For The Stolen Ones (Dedicated to Mike Brown)

I've never experienced the lynchings in Mississippi or Alabama

60 years removed from today yet more relevant than ever

I don't have to be that clever to realize that the hands of time

are creatively being pushed back to the times of despair for the darker ones

Our children are being stolen from us, their lives extinguished as if they are being teleported to another realm

As we weep over our children deaths, under tragic conditions that we are witnessing live!

Is it only I who notice that Southern Whites are lynching us with ammunition?

No ropes, No trees, just police officers bullets cutting through the Southern breeze

Strange fruit lying on urban streets

Their life force extinguished like leaves falling to the earth from a dying tree

Despite it all

We fight, unite, yell, scream, cry, ask God why

Protest, unrest, cursing, hearts bursting

Shoot me too, I am ready to die!

At least I will decide under what condition

No longer allowing the hands of policemen to casually suck the air out of my environment

We are here to save our children from the goblins who

use to come for them at night but now

extinguish their souls in broad daylight

For the stolen ones we are here ready to fight

For you.

Poetic Ventures Writers Collective 2014 Black Poetry Honors

Poetic Ventures Writers Collective and NBAT host Philadelphia 1st Annual Black Poetry Honors

If you enjoyed movies like "Love Jones", Slam, or watched Def Poetry Jam, you will be in for a treat on May 1st 2014 where Poetic Ventures Writers Collective and The National Black Arts Tours will present close to 30 Philadelphia Poets awards for their tiring and amazing work on the urban poetry scene of Philadelphia. Many of these poets have set the scene for poets such as Jill Scott, Black Ice, and Wadud Ahmad. The fantastic artist have shared their talents unselfishly over the years with thousands of people in and out of the city of Philadelphia. Now it our time to recognize them for their work, a time to celebrate one another in vibes and verses. Poets Kimmika Williams Witherspoon, Lois Moses, Runett Nia Ebo, Thelma Sheldon Robinson, Kyree Superstar Mitchell, Pat McClean, Nish Pugh, Debra Wright, Oni Lasana, Lamont Dixon, Lamont Steptoe, Kyle Morris, Ronnie Way, Nikki Taylor, and many more. Come join us at the University of Pennsylvania campus at the Rotunda at 7pm and meet the Authors and Honorees. There will be a special tribute Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, and Gil-Scott-Heron. See you there!!!

Temple Station WRTI 90.1 Radio Interview

Join me and a host of great poets as we discuss the legacy of Amiri Baraka and the history of the Black Urban Art Movement of Philadelphia. Lamon Napalm Dixon and a host of New York poets will speak about Amiri Baraka legacy and I with poets such as Lois Moses, Kimmika Williams Withersppon and Dr. Maurice Henderson will speak about the work of Philadelphia poets that speared a movement. So join us on April 25th beginning at 10pm on Temple Station WRTI 90.1 FM