How I Feel (Photo & Words Version)

Rest.

Take one moment to pause.

Stop to catch your breath.

Because you are about to engage in the rest of your life. 

So stretch your tired muscles

Take the smile inside you out of hiding 

And point yourself in the direction of your destiny. 

No need for certainty,

Only gather Faith.

Look around for just a moment and marvel at your surroundings,

and remember how far you've come already.

Be grateful.

To My Sis-stars (Original Piece by N.Steven)

The Underground: To My Sis-stars


Location: Liberty University (My Alma Mater)
Poet: N.Steven (My Homie/Partner in Rhymes -- haha)


Click here if you would like to read more from N.Steven. (Quick plug -- He's got three books out, including "Just Some Stuff I Wrote Down", which debuted this past spring.)

Shout out to N.Steven. Much Love.
Enjoy!!!!

Brave.New.Voices.

Caught wind of this show right before the first episode premiered.
Check it.

"Still. [Spoken.Word.]" (For Those Who Have Forgotten).

the way the wind blows
acclaim follows suite.
i would rather stretch my frame
underneath the persistent sky.
though it varies in hues
it will never change its shape
still as infinite as before.
steady in its faithfulness
and ignored still.
so i will pay attention
and allow the sky to teach me
how
to be great without
being applauded,
how
to run from popularity with a clause,
and how
to use misunderstanding
to confirm my identity.
i lay. and i am still.
because the way the wind blows
acclaim follows suite.

National Poetry Month

In honor of all the poets:

HipRockSoul

2-19-2008

Jagged

Scratches across vinyl

Speak to natives like hieroglyphics

Retelling a history and preserving an inheritance

From one generation to the next

Equipping young hands:

Microphones

With black paint

Chipping away in spots where they

Were once

Gripped.

Clutched and driven.

Personifying rage and amplifying truth.

[This proves Hip Hop has Soul.]

Picks

Strumming lightly

Onto strings.

Clearing its throat.

Sending vibrations through low rumbles or high cries.

Preparation to rally with the oppressed

And empathize with the tortured.

A sea of hands wave left to right in agreement.

Sharp

Like sandpaper

And boomin' like thunder.

Drum sets prey on emotion

At its rawest.

Sticks strike. Setting off explosions.

Land mines of sound.

A power given and a presence commanded.

[Feels like Rock really can be Hip.]

Scatted

Consonants trip ears with their theatrical tactics

Hummed vowels pressed out of pursed lips

Carry listeners through highs and lows.

Revealing melodic epiphanies

And healing societal schisms with

Love.

Sober-eyed "preachers".

Ministers of the earth-toned cloth

Stand with feet planted

Fluent in sign language

Whether it be two fingers; side by side

Or an enclosed fist raised proudly

[See? Soul can Rock it, after all.]

Giving you:

Hip-Rock-Soul.

What Is Spoken Word? (My Thoughts)

Technical Definition:Spoken word is a form of literary art or artistic performance in which lyrics, poetry, or stories are spoken rather than sung. Spoken-word is often done with a musical background, but emphasis is kept on the speaker.

One of the most common sorts of spoken word performances is performance poetry, where a poet either reads previously-published poems, or reads poems specifically written to be performed aloud. Another kind that has gained popularity in recent years is political and social commentary, done in such a way that it is, while still prose, somewhat more artistic than a typical speech. Spoken word artists are often poets and musicians. Spoken word gained notoriety in the late 1980s and early 1990s through the emergence of "poetry slams," where spoken word artists would square off in cabaret-style duels.

My Personal Definition: Once upon a time, a heart with too much emotion picked up a pen with less than adequate ink, wrote on paper with not enough space; so he/she stood with just enough courage, and spoke with more than sufficient volume...to one pair of ears or more.

King David was a poet. But Jesus was a spoken word artist.

King Solomon?....a poet I'd say. But Job?...No. THAT dude was a spoken word artist.

Martin Luther King, Jr.? ....Spoken Word Artist.

Malcolm X? Spoken Word Artist.

My mother, or my bold 8 year old nephew?....Yes. They as well.

Even God Himself used words to aid Him in Creation. He spoke everything into existance, save man/woman.

I proclaim that anyone who speaks truth unashamedly is by experience, if not by vocation, a Spoken Word Artist.

Words are so powerful, and the tongue is accredited to being either deadly or helpful. So, you allow these two forces to commence in a collaboration, and damage can be done.

Yes, you can ignore my blogs and my words. You can slide a book underneath a coffee table and allow it to collect dust. But few are successful at blocking out the resonance of the Spoken Word...

...but you can go ahead and try. I dare you.

The Origin of My Screename...(My Introduction)

"I.Am.Spoken.Word."

#1. "I"

I believe the biggest crisis in today's society is that of Self-Identity. Most people would say that spending too much time thinking of yourself will never benefit anyone else...but I must say that until you find out who you are, you are of no help to anyone else. The first thing God did upon creation of Man, was provide him with an identity; a purpose for being created. Until one finds purpose, you are dead.

#2. "Am"

This is a very powerful word to me. Our culture is driven by stereotypes. They attempt to define me by my color, my bodytype, my academic progress, etc, etc. I was born into classifications...but somewhere along the line I decided to silence the mouths of my oppressors. When I say "I Am"...walls break.

#3. "Spoken"

There is life and death in the tongue. Dreams begin in the heart, but there is something powerful about becoming brave enough to voice them. There is no turning back once you've passed this step. You cannot take back what you say...you may ask forgiveness, but the act has been comitted. When God created the universe (with the exception of man), he "spoke" it into existance. So, God has given me that same power...to take life and to speak life into a situation; making it so, or making it cease. (Not physically, but spiritually) BE CAREFUL WHAT U LET COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

#4. "Word"

This is twofold....First, I believe in the unfalliable word of God. The Bible, is more than a dead, ancient piece of theological literature that holds more historic value than it does relevance to modern times. It tells me everything I need to know about anything worth knowing.

Secondly, I think that words are vessels for truth. We are unlike the animals in many ways...one particular way is that we use words, instead of mere consistant sounds. Why is that? Coincidence? Because words bring power. As well as rage, hatred, love, encouragement, and affirmation.

God has given me a stewardship over words....

Identification.Definition.Creation.Power.

I.Am.Spoken.Word.