Anyone that knows me really well, knows that one of my favorite people in the world is MS. LAURYN HILL. Check out her spoken word entitle MOTIVES AND THOUGHTS in this clip from Russell Simmons DEF POETRY JAM show.
''A woman's whole life is a history of the affections. The heart is her world: it is there her ambition strives for empire; it is there her avarice seeks for hidden treasures. She sends forth her sympathies on adventure; she embarks her whole soul on the traffic of affection; and if shipwrecked, her case is hopeless—for it is a bankruptcy of the heart.''
Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor-Bare. But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on, And reachin’ landin’s, And turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. So boy, don’t you turn back. Don’t you set down on the steps ’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now-- For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin’, And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.
My passion for writing came when I was in elementary school when my teacher read to the class a few poems by MAYA ANGELOU. It sparked something in me to express everything I may have been feeling and over the years I got better at it and I grew, learned and cherished the gift and passion I have for writing. I admire the greats like LANGSTON HUGHES, MAYA ANGELOU, PHILLIS WHEATLY, and even in my generation TUPAC SHAKUR. Poetry is an art form of thoughts, there's know right or wrong way to express your inner self. So this page is the heart of my passion to share with you peoples inner thoughts through words that can spark something in you as well. ENJOY