers/
Trying to stand all alone/ but you can't do it all alone/
I'm holding my hand out to you/
I know what you're going through/
You've got a lot of thinking to do/
But through all the pain you still shine/
Lovely in all aspects of life/ is what I see in your eyes/
Though life may feel like a hurricane,/
there's no sunshine without rain/
It may be dark; the sun will shine again/

-CHORUS-
Be strong/ You gotta keep your head up/
Trouble won't last always/
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger/
Even though it seems harder/
Just remember to be strong/

-BRIDGE-
There's no point in dwelling in your downfalls/
because you'll miss opportunities for bliss/
Life is too short for silly grudges/
People will be critics and judges/
If you don't remember any thing remember this/
Forgiveness is the key to reveal the truth/
Its not for the benefit of them/ its for you/

-OUTRO- (Slowly)
So...Be strong/
You gotta keep your head up/
Trouble won't last always/

©Lyrically Poetic

Everything

Originally Written March 9, 2008

You are everything that I desire
and everything that I deserve.

You are a strong Intellectual.
You are a Strong Black Man
Loving, Caring, and Brilliant.
Yes, Brilliant and Vibrant!
A Rarity among the rarest.

When life's problem occurs
The absence of a father figure,
Surpassing social standards,
or Defiling the hype of the stereotype
you bury them beneath you
standing on top as the victor.
You are triumphet
Strong, and Mighty.

You are the Romantic.
The dead chilvary risen.
Your sweet voice falls deep
onto my ears ringing
of soul and depth.
When you speak I am attentive
because your presence makes me
feel safe, secure, at peace.
Your smile brings the laughter
to my heart and soothes my soul.

You are talented. Energetic.
Blessed with your abilities.
So versatile yet simple and
the object of most people's
imaginations. But you are humblle still.
Not arrogant but Confident.
Not conceited...Selfless
Honorable indeed.

You are everything I desire.
Everything I deserve.
Everything I can never have.

©Lyrically Poetic

Help Me

Originally Written February 24, 2008

I recollect on a collection of blessings being optimistic on life and not living in strife. Try not to be discouraged by the negative images that have repeatedly depicted our heritage as a character easily defined by money, stars, women and cars, and bling that will make you blind.

But I refuse to fit the stereotype; Fall in the traps of the hype; To live my life in spite. I will always be in the light never stuck in the dark. My light will shine so bright the world will bust out in sparks.

I hate to say that sometimes I am shamed by my people consumed in so much evil, mind controlled, and so deceitful. And when I look at the TV, web, and magazines and to see females with no clothes on thinking they represent our race with grace; I bow my head in disgrace.

This place… we have arrived to was not the intention of the Greats who have paved the way for today. But on this day, I have something to say. Things have got to change, I will no longer sit back and get blatantly attacked and smile while our people get defiled.

But I’m on trial and I’m defending our race. Defending our integrity, saving our spirituality and protecting our morality. In this case, I am the witnesses, prosecutor, defendant, and the lawyer.
And it’s hard; I’m close to being disbarred.
Close my eyes, bow my head, and put my faith in God
Help me!

©Lyrically Poetic

Welcome to the Real World

Originally Written January 3, 20008

Hello, my name is Ms. Morris
And I will be your teacher for today.
and introduce you to the real world
Kids pull out some paper and take some notes.

I know the world may seem big and
It seems impossible to grasp what it really is.
As a people, we have conquered the land.
But haven’t realized the world isn’t in man’s hands.
See we look around with our eyes open wide.
But some how we still are blind.
To the death, to the famine, to the crime.
But don’t mind wasting money at the drop of a dime

Like justifying an unjust war.
And no one knows what we’re fighting for
The government playing tricks on a naive mind
Switching the reason every second time after time
Get you conform to their views
And get you rallied on their sides
And spend your taxes on government rides
Weapons of mass destruction never once found
Saddam finally dead
And people get more aroused
A civil war not solved and
Troops continue to die
And they continue to ignore
The cries from innocent eyes
The families, the friends, the loved ones
And no hope for the hero unsung
But no crime seen from they eyes of man

We are the HEROES of the world
But only for our benefit
So if the don’t meet the requirements
Then you’re not our rescue list.
We will ignore genocide for oil
And trade peace for turmoil
And leave an entire continent out to dry.
When AIDS is spreading and
Civil rivalries cause beheading
As a result of foreign domination
And raping of an ethnic foundation

911 - National tragedy: sad cries; thousands dead
Katrina - Natural disaster: no remorse: everyone turns their head.
SHOUT OUT LOUD LET'S SHOW OUR AMERICAN PRIDE
Where was the pride when those waves went on a coastal ride?
Abandoned and misplaced
Could it be possibly because of race?
Can’t find the president, he’s on vacation
On vacation on alcoholic sedation.
Seven days no help.
Seven days no hope
Seven days of split families poor and broke
A floating grave for loved ones lost
This fame is of much cost
It’s manifest destiny to a “City on a Hill”
It's getting quite expensive.
And the people are footing the bill.

Now kids, I know that was a lot for the first day.
But I hope you took down some important notes.
I have a homework assignment for next class.
Take your journal home and write a reflection.
Hope you paid attention and learned a lesson.

©Lyrically Poetic

Perfect in Time

Originally Written December 13, 2007

Yeah...I wish I had a LOVE like this.
Mentally.
As I lay my head on your chest
and
listen to you breathe.
Fall into deep sleep while our hearts match beats.
So sweet.
Then my heart drops and starts to sink.
And when I sleep,
Only of you I will think.
Never miss a moment,
don't want to blink.

I want a LOVE so deep...
that when we hold hands
our souls intertwine
mines becomes yours and
yours become mines
And in that perfect world
We will stay perfect in time.
But in this world, it can't be perfect
so We'll make it divine.

Yeah...I wish I had a LOVE like this.
I sit back and just wish.
Just taking joy in your kiss.
The simple things, holding hands.
Make me smile. Make me laugh. Make me happy for a while.
Keep me close. Hold me tight. Take control.
Let your body at night
warm my soul.
Kiss me gently on my forehead.
Tell each other how we feel
with no words said.
And it's so lovely
We'll make it divine.
And in a perfect world
We will stay perfect in time.

©Lyrically Poetic

Cover Girl

Originally Written September 16, 2007

You try to sit back and point your finger at another
trying to embellish yourself by making others take the blame.
But in reality you are pointing at a mirror.
Not recognizing yourself because
you are now disfigured by lies.
The monster in the mirror
has no brain to remember every lie that
was told to configure these stories that help you get by.
Each lie is the fuel for the monster to grow,
but you put on your make-up in the mirror
so the ugliness doesn’t show.
Still pretty, still polished, still lacking all knowledge
still taking a few steps towards death row.
But the monster wont subside and you
try and you try to cover up the
Hideous features coming from inside
So O`real got real and Maybelline killed ya dream
And Covergirl won’t cover the lies anymore.
So you travel from store to store
For the medicine to cure
The repulsiveness and to restore
The counterfeit beauty everyone thought was yours

Cover girl

Utterances of the Mind

Originally Written August 9, 2007

english class

My thoughts,

Free to roam like wild life of the forest,
uncontrolled by human barriers.
Such a maneuver of motion the mind does to think.
A sustained noise of overlapping words,
Incomplete sentences and phrases in the midst of silence,
Pass through your conscious before you blink.

Creativity and Imagination

spark most of the world's sanity and abnormalities.
It can not be crazy to sit and ponder!
The small things in life that create us are thoughts.
Is it wrong to wonder…?
I write each letter on my paper
Each ink-dotted shape is submitted
by a sporadic utterance of the mind.

It is a beauty.

No one could ever capture the true essence of my thoughts.
No words, pictures, or sound could ever bring the art.
Like right and wrong colliding
making a unforgettable masterpiece,
I think.
My thoughts of creativity and imagination.
It is beauty.

©Lyrically Poetic

Jump Into the Makings of Me

Originally Written August 9, 2007

For English class

Every day I look in the mirror.
The physical reflection of myself.
I ruminate of what composes me.
Looking past charming, changing eyes.
Not what defines me by the world physically.

Jump into complex personality.
All that appeals to me.
I am music that sends chills down your spine
like standing on the bus stop in the morning


Jump into the makings of me.
How I express my self fluently
through the language of poetry.
I am combination of past and present
intelligence like Einstein and Isaac Newton
playing video games discussing the
Theory of Relativity and quantum physics.

Jump in my personality.
Know what it truly means to be me
Try to walk a day in my shoes. It’s
Probably unappealing to you,
because these shoes have been used.
Or maybe because you only see
the physical reflection of me
And not the making of me.

©Lyrically Poetic

Just Be Exquisite

Originally Written August 9, 2007

Message to my good friend

You look out on life
like
beautiful blooming flowers
lacking sun and water.

You reek with beauty
but
tragedy consumes you
like night’s darkness
invading on daylight’s hopes and dreams.

Your emotions
Two different personalities.
Something like a
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde effect
at a split second
and issues of self image erect

When life’s depressions
hit, and
life’s joys come
You play the role of chameleon.
Colors of red
with eruption of anger,
yellow of happiness and glee,
and blue of sorrow and sadness

You blend
with every emotion like
voices of a choir.
Low bursting voices
harmonizing with high pitches
singing on one chord.
Making beautiful music
like angels playing harps
in heaven.

You try to carry life.
Atlas.
The world on your back.
And I tell you,
Just be
exquisite.

©Lyrically Poetic

Where I'm From

Originally Written August 8, 2007

for english class...


I am from a never ending legacy
built by black women
before me.
I am from the fight for racial equality.
From the struggle to stop male
superiority.

I am from every stereotype.
Categorized by being loud, ghetto,
and hype.
I am a black woman.

I am from each single mother,
and every sista’ married to a “good”
brotha’.
I am soft soothing sounds of R&B and soul
Rocking and shaking hips on beat.
Not too fast or too slow.

I am from the angelic beauties
and intellectuals.
Often subjected to ridicule
by being labeled as hoes.
I am a black woman.

I am from the slave woman
who was displaced.
Raped from her family, home,
name, and history erased.
I am from welts and bruises
from every whipping and beating.
Freedom for those who made it and
those who tried without succeeding.

I am from hair grease and hotcombs.
From every story heard
and every story untold.
I am from a never ending legacy.
I am a black woman.

©Lyrically Poetic

Frustration

Originally Written July 7, 2007

Frustration seeps deep down
In roots of my mind
When tears creep past cheeks and
Headaches pound temples furiously
This irritation on the
Middle of my forehead
Erks with an ease and
Plays with my emotions

Each target in my way is
Zeroed by bull blazing eyes
It is my frustration that
Renders thought and blur
Plain images with rages of colors
Muscles tense til point of pull
While veins pop past full
and still...
No pain could suppress
Ultimate rage coming from my psyche.

Except, that voice of reason.
It says,”Control the uncontrollable
And achieve the impossible.”
I cry out!
Tears of anger overflow,
Falling from waterfall of hurt.
Now, rage subsides back to
Mere frustration. An emotional mood switch
Like trading places from my altar ego
of discombobulation to my calm self

©Lyrically Poetic

A Hating Love

Both of our eyes meet at once

Filled with anger and love

and as much as i want to walk away from you

I can't

You keep speaking. I can't hear you

but I try so hard to listen

You say you don't care and I know that you do

Our constant arguments and fighting

filled with so much rage and emotion

ending with passionate holding and kissing

just wishing

that this madness will end

broken hearts and hurt feelings we try to mend

We stay distant for some time

but never stop thinking of each other

So our conversation we have to mime

from one friend to another

You hate me

I love you

I hate you

You love me

Strong words that really have no meaning

Our actions speak louder than our words

wishing, hoping, hugging, kissing, wanting

Not everything has been how was planned to be

But who said it was suppose to be easy

©Lyrically Poetic

Feeling in the Pit of My Stomach

Originally Written January 1, 2007

Your unspoken words utter the deep pain I see in your eyes.
I have been here too long to let you go through this alone.
And I ache in despair from the look on your face when we said our goodbyes.
I'm taking your pain once again and making it my own.
My love for you is so... so deep
Me, you, and this unraveling mystery called "our love."
Just seeing you like this makes me want to weep.
I will be there for when when "push comes to shove"
Every over bearing weight that is put on you, I feel.
Our connection, like no other, so strong.
Sometimes the thought of being with out you seems surreal.
And me with anyone else just seems wrong.
To find what is wrong is my main goal.
But what if the problem is me.
A naive lover, trying to soothe a hurt soul
Then I guess I am the villain in this bizarre mystery.
Trying to unscramble the hidden message in your confusion
What is this intrusion causing me to jump to these conclusions.
I don't know what is wrong or what it could be.
All I want is for you is to be well.
Just hope that the problem isn't me.

©Lyrically Poetic

Picking Up the Pieces From A Broken Heart

Originally Written October 7, 2006

Scattered among the loneliest part of the unforgiving seas.
I pick up the broken pieces of my heart.
This burning desire for what was there will not cease.
I search the land with my hand for every little part.
From each pebble in the sand and each rock in the dirt,
I search through and collect to forget about my hurt.
No love, but no pain, I just pick up the remains.
No love, just rain, to remove all of sorrows stains.
Give me string and needles. Give me glue and tape,
I have found all my pieces, It is now time to operate.
Stitch the puzzle back to its original state.
Tape the corners, so love can start to paint on a clean slate.
Glue my heart ever so nicely back in its place,
so there is no longer a vacant empty space
Let my heart be filled again with love.
Let my prayers be heard up above.
Once scattered among the seas, and deep down in sand,
stuck in dirt.
They were rescued with a helping hand.
Now they are flying in the sky waiting to flirt.
No hurt.
Ready to try this roller coaster called love again.

©Lyrically Poetic

Dreams Reflection

Originally Written March 3, 2007

Intricate situations
line with reminiscence of
better days.

Images of the mind from
hidden meanings of
concealed feelings.
Telling deep thought
and
forbidden truth.

With closed eyelids
I dream, subconsciously,
pictures of your face.
A long desired kiss
sealed amid our fate

Forbidden truths
slip past the minor reflection
and become
reverberation of the lips.

There are now
disclosed emotions
that explain the secrets
of situations so intricate.

©Lyrically Poetic

Tear Dropz

Originally Written October 6, 2006

Tears fall and make tear drops.
There is no stopping this gravitational pull,
but they keep dripping, slipping down my face
Every word that I've heard represents each molecule.
So much hate, so much wrong, I've taken so much ridicule.
The ache in my eyes just bleeds with sorrow.
They say it's fine, you'll be ok tomorrow.
My eyes swells, I sniffle, It slowly ejects from my pupil.
Anger, outrage, sadness, all emotion.
The tear moves down my cheek in a forward motion.
Like Me, at an uncontrollable rate.
I want to swipe away the tears, but I just sit and wait.
I lay down, it gently slides across my epidermis to my nose.
Shows everyone my tragedy. Show everyone you got the best of me.
Slip, drip, dip, down to my lips,
Over the mountains, down to the valley
I taste my pain.
What a feeling not as thrilling as tasting rain.
My heart, it beats, irregularly and too fast
too many thought take captive of my brain.
All of this I can't think of how long it will last.
I open my eyes, to see a new eyelid made of rainbow colored water.
I wipe my eyes, this pity party can't go much farther.
I smile with an unexpected relief
because I still have this one belief.
My last fear fell with my last tear.

©Lyrically Poetic

Be Still

Originally Written July 6, 2007

I never knew love until I finally met you,
because a girl like me could never dream of something like that coming true.
You had me experience things I have never before,
but like most relationships this one ended for sure.
So im sitting here thinking,
Why does life play this game?
Why couldn't things stay the same?
Stand still
Be Still
Please,Don't Say A Word
Those words IT'S OVER we never heard
For us ending, I am of blame,
but after it was over I missed what we became.
My heart was in your hands.
You touched it so deep.
For you, I would go out at night and creep.
You...
Sometimes I can't even pull words together to say how I feel.
Life without you just doesn't seem real.
Let's go back to when things were great.
Like when I saw you on our first date.
Your touch made my lips quiver,
and your voice made my body shiver.
Just your glance would make me smile.
I just wish we could go back.
Even for a little while.
We both still love each other,
but can't face the facts.
That with you miles away
we can't keep this relationship in tact.
So Stand Still
Be Still
Please Don't Say A Word
If you close your eyes
and don't cry
we can pretend we never had to say goodbye.
Just envision you holding me
and I'll smile and laugh and kiss you on you cheek
and you'll know that I love you
without having to speak.
I'll lay in your arms,
and just fall asleep.
Just staying in this moment
so we no longer have to weep.
So Stand Still
Be Still
Please Don't Say A Word
Those words IT'S OVER we never heard

copy; Lyrically Poetic

Out of My Soul

Originally written August 2, 2005

Meaningful words are not always as the seem
having me waiting on a fairytale dream
I'm lost and can't be found
still lost in the run around

My heart is now as black and hard as coal
Something so deep so horrid so wrong
It was excavated, it was my soul

At first i was a beautiful happy person
but then i was torn down by insults and cursin'
A rhythm was in me
flowing like the wind moving water calmly down the sea
It was a good thing positive in every way
I was fearless no matter what the people would say

The rhythm took me into many different identities
I left myself and went into other entities
I was gone in my entirety
not me
The rhythm flew into me like the Nile flowing on a calm night
When the winds blow ever so nicely and just right
floating in mid air
with out so much of a care

Then I realize it's just a fantasy
That who ever I was pretending to be isn't really me
and i come back to this reality
but I was once the person i was pretending to be
long before all this pain and disaster hit me

I have been taken out of my soul
my heart is now as black as coal

It's so terrible trying to fake
hiding behind a smile to stop from showing heartache
I’m drowning in a pool of my own sorrow
I have a soul so hollow
I’m sinking below, barely trying to live
thinking what does life have for me to give

I’m flapping, waving, and gasping for air
while others are at a standstill and just stare
I’m so hurt because no one cares
This is to much for me to bare

So i let go of life and life lets go of me
but then I hear this faint melody
a beautiful rhythm instead of a cold hard beat
with a sound so wonderful, ever so sweet
Then I’m able to stand on my own two feet
Life decided that I’m worthy of staying
now I’m on my knees thanking God and praying

”Thanks for that rhythm that flew in me
restoring those pretend memories back to reality
the rhythm restored me, i am mentally healthy
I’m so glad you chose to save me”

No more heart as black as coal
I am new, renovated, and back to myself
I am no longer out of my soul

©Lyrically Poetic