house of jaz
You can scroll the shelf using ← and → keys
Brooklyn Revisited: The Rebirth
February 25.10
I am the bridge between Old Dominion and the rotten fruit
Feet are firmly planted beneath the Mason Dixon
Yet my heart, and arms reach out towards Brooklyn
My essence embodies the form of an isthmus, much like my father’s home, Panama
I often close my eyes and remember her although we’ve never met
We are kindred spirits, I speak to her in the little Spanish I know
And she smiles at me in English
If I could play her in song,
I’d use an acoustic guitar
Her voice is deep and raspy
One step above androgynous
Her tone is syrupy sweet
Honest and open
The warmth of her sincerity protects me from the cold
Melodies shower me like blessed assurance
As the gathering of peaceful donations contribute to the promise of rebirth
The journey of the progressive reflects the essence of instant-vintage
Roots deeper than one’s scalp tell the story of the beginning
I may not have been there to witness conception
But I’ve become one with the gestation
I’ll partake in the delivery
We have a village to rebuild
I’ll plant my seeds of faith on the plot of soil that is Bedstuy,
Its garden will grow from the tears I used to shed for him
And replace old memories of the Brooklyn I used to know,
And show me the Brooklyn I need to see
Warm winds of hope create a sweet scent when blended with her melody
Sing, Alice, Sing
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2009
All Rights Reserved.
[False]Hope
February 17.10
I go through the motions as if you don’t exist
Although thoughts of you are filtered into my system like oxygen
I still breathe you
Tainted
Splatter painted remnants stain my walls,
I’ve always been messy
And you—inconsistent
Staccato melody enters my stream of consciousness
I still hum you
Your love stays on repeat
There is nothing skilled about your technique
Your color is blue
I can’t help but sing to the tune of loneliness
Ugly beautiful
Beautifully ugly, imperfect you
Have become the one that my heart depends on
To prove that this love thing is beautiful when messy
I’ve always been messy
And you—inconsistent
So that would make this thing perfect
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2009
All Rights Reserved.
Cliché
February 17.10
My art was stronger
When he was breaking my heart.
But now I’m happy.
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2010
All Rights Reserved.
Writers’ Block
December 23.09
Words that have sparked life into my creative cipher.
- ::anonymous::
Choices
Nikki Giovanni
if i can’t do
what i want to do
then my job is to not
do what i don’t want
to do
it’s not the same thing
but it’s the best i can
do
if i can’t have
what i want . . . then
my job is to want
what i’ve got
and be satisfied
that at least there
is something more to want
since i can’t go
where i need
to go . . . then i must . . . go
where the signs point
through always understanding
parallel movement
isn’t lateral
when i can’t express
what i really feel
i practice feeling
what i can express
and none of it is equal
i know
but that’s why mankind
alone among the animals
learns to cry
Poem #3
Sonia Sanchez
I gather up
each sound
you left behind
and stretch them
on our bed.
each nite
I breathe you
and become high.
Beautiful (Remix) ft. Black Star
Mos Def’s part
I dreamt that I could paint you with words
but there were no colors bright enough
black or white enough
blue or green enough
it didn’t mean enough…
The Problem with the world
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.”
—Bertrand Russel
About Art and Poetry
“Art is man’s nature; nature is God’s art”
“Poets are all who love, who feel great truths, And tell them; and the truth of truths is love”
—Philip James Bailey quotes
I’ll Dream Tonight
December 8.09
I think I’ll dream tonight
Like a baby’s first night outside the womb
Like a slow song in the dead of night
I’ll sleep like lovers’ bliss and wanted company
I’ll sleep like I’m being held in the arms of the Father
Knowing that I am protected
I’ll sleep the way I love….
Sweet and hard.
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2009
All Rights Reserved.
Subject
December 2.09
“All I ever needed was a subject”
To breathe life upon the words that swirled in my brain
Contained in a chest for safe keeping
Making sure that not just anyone would be reaping the benefits
of such love if they were undeserving
I kept these thoughts stored in a jar as though I were preserving peaches,
Ready for the picking,
Every now and then I’d check to see if they were still sweet
They’re still fresh and ready for the picking
All I ever needed was a subject
to breathe life upon that which is true
Not just anyone can bear these fruits
I had them saved up just for you
All I ever needed was a subject
For so long,that subject was you
But now our season’s passed…
And it didn’t last
So I refresh old thoughts,
store new fruits
and start saving for someone new
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2009
All Rights Reserved.
Just Be
November 18.09
Would I be asking for too much
to spend some time with you?
To embrace the possibility of a sweet memory?
The chemistry’s apparent
Put your guard down,
I’ll tear my wall down
and we’ll stand exposed
Would I be asking too much
to share this vibe with you?
I’ll heal your wounds
You’ll protect me from mine
and let the seconds turn to minutes
The minutes to hours
in comfort
Knowing that we’re both human
and affection is as valuable as breathing
You can rest your head on my lap
I’ll stroke your face
and pretend that nothing else exists outside these four walls
You can hold my hand
play with my fingers
and let the heaviness of burden linger at tomorrow’s door
But for now,
Rest right here with me
and just- be.
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2009
All Rights Reserved.
Revelation
November 17.09 — 1 Comment
The second I asked
Was the moment that I knew
It was time to go.
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2009
All Rights Reserved.
Don’t Judge Me.
November 17.09
Own a MacBook Pro
And I have a Blackberry
I like Verizon.
Jazminia C. Griffith © 2009
All Rights Reserved.
Color Complex
November 14.09 — 2 Comments
Women of Color
Always forget their beauty
Look in the mirror.
