I have seen it said many places that walking through a spider’s web is both the most desperate AND dumbest time of a humans existence.
This brief act creates a moment of fragility where the subject unkowingly enters the fight of their life with an invisible object that simply will not go away. The web aims directly for the face. Despite years of graceful flailing, the silky strands of doom seem to temporarily cut off air restriction as they wrap around your nose and lips.
No one can help you.
As onlookers watch empathetically (with stifled giggles) all you can say is, “Watch out, there’s a spider’s web,” as you pretend to pick remnants of it off your arms. However we both know, you destroyed it.
The WEB Effect:
Once an individual becomes aware of the world within the world, it is akin to a veil being lifted from their eyes which cannot be glued back on.
I have just summarized the philosophy of The Veil in “The Soul of Black Folk” by great thinker (philosopher) W.E.B DuBois.
Let’s revisit our individual with the Spider’s Web attack!
After enough attacks this person may begin to change their outlook, and start to see the not so hidden world of spiders. This world is perfectly visible, and coincides with ours. It’s up to him/her what is done with the new sensory information.
They may:
a) Knock all webs down
b) Walk around them
c) Become spiderman
The point is: Once the veil is off, no matter the subject, you cannot put it back on. Many don’t know they are wearing a veil while others are too intimidated to live in the new world they see after it’s been removed.
alllow me to expell some myths for you
expand your mind
for a second or two
stop allowing people to tell you that
THEY have to break you down
to
build you back up.
who are these people
and
why do you have to be broken down
I believe
you should never allow anyone to
break – you -down
and
with – what
and what are they putting in you
and why
and
how exactly do they intend to build you
do THEY know how to build a strong black woman
who’se to say they are even built at all
or
you aren’t built higher
who – are – They
again
I came here to dispel a few myths
there is no recipe
no instruction book
no manual
but I can give you a few tips
some ingredients
you need a few mentors:
not 1, not 2, not 3
but 4 at least
in all the areas you forsee
you want to be
you need to
humble yourself and find humility
and that
may take a few years but
you need to…
listen (x5)
to the voices of the past
and echo their footsteps
because the blueprints of your life have already been written
before you
so stop copy-cat-TING
if there was no need for you
then God wouldn’t have created you
Because you already have a unique purpose
so baby girl
just keep your blinders on
and run your own race
and there will be imitators
and there will be challengers
and there will be people spy-ting you
and there will be people coming against you
and there will be plotters
and deceivers
and liars
and people will hurt your feelings
and people will knock you down
and you will get knocked to the ground
but you just have to keep your blinders on
and run your own race
and seek your own goals
and your own milestones
and baby girl
take time to
pat yourself on the back.
because it’s your own life
and remember
only you can build you
with God’s help.
but there will be people around you.
who will help you
who will build you
who will give you the tools you need to
help you
and either you’re going to take them
or
you’re not
and if you don’t
you’ll stay unfinished longer
and that’s on you.
because the only one who can build you,
is you.
and it’s your life’s journey
you just gotta be ready
see you gotta protect your mind too
because
your mind is sacred
and that’s your safe place
that’s where everything begins
the place where all actions start
is
your mind
and
you have to see it before you can achieve it
and
you have to believe it before you can see it
and
you have to visualize it before you can believe it
…someone has to plant the seed
who’se it gonna be…
surround yourself (2x)
and
protect your circle
keep your circle tight
and I’ll be the first to say that you only have 2-3 friends
that don’t mean that everyone is out to get you
it just means
you have
2 to 3 FRIENDS
youre not finished yet.
the sooner you recognize
that, your constantly in the oven baking and
you’re building is never all the way complete and
you’re actually a
Temple and
self-esteem is different than self-worth and
different lessons such as these
you’ll find yourself entering into
states of self reflection
where you
begin to review the game tapes of your life
when
and
only
when
you can find peace within the storm to stop and think
you’re on the right path
Baby Girl,
I can’t tell you How To Build a Strong Black Woman
I can dispel some myths
and some rumors
I can pass on some tips I’ve learned along the way
I can stand before you in my transparency
so you can see my dings and cuts
unfinished raw edges.
Although I’m unfinished just like you
I can tell I’m sturdy as hell
and no one
upon
no one
is going to knock me
all the way down
Dedicated To: The Sisters of Ujima at Univerisity of Central Missouri
Odysseus
Odysseus
Where for art thou
Odysseus
Come sail the 7 seas with me
We’ll go and get lost
And
Feel the waves tumble
And..
Oh, Odysseus
Odysseus
Your eyes.
So brown
So honest
Yet…
You’re a crafty one Odysseus.
Quick to rush off
on your next conquest
No thoughts
Caution to the wind
Leave me
Kiss on the forehead,
[Bye Odysseus]
Summer time is upon us & people are eaither in heat or loosing their d#mn minds.
Mission: “Blow this popsicle stand”
In the midst of all this fool-a-rangery, Barnum & Bailey, and general Charmin’dimity … Can we PLEASE remember the human element?
Sigh.
There are people on the other side of that ign’nt wall you’ve built.
Funny how a song from a Nickelodeon Cartoon can spit so much knowledge:
“Break Your Heart” by Dino Spimoni (via Hey Arnold! 1996)
Darling, you left my heart In pieces on the floor
So tell me why shouldn’t I Break some things of yours?
I’ll smash your lamp,
the antique chair,
That stupid thing you always wear;
I’ll smash a vase, the radio, Those little teacups from Limoge;
Your wacky paintings on the walls;
Darling
- POW –
I’ll smash ‘em all;
Lover, it’s just a game;
Cupid can take the blame;
I’ll take the place apart,
But don’t worry – I won’t smash your heart!
speaking: not me,
maybe some other clown,
but im not gonna smash your heart baby
“Esquire Man”
I think I need a kinda educated man
a man who kinda thinks on his feet
knows that I gotta a college degree Typa-man
seeeee
I ain’t goin for … that … buuuuull-shit
now that I got my college degree I think in can ask for a higher standard
I
have
my
morals.
I’m putting my foot down.
I
think
I’m
allowed
that.
yeaaaa.
I think I am.
and see im not in my feelings
and I don’t want to be called a bitch for these thoughts that I’m spitting right now
I think I deserve an Esquire
a man with ESQ after his name
a man who is stylish
but see
I think
I think
I think
I think I still want him to be an Urban Nerd
a man who still has a bit of sag in his pants
a bit of sag in his pants
a little swagger to his step
a man who is a little bit nerdy
cuz this is the type of woman that i are
the type of gal that I be
I want an Esquire Man
an ESQ type of gentleman
a GG
a man with that European, 50s,, Brotain type of style
skinny tie
a man who likes Italian Leather
a man who shops at Method KC
a man who knows what a boutique is
an Esquire type pf gentleman
a man who doesn’t look at me cock-eyed when I stop on front of a door
“Open My Shit.”
Be a gentleman please.
a man who doesn’t get caught up in all that chivalry shit
it’s not chivalry, its just being a man
a man whose not pretty
cuz when ur an Esquire it’s not called being pretty
it’s just called being: ESQ
that’s the type of man that I want
to compliment me
to ne on on my side.
because I’m going places, with my college degree
and even if I didn’t have a college degree I’d still be going places
because I’m just me
I’m just jazzy
Flyy shit
Flyy double y
i’m
and I need a grown man by my side
he must look good in pictures and on top of my wedding cake
or with me on the cover of in style magazine
an Esquuuire Man
ESQ
to compliment my swagger
but fuck swagger
cuz me I’m Flyy
and he, he’s ESQ (dot)
that’s right
and you remember that name
cuz you’ll be seeing it later
I want you to tweet about it
The Only ESQ (dot)
say it: ESQ (dot) 3x
men I want you to aspire to it
women I want you to want, i want you desire it
ESQ (dot)
and me I’m Flyy double Y Flyy
and we, we #teambowtye
and without further a-due, I’m going to bring him up
The Only ESQ
overcoming sensibilities of myself
of realities
of what I thought was true
each day
Preaching
& Teaching
& Lecturing
& determined to pass on my Testimony
in the midst of rolled eyes
and mutters
bitter bitches and sour niggas whispering
I’m just passionate
in love with life
and if you knew my story
and if you knew my journey
…what God’s brought me through
you’d know I’m just happy to be walking.
to be breathing
and my smile
isn’t fake
I’m not some USA Pageant queen chick
it’s not pasted on with valseline on my gums
i’ve just learned how to count my blessings
no longer taking 300 plus pills a week
not walking with a cane every day
go to sleep with all utilities on
gas in the tank
fed
cell phone never cut off
texts from people who love me
truly love me
I’m blessed
so I smile
and each day I wake up with 1 decision & 2 goals:
Decision: Live or Die
I’m not speaking About simply existing as plants do
I mean living
the type of life that great philosophers such as Aristotle mulled over
what makes a human, human.
Life
Granny Sunlight, Father Time & Morpheus all enter my bedroom at 8:30
(or so)
each morning and present me with the red pill or the black
Each time I choose to live I’m choosing to ride this mothafuckea til the wheels roll into the street and the exhaust pipe falls off
Goal Number 1
Think a Thought That’s Been Thunk Before
let me run that back
Think-A-Thought-That-Has-Never-Been-Thunk-Before
each day I’m pushing myself towards innovation
in my business
in life
it stops my from settling
Fuck your foot, I believe in lighting the fire under my OWN ASS!
While you’re thinking outside the box, I AM the box
you’re making room for me
eIther you occupy the space inside
or outside
so you will get in where you fit in
either way you follow me.
And Goal Number 2
Pass a smile
For the greatest testimony I can give is letting my light shine
by lighting your flame
This is not a diss it is a Revelation
This is not a diss it is a Revelation
This is not a diss it is a Revelation
This is not a diss it is a Revelation
or
Perhaps
it
is
a
Revelation
Diss
That’s what my mom said
but my Big Sis says Jaz your Messy
but not in the bad way
not the gossipy get shit started way
and I laughed
a good belly, gut-filled, guffaw
replied: i’m a social commen-tear’ist
she rolled her eyes and muttered: “a terrorist”
but she proceeded to listen as I spit my Revelations
or Disses
or Disses after my Revelations
more similar to explanations of Rebukes
after attempted excercisms
and douses in holy water
splash splash
(fickee fickee fickee)
splash splash
(fickee fickee fickee)
splash splash
by bishops n deacons n cardinals n pink robes n poofy hats
bless yo heart
This is a Revelation Diss
To all those who’ve left me Muttering under my breath
Ranting N Raving
Utilizing vocab such as Pussy, Ratchett, or an All around Fuck N#gga
[Yea, I'm talking about YO ASS!]
Those who’ve led me to pull out my yoga mat
Pray about it
Take the high road
Turn the other cheek
Fight
Myself
from
showing my butt cheeks
Write poems about cha
or simply
To all those who have caused an ache in my heart that nothing can fix.
No hug can touch.
No kiss can mend.
Scars so deep…
That I had a Revelation
That I’m tired of being dissed
So if you ain’t Rockin with me -
and I mean: Aaaallll the way with me
Then Fuck You.
Colored Woman//Not pushed to the end of her Rainbow
As you know I consider my literary genealogy to read as follows: Zora Neale Hurston begat Ntozake Shange who begat Jasmine D. Taylor. For more information see posting: “I am the Richard Pryor of Literature“
However, it was my discovery {as an 18yr old Freshman Student at Clark Atltlanta University while writing a term paper} of Miss Zora Neal Hurston’s book “for colored girls who consider suicide when the rainbow is enuff” that dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s of all of my literary senses and ultimately stoked a fire in me that will never go out.
Six years later, on the cusp of my 25th birthday and undeniable [no-looking-back-now] entry into official womanhood: I have begun my own series of poems, Affectionately called: The Rainbow Suite.
Although I am young in years, as an artist I am sensitive and receptive to life. These pieces represent me. These pieces represent you. EveryWoman. They are not a diss against men. They simply are what they be. If you, as a man, are pissy about anything featured within them, I have a lengthy term paper plus plenty of primary sources you can read concerning the subject.
Who gone check me boo?!
(sorry, I always wanted to say that!)
Replace “Voice” With “Poem” & “Song” with “Suite”…..[but pretend it's me singing]
WARNING: I rarely post Parental Advisory type stickers on my postings but this piece calls for it. After being quarantined for a month I began to see a shift in people. Since then there’s been a continuous parting in my life. Either you go hard with me or you f&cking don;t.There is no middle ground. [Previous to quarantine I thought there was and each week I get B%tch slapped with a new life lesson to teach me otherwise] So yes, this piece goes hard.
I roll with a group of enlightened aliens around me
And
See
When I get into my moods where I feel like drifting in and out of your realities –I
know I can call them
and
when shit gets chaotic I know I can inflate myy: Left Right Siiide, Front Center Top
Back Bottom Siiides and
They inflate into supportive balloons to comfort me
Or….To…
Grab the gat out of the back seat…or out of the trunk
Or snatch a bitch up when I say: Bitches we gotta roll the fuck out cuz
They keep tryin me.
Or
I can call them for a brief pep talk because they know that I got it on my own
Because they know I like to roll Solo Dolo.
And we connect every month, See
May go Weeks and Weeks and Weeks
Months and Months and Months
and Maybe a year or two without speaking
no love lost
We just —- Busy.
But when we do connect it takes:
hours-on-the-phone
or
an outing
or
just a brief meeting, embrace, hug –
Video chat on Yahoo, AIM, or Skype
And we smile
And we release or we cry
Because that’s how me and my real bitches do
And some of my real bitches are men
And I’m not calling them bitches, I’m just saying them all & it’s all-inclusive
That’s how I use the term
Because these are my REAL bitches, my REAL bitches, my REAL bitches
Cuz I don’t want to use the term Niggas
These are my real bitches,
my real aliens,
my real Martians from Saturn
and some are from Jupiter
my Jupiter affiliates
and I know a few Uranians
and They Dig My Flow.
Cuz I’m an artsy soul and I hang with the artsy
And this is how I roll
Solo Dolo.
And I like it this way.
Because sometimes I be on my businesss…mode.
And sometimes I be on my Intellectual Bullshit
And sometimes I want to be with me
And sometimes I feel like having a crew around
And sometimes I’m feeling like a party girl
And sometimes I’m just feeling balls to the wall irresponsible
And sometimes I need someone to kick me square in the ass and say,
“Jaz you need to get your shit together”
AND
“What the Fuck are you doing? You’re fucking up.”
“Jazzy get your shit right.”
And other times well…
other times the weight of the world is holding me down
and I need my support to hold me up like a tension bridge
and they’re there (x4)
and they’re there before I even have to call them
and they’re there before I even have to call them
before I even have to call them they are there because they sense it.
Something tingles inside them and they know exactly what to do
Sometimes they know me better than I know myself
They know the parts of my that even I won’t admit
Because they’ve known me for decades
upon decades (x3)
Some have only known me for months but yet they sense the inner me.
They-Know-The-Writing-Lab.
The place I escape to play monkey in the middle with my thoughts
They know what it means when I say I need to go there for a time.
(you don’t).
And they let me be
They know what I mean when I say, “Intellectual Bullshit.”
And they don’t take offense
And they know when they can call me for advice
And they know when to just let me be
And they understand that I’m socially private
And they understand that I’m a hermit
And they understand I’m aggressive and passive
And they understand that I’m a contradiction
But I’m real.
And they know that I’m transparent,
and I think that’s what they love about me most
and I think that’s what they love about me most
And for them
I love them.
And if you’re one of them,
And you’re here right now.
I thank you. (x4)
Love Always, Jasmine Danielle Taylor
Afterthought: Just in case the repetitive use of the word “Bitch” offended you [get over it]. And just in case me saying [get over it] offended you, here’s a comical parody by my favorite group of comedians from Clark Atlanta University (@dormtainment) about the word. Enjoy!
