Who Knew

Who knew we’d have foes
simply because of the way we wear our clothes
Kinky fros
Wide nose
But the very blood within us flows
The same
In vain
(in vein)
Because the skin that covers it isn’t the same

Who knew that melanin could cause such disdain
In this day and age
Eliciting rage
Disgust
Is that really enough
To separate us

The human race,
Who knew,
Only has room for one?
(Won)
A race
To be first place
Only to stand above another
Are we not people?
Did we not all come from a mother?
A sister, a brother?
But no,
Couldn’t be
 

They say

 You’re not the right color.

 

Shari Renee



The Deep End

Let life break your heart

until your heart becomes

unbreakable.

Try. Fail. Risk.

Jump off the deep end.

 

There are no conditions to love.

And no end to it's depths.

 

-Jeff Foster

 

 

( SIDE NOTE: I've discovered a new obsession with Ancient Egyptian culture. Currently taking in everything I can find on the subject. )

Bus Boys And Poets Open Mic Feat. Rudy Francisco 5/27/14

Last night I finally made my way back to Bus Boys and Poets (14th and V) to take in a night of open mic poetry. It was the first time I'd been back in months and immediately I remembered why I love this place so much. The feeling of being in such a close vicinity of such creatively talented people is overwhelmingly inspiring. My favorite is when the most unassuming looking people saunter onto the stage and kill it. Rudy Francisco was the featured poet of the night and he covered a range of topics far removed from the emo 'I love you/ I hate you' poetry that we so often see at these type of events. He is definitely worth googling/ scouring Youtube. Please try to ignore my giggling throughout the videos. I couldn't help myself. If you ever find yourself stumbling into Bus Boys and don't want to partake in an alcoholic beverage. Try the 'Big Daddy' with vanilla milk. It's amazing. I had two and was wired for the remainder of the night.

( SIDE NOTE: The last post isn't quite a poem.. more so a drunk man rambling, but entertaining nonetheless lol. "Follow Your Dreams!" )



The Flirtation with Vulnerability

The flirtation with vulnerability

the wanton need to

delve deeper into self

and feel something...

starts with a conscious decision to allow oneself to go there

knowing that the outcome of such action

could prove

beneficial or detrimental

but also embracing that the lingering space in between

is filled with the beauty of adrenaline and hope

terror and anticipation,

falling or flying?

into the deep abyss or a field of daisies

defenses disabled,
you're out there

possibilities unknown
but the desire to find out
overcomes the fear

knowing that there's no other way to get to this place

than to jump

 

 

I Stand Alone x Robert Glasper x Common

The interlude at the end, greater than.

 

"The irresistible appeal of Black individuality - where has all of that gone?"

"The trends of the times be damned...

 

"We should all be unsatisfied with mimicking the popular, rather than mining the fertile veins of creativity that God placed deep inside each of us."

Take Me Away

take me away

to where palm trees

provide shade,

where sun rays radiate

a Midas' touch on my skin

reflection on my outer

of my glow from within,

wanderlust stricken

with no other cure

I feel like I'm stuck in this cocoon

of a room

drowning in familiarity

I need to break free soon.

feeling my last gasp of

 tedious monotony

ho hum hurrahs,

commonplace consistencies

will never be enough

to cure

this bore

that has taken over me,

I need to feel liberated

experience things I've never seen.

to strive to survive

outside of the box of desolate despondency,

these average expectations I will never see

because they will never be

me.

 

 

shari renee

 



This Love Isn't Convenient

This love isn't convenient.

I'm not going to love you because it's my birthday

when there's a holiday around the corner

or because you're pulling away.

This love is not selfish

manipulative

or immature.

I'm not going to fill you with false hope when I know that this door is too heavy to hold open any longer.

And I'm not going to love you to prove anything to anyone.

This love is not for show.

This love is consistent
patient
and unwavering.

And will be here through good times and bad.

I'll love you through the random texts and calls from my ex

because I know that if I wanted to be there

I wouldn't be here.

With you.

This love does not wane in the presence of my past.

This love is not opportunistic or shallow.

This love is honest.

Passionate.

Tried and

True.

This love is Me.

This love

.. Is Love.

And it's all for you.

shari renee

Ectotherm

the light at the other end of the tunnel is blinding

so much easier to go back the way I came

walking toward the unknown

vision impaired

but it feels so natural,

so right

how can I look away

from such a beautiful light

how can I stray

luring me in with her warmth

a chill on my back

I glance over my shoulder

so many layers to be shed

should I forge ahead

and still,

ectotherm.

3/2/14

shari renee

Tupac is Coming to Broadway

Major.

I don't know why it took me so long to start venturing out into the local art scene that DC has to offer. It seems like we always feel like other cities have so much more to offer without even giving our hometown a chance. On Tuesday I checked out a new open mic spot, The Dunes DC, which is basically a tricked out art gallery. The feature poet was Angel Nafis, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, who was absolutely brilliant. I didn't get to record because I have completely run out of storage on my phone.. so I will link back to some of her work in a later post. I also had the pleasure to meet Pages, an extremly taleneted poet (pictured photobombing in the second to last photo), who swore that the next time he saw me he'd be sure to make me read one of my pieces lol. I guess I'll have to stay ready.

The Dunes DC hosts a poetry slam every Tuesday at 8pm.

( SIDE NOTE: I also noticed that I'm starting to recognize a lot of the same faces from poetry slams that I've been to prior. Does that mean I'm turning into a regular? )

"Thoughts on an Airplane Napkin"

So fucking noisy

The chatty 20-something's surrounding on this plane

Chatter on and on about their happy go lucky lives

Phil can't wait to surprise his girlfriend in Atlanta

And Kat just got promoted at her job...

The plane bounces along 

Engine roars outside my window

Sun beams in my eyes

But no sound louder than the thoughts clouding my mind

I hate feeling anxious. 

Only certain people have this affect on me

Or should I say person

The plane makes its bouncy descent down the runway 

We're up next

And next for me is reuniting with you

The same you who still has the ability to make me feel

after all this time,

... against my will.

Because my will isn't free with you

It's been nine months since I've touched your skin

And as I sit here writing this 

I can't help but wonder will it feel the same?

What will I say, 

What will you say?

Our conversations have been few and far between as of late

I'm to blame.

It seemed easier to run from you then to be sucked back into your web 

But here I am.

On this plane.

Waiting.

Walking a thin line,

knowing there's a chance I can get tangled up again 

Waiting.

to travel clear across the country

In search of a break from the reality that's overwhelmed me 

Because that's all it'll be

Distraction...

Or will it?

A taste of a fantasy 

long shot down 

a coma

But it's still breathing..

Lift off.

I ignored that text a few weeks ago,

it was the right thing to do to protect my soul.

It's crazy, the way you touched me you'll never know,

still hear your words in my head that encourage me to grow.

I was so closed off, and all you wanted to do was open me,

put me on to new things, show me things in me that I couldn't see.

I see things a lot clearer now, but I still can't let you in,

things are so different now

between us

well, the us that used to be

or almost was

never fully manifested because I looked you over

now it's over

ps. you were the only one my mother really approved of

Links We Love: Poetry247.com

poetry247.com

whoever is behind this site, I love you.

words on a page

the relationship we never had

mutual friends

cool with mom and dad

reminiscing on the past

... because

you

have

a

past

full of memories that last and last.

while your and my tale was never really written

a rough draft

a sequel, with no real beginning

never made it to print

thrown in the "no" pile

all the while

still craving her smile

the one that could never do any wrong

despite all the sins you spoke of

you always were the type to prefer thrillers over romantic comedies

like the romantic comedy,

or thought of you and me

but there was that one time you laughed.

Last night I had the pleasure of going to Bus Boys and Poets (14th + V) for a much needed night out, and to enjoy a night of spoken word with friends. The artists left me feeling inspired to finally muster up the courage to read one of my pieces. I'll be combing through my journal to try to pick out the perfect piece for my first time performing.

Any suggestions?

Stay tuned

Amazing poet/ journalist and Featured Artist of the night, Mahogany Browne, of Brooklyn and myself.

too much pressure

too much pressure

I don't want to be in love

too strong a feeling

would bring (on) too much healing

and I like the way I was...

much rather be alone

that way no one can ever leave me

although you've showed me time and time again..

I prefer that no one ever need me.



composed Mar 2013

Shari Renee

If you love someone

Let them go

Give them room to grow

And hopefully the memories of your love will continue

To flow

In their mind
 

And the way back to your heart

They will find



I have to be honest

I'm losing the desire

to be the glue

that holds on to you

what about me

and all of my needs

in a relationship

where it feels the only one trying is me

but hasn't it always been this way

you one foot out the door

me,
doing whatever it takes to make you stay

working up a sweat

putting on a show

you are the star

the headlining act

treating you like caesar

all to receive what in the end

half ass efforts

skeptical ass friends

and a mind that never stops running

trying to convince a heart that's lost its cunning

 

@Jackson_Carrera

Graffitti DC, Liv nightclub.

 every fourth wednesday of the month.

The poets were amazing.. energy was crazy.

I can see myself becoming a regular here.

an interesting thing about poetry is that sometimes the very words you write... that you may think are coming from a place of fable.. will become your reality weeks, months, years down the line.


+.





( SIDENOTE: Follow my blog with Bloglovin )