Paper or Plastic

The earth spins at approximately
one thousand and thirty-eight miles an hour
around a flaming ball of gas
thousands of times its size
and I am here checking you out

-beep-
[Did you find everything okay?]
-beep-

I've seen children crying
children dying in the streets
while you whine about how
we're out of sugar-free-organic-whateve

r
I hold my tongue

-beep-
[Will this be all for you today?]
-beep-

Africa is slowly fading
from war and disease
Asia is going through a
spiritual and cultural revolution
you tabloid reads "sex" across the cover

-beep-
[Your total comes to $129.67]
-swipe-

the world is spinning fast
the day is new every morning
life is ripe for the taking
between you and me
I'd rather not be here
checking you out

We May Be Sawn In Two

break my heart
for it is occupied by another
break my heart
for it is focused on another
break my heart
for You

00101110

Stop! Stop! Stop!
I can't hear myself think!

where did all of this come from
who allowed it to be
transforming from simple
analog pleasures
to digital dirigibles
dropping bombs of
distraction
on unsuspecting masses
of faithless believers
communicating through
mouse clicks and
numeric pages
leaving comments
and thumbs up
while speakers play
the latest download

stop!

how many times will
that song play before
i associate it with dancing
cavemen and auto insurance
when will pavlov sing
my song
so i know when and where
to eat my over processed
excuse for meat
passed off as a complete
meal when in reality
it is nothing more that air
and sugar
never mind the lie that
eating this will make me happy
make me feel like a king
long live the fast food nation
long live the iPod generation
the don't have time for real
conversation
please text in your vote for the newest
sensation

stop!

i have trouble distinguishing
my thoughts from the
flickering pixels invading my soul
has my perception of reality
been compromised
from this constant intake
of sight and sound
talking heads
sexy celebs
orbit my mind
secretly influencing
my decision making process
my reasoning ability
as my higher brain functions
go into recess
i am faced with admitting
my cyber addiction

stop!

watch as i attempt to unplug
attempt to sever the connection
attempt to reclaim life
and let it flow from
every fiber of my being
Lord give me grace and dancing feet
i will dance for you
like a shepherd king
overcome with joy
though i walk in the valley of
digital death
i will lift my eyes
beyond lcd hi-def
flashing screens
toward the heavens where
the Creator of
butterflies and dandelions
dwells

Drop Lightning Like It's Hot

I am twenty two
and confused
i am stumbling
in the dark
without a clue
all i have are
my predecessors'
flashlights
my peers'
night lights
what i need is a
spotlight
to pierce the fog
and show me the way
back home
to where ever
i should be

with every headline
i am reminded
that this is not
my home

but where is?

let fire fall
from the heavens
let a thunderous
voice proclaim

Come hither and
no further

Do this, that
and the other
for it has been blessed

i am seeking revelation
but You are less revealing
than amish pornography
i am more wanting
than a crack head
five days without a hit

if Your face has
turned from me
i will spin in cartwheels
to grab Your attention

drop lightning like
it's hot and say

This one you shall marry
Be fruitful and multiply

anything would be great
really
a whisper through the night
anything

my nose is flat
from too many
doors closed in my face
my arms are sore
from broken oars
if there's a waterfall
ahead
please give me warning
i know how to swim
i just need a little
warning

Sleeveless Tricks

You've got me saying
words i haven't
spoken in a loooong time

You've got me feeling
like i haven't
felt in a looooong time

We probably won't speak
not a word
for a loooong time

i don't know

about you
about me

You're great
(but he's greater)

i've seen this before
yet
something seems different

God is sovereign.
a pretty girl
told me this once
at first i doubted
but now
i know this to be true

it will take time to heal
it always does

I will always be here.
she tells me
and again i do not believe
because she is not here
right now
but in time maybe this too
will prove to be true

Air Can Only Replace Itself (It Can't Replace You)

Where once my eyes
were met by the heavens
there is air

where once my ears
heard the sound of angels
there is air

where once i faced
a smile so true
there is air

where once was
joy and laughter
there is air

I looked in all the usual spots
everything is, but you are not
next to me an empty chair
what is there, not you, but air

Coffee with Langston

It's interesting reading
words, barely a century
removed
yet still so vibrant
off the page
as if Langston was
sitting right across from me

um, Excuse me Mr. Hughes
do you mind if I call you Langston

Powerful words inked
on the pages of a book
of life and love
and death
echoing the sentiments of
poets and prophets past

do you mind the comparison?

Inspiring another young
man of color
to write his own
words and verses
to tell his own
story and saga
to preform his own
song and dance

not that I would ever
compare myself to you

I am twenty-two
and colored
which implies something
different now
than even a half century ago
but the struggles remain
of being young and dumb
and considered insane

would you like another cup?

I write this as a tribute
to Mr. Hughes
who has inspired generations
to hold fast to dreams
to give voice to the voiceless

thank you, Langston, for your time