Happy Birthday

"Maybe she'd enjoy a poem"
I thought to myself the other day
“Yeah I could do that,
And take the time to tell her all the things I wish to say.”


I would to start by saying happy birthday!
May you gleefully enjoy your day! 🙏🏾

I pray that life only gets better for you….
As the “camels loaded with blessings” still march toward your way!


It wasn’t just your beautiful smile,
(Though that mental picture is a memory still treasured inside)
It wasn’t just your sweet personality
That filled my heart with pride


It may have been your love for God
(Yes, they informed me of all the kingdom work you do..
For my pastors had only good things to tell me,
when I inquired of them concerning you)


I admired you for your boldness,
taking initiative even though you were really nervous,
The will to get to know me,
led to mini conversations after service…


It wasn’t long before I saw the real “you”
(the child you were from the beginning)
I understood all of your fears and dreams
And yet I saw us, together in life… winning!!!


I saw the vision before me,
the ring, proposal, and wedding
With God as the 3rd cord (in our marriage)
We took that step, no longer fretting


I saw our home filled with love and laughter,
"SJ" running around with Evelyn
And you with your hand on your hip praying
“God, why did those kids only take after their father?!”


I want all of this with you…
better yet I will share it with no one else!
My decision will still be the same,
even when life tries to get complex.


I thought of what I would get you for your birthday,
a poem seemed like a good start
So forgive me if this was a little too deep,
I just wanted it to be from the heart


The next time I see my little love,
I will have a gift for you in hand,
But for now will you please accept this note
As my little way to say happy birthday


To my friend, my queen, my little sunflower,
(May you never forget who you are)
May this day bring you joy and peace,
May God keep you wrapped in His arms


I love you and I’m praying for you,
(may you never forget that!)
Remember, my family already loves you,
I know because I can hear it in our little chats


So with every gift on today and every blessing that's in store
May you know when you remember me
That you are appreciated, honored, and adored!!!

(06-17-26, 6:21p I actually forgot about this one, but I’ll let it stay… as a reminder of the man I used to be and the heart full of love that I used to have… my heart is still full of kindness, I’m just more careful now with showing love because I’ve been walked over too many times in my life.) 

Food

 Oftentimes we are reminded;

“Breakfast! It’s the most important meal of the day”

And yet so many of us still neglect it, thinking it’ll help keep the pounds away.

It doesn’t always have something hefty 

Like the plate full of “bacon, eggs, and grits”

No, it may just be a bowl of cereal, 

Or a bar of granola, just something to help you maintain your wits

You can easily refuel at lunch,

by keeping it simple with a BLT.

Or you can go all out, 

I’m talking fried chicken with the Mac and cheese.

“I think I’ll have hibachi, fried rice with that yum-yum sauce!

Or maybe the six ounce steak from Roadhouse…” 

Yeah dinner brings it all home, and you know it doesn’t matter the cost! 

Because today was a bit hectic and Tina got on your nerves,

But all that went away, with the indulgence of your favorite dessert!

“You’re not you when you’re hungry!”

Man, that quote is so true

If you don’t think so, wait until you’re frustrated and go grab a quick bite 

You’ll think and feel better 

You’ll again feel like you!

So if you’re unmotivated, angry, or even  just downright blue

Go grab that snickers, or the cooled strawberry dipped in fondue 

I’m telling you, it can be watermelon, chocolate, something simple like that 

Or it can be a full fledged meal, followed by  a bunch of snacks…

Whatever the mood, 

I guarantee it gets better with food.

Requested by and created for my friend. Love ya buddy!

Keep Pressing

 Life is not always perfect, nor is it always fair.

So many times in our pursuit of hope, do we find ourselves lost in despair.

In a quest to find true love, we are soon derailed by heartache.

Too many times we question ourselves, 

"Where did I go wrong, what was my mistake?"

We forget that those times are needed to build us and make us grow!

They are there to help make us perfect, though the process may be slow.

The trials test our faith, frustrations test our character.

In the periods that test our patience, let us continue daring ourselves to be better.

We never know who's watching, inspired by our determination

We may be the only "Bibles" some read, in their search for salvation.

So I never want you to give up, yes keep pushing through

Because the answer to someone's prayers, may be found in you! 

Haiku (More than a good luck charm!)

 A woman of God

Through and through, meeting her was

Serendipitous. 

(Written 12/10/22) 

Haiku (The Queen)

 She’s virtuous, pure.

Strong, but oh so delicate;

Never cause her harm. 

Picture is an art piece by “ArtofMervin” 

The Shift

 "It is better to have loved and have lost, then to have not loved at all"
These words are painfully true
I sit and ponder upon them well

As I reflect upon all that love has put me through.

I think of my first love, how much I wanted to be with her so.

I had life all figured out, I would have never let her go.

I remember my friend and little buddy; all the hope I saw in her.

For years I loved her secretly, only to see hope disappointingly deferred.

I briefly remember another, and how she left when I needed her the most

Yet somehow I made it through that dark struggle, Oh, because God held me close.

I could never rewrite the stars, though I tried my all with my "internet bae";

Star-crossed, we lovingly warred, only to remain rooted in our home countries to this day.

I was never a playboy, no, they each had their own season,

My love was to be developed, matured, perfected.

Oh how in hindsight, I now understand love's reason.

"Good guys win in the end", but only after they've been effected.

Love is so very beautiful, with all of its ups and downs.

It is why I painfully searched for it so.

But, as with every mark of maturity, you realize that, at some point,

You must learn to let some things go.

With this dramatic realization, my quest for love will now cease.

(Though, should it find me in the future, I know my heart will sing).

In my desire to see good days; I will focus on pursuing peace.

I shall make my soul rejoice in solitude, and the serenity that it brings.

Winter Nights

 I forgot of all the pains, and the violent shaking of my legs,

I no longer felt the sting that accompanied my nose turning red 

I could not tell you how cold the stony steps were against my shin

Nor how I managed to keep us warm from the blistering cold and slurry filled winds.

I returned home, turning my locks as removed my scarf and hat.

I dropped my keys into their pot, and in front of the warm fireplace I sat.

Winter was never my season of choice, yet tonight I sat in bliss

Remembering the touch of your cold, moist-lipped kiss.

It didn't matter that it was cold, for it was my dream to just spend the evening with you.

A gentle conversation about our future, the perfect date night for two!

We sat at the coffee shop, though neither of us sipped much.

We joked, and giggled, our hands warmed by the hot Starbucks cups.

You held on to me tightly as we walked down the street to your condo.

Please trust me when I tell you that I didn't want you to let go!

I hesitated briefly before walking you up to your door,

For, of your answer to that question I was not quite so sure.

The simple gaze you gave me before the long hug allowed me to see a hopeful future in your eyes

Your beautiful smile after the embrace, it's like you saw the true love reflected in mine.

Neither of us asked, our bodies briefly took over in that moment

Gently pressed, your lips were to mine as a lovely silk garment!

The diamond upon your finger, reflected back the colors of the rainbow.

The cheeks of your face were more vibrant than any bush of the Don Juan rose!

Your eyes fighting back the tears gave off yet another lovely hue.

As you quietly screamed out the words, "Yes! Yes! Thank You!"

I've never cared for winter or it's hellish. blistering winds

But tonight, that may have all come to an unexpected end.

For it was in the darkness of a winter's cold and frightful night 

That love afforded me peace, warmth, and its colors gave way to the most beautiful sight!

(Requested by and written for my friend, "Toof")