Impulse to Rhyme

Gettin' Juked at Zouk

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

You move with such ease
You bring jealousy to the breeze
You spin away my whoas with grace
That man even tornados can’t keep up the chase
The Oasis of your hair
The Hypnosis in the air
i dare with every breathe
To share a stare with you
But I can’t, I try
but I’m
Crushed by the wave of your eyes
A momentary break of a blink
I choke up and soak up another drink
Every time I ride you make me think
Will I float with you
Or am I destined to sink?

The Malice Balance

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

I’m finding it hard to balance myself
on this tight rope of life
I have all this freedom
to do whatever I like
I can ride the mountains
I can walk the trails
I can paddle the rivers
and listen to the news storm hail
west indies droughts to floods
kids spilling teachers blood
politicians cant communicate
morticians count hate ever day
silencing journalist for uncovering the truth
hey exploring naturalist, do I just turn off the news?
Or engage with the blues?
I’m finding it hard to balance the malice
I could just sing a Sunday song
or dance at chance ecstatic
why does it feel so wrong
to smile at my nature’s violence

Hide 'n quiet

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

This was inspired by my 6yo old niece and her father

we played hide and quiet in class today it was so much fun!!!... we got to hide under the desks and lock the doors!!!.... the teachers played too!!!!....
we had to be really quite.... we normally can’t ever run through the halls but we were having races to see how we could run the fastest the quietist!!!!! i’m so good at hide ‘n quiet!!!!!!!!!!

have you ever played hide and quiet with your friends and teachers dad? i can’t wait to go back tomorrow and play more!!!!!! YEAHHHH! some kids looked scared so maybe they didn’t hide quietly... I promised everyone that I would always run fast and hide quiet...... sometimes I’m so excited I can’t help but scream!!!!! Some teams lost points for screaming, i didn’t tho!!! I think we could get good at playing this game if we practice more, do you wanna play daddy?

That's a RAP

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Many of the acronyms here were adopted from Lupe Fiasco’s lecture at MIT.

R. A. P.
the now international allegory
what does it mean to you?
when i was young i used to think
RAP stood for Real Ass People
or maybe even Rhythm And Poetry
then i heard other versions like
Rooted And Pacing
this was spurred in the urban
the Bronx Recognizing Artistic Patterning
its stunning after you heard this
how i’m Running After Purpose
with flare i’m more confident and prouder
as i play with the Rare Artistic Power
i’m not sure of another style
thats taken the world by storm fire
these Rooted Autobiographies Pronouced
how they were looted
and made to bleed every ounce
I guess that’s what makes RAP universal
Rhetorical
Athropological
Philosophical

Why July 4?

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

This piece was inspired by the documentary “Lakota Nation vs the United States”. For more information check out, blackhillsjustice.org

Why July?

You keep sayin
Suppose to be independence
But some mostly be dependent
On that confederate pendant

Why July 4?

It’s a holiday or a day that’s hollow
How low? I mean Not
Don’t remember November low
but still
Just a Smoke filled anti-woke fireworks show

Whats July for?

Even tho
The history crooks wrote the history books
It wasn’t enough to be unjust
Since they can’t rewrite it erase it or edit it
So they just ban it

Who’s July for?

You can carve yourself into Mt Rushmore
While you denounce their ancestors folklore

These treaties were never about peace
Just about you getting a piece of land as a treat
Or to trick ‘em, into complying
Seems they’re both lying,
You with words and them with their bodies
The Genocide that no body’s remember
but it happened
Ask their kids, taken to learn the right way
To style their hair and which clothes stay
You cleaned the young tongues
of their barbaric words
Now we consult their young ones
on how to put out the fires of the world

Why did you lie for?

As the lore of gold was spread
it lured the manifest destiny
strangled and noosed every indian head
on its way to capital cruelty

Why July 4?

Still blowing up bombs to celebrate
On the land that was never yours to take
I mean the name Dakota is in your states name
How much more obvious can it be made?

Why did you lie for?

I vs We

Sun, 14 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

You and I,
perfection in opposition

I embrace the I
You embrace the We
I don’t see eye to eye
But does that make you holier than me?

I can’t see that exactly

You think about the planet
and how we all need to panic
That shit makes me manic like satanic
without my xanax man I gotta have it.

You like to dive deep with feelings
Cause you’re scuba certified
I might dip a toe in if I’m bleedin’
but the superficial
satisfies
just fine

If you can exist - thinking about We
Why can’t I exist, only thinking about me?

Yeah you might be noble in your philanthropy
But it seems like your laugh has atrophied

Was it worth it?
You’re sick with serious
I’m sick with humorous

We need each other
one balances the other

Are you my antidote?
Like a line a coke
or maybe like a line I wrote

We don’t have to agree
on our morality
I only wish to be seen,
equally

The Skin Chilla

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0700

I can’t express myself
as you rush to comfort
I can’t tell you how my day really went
for fear of judgement
being crushed by your cum squirt

When I shed tears, you drink to quench your thirst
we always rehearse
until all that’s left is the salty trail on my cheek.
Why you so thirsty?

I want to cry,
without you drying my eyes of
electrolytes, butterfly

You got wings to fly,
and as I try to win the race
with lachryphagy (lack-CRI-figee)
written in graffiti
I can never say it to your face
this isn’t working for me

I’m not Leonardo or
even Michaelangelo
No hero in this half-shell
just shell-shocked by my Belles
Well, let me tell you about
the splintered heart in hell

Every April, Ohh I kneel,
you always be faster than me
The stare of your hare,
when you tell me to snatch it and grab it,
your little rat rabbit,
when your chinchilla’s chillin
on my chin,
you know where to find me.

My Weary Obituary

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0700

This the obituary I should have wrote
This the obituary I wanted to write

But I was too caught up
I’m still caught up
caught in regret
wanting to turn it back
but I can’t

You always knew what everyone else wanted
but no one knew what you wanted
or did they?
did I?

You got me a shirt that said arctic proof
did that mean that the cold couldn’t keep me?
if so, it was true
did you mean my heart was solid ice all the way thru?
if so, that was true

You got me a shirt with Gambit and all his muse
yup that was true too
I never made any sacrifices tho
guess I was never that bold

I wish I coulda held space for you
I wish I knew what it meant back then
I wish I knew how to listen back then
I wish I coulda held you and hugged you

I took what I had for granted
even tho it so hard for you

I wish i had humility
rather than my need for victory

Thanks for waking me up
from the nightmare I dreamed of

In the moment I was hurtin and cursin
I wish I coulda told you
that YOU are the strongest person
I hope you know
I know you do

Stanctuary

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0800

I’m at the Sanctuary
With a name like that I’m sure to be protected
I head to the green room
Where the other poets await
This room s got two beds
With condoms just in case?

Signs all around
That consent is respected
Imagine what happens
In these public sex beds

I’m told I’m on
after Mind Stateless
I see them
As they mouth their words
In memorized practice

The crowd reminds me of new york city
All I see is smiles from here to eternity

As each poet exposes their soul
The audience upholds their cosmic role

Hootin and hollering’
Cheering snappin
I miss these big cities
Where we baskin in clappin

I hear my name
it’s time to perform
I walk up to mic
And give it up to the host

I hear a song playing
I guess they’ll turn it off
When I start speaking

I start a few lines
And this songs so distracting
I guess I’m suppose to just keep going
and not say anything?

It must only but me
Maybe this song’s in my head
Maybe I’m crazy

With each line
I’m battling Bowie
I came here to share my poetry
But I guess tonight,
it’s rape karaoke

Sounds forced upon me
I pretend like it’s normal

Im in the spotlight
Spittin all but safety words
Does anyone want to hear my words?

So off the beat
And yet I’m getting beat up
No one seems to notice
Should I just fuckin give up?

Should I say something?
I’m sure they will fix it eventually

They don’t

With two minutes left
I request another rhyme
All I heard was a NO
So they EVEN took my time

I’m left wondering
Why didn’t I request for someone to lower the music?
Why did everyone else get MORE than 4 minutes?
Why did everyone else get their acapella in silence?
Why did I even ask for permission to continue the violence?
Why didnt I fight for my rights?
Why am I always the nice guy?
Why does my lion run and hide?
Why do I ALWAYS
Put everyone above me
EVERY
FUCKIN
TIME?

I guess it was just mistake
my hero’s egos bruised Because I didn’t get my cake
But either way
I escaped

Through these bars of my penitentiary
my friend, the pen, intentionally
frees the tension

While doing my time,
I learned how performers should be protected
I learned a few ways, how to disrespect’em
I learned how to stare at my insecurity
I learned how to care, for each vulnerability

And most importantly……

I learned the real meaning of sanctuary

her story not his-story

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0800

This was entirely inspired by Qasim Rashid. A human rights lawyer on the gram and now recently announced that he's running for congress in IL.

1776 – all men are equal in this institution.
But no women shall, draft or craft
this constitution.

1848 – the married women’s property act – women finally have the right to own property – only white women tho, all women are u crazy?

1920 – beating women’s finally illegal,
only took 144 years
after waving around famous bald eagle

1921 – women can vote – but only white women

Asian women have to wait until 1952
Native women have to wait until 1962
Black women? 1965
And finally Latina women- 1975,
almost 200 years of allegiance to the stars and stripes

1970 – no fault divorce
allows women to bounce, without having to say why
she shouldn’t have to announce, why she’s no longer your wife

1974 – equal credit opp act,
women can get credit
without their husbands or father’s approval
we finally said it
we don’t need the patriarchal ruler

1981 – first women appointed to the supreme court, 205 years after founding

1993 – martial rape is finally criminalized
Finally these cocky pensis’ can be penalized

2022 – roe v wade overturned,
years of work turned into heartburn
2023 – equal rights amendment
nowhere to be seen
which means,
we’ll continue to fight

until you’re forced to see me

100% presidents are men
98% of Vice Presidents are men
96% of supreme court justices are men
92% of the Senate are men
90% of HoR are men
90% of fortune 500 CEO are men

Yet

50% of the country are women

C’mon men
we can surely do better than that

The Hate You Give

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0800

This piece was inspired by a deeply moving movie called The Hate U Give. Special shout out to Marcus of the Father's Group for putting it on at COCC.

3 of us playing ball
3 shots you fall
an instant bullet of hate
3 infant heart breaks

We all know what happens to the snitch
so I keep my lips stitched.
and my fist is clenched

Since high school in the Heights
only graduated to fights,
I took a trek
to Williamson Prep
Where we might dress with the same specs
but when they flex that black slang
they’re met with the cool step
and if I flex with own neck
I was checked like a hood thang

More beef at this party
I don’t need animals killed
but I be crushin’ hard on Khalil

We reminisce about who’s Ron
droppin’ hints.. “yo still got your wands?”

stop playin…

Khalil stop playin and put hands on the dash
He aint playin
Just listen to him Khalil
Khalil please

Khalil
Khalil

The scene burnt in my head
115 sees a gun
so now he brushed-off
dead

Waking up to the up chuck
I never drink, but I’m feelin’ drunk

He said we had time
now I’m on open casket line
people say I gotta get some air-time
and momma, wants to leave all this behind

Last time I kept my mouth shut
This time I’m puttin’ my hands up

I’m the star witness
with richness to kick this
megaphone my truth
so we can all try to fix this

but peaceful protests don’t seem to matter
tear gas cans, blur the which lives matter

King’s feelin’ pride
‘cause my words sent for him
Burns my pop’s shop down
thinking that’s gonna wreck him
Sekani pulls a piece
another infant stressin’

to protect ‘em.

How many have to die,
before we see
that blackness
isn’t a weapon?

Barnacle Language

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0800

It’s easy to get confused with so much barnacle language stuck to the walls. They started in my mind and found their way into my mouth. They like the shallow waters and the erosive saliva. They suction around my tongue and got good at whipping words with quick wit. I could command an ocean of slurs and words with these creatures until the listerine storm arrived and wiped them down the drain. That was decades ago. I never wanted to but I guess it was my destiny. It stung, the green/blue chemicals of freshness. Maybe they were refreshed in someone else’s sink. I still think about my old-tongue for time to time and wonder it misses me.

My Weepin' Weapon

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Thank you for triggering me

these feelings arise
and consume my being
drowning but still breathing

The pen becomes my weapon
not weepin’,
not readin’
just packin’ all these feelings into verse
to disperse words like shrapnel
then the music crackles
and the jackal you see
can now be released

as the damage ricochets
pierces a few ears on the way
might have made you def
can you feel what I say?

btw,

you’re free to hear
what you want to hear

Gut the World Cup

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0800

This piece was inspired by Thoroughline’s episode called “Qatar’s World Cup”.

I was a nobody, alone in the desert sands
discovered liquid gold,
now oil and gas in my hands

the Saudi shadow
was loomin over me
but I’m rowdy bloomin
with this new money

209 countries seekin into FIFA
even the UN seems meek and weaker

start recruiting for the under represented
so we can poach these votes
coast to coast
all to be
‘22’s host

90% migrants brought in to make
the world cup our center stage
Q’felah can’t be stopped
us “good” fellas at the top

took some notes from American history
easy power with modern day slavery
we brought the world Al-jazeera
Middle east fame and fear of
powerful women if your’re queer-uhh
yeah KINDA welcome here?

But not after the world cup
7000 die to bring it all up
yeah the stadiums got AC
while they sleep 20 deep
in 115 degrees

You know how hot that is?

Seth Blatter thinks he got the Nobel
Battered bodies, no sinks in this hell
suicidal tendencies but ohh well
these fantatical fans are too drunk to tell

the truth about this crazy game
and the bruts that cheer
for their flag’s fame

Control

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0800

I've seen the man, control my mother
he had a badge, so he had the power
I heard she tried to reset the game twice

I’ve seen my sisters forced into marriage
all they wanted was approval
and they traded that in for a prison

1913 in the UK
Emily Davison killed as a suffragette
1965 in the US
Viola Liuzzo killed as an activist
2016 in Honduras
Berta Caceres killed as an indigenous leader
2017 in Iraq
Shifa Gardi killed as journalist
2022 in Iran
morality police kills Mahsa Amini
I see all these women just fighting to be free

I see myself
drinkin’ patriarchy’s spirit
so smooth so natural
being brought up that way
my music and movies
taught me it was all ok

Then one day,
I was drunk by Death,
swooshed around
the dark acid bath

No ding dong
No knock knock
more like bitin a curb
and watching the heart stop
During this intermission
I float to another dimension
start my inner mission
of learnin’ how to listen
my road to feminism
may never end
I enjoy bein’ in this class
with the women of Bend

Tenants Responsibility

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0800

This story starts in early 2021

We saw your rental is still available?

Unfortunately it’s not. The rental supply is really low in Bend. I get people interested like a minute after I hit send. But you know what, we have another one coming on to the market this Friday.
You might get it if you apply right away.

Great, this place is so amazing! It’s everything we wanted.

[A week later]
Congrats you’re in!
What’s the date you’d like to move in?

In about 2 weeks we’ll be back in Bend.

Great I’ll have the keys made and sent out then

[A month after we move in]
Hi so the water filter light is on fridge, and just wondering if that’s something you might cover?

Ohh sorry that’s the tenants resp

Ok totally cool. I get it. Thanks anyway.

[A week later]
Hi the air filter light is on thermostat do you think you might be able to fix that?

Nope thats the tenants resp

Hmm OK, do you know how can I figure out how to change it?

No we don’t.

Ok well thank you.

[ A week later]
Hi so we’re noticing that all the outlets don’t work? Is that something you might be able to help out with?

Sorry that’s the tenants resp. Have you read your lease?

Uhhh yeah I did. I don’t remember anything about electrical issues….

I’m sorry but it’s all there. Please review that if you have any questions.

OK

[A week later]
Hi it seems that the thermostat doesn’t work! Any way I could get some support on this?
Why do I have to repeat myself?
Don’t you know that’s the tenants resp?

I started thinkin….
Something about this doesn’t see fair

Someone how I’m renting
but ask ‘em to fix something I better not dare.

Not sweatin this house
but I been put sweat in this house

All this slave labor is free
while they get to keep all the equity

It’s seems the owner has all the power
and I all can do take cold showers while I cower

I want to be free
but seems like I need a lot more money

What happens if I express any of this?

Would the owner say
we’re no longer leasing
To get me out of their hair
and they can continue feasting’

Can I put up a pride flag?
Without worrying if I have to pack my bags?

Wish I had more freedom
To live in peace
Without the police
Asking me to see my lease

I guess that’s the agreement.

Wolf

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0700

This piece was inspired by a book by Barry Lopez called of Wolves and Men. One of the most captivating, ugly truths of a book, I’ve every read. My apologies and respect to anything I may mispronounce.

Wolf

Mirror mirror on the wall
Who’s the wickedest of them all?

From antiquity to modernity
I’ve been blamed mercilessly
From Aesop to Lancelot
the hooded red death is all I got

I was summed up in a story
all wolves are heresy
the dogma ironically
caused a ton of trauma

Mirror mirror on the wall
Who is the heinous of them all?

I’m the GOAT of all scapegoats
men’s ego scrapin' gloat
their self-hatred hung
my throat to an oak
annihilation fully soaked
while mutilation took some notes

I awoke as this bizarre avatar
Let me tell you about the journey so far

While some insidious men
projected their evil on me
The indigenous men
respected my mystery

To him I was a brother
To her I was a mother

Wolf People and their Nation

Wolf’s Sleeve, Apache
Mad Wolf, Seminole,
Wolf Eyes, Hidatsa
Wolf Lying Down, Kiowa
High Wolf, Lakota
Nez perce brought Yellow Wolf
Woman Who Lived with Wolves, Sioux

Wolf Goes to Drink,
Wolf Chaser,
Wolf Bear,
All of Crow

Eventho' they all saw the balance I brought
Eventho' they all caught the wisdom I taught
Eventho' they all felt the magic I tossed
Like me,
those humans were crossed

out of existence
out of history
far from our collective memory

Mirror mirror on the wall
Who’s the vicious of them all?
Why do the new humans
still believe they are separate?
Still cuttin’ trees indefinite?

Why do the new humans
sow the seeds of violence
never bleed like hypocrites
never see what’s exquisite

When will they admit
that their favorite’s counterfeit?

On this Hallow’s eve
can they at least submit
to the universal spirit?
Oh pretty please?

I’m afraid
After the last benefit is split
As the last river calls it quits
And as the last moon fades to darkness
No Howl no how
No amount of money
will help them remember it
Mirror mirror on the wall
See me… the wickedest of them all

The Tree that Re-leaves

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0700

As you describe the ways to kill
and relieving free will, I feel ill

You say nonchalantly
“you first hang them on a tree
see, they have to bleed out,
some you cut across the throat
and some right through the heart”

You give thanks before you eat
a way to wash down the gluttony

You say
“I gotta eat”

to justify the killing

So let’s say it was just you and me
And we only had each other
And since you gotta eat
would I be next one on the tree?

Yeah probably, I mean,
who we kidding?
I ain’t a fighter,
start with my ass,
you’ll like it there

In all honesty,
I’m not trying to be
cut-throat or
backstabbed

Can you do me in a dream?
I could fade away quietly
no one has to hear me scream

and then you can get back to
munchin on my ass cheeks
cause we all know
you gotta eat

The Unsafe Way

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Man, I used to shop at that Safeway
Now shoppin’s the unsafe way
walking these aisles makes me prey
I’m a sitting duck with my hands this way

I used to shop at that Safeway
Coulda been me
getting PB and jelly
coulda been me

coulda been you
coulda been you
coulda been you

coulda been anybody

like flippin a coin
or rollin’ a die

that’s what we doin
we all just rollin to die

rolling a die

when’s your number gonna come up?

Bingo

Mr. Surrett, I salute you

for actin with the quickness
and stabbin this randomness

You stopped the coins from flippin
and undoubtedly saved lives
But this one die kept spinnin’
and caught you with the snake’s eyes

Thanks to you
no one else was forced to gamble
with their life - Thanks to you
we got our life – Thanks to you

SROs

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0700

This piece is called School Resource Officers, or SRO for short. It was inspired from an episode of John Oliver.

I’m doing a science experiment, you know
Where the bottle cap pops off?
Yeah but what they heard was
a guns chamber pop off

So I’m arrested by my SRO
Felony on the record
I’m only 13 years old
Not the best way to start a story I’m told

I spell my sorrow - SRO
Guns and a badge like every other PO
Huntin me’s the game - I’m scared yo
All these cops no souls just jigglin’ jello

Whippin me creamy with cuffs
Cause I threw a paper plane
so what?!?!?

Can’t I be a teenager?

I spell my sorrow – SRO

Teachers paid dirt
and we’re their worthless seeds
As they try to garden us
and make us into trees
but they can never guard us
against the artillery
All these baby stumps
everyday, more we see

[trees as a stand, juxtaposition there’s more
in the tree metaphor, growing, building walls]

I got nuerodiversity and ADHD
so your rules
they don’t come so easily
if even one of my toes is off the line
I’m getting tackled for this crime
I might not do any time
But I gotta check off the box
have you ever been arrested?

I spell my sorrow – SRO

You expect me to learn in this atmosphere?
This place that gives me most of my fear?
As if being bullied wasn’t enough
Now I ask myself everyday
will I be spittin’ up ketchup?

One minute I’m in art class
making brush strokes,
Next minute crackin glass,
He strolls in a few rifles under his torn coat
and now your sworn oath’s blood soaked
and any trust been broke a long time ago

I spell my sorrow – SRO

He drops me there
I fuckin hate school!
These cops be scared and Lapierre
hardly cares about how we lay bare
with our bloody bears
and a few lucky ones spared

Smearing blood on my face
hoping to fake my fate
You still sellin truck of AKs
Puttin’ that 8 gauge
In my brother that’s only 8

Patkland and Uvalde both had SROs
Their SRO were strapped
and yet 19 kids still got cracked.

I spell my sorrow – SRO

As he sees me in his scope
All these knights of kevlar froze
As they sang “let it go”

Yeah

you let us go

Why tho?

Am I worth so little?
All cuz I threw a skittle?
Why is your love for me so brittle?
I never asked to be born
But I’m stuck in this riddle

My existence minimized
Next to guns that are legalized
and yet anyone can buy
these machines, teen homicides

More SROs is the suggestion
So we can proven again
how they lead to aggression
and more funeral processions

More SROs is a curse
no counselors or a nurse
No psychologists of course
just all us kids leaving in a hearse

Doesn’t seem
like you really give a fuck about me,
So guess what adults?
Don’t be so surprised at the next killing spree.

Please visit 5calls.org and demand action against gun violence and support the local and federal bans on assault weapons

90 minutes

Sun, 29 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700

9 minutes for George
90 minutes for Robb

90 minutes
It’s how long a movie is
It’s how long a commute is (in some cities)
It’s how long a soccer game is

It’s also how long police waited to intervene
at the grizzly scene at Robb Elementary

Months before, Ramos scratched this itch
he’s postin-on IG, calling his mom a bitch

The young teen was bullied for his speech bout
so he posts on the gram how he’s gonna “air out”
But this ain’t a snowboard trick or something to brag about
You’re about to meet the butcher at the slaughterhouse

11:33 he sneaks in the propped door
Heads to room 111 a hundred round or more
Room 112,
where teacher dwells
the look of fright
The last thing she hears,
is him saying “goodnight”

Noah’s nightmare feels the bullet bust
his shoulder and he hear him sing
“Another one bites the dust”

These cops fully suited no comparison,
They protect by tackling parents without guns
Land of free and home of the brave
hearing their children die
begging them to save

Gunshots …. 11:37
to way too early to engage ‘em
Gunshots ….. 11:38
yo commander said to wait, yo that’s the mandate
Gunshots ….. 11:40
40 cops hangin’ back and waitin’
Gunshots …. 11:44
welcome to the little shop of horr-Ors

“We need more training”

Active shooter training?... check
and monthly tacticals? … check
open to all officers? … check

The state’s curriculum clearly states,
the first priority,
get in quick,
even if you’re solitary

All this surveillance to keep us safe,
yeah, tell that to the parents, putting their kids in graves

10 years since Sandy Hook
Yeah thoughts and prayers
and our hands are still on the book.

Camille survived, but she still has panic attacks
Rayna still alive, but can’t shower with the door closed, in fact,
Maggie lives her life, like a disconnected maniac

It’s part of our culture here in Texas
we keep the piece close,
you know it’s our nexus

It’s a mental health issue!

Ok here’s another bugaboo
If it’s true,
Why is Texas dead last out of 50 with these issues?
It’s because mental health is a scapegoat
and gun reform is waaay to taboo

SoulShine Industries creates custom caskets now,
So do you want your kids with guns or your kids in coffins now?

Ask yourself

now

Please visit 5calls.org and demand action against gun violence and support the federal ban on assault weapons

You Lucky Dog

Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700

I’m so lucky to be a dog
In Bend I feel like a god

I have home with love
a jacket when it’s cold
and parks to play
and meet my friends
I’m so lucky to be a dog

I think about my distant cousins
In between insistent droolin’s
so much love for me
so much lust for them

these animals lovers
love me by loving me
these animals lovers
love them by eating them
so free to be a dog

Is it because I’m smart?
c’mon Pigs are smarter
Is it because I’m warm?
Duck down’s a no brainer
Is it because I can feel?
But all Animals feel

some Dogs have real jobs
but my nose can’t find cancer
i’m only looking for treats
and it’s my tail that I’m after

i’m not fighting fires or leading the blind
when you grab the leash, I’ll read the sign

I got a vet that heals me, grooms me
he even fuckin’ nuetered me!

I lost my balls, but hey I’m still alive
I’ll take castration every day
over chick maseration on my birthday
Ohh you didn’t know? Yeah well
every male baby chick is ground up alive
millions every day so you can have eggs sunnyside

your big brain on two legs
runs one race above the rest
and manifests the ugliest race
who’s the best with the cutest face?

small brains on 4 legs
keepin balance with nature
the raw pain for laying eggs
then sauteed for texture

are you really my “best friend” ?

ALL Animals want love
a jacket when they’re cold
a place to play
and meet new friends
man, I’m so lucky to be a dog

I was just minding my own business and getting some carrots.....

Sun, 08 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Mild heart attack at the local CSA
Your body seemed to be made of that Goddess clay

You quads delts and tris, surprised my attention
Taut to perfection, taught my eyes affection

You found the owners manual on body sculpturing
I tried so hard to keep my iris from puncturing

Your sense of freedom and physical expression
I’m tense and dumb when you ask me a question

What’s your name? Have you ordered before?
Name is V.Mello

God damn you’re hard core!

Don’t stare Don’t stare!
How dare you not care!
She’s not some object
for you to lay bare!

A long time ago Michael Angelo
And you know Picasso both were like whoa!
To woo they begged “can you be our muse?”
Your skins so smooth it can surely soothe

Any mans callus’ and most shoulder chips,
Ashy elbow malice, with two cracked and broken lips

I feel a panicked ecstasy with your statue’s stature
Can it be my destiny to catch or snatch your rapture?

Wonderin, wonderin
Could I ever have what you have?
What do you do to get those abs?

Wonderin’, wonderin’
what would it be like to caress those muscles?
Feel that feminine strength and be held by your hustle

It’s a first for all of us we’re all trying new things
It’s my curse of the walrus I’m all fighting for wings

I Gotta flee now, while I’m still alive
I’ll restart my heart and get back to livin’ my lie

Just enjoy

Sun, 01 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Just enjoy the sun, for one day we won’t see,
Its rays, heat our face as masks are permanently
Mandated, ever since we rose 5 degrees C,
Now the wars for food and water are constantly
In the 2020s, we lived with no real fear,
Scientists, the Nobel’s, they’ll figure it out in the near
Children are aware of our approaching planet’s doom,
Industrious adults couldn’t fathom losing Zoom.

Just enjoy the ocean, for one day we won’t see,
It’s blue winds race and caress our face, as our masks are permanently,
Required, so hot without them, we can’t even breathe,
Now the wars for food and water is our anarchy,
We snatched and pulled trillions of fish,
So much by-catch, that’s us fulfilling every wish
We can and we will, continue it’s plunder,
For man, it knows little of wonder or surrender.

Just enjoy the food, for one day we won’t eat,
All the insects have died, no soil, just heat.
Most enslaved, since we rose 5 degrees C,
Now the wars for food and water, in perpetuity,
We thought we were separate from the Earth,
We thought we could control and command Her dirt,
All the magic she offered to all and for free,
We spent carefree, O how these egos breed.

Just enjoy the Moon, for one day we won’t see,
The waves to surf our soul as masks a permanently,
Needed, ever since we rose 5 degrees C,
Heeded never, now a heated decree
The top 1% live on Mars and the other planets,
We saved 1 species, while destroying all other inhabitants
Was it worth the sacrifice to save this human race?
Let’s the roll the dice, and see how we treat the rest of space.

Onalaska

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700

This was inspired by a recent Vipassana sit in Onalaska, WA

Took Sila to the river
with breathe as our bridge
while crossing to samadhi
Sometimes a hot tottie,
Other times frozen frigid

Panes of clouds shatter
soothing rains of glass
dew drops shimmer
on blades of silent grass

Weather changes
like feelings erratic
clouds come and go
but nature - stay balanced

The present dissolves to the past
loosen the grip, soften the crash
gently back to the breathe
and there I go
again

Tour of Tears

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700

This was inspired by a recent Vipassana sit in Onalaska, WA

the same wind
that made the trees dance
gave birth to a tear,
on the peak of Mt. Eyelash
It sticks and stings and piercingly sings
leave a dry white trail to Cheekbone Hill

It pauses for rest
It’s fear in sight
Thickbeard Forest
where most tears die at night

fellow wet nomads followed
along the fallen salt road
gravity and family makes It plump
It marches in, and the war begins

an army of barks await It’s arrival
armed with hair-blades
that slice all survivors

losing itself, feeling torn apart
It continues detached
remembering the mission on start

the final act is reached
It’s purpose of being

diving off Jawline
meeting wind - just in time
carries It safely
to a new eye, goodbye

Amit

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Rajul aka Ameet aka I’m it Shah
Born october 81, youngest of three
First two years with the grandparents
All cheers, no fears, livin like a prince
“We gettin too attached, it’s gettin too deep, he’s gotta go back”
Back to Queens, no longer a King
What a transition that must have been
Top of the world to the bottom of the barrel
My little brother I didn’t treat him that well
We were kids, I bullied, you fell.
Lookin back its clear to see,
He was quiet, stayed mostly to himself
He was so thoughtful, kind and gentle
Some say he was an old soul
Gripped with the shits since he was six
A life tormented, continued with despair
So alone with no one to talk to
No one he thought he could share
The depth of his ailment
Was he even aware?
He followed my footsteps everywhere
High School, college and even the job
All those accomplishments, did it even matter?
I doubt it.
Success was most important
So he held on, fought thru, with a tore up stomach
Got the job, money and independence
But lost his life and most of his confidence
Svidersky around 8, gives me a call
“Yo something aint right, get over here, don’t stall”
As I drove up the 101, I knew it wasn’t right
Thinking to myself, damn man, please tell me you aiite.
Bangin on the door, shit’s locked, so I hopped the balcony,
Slid open the door, can’t believe what I see,
Sitting on that couch, donned with suit
Image burnt in the brain, mi brudda, mi yute
Hole in the head, hole in the wall
Yo this is a joke right? “Stop fuckin playin y’all!!!!”
“Call the cops man, call the cops!” - yells Svidersky
Can’t tell if Im dreamin or if it’s a real
Feeling confused, then I see the gun
What? When d’you get a gun man?
What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck is goin on right now?
Is that it? Am I suppose to start crying right now?
Are they watching me right now?
Yo am I camera right now?
I’m losing my mind…
Blue team shows up to inspect,
Tears on my face,
I was the brother, now I’m a fuckin’ suspect
Hands in cuffs, so they feel safe,
Whatever man,
In retrospect, i wish I had more time
As he stared into that barrell was he in his right mind?
Guess we’ll never know, all we got is hindsight.
Might be 2020 but I still can’t see
Are we allowed to take our life if we want to?
Some say no, and some say do you.
He decided to end his story at 25.
I decided to stop asking myself why
I think i know the answer
Might have been easier to just deny
Tushar always said
“Let’s remember how he lived, not how he died”
Now those are some words to live by.

What happened

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0700

Wustha pointa spittin bout wat’s wrong?
Billions of views; money, cars and thongs
Killins n abuse, nah not in my song
Wha happened to the love in my heart?
As my ventricles depart,
I only think about how things fall apart?
Trying to outsmart, Descartes,
There was a time it flowed so breezy
I was moved by life and life moved me.
Effortlessly, it was easy to be, grateful, humble and so free
Now my thoughts only offend me, defensively,
What happened to that love in my heart?
What’s coming next, I’m pensive an hesitant
For my life I’m preparing, instead of just livin it.
In the moment, it’s stolen, like Baggins,
hands in my pockets, searchin’ for that thing,
The ring, the power, two towers trappin’,
One with flowers and one cowers for hours,
Doesn’t sound like fun in the long run,
What happened to that love in my heart?
My shoulders are holdin’ megaton boulders,
Resting in the sun on a foldin chair,
Start to doze off
On a dose of shrooms that’s fair,
now I’m floatin with no cares,
BOOM!
see a smokin bear with golden hair
No sin, no snare, spin slow, I start slitherin’
Eyelids slits, as I sit, the floors start witherin’
3rd eye’s wide, shit I’m ditherin’!
What happened to that love in my heart?
My mind rewinds time, back to ‘95, I’m fine, she’s fine,
Feeling divine, stealin old rhymes, ain’t that a crime?
Spray paint splatter, I’m busted and doin time, for taggin’ up the bus sign.
Q31 or 27, was never heaven, but I was never beggin.
Clever beginnings, with extra innings,
Little league belittling, blue sock leggings.
What happened to that love in my heart?
Skatin to escapin, the rage in him
Never knew what fired him, his teeth grindin’, and fist flyin’
I’m cryin and dying, wishin for that time when,
The Dr. shows up, he’s materializin’,
Now we savin’ Earth from Dialeks, as space cadets,
Sara Jane ‘n Leela all well kept, Romana, Tegan, Nyssa,
Wastin away to get ‘em wet, seduction pays in ways not known yet,
Playin the game for so long, the well’s long drawn and nothing left to pawn.
What happened to that love in my heart?
My files rank high and my soul sank low, the day I found you sittin’ froze.
Don Juan, nobody won, now he’s on that trip solo,
Or maybe he’s everywhere, above and below
Lookin’ on, every stare, makin’ sure, there’s no despair.
Protecting my chest, with a bullet-proof vest
Gotta pull it through, cause I have to,
Doesn’t flow like it used to, lovin you, and I lose you
I’m frontin bro, what about you?
What was it like, in your shoes?
Watchin us cruise, lewd and confused
What happened to that love in my heart?
While you look for a noose, cause you bruised,
Payin dues from past-life bills, under karmic rules
Wunderbar, Cool, Fantastic. Is that what I’m supposed to think?
I can’t, it feels so fuckin sarcastic!
Damn, making it about me, egocentric, my empathy’s empty, excuse me.
Your letter revealed sealed gratitude with platitudes
For the whole family’s attitude, which brought some of us
to a new latitudes.
What happened to that love in my heart?
The dead man’s words brought sanity to guilt with clarity.
Where oh where would I be without your autobiography?
An asylum, perhaps, 2 or 3?
Dramatic in fact, callin’ in the so called “facts”
I know who killed him, trace the call back!
Cop pulls up and my brother’s on that
Looking back, I was hidin’ in my closet, laughin’ at myself as my mental cracked
As you clicked that glock back, what made you stay on track?
The pain and strain so great, nobody to relate, alone, can’t alleviate
Guess you had to escape, it was time to elevate, reinvent, reincarnate.
As I lament, I meant to ask you, if not too late,
Were you ever b

Fractal Flakes

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0700

few feet of fresh
sunny days a-maze
snatches my chest,
calms my craze

caught the attention
of her jacket
feels like the Cadbury’s
soft white rabbit

endangered, survivin’
capped mountain sightings
Obsessed with flakes
i’m out insiding

hard not to want
her sequence stars
look but don’t touch
the hand destroys all

vanishes on touch
and frequently scarred
as fractals crack
and rainbows roar
prison of light,
snow colors expand
RISEN ENLIGHTEN!
all my brothers of man

Dionaea muscipula

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0800

I want to be close to you but I can’t
It’s rushin’ over me like a tank,
Feeling stuck I’m caught in Venus’ trap
I die on ya as my vitals run flat.

I’mma skip you like a line at disneyland,
Now you sink and think, Isn’t he my man?

I really want to be close to you but it’s hard,
I’m repulsed by those who’ve loved me so far
It’s evident that self affection’s missin’
I’m blessed that you don’t think I’m dissin’

In order for me to be close to you I need
Some openness to things you may not agree.
I can’t ever share those needs with you,
The wear and tear on your heart is too much boo.

Why, in my mind, do those needs constantly repeat?
Maybe my innocent inner child planted that seed,
I’m workin’ on this part of me, it’s deep thick’n rooted,
No shirkin’ this pardon me for these hedonistic bruises.

I’m still maturing and growin into this tree,
I’m parenting myself to be who I want to be.
Thanks for putting up with all my distance,
I’m Sequoia now, with your love ‘n assistance.

NATOs been K.O.'d

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0800

For more information on Ukraine's History watch Winter on Fire.

92 days of the orange revolution
92 ways of the ardent generation
Fightin with dignity, never give up
Dying maidans and they still stand up

The Young Ukraines
only just begun,
to feel the pain of my reign.

The puppet president failed his mission
So now I force you into submission

I’m not flipping the tower
I’m not going to cower
You can keep the sunflowers
See the seeds of my power

Discovered black gold 10 years ago
So Exxon’s exec’s yell cheers YO!
So I Annexed Crimea and the oil flows

Like Kasparov, so many moves ahead
I see you NATO, trying creep up. Instead
Like the eternal game, I HAVE TO attack
Cause if I don’t, this king is sacked

Ask Ray Charles, all about my grind
I did it before like Georgia’s on my mind
Don’t be blind, it ain’t personal, just business
if you threaten my power, I’ll flex my fitness

Feel the rumors and I conjure lies
real illusions in my soldiers eyes
Thousands are dead
and it’s worth it, you know why?

I’m not flipping the tower
I’m not going to cower
You can keep the sunflowers
See the seeds of my power

Playing chess on my chest

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0800

I know you were trying what you thought was best
Enrolling me to Kumon so I can better than the rest
I know you were trying to make me strong,
Over and over again with that graduation song
“From a distance..” you dissed to raise my resilience
“God is watching us..”
The fuck you lookin’ at watching me get beat up?
Laughin’, mockin’, n’ shamin’ my intelligence
Isn’t it strange how we show that we care?
Every night shattered dams behind my stare

Back then, I had no way to fight you back
You pummeled my soul and left me attacked
Now you see, the board was unrolled and pieces started to move
I was always schooled and made to feel like a fool
Then one day, old man you met your fate
This young kid, just gotchu in a checkmate
Ohh I see, your love language was finally understood
The way to your heart, was under my rooks
So the battle began for this dismissed love one
I’m brought to life when I beat ya 10 to 1!
Montage of the kid, he sobs over hisaab
Your barrage and my triage ALL camouflaged
Hey maybe it was a mirage?

You taught me love is always a fight
Squares black and white or even a ring
My body sings when I beat you with a sting
From my king or a pawn, for all the times you said I was wrong
A kick from my hip or a fork from my knight,
Jesus Fuckin’ Christ, another spaghetti night?
Thanks for teaching me how to play chess,
With a closed chest and quick witted mind,
I know one day, I’ll revive this intertwined,
Vivid and sublime, smilin all the time,
I say to myself
Where do we go, oh sweet child o’ mine?

Snap Ankle Pop!

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0800

excited to climb and meet new people
at the Circuit - current starts to flow
wanted to warm up as I was feeling cold
decided to skip that and just grab a hold

first one easy, second one hmmm
a little longer, a little higher
as they whispered “Yo look at Spider man!”
my thoughts distracted with my ego’s suntan

exhausted at the top jus’ decided to drop
as I fell to the mat, with my body waaay too relaxed

heard a snap crackle POP!
shoulder again and the ankle?
guess today’s the two for 1 special

located the shoulder like a 100 times before
the ankle was new and it seems kinda sore
as I walk it off, I get a phone call
we need you back on-line, no time to stall

when I get home, my ankle is swollen
turned my fibula into an orange
ER elevates, X-rays looked great
a splint and crutches - I was on my way

2 weeks in, 4 pow days lost
5 invites denied, how high this cost

as they said, when we first walked in
nothing wrong with climbing down
being safe - sure does beat limpin

Breaking curiosity

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0800

This was inspired by Irene Cooper's poetry class at COCC

George loved the outdoors
So he’s taking a break
and breakin a sweat
while breakin trail
Now he’ settin’ up his tent
and breakin bread
he breaks a leg
while breakdancin
he’s breakin wind
to break the ice
he’s breakin cover
he can’t afford this
he’s breakin bank
he breaks camp
Heads into town,

“Can you break this twenty?”

He’s breakin’ the law?
Gimme a break!

Good ‘ol Dirk shows up, with his badge in hand
his thrust is up, breaks his ranks
by breakin George’s skin
the street breaks his fall
and he can’t break free
or even even
Dirk breaks the record

9 minutes

When the news breaks
breakin so many hearts
breaks ALL trust
and then the storms breaks
we broken horses
break the spell
start breakin formation
breakin the silence
breakin down the racial barriers
we’re breakin our old habits
Dirk breaks his career
some cry, some cheer.

Ways to Draw

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0800

This was inspired by Irene's poetry class at COCC.

Draw curtains
history’s on TV,
June 1940,
U-48s draws to 108
Ensign McGraw
Captain orders
“Draw interest from the crew,
& draw the goose for stew!”

On deck below
they draw the cards,
The series is on,
and the “batter draws a walk”
Merry spirits
maritime honor,
Rudolf’s radar
draws die Americana
Torpedos starten!
Direct Hit!

All these Seamen startlin’
this wrecked ship’s
drawin’ water real quick,
knees drawn to the chest,
blood and guts with no vests,
tough enough…….. I guess

My grains

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 15:00:00 -0800

Another day of pain, here we go
Gotta think all day, hard to say no
That computer screen
And the lights scream
UV rays and retina’s bleed
Neurons dying
Just want to sleep
18 hour days - send‘m a trophy
Floatin’ away - cerebrum atrophy
Vice grip
on the last hemisphere
These tight lip unzips,
left ‘em in fear
It’s my own doing
It’s my own addiction
Sinkin’, trapped in pixels
Shrink wraps my brain’s wrinkles

Eyes never quiet or closed
Desire wider than my mouth
My grains of quicksand
Time’s running out

Mass Sicker

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0800

This was inspired by love jihad conspiracy theory, see the link below:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2022/jan/21/love-jihad-indias-lethal-religious-conspiracy-theory-video

massacre today, massacre yesterday
orange mass occurs on these green graves
mask her today, acid her yesterday
no broken bones, but somehow in this caste anyway

the love jihad that kills over god
the love that unites, heads roll tonight!

hindu nationalists forgot about ahimsa
looking like terrorists, backed by Narendra

some build love and others divide
some feel love while others did hide
far away from our truce,
we all are one in-sightful truth

If you really knew me

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0800

Another prompt inspired by Breakthrough.

If you really knew me,
you’d know I love to ride,
Slapping skins, to peelin ‘em,
virgin snow bonafide

you’d know I get cold easily,
Might be
because my body’s readin’ 95 degrees.

you’d know black comedy has me on the floor,
Something about that humor leaves me beggin for more.

you’d know I fret the details of every purchase
Reading labels showing abuse and neglect driving me to curses

If you really knew me,
you’d know I can’t watch horror movies
Not planting those seeds in my head then I’m forever spooky.

you’d know I love reading hacker news
I get sucked in for hours, I can’t refuse and I can’t peruse

you’d know I love when people listen
When I felt heard, I feel alive, makes me wanna kiss ‘em

You’d know I’m triggered when they can’t listen
I know their pain is deep but it still feels like they dissin

If you really knew me,
you’d know I’m a vegan
My blood work’s normal, never tired and never weakened

you’d know that I’m a perfectionist
All that judgement isn’t love and it ain’t where the affection is

You’d know that I meditate and turn to tarot
Lived in Queens, then arizona on a street called Darrow

you’d know that I love doing the dishes,
Kati makes food of the gods and makes me feel like I’m the richest.

If you really knew me,
you’d know I cry at the corniest flix,
I dry my eyes, soul is cleansed and my heart gets a fix,

If you really knew me, you’d know I love my solitude,
Spend hours alone, no bungee no parachute,

you’d know I love a hood party,
My playlist rocks, M, Nas and little bit a Cardi

If you really knew me,
you’d know I love meeting new people,
When I’m working tho, I’m reviewin’ PRs in my repo,

you’d know I fantasize about so many of ‘em
Dazzle ‘em in the chasm of orgasms, they linin’ up and leavin’ drippin,

If you really knew me, you’d know I’m afraid of being a hypocrite
Getting caught like that I’m dead, feeling ill, feeling sick.

If you really knew me,
you’d know that money’s my security
While that might be true, it’s tainting and displacin’ my purity

you’d know I found my brother’s body
It’s all good tho, cause he’s in a better best place probably.

you know I love when the words rhyme
Takes me to another plane of living, another place another time.

Dear Dad

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 23:00:00 -0800

This was inspired by a prompt in Breakthrough where we ask our parents what we want and need.

I want to thank you for all my vitality and individuality,
Last but not least, this unshakable sense of immortality.
I would like to let you know, what I want ‘n need,
I like to skateboard, bmx really anything with speed,
Could you help me with all these crazy dreams?
And help me get good enough to make them all a reality?
I know how important school and academics are,
Dreams are important too, you know? Like the gpa and that gold star.
Can we balance this unbalanced bar, so that your needs are met
And my heart can pirouette, like a 360 axle stall?
Can you take me to skate park so I can learn to get better,
I know I can be so rad, if I had your love and support, father.
Can you encourage me when I fall, and know that I’m strong,
Know when to intervene, and know when to watch from afar?
Thanks for considering my needs, it’s really important to me.
Maybe, when the time's right, you can share your wants ‘n needs,
We can learn from each other, and reach for that serene scene,
Picture us, flyin’ ‘n floatin’, in life’s ocean, two dolphins set free.

12 Days of COVID

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

a mask for my coughing spree
2 self hugs
3 dirty pens
4 frozen zooms
5 booster shots
6 maids are cleaning
7 super spreaders
8 rapid test kits
10 days isolating
11 hours binging
12 tired nurses

Broken tolls highway

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

Openin’ my eyes, but I’m still blind
This fog in my mind burnin’ green that I grind
I’m forever running - from the deep reaper,
My clever joker’s - the bent-blade keeper

Gotta escape cuz, sober’s a bummer
So I jailbreak with tequila’s thunder
You know that I got ‘em, you know how we go
quick-stop-at-the-liquor-shop, cuz my hate’s running low
teardrop on the rocks, next casamigos

My laughin’ mask, said I’m made-o-Benjamins
yeah yo white lines, redline my RPMs
I’m dead-n-alive at the same time my friends

I day drink, and I night walk
my body sleeps walks around a thick line of chalk
The pain in my heart’s too hard to talk
I'm chokin' in fear, every time I say what’s real

But it’s too much, so what the fuck?
Mr Grim whispers, “man up, you punk”
So back I go, another bottle another J
Somehow I’ve mastered, how to be enslaved

I dip my whip, in cocaine white,
so when it hits, it’s lights out, right?
addicted to the fight, against myself
someone throw the towel in? can someone please help?

I don’t need no help, yo you see what I make?
If I can’t buy you I’ll break you, best not make that mistake
Livin life vida loca, money’s humorous to me,
I don’t give a fuck about anything yo especially me.

New life Oregon, or Seattle or Spain
when I’m on the run my suitcase-stay packin’ pain
My solo pillow holds on to broken tolls
highway to nowhere, searching the silent soul

The hold that holds

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

This rhyme was inspired by my first day climbing at Smith Rock with an inspiring group of people

Ropes drape along my wing span
quickdraws jangle as I think, I can
watching rock face put others to the test
protection from above – wait - a raptors nest?

Praying from bouldering,
Smith has me searching
for that hold that holds me safe from my doubts
fingers bold and cold along this 5-8 route

anxiety chills my chest sweat
the elderly duo’s sweet success
ageless bodies re-ignite on site
Feelin right, climbin like a kite

friends that support
helpin’ everyone grow
no pushing no forcing,
you’ll know when you know

Addressing Thanksgiving

Sun, 28 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving Address:

Greetings to the Natural World English version: John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict, Turtle Clan/Mohawk)
Mohawk version: Rokwaho (Dan Thompson, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)
Original inspiration: Tekaronianekon (Jake Swamp, Wolf Clan/Mohawk).

This was also filled in by Braiding Sweetgrass by Robert Wall Kimmerer

See below and book for all content:

https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/british-north-america/haudenosaunee-thanksgiving-address/

The real state

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0800

This was inspired by John Oliver’s episode on Houselessness aired 10/31/21

Let’s get one thing straight, ask any CPA
Most laws in the US - cater to real estate
The only thing real about this state
is how we view those without a place

To hibernate or accommodate
regulate - even refrigerate!
how great isn’t it?
for all us to be able to create today

We got 44 shows on buildin’ and flippin’ homes
how many show what it’s like without a home?

When we count ‘em on a single night,
We get around ½ million in sight.
What about all the ones we missed?

The ones that were pushed into medical debts?
The ones on the frontlines and now jobless?
The ones released from a prison sentence?
The ones that run from domestic violence?
The ones whose parents question what their sex is?
Don’t even get me started on these housing prices!

You think it’s houseless by choice?
See, that’s the seed that destroys
the hope that we trynna to plant
by Housing First isn’t a gallavant

But it’s the City’s arrogance banning everything,
no camping, no lying, no loitering
you got a car well best not be living in it
cuz next week’s street sweep,
hope you ready for it

Can’t the dweller stay up in a shelter?
Hmmmm lets see if that’s true
8pm curfews, 7am they kickin you
out the door, hey good luck on that interview

Hello nice to meet you,
Ohh excuse me, you forgot to fill in your address
Ohh … sorry….. what’s that….
And just like that SNAP
the position no longer exists…..

Not enough beds when they gouge the rent
Only ~10% of the houseless end up with a mattress,

I gotta home, beds and sheets,
pretty lucky if you ask me
favorite movie is The Last Mimzy
It’s a story about how we lost our humanity
We walking that path, with all this talk of NIMBY!
Put our people first, not your home’s equity
Give ‘em the keys and let ‘em breathe
So they can finally feel what’s it like
to be a human being.

Heavy nouns and weak verbs

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0800

This was completely and 100% inspired by the chapter Grammar of Animacy in Robin Wall Kimmerer awe inspiring book, Braiding Sweet Grass. A tribute to Indigenous Peoples Month.

I nestle into the curve of the roots
Surrounded by the sounds of my youth
Chipmunks digging,
Beechnuts falling
Mosquitoes buzzing,

objectifying and reducing, is the language of botany,
something’s missing,
a force, prana, ki or chi
all the names of this allusive energy

The Native languages were washed away,
Kids taken to learn the New England way
So few left that speak these tongues
All this wisdom these souls have sung
Flung into the darkness,
Hung on the final rung,
Careful whispers from time - millennium

Now my nouns are heavy and my verbs are weak
Obsessed with objects is the way I speak
If I surrender the gender, change the grouping forever
Not he or she, how about animacy?
Not it or dead but living lively?
Thomas Berry said it so lovely
The Universe is a communion of subjects
You and I hurt by a collection of objects

She kneels to inspect the track of a moose,
SomeONE’s already been they’re on the loose!
A deerfly soars into my head and sat
SomeONE’s sore and trapped in my hat.

Democracy of species NOT the tyranny of one,
Birch people, Bear people, all people one!
Democracy of species NOT the tyranny of one,
Snow people, Rock people, all people one!

A wife's scythe

Sun, 07 Nov 2021 22:00:00 -0800

During one of Irene Cooper's poetry classes we were suppose to do an Ekphrasis on the famous artwork called The Song of the Lark by Jules Adolphe Breton . While I saw something light, my partner saw something darker. This tries to capture her dark sentiment on the art work:

Tonight's the night,
Tonight's the night,
Tonight's the night,

I’m no longer afraid,
I will be set free
From these every day rapes

Never had a choice,
In this patriarchy,
His family my family agreed,
and now everyday I bleed

As this sun sets
This cycle will end
Soon it will be over
With my blade that bends

Today is the last day
I surrender to terror
Tonight‘s the night

I once met a verse

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0700

I once met a verse that could transport my words
anywhere in the world like a lightning burst

Yo WhatsApp Slack?
Is that you, Gram or Snapchat?

I was happy with polaroids
as a boy, with noisey toys
but this verse is serrated
averse pictures on steroids
with filters infatuated

I used to go to movies,
you know - plush red and reclined
surrounded by Dolby,
and in about 90,
I flashback outside

But this verse spoiled me
why should I wait on a line - when I’m already online?
I can pick any flick
with a flick of my numb thumbs,
I’m sick with it

more like sick of it
sick because of it

Met-a PR’s repertoire
hides ALL that VR noir
intezaar for the new war
eyes beggin’ me to blink
dopamine’s droppin’ me winks
Remember Dunbar?
Ha! Well that number’s a memoir

I got close to this verse
fingers burned by the screen
the algorithm’s curse
puts a rhythm to my screams

In this metaverse
I died and gave birth
to the digital me,
now the only way I see is virtually
and the new ban to humanity?
rockin’ RayBans... naturally

Given

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:00:00 -0700

how much she’s given
being unique in ‘57
From ahimsa and yoga
To the country of Ikea
in a scent, she’s brought home
innocent in Stockholm
family friends pour the adore
language, culture a magic world.

how much she gives
yet she’s driven to riven,
her life,
attemptacide twice

first husband only sees
that which is green, and not what bleeds
this hulk chokes her speech
with his grinding teeth

how much she gives
to her profession,
to her son,
she sews a confession

second husband doesn’t see
the beach of egg shells beneath
nails in her feet
her toes hammered
there goes another Bruce Banner

yet she dances

how much she’s given
these hot men’s livid
she escapes at last
a speck of freedom
but it doesn’t last

She says she happy
She thanks her God
She’s been emancipated
Retired
to a full-time job

and she’s still given
her parent’s bed-ridden
10th year of care-givin’
of vanishing sleep
from given the duty
to fatigue’s mystique

And she still gives
to every soul that lives
I pray that one day,
she can find it ok
to give to herself
and be fulfilled that way.

If I ... do I ... ?

Sun, 17 Oct 2021 21:00:00 -0700

If I can not see – your stars in my palm
Do I deserve to be held – by your twilight’s calm?
If I can not hear – the ocean in your eyes
Do I deserve to float – in the river of your mind?

My shirt shivers and my lips quiver

If I can not kiss – your cheeks of gold and peach
Do I deserve your fruits - those forbidden to eat?
If I can not feel - your lifetimes of divine,
Do I deserve your time?
or are you better off without mine?

Happy Birthday Stiches!

Sun, 10 Oct 2021 21:00:00 -0700

More than 4 decades, might be halfway
Around the Milky way, for another birthday
From Mumbai to subways, from San Jose to Monterey
Let me tell you what happened, in Bend this Saturday

I was invited to play, around the world ping / pong
Everybody laughin and singin, all my favorite songs
I musta slipped quick, defending the title,
Now I’m holdin my chin, as she checks my vitals

Hit the floor with my face, like I just met Tyson,
They were ready, band aids, time to get the ice-in
Get to ER, they said I need stitches,
My lips are swollen, like Will Smith in Hitched

A little bit of pain with a moan in my dome,
Next day all good tho, time for tramp zone!
All of us jumpin, flippin and sweatin’
No thoughts for nothin, except the present

So many presents
all my wishes came true,
All these peaks are white
snow made its debut!

93 steps

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 21:00:00 -0700

This movie was being discussed at our BLM meeting and I thought I would summarize it in my own way.

You know how hard it is to get into Stuyvesant?
Top HS in New York, so you better listen,
That’s what my parents said to me, so it had to be,
Now, I’m taking a film class with Mr. Sawicki,

Haha, takin pics all day with that Yashica – cam,
Skaters flippin over garbage cans, ya’ll wish I can,
but I can’t. It’s all good tho, cuz I’mma make movies
Rene wants in and soon there’ll be a line of groupies

Damn she’s so fine, all day and everytime
I’m with her my mind unwinds
pinch me cause I mighta met the divine.

Then one day this balluh, asks me to pull up
My stomach sank low, and pushed my chest up
I coulda walked away and just been punk
But instead
I just took some shots of him trynna dunk

In this city, 5-0 be mad shady
Arrest you for walking, talking, spittin,
shh anything!

One day – that day
He asked me to check out the bodega
Those 93 steps
changed my life foreva

Saw the news, - dude’s dead
Damn, why’d I have to mess with King?
Why’d I let him get to my head?

Ding Dong
Are you Steven Harmon?
Uhh yeah….
You have the right to remain….

Now I’m detained
rockin’ the orange and white stripes
The dude in next cell yells all night in fright!
I’m not suppose to be here man, I’m innocent
yeah we all innocent, just take a glimpse

When I make call, they bully me off
I don’t eat,
So when they take my lunch, I don’t feel the loss

They ain’t no room for gray in this court,
I’m black and she’s white ‘n she tryn’ to support
And defend another black kid
or should I say monster?

That’s all you see, automatically
But that’s not me, I never pulled the heat,
Will you believe me or do I accept defeat?
This jury don’t know me, they don’t know my story

You know the difference between innocent and guilty?
Standin’ strong on your own truth ya feel me?

Mucho Frio en Del Rio

Sun, 26 Sep 2021 21:00:00 -0700

This was inspired by John Oliver’s latest episode called Voting Rights. You can find him on YouTube.

The scene at Del Rio,
lookin' like a western,
Cowboys on horses,
Haitians with their chest burned
Whippin ‘em atrocious,
the immigration enforces
“Haiti’s a dead country”,
the president’s in corpses
Earthquakes devastate
and how do we mitigate?
Title 42 legislate,
with no public health debate

Right now it’s the Haitians,
soon all colored races,
18 states is blocking voter rights
Took hundreds of years
and POOF, they’re out of sight

Lets blaze the Filibuster in smoke
And support the Freedom to Vote,
Automatic registration in every state,
Election day’s now a federal holiday,
Allows all of us to vote by mail,
Protection for those that are vulnerable

Or don’t be surprised,
2024 - Orange Cancer on the rise,
The President once again
Infects this American pie,
Only this time –
the results aren’t benign.

To support the Freedom to Vote Act please visit 5calls.org and contact your representative.

My embryo's gotta go

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 21:00:00 -0700

My so called “unborn life”, has to be protected
I’m martyred by horns, cuz I’m livin’ Texas
I’m all alone with these scars and I only got 6 weeks,
Cuz in this lone star, ha! that’s a heartbeat

Mr. High Court decided, he's to save my fetus
Even if it means, killin’ this brave Venus
See the penis is god, all this fuss over his pus,
And se-men his children, thinking nothing can stop us

Jesus how they treat us Mary, huh? the unjust elitist,
But this isn’t just lust, its my body, I must,
have the right to decide, not you but I
why must he control me? can somebody please tell me why?

Universal Health Care

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 21:00:00 -0700

‘Member in ‘19 how we were livin?
Beers on the beach, out sunbathin
Dippin in oceans, surfers in motion,
No caution in kissin, touchin or huggin
Breezy new sands, Hiking forest Lands
Wrist in bands on the righthand,
Backhand at the parkland
Mountains so grand, I’m out in snowland
Fresh AY! that I’m breathin’
Seeing places, embracin’ faces
Sudden interruption, everythin’ changin’
COVID’s hittin’, so I’m sittin inside
This shit’s the pits, I spit truth no Lies
Whatta benefit, to be outside
Brotha I admit and I realize
Mother Nature! you so damn fine!

Now just for a minute, imagine a time
Her ice caps splits, tides on the rise
She submits-n-transmits that toxic oxide,
Her corals forfeit, COTS homicide
She didn’t consent, she’s discontent,
We didn’t circumvent, now she’s bent and spent.
No arguments, her dissent’s cement
Her scent went dormant, now it’s permanent.
Now hear the gents lament, no sunshine,
When she’s gone, Withers away, like Bill’s song
Without her, days turn to nighttime,
Our nitwit-skit stay ignorin’ the signs
Species dying genocide
Robbin’ life, like Bonnie-n-Clyde
The numb skull’s high, it’s implied and worldwide
Sing-a lullaby, it’s our bedtime

Yo weather forecaster, don’t refrain, make it rain!
Hurricanes insane, east coast disaster
Whole west coast terrain Reign of Fire,
Cloak of smoke chokin’ dire desire
Sun’s dyed red, skies cry with grime,
Krypton’s dead, ‘cuz-a too much pride
Jorel tried, adios goodbye,
While Superman…... did survive
There's no reversin’ Earth’s spin, there's no rewindin’ time
This ain’t Sci-Fi, sorry McFly,
Guess we left the timeline behind
maybe we finally realize?
Now all our dimes can’t save this cloud 9
We gotta change the paradigm
How to keep the Goddess, coincides
With wellness for our bodies and mind

Just ask Musk, we all can’t fly
To Moon or Mars, most’ll be on standby.
Or left behind, intertwined like a vine
or maybe just confined like its 1999
Back in Colombine, lyin’ in slime
and we yellin and screamin', MINE IS MINE!

To prevent all this snide, we align not divide,
Gotta reinvent, Gotta redefine

How ‘bout this one? “Problem ain’t mine?”
Devout confusion, when you in your prime
Division’s an illusion, between you and I
We all connected, ask Bohm quantum guy
Whoa, whoa Einstein, I can’t even find cosine
Been silo’d with, Psylocibin
Well Jokes aside, try the fungus, I'd
bet it’d straight dilate your 3rd eye real wide
Hate inya’ heart becomes untied
Unwind, sip the wine, witchya Valentine
Lover’s on the climb, dove’s so divine
Recover-n-rewind, guess what?
The problem IS mine!
Yo Earth’s our nest, we gotta apply
A healthy chest for the body and mind
Travel with this guide, it’ll be divine
Gavel’s quick’n collides, I just testified!

Engine of Vengeance

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0700

This was inspired by and entirely taken from John Oliver's Last Week Tonight episode. See the entire episode here. Shout out to John Oliver and his entire crew. I appreciate their continued effort on shedding light on these deep and complex issues that rarely see the sun.

------------------------------------------------
A 20 year war and I ask you why
1000s on a jet and yet none of ‘em can fly
hanging on to the wheels of the bold and brave
keepin it real, falling back to their grave

The cradle of man, countless invasions,
Moguls, British, Russians and Americans

Female subjugation,
stadium executions,
Didn’t really matter
‘Til the 11th of September

The mask of vengeance wears a crusade
dropping food and bombs, here’s some drones to your aid
We save them by killing - 71,000
civilians and kids, now we leavin’ ‘em gouging

The promise of democracy
only left with kleptocracy
We paid war lords and drug traffickers
Cuz it’s easier than understanding the country’s political power

From Bush to Trump, yeah even Obama,
“We’ve made progress, there’s no more trauma”
We were fed like babies, whatever’s on TV
“We’ve made progress, Afghan’s now free!”

General Lute – was our mid-east czar,
He didn’t have the foggiest
as to the purpose of this war.

US interest, is what brought us in
They’re dependent on us, see that’s how we win!
US interest, is what's bringing us out
SIGAR reports, we had no plan no doubt!

There’s a crisis coming, foreign and domestic
Our allies abroad no hope just pessimistic,
Our veterans abroad finally seeing a stop sign
But when they get home, they dialin’ the suicide hotline

Take a minute and show the world you care
Call your rep, and tell them all this shit ain’t fair.

You and me

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 22:00:00 -0700

My plait of perfection
makes me untouchable
My cage of convention
makes me unreachable
My wake of wisdom
makes me unhuggable
My reign of reason
makes me unallowable
My craze with comparison
makes me unacceptable

but

The touch of your skin,
makes perfection a fiction
The reach of your care,
an intervention to tension
A hug in your arms,
a sage to my wisdom
The way you allow me to be me,
gives all my reasons a vacation
Your acceptance of me,
all comparisons - oblivion.

Turpentine

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 20:00:00 -0700

She opens her rocks,
Her Snapple crackle pops,
See her real milky spark
to my mark in the dark
She’s the Queen of wands
As she reaches for my pawn
She got it good,
yo she got it tough,
She gave it raw-n-rough
and shhhh wasn’t enough
She can take it all,
while humming innocence,
I'll tell you about my fall,
man haven’t been since
She wraps it tight,
I’m talking turban tight
her turpentine's on time,
Raisin the resin in my pine
All that will that I drill,
breathing like a windmill
No pills so don't spill
slowly killing for her shrill
Her soul explodes
Like chrysanthemums stars
No longer alone,
Her anthem’s sung hard
Her music’s moist in my hands,
Hold it.. god damn it! I can’t,
She made this devil dance,
Will she give me another chance?

Just love

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 23:00:00 -0700

Why can’t you just love me?
I just want to be held
I just want to be touched

I ask for so little, and get nothing of the such
I’m so alone, I’m drowning, can you help me up?

I’m so easy to please, just a soft caress,
No fancy dresses, just a head on my chest

When your heart opens even one degree
I’m filled with joy and child-like glee

I watch my every action, for my sensitive sultan,
Hear the eggs shells crackin, as I cower within

Hard way to live, and a testament of my love
When will he give his heart, to this loyal dove?

Why can’t you just love me?
I just want to be held
I just want to be touched

The sea can't see

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 21:00:00 -0700

Inspired by Irene's poetry class!

Your sea of skills with depths of discipline
is a Fisher Price fish tank upon inspection.
All your waves of success that you think you feel
it isn’t just you that brings the aura of your teal.
No longer waiting or waning, I phase myself,
to remind you of me,
that which winds life to your kelp.

Now the Tower

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 21:00:00 -0700

These eyes of mine help me see
Objects and things with such clarity
I’m blind to the deep the subjects beneath,
The ghosts, the spirits the souls they seek
To be seen and heard, yet my fixate
And pupils dilate on surface bueaty
my child elates
How to abandon years of seeing?
How to bandage years of bleeding?
The tower was flipped now it’a matter of time,
When the world ends and it begins a new rhyme.

Soul's Home

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 22:00:00 -0700

This was inspired by a prompt from Irene’s class on “your house”, where is it, what’s it made of and what you call home.

-----------------------------------
My house is my body, the shrine to my divine,
I resign from night-shine and re-enter real-time,

I sense, I feel, I smell and I know,
The journey ended, a new day bestowed.

How does this miracle work every day?
I die every night and survive the decay.

How does the thought to move any limb
Happen again and again with such perfection?

How does the smell of my childhood lotion?
Puncture me back to that exact emotion?

See my thoughts racin, with no finish line,
Deep breaths erasin, this horse’s stride,

I’m back to where I always want to be,
My home, my body, now and eternally?
-----------------------------------

Pinas en tequila

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 17:00:00 -0700

This piece was inspired after hanging out with some new friends at a new restaurant. Something that hasn’t happened in long time for me.

----------------------------
Hola ma cheri is inviting me
To Hola, whole lot of music that’s free!
I said Oui, we'll be there at 730
Neighborlies, parking spot with a breeze
In the back she’s singing Alicia Keys
Hitting high notes with such ease.
Debating another spot because of the long table wait
We hesitate and end up fitting all 8!
Queens, VA, DC representing,
Can’t forget Roosevelt island!
Food or drinks? famosa cantina
Hitting them hard, pinas en tequila
I don’t’ drink so I'm a take it slow
Been on a year break, especially Modelo
Where’s all the hip-hop suppose to be?
Dancehall, reggaeton all that music for me!
Damn Vmello, once a month maybe Astro?
Let’s get this party started representing 5 boroughs!
Heal that raunchy sore, unwind that tight mind,
Or else,
Mariachi’s at your door, playin’ all night divine!
Laughin and dancin we gotta do this again,
I'm a be slackin and relaxin’ ‘til I see you then.
------------------------------------------------

He killed it

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 20:00:00 -0700

This piece was inspired by a poetry workshop by Irene Cooper.

--------------------------------

Bills killed many of people
bustin’ guts lethal with laughter
and sometimes much faster
5 shots with a silencer
with or without a chaser
best backhand in the game
everybody knew it
what fame and no shame
talk about killin’ it
---------------------------------

vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

Vibrate my Gait

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 18:00:00 -0700

This piece is based on the recent exposure to various influences of musicians and performing artists.

----------------------------------------------------
I’m filled as we fill these rooms again,
This barron abandon’s, no longer in fashion
This circle invites one and all to arrive,
Listen, watch and even feel what’s inside

Reading my rhymes in the back of Spork,
Now dragons are dancin on poles with torque
This slam’s allows me to be me
Bala’s bringing sounds of ancient dholkis

How does sound mesmerize every bodies
To sway, vibrate, innate in harmony?
Harmoniums are moanin’, lungin’ and plungin’
My dungeon’s birthin’ abundant bhajans

Spongin these kirtans, a call to the ancient
Deities and legends respond in the present

Whether we’re on Miller Landing’s lawn,
Or catching MeloMania heard a mile long
The queer’s sake rubric I use each day,
Did I hear or make any music today?
----------------------------------------------------

Drop the hot dots at:
vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

Heat Wave

Sun, 27 Jun 2021 18:00:00 -0700

This piece is based on the recent heat wave hitting most of the west coast with record breaking temperatures.

------------------------------------------------------
As Heat waves hello “Allow me to introduce
Billows of smoke, west coast issues are due”
All time high, the fiery taker of acres
Heat gives a high five, to all the deniers.

Reservoirs are low while I water my lawn,
Faucets forever flow, never been so wrong

Ignition by attrition this 6th extinction,
Succinct admonition, distinct to perdition
In addition, waters gone and food is strife,
Heat waves goodbye, to all of life

Most plants and animals died long ago,
A new being emerges, from the deep, far below.
------------------------------------------------------

Drop the hot dots at:
vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

Clawed 'n Copin'

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 21:00:00 -0700

This piece is based on a friend that recently visited and taught me a few things

------------------------------------------
Can’t wait for you to arrive,
To see our home, and to see that smile
The connection I feel, you know, never fails
Every time we meet, my heart’s outta jail
The night you arrive I’m filled with excitement,
Your steadiness is exactly as I remember it
You ask for some bud and I’m like what?
Step into my hut, what type of cannibus?
Would you like today? I pass you a bubbler
You faaaaaaaaaaade awaaaaaaaaaaay.

For days you blaze and I’m wondering what I did
To make you escape and be so within
Without any reasons I had to accept
The distance with resistance as I felt left
Behind and alone I guess it was my own doing
Having expectations lactating and brewing
You made it easy to sit back and relax
Something I haven’t done in some time in fact,
The one silver lining in all this was
I don’t need Mary Jane to feel this love
------------------------------------------

Drop the hot dots at:
vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

Wash before you eat

Sun, 13 Jun 2021 22:00:00 -0700

This piece is based on what happened when my cousins were in town. We’re driving around we notice a person selling strawberries and the next thing you know, half his supply is on the ground due to a gust of wind.

------------------------------
Corner of 9th and Wilson
Height o’the season is in
Strawberries in boxes
Jaw’s merry and eyes grinnin’

While the wind sings, the table cries
The fruits bleed and the earth is now dyed
Hope is lost, drowned in frowns
The red sea engulfs him all the way down

5 life vests emerge from the Tarot’s mist
Floatin’im to the top, from deep sorrow’s abyss
Collected his hearts and dusted his lurk
Brought him a sign and he’s back to work
That smile so fresh, so please wash before ya eat,
Spoken with no words
just what happens when open souls meet
------------------------------

Drop the hot dots at:
vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

Goose De Schutes

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 21:00:00 -0700

Some adventures on the river....

--------------------------------------------------------
First time kayak second time SUP?
More courage and balance just to stand up
After a few minutes started to test the waters,
Wondering, can I push these oars harder?
After awhile the stiff legs started to loosen,
Straightened out the posture like most of the gooses,
That might be geese yo, attacking the grammar police,
Protecting their niece they see the stranger floatin
Approachin and encroachin
wing spans ready to choke ‘em
They got the message and fled the scene,
I went back to lying flat in my summer dream
I see the trees sway and they make me float away,
Clouds throwin’ shade without insults today
Ripped from the sleep as I hit the bridge,
Bumped off natural and the fear was ditched
My new meditation hooked on river sound,
birds and kids, babbling brooks abound
--------------------------------------------------------

Drop the hot dots at:
vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

Bob Colter

Sun, 30 May 2021 20:00:00 -0700

This is dedicated to Bob Colter. I didn't know him that well, but the few moments we shared are now with me forever

---------------------------------------------------
Hey Vim, this is Bob from Breakthrough,
I’m in Bend, wanna grab coffee or tea and chat for a few?
Bob, I would love to meet up, how about tomorrow afternoon?
What time works for you?
One pm works, I don’t know this town very well,
If you pick a place, I’ll get there OK?, Well
How about Salud Raw Food?
The spot is new for me too!
Sounds good to me, I’ll see you soon!

As I drive down Franklin to meet him,
About to make the left into Tin Pan Alley,
There’s Bob! I tried to wave and he didn’t see me
I parked and circled back for him
Texted him that it was hard find,
Next thing you know he’s walking down just fine!

We walk into the juice bar he orders the Blue Macaw
Mango, Ginger, Turmeric and blues like ocean raw
I got the Golden Shroom suppose to be the tonic,
Lotus Chai, Cocounut Oil with no psychedelic chronic

We take our drinks outside and start to catch up
He asked me if I like Bend, and I’m like yup, yup!
So many things to do and the people so friendly
I hardly ever think about Monterey or the Valley

I remember thinking how good my drink was,
I just wanted to down it in a inhale, buut….
Bob was sipping on his, like the Zen master would
A little bit at a time, slowin’ down my gulp could
Help me see the finer quieter path,
Takin’ n’ tasting these notes as they cast and crash

We talked about BT, politics and relationships,
We even shared a few secret embarrassments
He was proud of his children with their success
Told me how they felt lucky and so blessed

Two hours flew by, he had to take care of the dogs,
We bid farewell, and he was staying all week long.
I asked him “hey, maybe we’ll get dinner this week”
Left without thinking that’ll be the last time we speak.

Remembered to bring back some food for my girl,
She was the one who recommended this juice whirl
I start to tell her about my lunch date
That night she dreamt about an inspiring fate

Message from Fred, saying Bob had passed,
Death sneaking up so quick and so fast
How precious this life as it could be gone like that,
I promise to not take it for granted, in fact,

When I heard the news it stopped my tracks
I hugged my girl, embraced her whole back.
I appreciate you Bob, for breaking my trance,
Off of work and stuff and allowing me one last dance.
---------------------------------------------------

Drop the hot dots at:
vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

These sore arms

Sun, 23 May 2021 22:00:00 -0700

Pulled a muscle again, famous right side lats,
With long lanky arms, my back can’t relax
There was a time these arms were cuddle some
Will that day return? These arms just shrug

My arms could be humerus with a radius to wrists,
My arms can be numerous with heaviest grips
Like a drug for thugs, we arm our men
Treat the 2nd amendment like an ornament
Mass shootings of kids and police brutality
These arms crease the peace on Black liberty

So many arms we sell - all gangsta exports
Even Vishnu sports all the Gaza reports
How do arms lead to peace?
The metal extension meant to pierce?
Religion has created the greatest of art
Inspiring sleeves and tearing others apart
Our firefighters lost lungs, limb by limb
“Ohh we gonna cut them down every single Muslim”
How does cuttin’ ranks lead to peace?
Hugs protect and heal in deep
We ship clips in crates, like mayonnaise,
Guns scathe waists in the Middle East malaise
Leaving a bad taste this shit is messed up,
Civilians and kids be coughin' up ketchup.

The only genocide allowed in this history,
Hollywood reminds us every day the Nazis.
Not seeing and blind to all the other atrocities
China’s Uighurs, Modi’s NRC and even Rumi???
This ancient poet hearts melt and faces elated,
His Islamic roots, erased when translated
Unquestionable support for all of Israel,
Do arms lead to peace? Is this really real?

Blood doesn’t clean away stains of blood
Love does hug the pain as we rub
The elbow grease to cease this flood
Insurgents ‘n undeterred gents become martyrs
Like a detergent mixed with some water
Intolerance to difference, discomfort in new,
Separating colors as they might bleed into you,
The same machine that we rumble ‘n tumble in
Accepting our fate we can stumble to humblin’
Belief in separation only tightens the confusion,
The Indigenous can end this blindin’ illusion

My rich arm’s got choice, unlimited slots ‘n shots
Yo poor arm’s no choice on whether to die or not

And these arms that you see right here?
An American born arms who does fear
Those who shout “we have a right to bear arms”, as they near

Going back to the start,
Weren’t these arms meant to embrace one another
Among the human race my brother?
When will it end and I definitely don’t know what’s best
But I know that I’m tired and wanna give all these arms a rest

Is umm, he chokin' Chauvinism?

Sun, 16 May 2021 19:00:00 -0700

Knock knock, who is there?
No knocks, time to scare,
Tots flock, where’s Pops? Don’t despair!

Jocks amok, hands in the air!
Glocks shock, bodies lay bare
Starin’ at black live’s graves,
Darin’…. and the Blue line still waves.

How important that honor is, isn’t it?
If we question in the slightest, it’s a chest o’ bullets
If I’m mentally unstable and I dial 9 1 1,
I’m just another fable, I’ll run ’n I’m done

A fake 20 gets a deadly knee for 9 minutes,
He can’t breathe,
while Chauvin’s hands’r in his pockets.

Chillin’!…. How chilling to see,
Killin’!…. How willing is he

The jury concluded, Derek’s guilty on all 3,
Look at what it takes for some accountability:

Global protests and riots, 11 months in action,
All we got, was to put away ONE, of the PD faction.

No traction, no grip, still slippin’ to live,
Still splittin’ reactions and limpin’ to give

This is a first step inna ultra-marathon,
But the other foot has to follow close along

10 miles from this trial, another smile was riled,
Duante Wright’s tears from a sorry crocodile
Maybe an accident maybe she was nervous,
Blacks taxed to death, in this diva’s circus

Qualified immunity allows pepper spray in my face,
Contacts fused to my eyes now I’m permanently maced.
Qualified immunity allows 3 tases to the pregnant,
Face down handcuffed, all ‘cause she was speedin’
Qualified immunity - held in a cell for 6 days,
Infested with feces and sewage all I can do is pray.

3 out of 50 we just started the game
CO, NM, NYC states first to fame,
Qualified immunity, no longer allowed in those 3
Imagine a world where ALL life had dignity?

6 out of 50 we finding our stride
Qualified immunity, just gives them more pride
12 out of 50, we gaining momentum,
Qualified immunity, vacations we sent them
24 out of 50, yo we halfway there,
Qualified immunity, their heyday lair
50 out of 50, from police to peace,
A single syllable, a century to achieve.

While Chauvin might do time, Chauvinism’s still alive,
Patriotism on the rise, blind devotion Palatine.
Segregated more than ever, we gotta bridge this divide
Get comfort in discomfort, start talkin to the other side.

Stay hydrated, for this race just started,
All the under-rated, pick your pace, arms guarded
They got tanks and choppers and ultra night vision
We got a heart that doesn’t stop us, and we on a mission!

First Con, Then Sation

Sun, 09 May 2021 18:00:00 -0700

Ohh Snow you sit and sticky goo you are,
I’m Mountain Rigid with ridges ‘n couloir
Some land gently, and some land meltingly,
some lands flat, water is no where to be,
As your flakes flock to blanket my piques,
Your jealous clouds still the moments fleet
As the sun stays longer, you start to wither,
caressing all my rocks, becoming River
So many names for two Hs and a O,
Ohh how your undertow tip-toes with rainbows
You know my interest, I bid you goodbye,
Cumulonimbus, from low to sky high!

The Follicle Oracle

Sun, 02 May 2021 17:00:00 -0700

In the heyday, spent an hour in the mirror,
Making sure every strand in place with no errors …..
The mane was the main way to the attention,
Of the Dane dames in my bedroom’s reflection.…..
What a heresy to admit the thinning crown,
This King dethroned, he’s gotta get outta town.…..
The games begin on how to cover this up,
Admitting the loss was just for punks.…..
Now everyday had to be planned,
Was it windy or rainy
just call me the weather man…..
Every climate meant a time to enlist,
In a war against my stylist— the self-anarchist.…..
After the long battle, the white flag waved high
The zero fade was in, and there was no need to cry…..
The new look projected a serious tone,
A message protected with malicious prose.…..
No Shampoo no barbers, I’m saving the coin
Helmets and hats are now easy to employ…..
It all became easier when she noticed me,
My head was cleared holistically.…..
Image and Identity use to be blurry,
Experience divorced them oh so slowly.…..

Which Diss Hits?

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 20:00:00 -0700

Let’s dance with all the disses,
And ask myself,
Which one hits and never misses?
The obvious one that we can all expect,
Oblivious to love, we call it disrespect
Ignored, pushed away, given the dismissal,
Does this missile blow me up on it’s arrival?
Back stabbin', with no camaraderie,
How do I handle dishonesty?
They see it another way, it’s a disagreement,
Not my way, does it release my demon?
Someone on my team, couldn’t keep up the pace,
Shame to my dream, peep the face of disgrace.
My partner my soul she fusses her lust,
Do I adjust or just rush to distrust?
I try my best and they still resent,
Convalescent or just discontent?
Cancer’s prancin’ and everybody agrees,
Am I askin’ for help or do I just wheeze this disease?
Built my rep for years and with the quickness I’m a goner,
Do I shed some tears or just hold on to the dishonor?
I see you on the street, no shoes no coat asking for change,
Why do I look away, and treat this human with disdain?
She gains some weight and has that morning eye crust,
Can I elevate or am I mournin’ in disgust?
“You’re so thoughtful, and caring” and yet no kiss, no attraction,
Am I declarin’ “it’s not about me”, or am I flarin’ dissatisfaction
My brother takes his life
we’re deep in a well of grief
Why must we make this about us
I understand it’s just disbelief.

Man, so many ways to diss, to many to list,
Let the diss go like a disco
But can I let all THIS go?

When I know the ones that hit,
I can pause and submit,
‘Cause it no longer transmits,
And I can finally see it’s benefit

Salamander's Candor

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 22:00:00 -0700

This was based on a prompt to watch this video and then just write down what we saw. (Irene Cooper's poetry class):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEejivHRIbE

Egg yolk, cell division, yellow, salt crystals, converging, black hole-like, yellow hole, yellow whole, implode, engulf itself, shaping, ghost in the shell, life magic, spirit, God particles, army of cells at work, a city in the clouds, the separate merges to the singular, an entity, consciousness, a pulse, a beat, movement, I’m here, but where? I’m blind, but can soon see, the clouds are separating, I can feel, I’m stuck but can move a little, can I get out of here? I think I can!! I’m free! See ya!

Just a yellow yolk where the story unfolds,
Crystals converging like a black-hole,
Shaping, engulfing itself, the whole,
Implodes and hones the ghost in the shell,
The magic of life, and the army of cells,
God’s particles, its spirit, exists!
A city in the clouds pivots to mist—
or animist—separate merges to the singular,
An entity emerges, is it secular?
A pulse a beat and now movement,
I’m here, but where, blindly perusin' it,
Feelings are in I’m hard at twerk
I”m outta this place, so I can flirt!
Meet my mate and drop my seed,
We’re back to this egg’s infinite mystery.

Yawn at Dawn

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 23:00:00 -0700

The ball of fire breaks the horizon,
Shadows born awake from night-timin’
Birds are singing while eating breakfast,
Nerds are pinging while reading Craigslist.
The thirsty dirt’s drinking drips of dew
Daisys, Lilys, flirting with their bloom.
Insects digest and replenish the soil,
Sex I suggest and play tennis with royal
Rackets back to work as this isn’t a dream,
Nature’s perfection so effortless it seems.
Kids are talking and walking home from school,
Kids are crossing and dying for being a mule.
We hold our hands and give thanks for our food,
We stole their land and give flanks from the abused.
The sky is dim with purple and hues,
We retire within belly’s full and no clue
To the magic that occurred all day everyday,
All the static in our world, blinds us in every way.
The darkness wraps us in such a warm blanket
The metatarsus hangs and the alarm clock cranks it
What a wicked way to wake from a weak death
A worm in the beak as she seeks her nest.

Bye Bye Sty

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 20:00:00 -0700

Started with a little bump shrugged and gave it a sigh,
Over Zoom, she says “Yo what’s up with that sty in ya eye?”
I’m like “it ain’t no thing, I was gonna ignore it”
She recommended some herbs, I was like, “man, I got this”.
Start the hot mess compress on the right eyelid,
5 days of calm stress, time to fight my zit!
Can’t touch it, Can’t rub it, Can’t think about it!
One of those things, probably started it
Might be over the hump now, its turnin’ white
Hope I don’t gotta pump this thing out tonight.
That really aint my style, Yo I be letting things be,
Walking around with shades, this shits embarrassing.
It’ll be over soon, this insisting cyst,
Then my lashes will bloom, no more fingertips!
Up in my eyes, ever again.
Wanna pour in gin, to stop the stingin’.
Take the assist, you don’t want none of this,
Don’t touch ya eyes, ya mouth or ya fuckin lips!
Thinking should been done washin’ my hands more,
Spring in 2021, yo who does that anymore?

Masculine Mask

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 20:00:00 -0700

2 Chan 4 Chan 8 Chan = Q
How many more Asians will we lose?
On 9/11 the Sikhs got the hate
Last 11 months, Chinese in their grave
While race plays a role, let’s zoom out a bit,
Mass shooting counts 3 or more no longer exist
The first things first, 98% are men,
From birth to the hearse, what’s it like to be them?
The second known fact is so obvious to me,
The majority had high capacity magazines.
Yeah maybe Playboy and Hustler are to blame,
There’s a bigger message to sing in this refrain.
This country has a wound that’s deep and true,
We scratch that scab until its red and blue
When we face a challenge we need someone to blame
From Jews to Mexicans you know this game's name
Propaganda, patriarchy and of course supremacy,
Handling this legacy, with such forceful energy
They've run this show called the human channel,
As we connect the dots they losing the battle,
Last few rounds, breathing heavy, feet wobbly,
Let’s come together and critique this sovereignty
We gotta fight for our rights and take part in the party,
Lets love our beastly boys, and take apart their story,
This “man up, stand up”, leads to toxic masculinity
Only fans of the ban have their hands up, like Marley
From Gandhi to Henry, from Nelson to Lennon,
This country’s a first, mixing people and religions,
Different strokes for different folks, everybody wants in,
This diversity’s our shadow AND where the healing begins.

Todos are Due

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 20:00:00 -0700

All consumed by the task list,
It’s always growing, never minimalist.
Will I ever catch up and say “I’m DONE”!
Probably not, as I add more for fun.
Can’t miss out on that thing to read or learn,
Gotta put it down for later, just in case. In turn,
I’m anxious with all the items to do,
Yet adding more helps me get through,
The FOMO I feel when I found some rare gem,
An article, tutorial, some new information.
What if I stopped enterin’ logs to this fire?
Would it really go out, or just cause me to perspire?
The habit is deep and doesn’t seem to end,
How can you be my enemy and my friend?
Now, I’m both the victim and the persecutor,
This triangle’s just missing the rescuer.
I’d rather stick to math, then cosine this drama,
Did I pick this path, did I sign this karma?
I guess, this cunnin’ drum is the beat of life,
From hittin’ high hats, to strikin’ snared-up strife,
I might kick ‘n crash, I might laugh and splash,
Upside, downside, I ride this wave, with or without cash.
Discoverin’ me, I’m taking my time,
Love is in me, impulse to rhyme.

Know No Now

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 17:00:00 -0700

Why is it so hard for me to hear a NO?
Maybe it started when I was young not fully grown
The sound pierces my chest and stuns my soul,
I can’t move or think, I’ve been impaled by a pole
Medusa’s word makes my heart turn to stone
Her truth is heard and makes my bone moan
If I can’t hear a no, then it isn’t a question,
The sycophant hero’s just leadin’ the inquisition
What a world it could be to allow ALL NOs!
It’s not about me tho, which now I know
Accepting a NO, is a YES for the other,
Letting go these egos, what about you my brother?

One day it won’t sting to hearing both options,
Put myself in the ring, when can I stop boxin?
Call it a toxin, no mask or vaccine,
The only cure, the task that I see,
To open that door and set my ghost free,
Two sides of the coin, type Boo-lean, G
Worthy more than gold, no bullions necessary
It’s not that scary, my veil’s been lifted,
Casper’s friendly, sail winds have shifted,
My boat’s course correction’s bringin’ back the breeze,
Your throat’s coarse inflection’s singin’ NOs at ease,
What a space we create, when we seek of speakin’ our truths,
We embrace our fate tastin’ trees of sweet ‘n sour fruits.

Ask Her

Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:00:00 -0800

She’s in her office. Her todo list is overflowin’.
She’s taking CEUs, while cookin’ ‘n walkin’
while doing yoga, while reading readily
Of course all the while providing therapy
Water starts to collect at her ankles, but she doesn’t notice it.
It starts to rise, to her thighs, she doesn’t over think it
She thinks she’s sweating so she changes her clothes
Sits back down, now it’s up to her neck, it rose
She feelin a clamp all around her.. It’s hard for her to breathe
She turns her chin up to the air, gasping and grasping for relief.
“Enough”, she slams her laptop closed, turns off her phone
Her eyelids were alone and now they meet
When her tears sneak a peek
She can’t hear Pressure speak
Coming up from the deep, her air is lighter
She can stop swimmin’ now, she doesn’t have to be a fighter
She drops her vest, opens up her chest
Passed her bra, passed her solar plexus
We at her heart, that power’s limitless
It’s coming in strong, it’s part of her fitness
That’s the real treasure we’re all chasin’ after
Unconditional love, all we got to do is ask her

Drop the hot dots at:
vmello at impulsetorhyme dot com

Miss Print

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800

Which sex excites n incites violence?
Makin’ schools kids sprint to splints
Now we lightin’ incense at their remnants
Which sex arouses and causes war?
The historical ballistic imprint
Makin’ the future sigh n squint
Here’s a hint,
it isn’t a Miss Print, its evident
Check ya man’s fingerprints

To show they’re strong, they say “they got balls”
Just tap those balls, and watch ‘em fall to a crawl
To show they’re strong, they say “don’t be a pussy”
Yet it stretches to insanity and births a baby
To show they’re strong, they say “be a man” they insist,
No plan, any ape can chuckle with a clenched fist
Which sex twists bloody knuckles and wrists?
Here’s a hint,
it isn’t a Miss Print, its evident
Check ya man’s fingerprints

Tumalo

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 20:00:00 -0800

Winter in Bend has so many countries,
Back, Side and Cross, icy diversity,
Never been married to the Bachelor scene
Cars lined up, like Dutchman’s bad dream.
I’m skippin that show cuz Tumalo’s where I go,
This ain’t Buffalo, but they sure got snow.
No lines, no lifts, just pines as I drift,
Effortless to ride, and leavin’ me breathless.
The walk to the top has me warmed up,
The feelin is in, these pucks are tough.
King summiting pops back to ride mode,
The kid’s summoning this volcano’s soul.
Makin turns through pristine white sands,
I swear and swoosh, you could hear a pin drop land.
My smile is ear to ear, no fear my dear, it’s clear,
This 20 degree incline, is as safe as a canna beer.
Too bad everyone can’t play with gravity,
The force of the heavens, provides such clarity.
No meetings no deadlines no forms to fill out,
Just wishing the end would never come about.
Every now and then, we end up at the bottom.
Slap on the skin, ‘n rock ‘em while you got ‘em.

AOCs IG is LIVE

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800

Yo A-O-Cs I-G is L-I-V-E!!
Can’t believe what I’m about to see,
She’s in her office about to order lunch,
BANG BANG, now the door’s gettin’ punched,
“Something ain’t right, G? You aiite?”
“Go hide, girl, hide! Get outta site!”
She sees the closet and the bathroom, thinks which room?
Closes the door, but thinks the closet’s the better move,
Steps to make the change, and hears “WHERE IS SHE?
WHERE IS SHE?”, she’s thinking “he’s coming for me”
“Is today the day that my time is over?
I know my people can take over.”
Through the door hinge, she sees that black beanie,
Her backs up on the wall, silent and frozen ya feel me?
“We good, come out”, she hears G speak,
No announcement, no badge, is this a Capitol freak?
She thinks, “This guy on my side?”, she’s shook,
“Get to the building”, they run quick no time to look,
Was he official? who knows? not sure, what floor?,
They go down to the first, see’s Porter’s door,
“Can I shelter here?”, she asks, “yeah of course why not?”
“I gotta check every closet and window cause I might get caught”
She’s pacin' and racin at level ten, not realizin’
she didn’t tell anyone, what had just happened.
“So everyone's supposed to meet at this 1 location...
What, and make it easy for the insurrection?”
That don’t seem right to me, I don’t think so,
We gonna finish what we started, and just lay low.
Nobody can stop us, this is our democracy,
We stayed up until 4am, love and hugs to my G!
The red team doubles down, says they’ll do it again,
No apologies, no remorse, to them it’s all fiction.
While this story ends well, and AOC survives,
How far politicians go to win points and lie,
Let’s use this opportunity to reform our country,
United we stand, and together we can be free.

Gimme the GME

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 21:00:00 -0800

The game has always been one sided,
They decide who wins and who’s left divided,
The hedge funds play the game really well,
Until the wallstreetbets reddit, starts to swell,
Starts the swarm, now we head to head,
Fighting to get ahead, against wall street’s best.
Never before has the average joe,
Been able to strike a blow to the Nasdaq yo,
3 or 4 shares, multiplied a million times,
Robinhood? WHAT? More like Robbin crooks,
Blockin you and me, while passin trades to easy street.
Now we flockin to reddit and that’s the crime?
Shocked as I stood and watched these headlines,
Melvin capital, meltin money and that’s just fine.
They manipulate and drug the economy
Mockin’ me, they still get bailed out so easily!
We manipulate and we get blocked by the treasury.
More evidence as usual for an unfair game,
People over profits, it’s all the damn same.
When will we wake up to this messed up nature?
I guess when there’s nothing left, no lovers no haters.

Screams in DC

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 21:00:00 -0800

More vaccines! like a crack fiend
Georgia’s blue with democracy,
The media streams, DT’s speech,
Forge ya stampede, immediately,
Endorsin’ steam, no regression to the mean
Endorphins spree, just aggression from the mean
C’mon, Dorsey can't you ban this dweeb?
Seen the white team crackin window screens
Sad scene in DC if you ask me,
Backs attacked if you black you see,
Guns packed-n-racked ready to redeem,
Power for the blue team, but now they cower,
Sir your fur hats adorned with horns
As you were, lemme get the door.
They defer combat to these saboteurs,
Now law and order’s justa bored chore.
Let’s explore, country’s overboard,
With no oars, wavin’ flags of scorn,
Encore for conquistadors
No peace for yours, just grease caprice,
Capisce?
Time to release this dinosaur
Can’t be ignored, obese, therefore
Antsy evermore, gotta settle the score
On the 21st, he’ll be no more