[This is the Community Poem written by the audience of the Busboys and Poets 14th & V open mic which I hosted on Tuesday, January 17, 2022. The feature was Dr. Rebecca Dupas, so of course we had an engaging, enlightening, inspiring night, even with less-than-normal attendance likely due to the new vaccination mandate. I host at Busboys on third Tuesdays and sometimes on fifth Tuesdays. Enjoy!]

Tuesday night, vibin’, unwindin’ /
Because usually my mind is going 100 miles per hour /
thoughts gone sour, ideas start /
because the only thing not in competition with time is the heart /
not in competition with my mind is my soul /
poetry fills my bowl /
even though it starts an endless hole /
endless loves float on by /
endless love never dies /
endless love is all but mine /
Self-love is really the prize /
but not the cliche kind /
vacations, massages, and facials are nice /
but what about community and tribe /
allowing yourself to be…and be seen? /
A special person /
isn’t just special to you /
They’re special /
because they’re special thru & thru /
So let that special person do what they do /
& hopefully you’ll catch it like a flu /
There is always someone in life that is better, /
But there is always going to be one you. /
Embrace that, because you’ll look back and realize life flew, /
So why not just be you? /
It’s true, just do you, /
You can go very far /
or nowhere at all /
Maybe this space is meant to be your place /
Or maybe not /
I don’t have the answers /
Rhymes are all I got /
Just be and your curiosity will set you free /
Like a bumblebee, /
just want to leave the slam poetry feeling like a breeze /
breezy blues, breeze in your hair /
light and free /
Freer than I feel outside this space, /
wandering around looking for my place, /
the light of the day illuminating the box I am stuck in /
of work, /
of expectations /
of dreams /
that only my poetry /
writes into reality.
Sitting in the back on the window sill /
Among food, among friends, a hell of a thrill /
Thinking of a rhyme honestly becomes nothing but stress /
Knowing myself if I ever said this out loud I’d be a mess! /
But being a mess is good and well /
Just think of all the stories you want to tell /
It’s been a while; let’s meet for a drink /
But you know, I’m not ready – let me think /
No matter where I go, the question haunts me /
Will I need to move? Uplift my life to keep the groove? /
Present, Today, Right now, it is well with my soul /
It is sweet, it is mine, joy is mine /
I could tell you about it all; I took plenty of L’s /
But when I think about it all, it’s just a story to tell /
They couldn’t walk in my shoes; I’m wearing size 12 /
I see heaven in my future; no space for me in hell /
Oh my, it’s my turn to perform /
I’m too nervous to write words, too nervous to form /
Jesus will have to witness me mumble rap /
Decode my heart through my liquid soul as I pour into heaven’s well /
The words are a window, but break the seal /
We’re all just humans keeping it real /
I never really knew what this scene was all about /
Now I’ve got some idea and I’ll be back out /
Back out! To make and stake my role on the Earth /
I know my worth, my girth, and I’m ready to assert /
But forever humble, throughout my stumbles /
And my fumbles & bumbles will convey all that I learned /
And I burn…with passion; I’m a person…of action /
Satisfaction comes from inside; hold your head up with pride /
Troubled hearts looking for comfort /
Lean into each other’s hearts /
I’M PLANTED /
I’M FIRMLY PLANTED /
ROOTED INTO THE ANCIENT SOIL /
THAT IS MY HUMAN FORM /
I’M HOME NOW /
Abundance is free /
Peace is mine for the taking /
Joy is for now, not the morning /
Mow I’m planted in me /
I am my home, I am my love /
I’m no longer ashamed to love me /
I love me because loving you is self-care /
Give yourself grace when you face mistakes /
I am deeper than the ground on which I fall /
My cry is louder than addiction’s sweet call /
I know too well the pain of suppression /
I will always be stronger than the muscles of my oppression /
Life outpays pain /
Everyone /
My love wins /
In every game /
of truth /
authenticity /
violence /
I am the lioness /
the reign /
My magic moments come /
in tiny, unexpected bursts /
They are wisps of /
Joy, twining and untwisting /
Between my fingers. /
I ain’t going nowhere without you. /
I’ll be leaving soon… /
Might as well be going to the moon… /
Or climbing up some desert dune… /
The fear of travel might consume… /
It’s like I’ve barely been out of the womb… /
But I just took one long final look at my room… /
Hell, where I’m going is a thousand times better than Zoom… /
I am sad about the state of our nation; /
but I am hopeful for the future because of this next generation. /
While January 6th was not an anomaly, /
I do wonder about this country’s homily. /
We claim to be the place for freedom, but what about responsibility? /
Whether the moon or the earth, the sky or the sand /
I’m not buried; I’m planted /
awaiting this community to unearth my leaf with its hand.