By: Dr. Phyllis Bivins-Hudson
April is National Poetry Month and a time to celebrate many of the great poets we have come to love and respect, as well as some new ones.
The Academy of American Poets and other poetry organizations open their doors to our poets during this time of the year so that they can share their craft with the world.
The Academy of American Poets, initiated in 1996, is the largest worldwide literary celebration of its kind.
The academy offers opportunities for all ages, races, religions, creeds, genders, etc. Hence, National Poetry Month is a great time to show off your talent with colleagues and those who simply enjoy listening to the deliverance of words that have been cleverly strung together for pure pleasure, social consciousness, teaching, retrospection, and complete freedom of expression.
By engaging in this kind of experience, we send a clear message to our audience and the world that poetry is indeed significant to our society and culture.
My blog this month will not have a focus so much on prose as it will on poetry. So, for your enjoyment, here are two poems from a local poet, and yours truly, for your pleasure. A short bio of each is also included:
Justin Wilson is a self-published author and poet who has been writing since age 14 from the inspiration of 2-PAC’s TheRose that Grew From Concrete poem.
His latest work is the book Courageous Vulnerability, where the following poem can be found and it can be purchased at Amazon.com. Justin was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, but resides in East Orange, NJ. He will also be interviewed on my upcoming Instagram live on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 PM.
Simp-le
I know in today’s age it’s not “manly”
to tell you I think you’re beautiful. It’s
not “alpha” to actually tell you and
show you that I want you, for more
than a night. I think I’m supposed to be
stoic and not need you. I’m supposed
to have enough to buy you the lifestyle
you want and it not bother me that
under those rules, I’m just a bidder in a
bidding war, and perhaps you could
walk away from me and be with a
higher bidder. I think you think me
actually seeing the beauty of you is
more important than me seeing the
beauty in you. If that’s how it works,
Forgive me. As a man in, but not of,
today’s age, I still believe actual
feelings are supposed to be a part of
the relationship. Pardon me, but to me,
meaningless time spent and sex is a
crappy agreement, no explanations, no
emotions, nothing and nothing of any
substance. Is that the new manly? Is
that what you’re looking for? Psst, it’s
settling even if the money allows you
to act like it’s not. It’s settling even if
you can give your heart the appearance
of protection. It’s weak even if you can
successfully fight off the natural
feelings of love. It’s ignorance to see
there is someone who wants to
actually love you and you deny it,
because you were hurt in your past.
Forgive me but that’s not what I’m
looking for. I’m looking for you, and
that’s not you, but I see you and I know
you’re there.
I know you live to play defense and to
protect your heart. Say love? From
who? I’m not the one that caused that
pain and you know it. Perhaps that’s
the problem; I’m not a familiar feeling,
I’m not what you’ve been dealing with,
forgive me, I’m actually trying to have
something real. I want the money but
I’m also looking for and am willing to
work for something money can’t buy.
Perhaps you’ve been told I’m a simp.
Guess it’s true based on who you get
your definitions from. I don’t know nor
do I care if that’s what it’s considered.
Objectively speaking, I’m me. I stand on
my character, my principles, my
standards and the truth. I don’t care at
all for pointlessness experiences and/or
wasted time. I will not be a willing
participant in that. I’m a man with a
purpose.
Forgive me! For not meeting the
standard that is now the new status
quo. But I’m looking for a priceless love,
not a price list love.
And just like that… a diamond in a coal
mine…
Like the type of love that allows a man
to know his first peaceful night of sleep
in over 10 years, no intercourse, not
too many words, pure intimacy, pure
peace.
She did that for me. She gave me a
good night’s sleep, but she did so
much more than give me a good night’s
sleep. She gave me a good night’s sleep
and she woke me up.
I love…I love…I love you!
Dr. Phyllis Bivins-Hudson is an educator, authorpreneur, poet, public speaker, and monthly contributor to RLS Media’s online platform under the program heading, Dr. Hudson Show. She is the author of Flying on Broken Wings, which is also the title of her Instagram show, Flying on Broken Wings, or affectionately, FOBW.
Dr. Hudson has recently completed her second book, Finding December, which is due to be released in late 2024. She has been writing poetry since the 80s. She can be reached at www.genceptz.com and RLSMedia.com, the Dr. Hudson Show. Dr. Hudson was born and raised in Suffolk, VA, but resides in South Orange, NJ.
The Gift of Karma
I caught her drift today,
The way she sauntered past in that special gait.
I saw her eyes too; they enthusiastically met mine,
even though we didn’t speak,
just that quick glance made my heart dance
and my bosom skip about fervently.
I witnessed that smile she attempted to hide—just then,
I caught it before it faded away.
My Karma grabbed it fast and spread it widely
across each wonderful face
Good Karma, beaming like the blazing sun.
Cautiously I lifted its radiance before it was put back,
I passed it to him, then exchanged it with her, I gave it to everyone.
This was a Gift moving through us all even though
some missed:
My Karma
Your Karma
Their Karma
Its warmth released a spirit,
It made the day and energized our vigor
just when our candle was burning out.
Karma visited each of us this day
And one by one our lives were touched in some small way:
A hello
A glance
A smile or
A touch
A meager sensitivity that means so much.
She stole our hearts by deeds of good,
Our thoughtful ways,
Our kind words,
and the good gestures that were made.
I’m glad I had this chance with her
‘cause she made me feel so special
and I hope in some small way
I’ll always receive my Karma from a well-deserved gesture.
Until next time, keep flying on your own wings, and check me out at www.genceptz.com.
