LETTERS TO MY SON: THE LATE L.T. HENRY

Dear Son,

Be wise in Life.
Never listen to a person unless their body language and every thing about them emanates what they are saying.
People will look at you and say, "I am happy. I am joyous."
And their body language will say something entirely different.
When people speak, two things have to be together -- their minds and their body language.
If these two things are together, feel comfortable.
If these two things are not together, then distrust what they are saying.

Love,

Dad

ODE TO A MENTOR.....

MEMORIES OF YOU RESONATE
THROUGHOUT MY CONSCIOUSNESS.
THE RHYTHMIC CADENCE OF YOUR VOICE,
AUDIBLE ONLY TO MY EAR,
OVERRIDES THE DEAFENING SILENCE
CREATED BY YOUR PASSING.
YOUR GENIUS
YOUR COMPASSION
AND
GENTLE SPIRIT
HAVE ETCHED AN INDELIBLE MARK
UPON MY SOUL
YOU ARE CHERISHED,
LOVED,
AND
SORELY
MISSED.

MY SON'S LIFE: L.T. HENRY

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS
ABOUT MY SON’S LIFE.
NOW, I COULD TALK TO YOU
ABOUT ALL OF MY SON’S WEAKNESSES;
BUT THAT WOULD ONLY BE THE PERSON
THAT YOU THOUGHT YOU SAW.
I’M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT A GENIUS
THAT WALKED AMONG US,
TALKED AMONG US,
AND PLAYED HIS MUSIC AMONG US.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT GENIUSES
HAVE IN COMMON.
THEY DON’T THINK LIKE WE DO.
IT TAKES A DIFFERENT MIND
TO HEAR MUSIC WHERE THERE ARE NO NOTES.
IT TAKES A DIFFERENT MIND TO CREATE A SONG
WHERE THERE ARE NO WORDS.
MOST GENIUSES LIVE LIVES OF AGONY
AND TUMULT AND LIVES
THAT WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND.
MAYBE WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND.
MAYBE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO REMEMBER
THE SONGS THAT GENIUSES CREATE
AND THE MUSIC THAT THEY HAVE PLAYED.

FOR MY SON TOMMY
OCTOBER 24, 1962 - MAY 25, 1987

A FATHER'S LAMENT: RUSSELL WM. SELBY

i never had the chance to explain myself, Son.
I never knew where to start from exactly.
You never gave me the chance to find a point of beginning.
You never knew how tormented my soul had become.
I never had the chance to show you what you meant to me.
I never knew where to avoid the walls you put up.
You never gave me the chance to become the Father that you sought, and I wanted to be.
You never knew how to allow me time to reconcile.
I never had the chance to try to close the gap between us.
You never gave me the chance to repair the damaged foundation.
You never knew how to consider the pain of my existence -- without you.
I never had the chance to understand your choice of estrangement.
I never knew where to place your opinion of me.
You never gave me the chance to really know what was in the back of your mind.
You never knew how to really forgive me for the hardships you endured -- without me.
I never had the chance to tell you how sorry I really was, for leaving you.
I never knew where to set aside my shame for failure, as a Father towards you.
You never gave me the chance to even get close enough, to begin the healing.
You never knew how, to accept and experience the sincerity of my love for you.
I never had the chance . . .
I never knew where . . .
You never knew how . . .
There's still a chance for us, My Son --
I'm still alive -- and I'm here for you.
There's still time to reconcile, My Son --
I can still -- discernibly teach you.
The things you only thought you knew
about Life.

EMPTY SPACES OF A POEM (TO MY DAUGHTER SHAMIKA): RAY X. JOHNSON

I have restlessly sat
in the midst of night
scribbling on blank pieces
of paper, consumed in thoughts
of you; Attempting to compose
a poem reflective of us
seeking out/those defining
words of depth/that speak
to the very essence
of our existence -- a part of Me
which has with no rest whatsoever/
reigned havoc
on my conscious. . .
penetrating my soul deeply;
What mere words -- if there be any
can truly fill/those empty
spaces of our lives.

THIS DAY WILL COME: NICOLE S. DANTZLER

WE ALL HAVE SMILED
AND WE ALL HAVE LAUGHED
BUT WE ALWAYS HOPED AND DREAMED
WE IMAGINED THE DAY THAT WOULD BRING US TRUST
THE DAY THAT WOULD SET US FREE
OUR HEARTS ARE FREE BUT OUR SOULS ARE CHAINED
WHAT CAN THAT POSSIBLY MEAN?
THAT OUR HEARTS CAN SOAR BUT OUR SOULS ARE TRAPPED BY A LACK OF HUMAN BELIEF

I STAND ON TOP OF THE WORLD WHILE LIVING IN SUCH POVERTY
TRYING TO OVERCOME MY DOUBTS
BUT I HOLD ON TIGHT NEVER FORGETTING
THAT SOMEDAY THIS DAY WILL COME

WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU’VE GIVEN UP ON HOPE
LOOK BEHIND YOU
WE ALL HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR
WHY GIVE IN NOW
ALL THE HURDLES WE JUMPED
EVERY MOUNTAIN WE CLIMBED
EVERY STEP THAT WE TOOK
BY FAITH WE STAND

SO CHERISH THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE SMILE
SAVOR THE MEMORIES WHEN YOU LAUGH TOGETHER
TAKE A PICTURE WHEN YOU ARE UNITED AS ONE
AND PASTE IT ALL IN A SCRAPBOOK WHERE YOU’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER

BUT TELL ME HOW LONG
HOW MUCH LONGER WILL IT TAKE FOR THIS DAY TO COME?
JUST BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT SOON WE’LL MAKE IT TO THE END, TOGETHER

(c) 15 April 2009
All Rights Reserved

ENRICHING THE SPIRIT: CARRY GREAVES

From time to time, many of us, even in our glorious hour, have the tendency to look outside of ourselves for some form of validation. And in doing so, we will never be able to see the inherent potential that lies within us that is continuously shouting out to be awakened. So when we solely depend on others rather than ourselves to do for us, when we are physically and emotionally capable of doing for ourselves, we then lose the tenacity that’s required in order for us to succeed. What is actually needed is for us to challenge ourselves and bring out the best that is in us to the surface and then we must be able to apply that which we already know and/or have.

When the term “thinking outside the box” is spoken of or written about, what it entails for each and everyone of us is the ability to transcend beyond the confines and definitions that have been set by others and discover who we truly are. Knowing what our greatest potential is. What truly makes us happy. And being willing to integrate change into our present lifestyle.

When we continue to live and think within “the box” we therefore and ultimately restrict ourselves from reaching our fullest potential. But some will never be able to reach or recognize their full potential due to the fact that they continue to live in a comfort zone – “the box” or simply because they do not want to travel or explore other areas of their lives – or maybe because they are afraid to come out of their comfort zone.

But in order to come out of our comfort zone, we have to first take piecemeal steps. These piecemeal steps are very important steps. For if we were to rush, we may not be prepared to handle what awaits us. And hence, we may react hastily. But one of the most important things that we should do in this process is learn how to listen to ourselves. Listening to ourselves requires deep self-introspection. When we can remove all of the outside elements that can distract us and focus on ourselves, then we will be able to see our objective more clearly.

But we will have to then look at the things that may be keeping us spiritually unhealthy. And once we’re able to find what is keeping us spiritually unhealthy, then we can begin the process of purging. Whether it is something negative that we’re harboring or someone who may have a negative disposition. Or residing in an environment that may be keeping us stagnant. We will have have to make the decision to divorce ourselves from such people or things.

When we refuse to or purposefully overlook the things that are bothering us then our emotional and spiritual conditions will constantly be in a state of agitation and/or restlessness. There has to be space in which we can think and function correctly. In a fast moving society, everyone needs the space and time to be with themselves in order to evaluate, re-evaluate, and focus on our personal endeavors and future. Author Robert Banks in his book, The Tyranny Of Time: When 24 Hours Is Not Enough, stated:

“Since the opportunity for inward attention hardly ever comes, many people have not heard from themselves for a long, long time. Those who are always ‘on the run’ never meet anyone any more not even themselves.”

When we move further away from ourselves, we may find it more difficult to truly understand the dynamics of what needs to be worked on within ourselves. The energy and time that needs to be invested in enriching our lives takes time to develop. But in order for us to see the results we will have to incorporate discipline, sacrifice, patience, and consistency. The breaking away of our old habits that has a stronghold on our development needs to be arrested and a new approach that enhances one’s growth should be embodied and inclusive in such process. So when we are able to take the necessary steps that can lead to enriching our lives by eliminating the things that are useless towards reaching our objectives – then we are on the right path.