Comedy Downer OR Are you serious, we're still at this point?

I enjoy a good joke as much as the next person
love to laugh and welcome every opportunity
but if your material simply dwells on light-skin-dark-skin
hair-texture-weaves or the lack thereof
body size and other superficial targeting
with little to no real forethought...
not funny, not laughing and goodnight

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Casting Dreams

I got the part!
"Whatttt?"
Uh huh yep, I got it
it starts Tuesday
sent me the contract today
above scale plus 50%
my own trailer and personal masseuse
"Oh Wow!"
I know right it's about time
driver picking me up & dropping me off
special diet menu with cucumber water
hired a local natural hair stylist from South Africa
twin male body builder's to shave my legs
"You lyin'!"
If I'm lyin' I'm fryin' veggies in pork grease
got me a coach to practice that Island accent
shooting on the beach underneath palm trees
doing 5 hour days max
promised 60 days minimum
no weekends
"No weekends?!"
nope and still have access to the driver
"Really!?"
yep
"Word up!"
that's what I'm sayin'

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Going On

The sky is shining
but I must go
the grass is green
but I must go
everyone is friendly
but I must go
they'll pay all your expenses
but I must go
the children are growing
but I must go
the grandchildren are here
but I must go
the river is still
but I must go
the snow hasn't fallen
but I must go
the new year is coming
but I must go
wait, we're not ready
but I must go...now

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Walk by Faith-ku

Following your lead

hand-held blindfolded trusting 

this ground is solid

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Thankful-Grateful Happy Tears

I never tire of telling the stories
that paint the hills and valleys
ocean stretched body of my life
and those who helped shape it
it's good to remember
acknowledge all who were here in the physical
tonight on Thanksgiving Eve, I have a laundry list
a mile long of family & friends I want to honor
but I hold close in my heart, in this very moment,
as I write these words,
my Maternal Grandparents and my Uncle
the youngest of my Mother's brothers
I still embrace all of your lessons to live by...
to not only doing the right thing
but being the right being
no matter what foolery crosses my path
"you know better" I hear my GrandDad's voice
"don't give up" my GrandMom's mantra
"listen in school" my Uncle's advice as I went off to college
little did I know that beyond the 4 walls, life itself is school
and knowing better, not giving up and listening
is more than a notion! So grateful to be cut from that cloth
at least I got a good road map for my journey
forever you shall live family...eternally we're connected
I double over in happy tears as I remember your full presence
and still feel your love all around me...often and magnified
we may have buried your bodies but I'm so happy your souls live

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Uncovering Possible

I don't even know where to begin
it was some light-bulb like moment
then it was gone...but the memory
the memory lingers...can't shake it
I could be folding laundry or washing dishes
and it comes up in a song I'm listening to
or the sales paper fliers I'm about to throw out
or even better is when I'm talking on the phone
to someone I don't know like a bill collector
who knows nothing about this moment
and it comes up...they're talking about it
an illuminating light around a picture
that I'm not even looking for...not looking
but somehow it finds its way in front of my face
thoughtful, I guess there's something to this
so now I'm paying attention to these moments
documenting my reaction and experience
walking often and everywhere as I do
communing with nature...a holy thing to me
what the observers think or say about my presence
not my business...my business is to be present
in every moment that I'm awake in human-form
be fully in that and recognize another chance
to be of full-grown brilliance...the new norm...

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Water-man on the hunt

After taking almost a year to respond to my email
there's this sense of urgency in your tone
I'm like who is this now?
You calm down a bit and say "Roy"
Roy who? I don't remember you from Adam
"It's Roy girl, stop playing!"
Now I'm staring at the phone
Not playing but I will hang up
"It's Roy from Verdugo Hills...the hiking trail...
You and your cousin were lost
I gave you directions, my card for Alkaline Water
and a coupon for a free massage"
Wait a minute...
"You remember me?"  "We had a chemistry
but I thought your cousin was your man..."
Uh yea, yea I think I remember you
How can I help you?
"You so formal girl, I just read your email
I would've been called you if I knew ole boy was a cousin"
Oh ok, what exactly did I write in that email?
"Told me the mountains were conspiring to bring us face to face"
that's from a poem I wrote in 1989
I'm sure I was just sharing my work
sorry if I mis-led you into thinking something...
"But you said your cousin wanted info. on the water"
Ok yea...I'm sorry, I'm not really following you
"Nawww you know what's up
that was a way of telling me he wasn't your man"
What? Um look Roy, I gotta go
"Go where!?"  "Oh I see what's happening
you trying to blow me off, like I'm not worthy of you
or something, well I'll have you know I already got somebody
and she fine too, I was just gone give you a chance girl
but I see how you are, alright that's alright"
"Y'all still want to purchase the water?"
"I got a 2 for 1 promo going on"
No thank you Roy
"You so formal girl...but your loss baby, bye!"
He hung up on me? Again I stare at the phone
Did that just happen?

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

1989 Singer-Winger

They asked him if he could sing
Yes! He said...yes of course
They handed him sheet music to read
I don't read music notes but I do sing, he said
They asked him how do you know
what to sing without reading the notes?
He said I sit still quietly in corners
listening to the others around me
I listen to the auditioning singers
on the other side of the wall
I listen to the piano player practicing
I hang out at music stores
like Colony on 50 something & Broadway
Walk around Lincoln Center at call time
listening to warm-ups and laughter
2nd act Broadway shows when no one is watching
play show-tune videos on my neighbors VCR
over and over when she's home
and carry my hand-held tape recorder every where
when that doesn't work I write something myself
and tell you that someone famous like Marvin Gaye
sang it back in the day and you believe me
surprised that I actually sound like Marvin Gaye
I get the part and now I have to really learn to read music

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Respect the transition of day to night

There's a generation of children who have grown into adulthood

who missed the grooming, the instruction, the do's and don'ts

the necessities to function outside of the bubble they have created

around their life...unconscious but consciously seeking to be relevant  

fit into a box, boxing their way in or boxing their way out

either way it's some kind of fight...mostly with themselves

because who they are on the inside doesn't reflect honestly outside

or does it...does it bother anyone else that our adult children

rather rush home to watch a reality television show 

instead of the wonders of the Sunset...

...where did we go wrong?

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Odd-ku

Conscious stream of words

underscored by Bassoon burps

uncommon blending

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

No longer

Apologies no longer required
laughter no longer forced
smiling easy again
exposed teeth shiny white
bent on best being yet to come
and empty of pain...free...simply

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

It still takes the Village or Call #7 in 48 hours

The oldest just called from New York
said he missed me...miss you too I responded
said that he was doing something right in his life
and just wanted to let me know his good news
he's talking really slow, much slower than usual
I'm listening intensely to his silence...
then out of the blue, he asks
what's your-my definition of success?
Curious as to where that question was coming from
I took pause...told him that
having the courage to start again if need be
start again, show up, get up and put one foot in front of the other
in whichever area of life required it most in the moment
told him I was happy to hear that he was doing something right
and that he thought enough to want to call and tell me
long breath of silence...I'm like are you there?  He said yes....
you smoking or something...said he doesn't smoke...anymore
oh ok good, I really meant are you high but I let it go...
he told me he's always considered me successful
even as a little boy he always thought I had it together
and was doing the thing...doing my life and he's proud of me
awww shucks, now that was unexpected...thoughtful even...
made me think even more about his question...success huh
pondered his observation of me from boyhood...now manhood
recalling how he always gave me the side-eye
when I told him he couldn't do something...
discipline was having it together
enforcing it was doing the thing
and continuing to pursue a dream was doing my life...as he put it
you know I'm grateful that at least one somebody out there
can express that the basics, what feels like simple pieces
of our existence was enough to be considered successful
no extra applause-accolades-recognition
your definition man-child will be my definition tonight
baby steps complete now turn off the phone,
get some rest and wake-up tomorrow
ready to step into your man-size shoes & walk my dear...
walk right into your very own success

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

When Storytellers Gather...

We all got there at 4:30 am
just in case dawn decided to come early
the grass around the tree slightly damp
a few sat on boulders nearby
others leaned against the tree trunk
I decided to lay on my back in the grass
didn't want to miss a second of
Mother Nature saying good morning
Zahara broke out in a piercing shriek
but it was elongated like a summoning of
Truth-Tellers, the loud-quiet types
who spew the honest to goodness
but only when you ask
for fear that you can't handle it
most can't or won't or simply don't believe
Brother Bruce put a quiver behind it
with his hand-clapping and beat-boxing
humming from the younger ones
open mouth singing from the elders
different lyrical-lecture-like words spinning
together with passionate non-verbal
physical glide-flutter-leaping types
splitting air-bound flexibility
blessing the energy
yes Mother was waking up
the higher she rose the stronger the voices
the one who came from Tokyo
fluidly pampered hearing ears with sonnets
it was something special to be in the company of
counted among those entrusted to
a calling to hold in memory
document in writing
press on record
capture with moving tape
digital devices and such
share with the universe
a word, a tradition, a lesson,
a gift, a seed to be planted
new birth like a spiritual dunk
in the sea water growing strong
like this tree we surround
giving windows to the freshness
daybreak now upon us
all of us here gathered
sermon-ing, sharing, offering
and more so...just being

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

2nd Marathon Training, Hiding and Goosebumps

Bell bottom leggings dull gray
Sweat-shirt old school
over too long t-shirt
cause I was cold in the sunny breeze
another shirt tied around waist
in my imagination it's back support
sports belt carrying water, ID
and keys are wrapped around that
scarf to protect neck exposure
big brim fisher hat over an obvious pink bandanna
shades to shade my visual sensibilities
new balance sneakers with 1/2 inch space at the big toe
curb position extend leg right then left
ouch, hip wasn't warm enough
I see you in my peripheral side stretch Sir
I nod a hello and you mouth the word stunning
taken aback, I manage a crooked smile
thinking you must be able to see
my full-length body suit underneath these layers
then I mouth back the words thank you

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

No GPS-No Smartphone

On being intentional or random
clarity about your purpose direction
not simply going with the flowing traffic
strategy or whatever happens happens yea
no, listen, write it down, pen to paper people
it's your map with no worries of dead batteries
gets you to home-base quicker, safer & satisfied

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Team Alhambra

I keep asking myself what kind of gasoline is it
that keeps us dancing like that for so long
I mean you'd think a couple of hours would be enough
but no we always have to go for broke and bruised
5 hours of Salsa, seasoned with a 1/2 pint of Merengue & a dash of Hip Hop
I would say it's singles insanity but we're always in good company
bruised legs, scuffed-off toenail polish and arm slightly pulled out of socket
this is a contact sport, this dance, this hit you better be ready for in advance
truth test, you can and will fall with the wrong leading  partner
floors are usually slippery and sadly every lead you won't be able to follow
the short ones, the muscled ones, the Rico Suave ones
the one's way too excited and off beat
the ones who say they will be on dancing with the stars next season
the ones who drag you on the floor when you say your feet hurt
responding I'll go slow...the non-gentleman who could care less
that you're sweating like a sponge over-saturated with suds
and can barely walk...nope, all they see is how great you were
with the previous leading partner on that very long and fast song
band singing we don't need no music all we need is rhythm
something like that...Boogaloo Assassins putting it down
with great vocals matching the instruments expression
It was fun though, entertained within the entertaining
jubilee-ing our Sister and her solar return
birthdays still blessing her being
reminding her/us there's still a purpose to fulfill
one day I'll figure out that gasoline formula
stored up specifically for these nights to remember

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Pariku

Ice straight to the back
the unexpected attack
cold cowardly smack

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Coming from under the rock

Ahhhh too bright
squinting eyes adjusting
slow moving belly crawl
roll over to right side
arm stretches
Ahhh it's hot OR
Ahhh it's cold
fingers part into HI-Hello
knees/legs unfold
feet arch flexing
toes spread lead ankle rotation
pause...what's this? Oh
what's that? Oh
who is that? Oh ok
life continues while in hibernation dear
get liberated...today... Ahhhhhh

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

What's for you...

No coincidences
nothing by chance
she did not get lucky
he did not know the right people
are they really on a roll?
things don't just happen
mercury is in retrograde...
not a good enough reason
pay attention to the signs
mirroring back the same
volume on blast
really, that loud dude?
yes so you can hear
when nobody is listening...
or are they...are you?
No coincidences
your season has arrived


by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

3 time zones - 6 hours

40 degrees, down pour of rain from Detroit
to Nashville to Los Angeles this morning
watching the sunrise over the clouds
window-seat...feeling this iron bird...
non-flapping wings...floating on air...
rising higher above the clouds
to ear pop and chewing gum region, a bit painful
oh look, here comes the sun now...rain all gone
it's like a smooth ride to somewhere special
until little Molly decides that testing
her leg strength against the back of my seat
is her mission for this flight...not having it
I turn quickly to shoot her that look
her mother is pre-occupied
picking up cracker crumbs
umph, she's kicking...that hurt...excuse me!
My attempt to get the adults attention...Molly laughs...
excuse me but can you make sure your daughter
doesn't kick the back of my seat again
"Molly are you kicking the nice girls seat"
huh...girl...did she just refer to me as a girl?
You know what, ok...I'm not getting offended,
that was a compliment right...umph! Another kick
no she didn't...I turn around and look at the mother
who is now preoccupied with her I-Phone...
Molly is not only kicking the back of my seat
but also singing Whitney Houston's
"I wanna dance with somebody"
Is this really happening?  How old is this kid
and who taught her that song?
I'm thinking this is some kind of "gotcha" moment
and now I'm looking around for the camera crew...
no camera crew and no flight attendant nearby
I ring the bell above my seat and quickly
"How can I help you" appears...well...
I explain the seat-kicking situation
the flight attendant offers me another seat
Great! I'm gathering my belongings
then I noticed Molly's back pack was open
everything strewn about the walkway
Cheetos, Jello cups, Oreos, an Ipad, some kind of doll
several books including "Acting for the High-Spirited Child"
"Introduction to Meisner" and "Improv 101"...wow...
everyone wants to be an actor...
Molly and her mother are both crying now and
telling the entire plane how they methodically
burned down their barn back home
with the husband-dad sleep inside...
they just confessed to murder and arson...double wow
I pick-up my bag, take a moment to observe this Molly & Mother
acting duo and finally make my way to the front of the plane
middle seat, surrounded by two snoring people
but it almost feels like the tranquil sunrise
that smiled at me earlier...I'm good now
I faintly hear Molly & Mother...wait, just remembered
earphones, I pulled my earphones from my purse
the smooth sounds of Kenny G...
clearer skies ahead...yea...
and the point of this story
don't let the drama steal your peace...
next up on airline radio station channel 7...
Earl Klugh...alright now, time to get some shut-eye

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

The difference is the footprints you leave

Walk this earth
our steps are ordered
Walk this earth
to be a conduit of love
Walk this earth
and carry their burden
Walk this earth
your peace for a cause
Walk this earth
to spread more light
Walk this earth
and build homes for the babies
Walk this earth
our motion fast forward
Walk this earth
to slower paces in the winter
Walk this earth
and to the dust we will return

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Launch Time Thoughts

It's like air going into a balloon
can only take so much before pop
pop is sometimes a good thing
things have to be free to grow or go
go and grow on to what's better
better for it or him or her or them
them not knowing which way is up
up is new and everything prior to it familiar
familiar is comfortable, yes?
Yes and like the balloon...when pop comes...well
Well...it's time to fly in new territory

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Can't Decide? You won't have to in a minute

to start or not to start

to go or not to go

to do or not to do

to give or not to give

to call it what it is or 

to ignore what it is

to believe or not to believe

to sleep or not to sleep

to eat or not to eat

to tell it or not to tell it

to accept or not...accept or not...

either way destiny is sure

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Music Message

The high school marching band woke me up this morning
actually they wake me up every morning during this season
it's like they're right outside of my window
yea those Drums are giving me my own personal show
and I just lay there pretending like I don't hear them
they start to play louder...I don't move
faster rhythms to express their skill...nope not moving
as seconds turn to minutes, 10, 20, 30 OK I'm up
now the brass section has joined in
alright they sound kinda good
think I recognize this song...maybe not
about to lay back down for 10 more minutes
until the woodwinds take the field
ahhh the Clarinets, Saxophones and Flutes
carrying that smooth  melody right on in
to the George Benson version of "On Broadway"
I knew I recognized that song...I'm really up now
It's gonna be a good day

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Fall on the West Coast - Haiku

The nights are chilly
Sweet November not so much
Good heat peaks high noon

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Miss Cyndi's Pearls...

We all have our mission our assignment our purpose
We all have our own path to walk our own trail to blaze
When we humble ourselves to be ourselves
the mission, the assignment, the purpose,
the path and the trail are all clear for taking flight
so here's a toast to spreading our wings
right on schedule to soar

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Grapes at the 99 Cent Store

Ok, so here's the scenario

Sunday, after church, 99 cent store

looking at the grapes and other fresh food items

taking longer than usual to decide on the green or the red

began to wander to other parts of  the food section

looking at the refrigerated meats...I don't eat meat

but fascinated by the whole chickens 

bacon strips side by side with the Aloe Vera Juice

umph, yea I'll pass...as I turn left to return to the fresh foods

a seemingly older man says "hey, you're a looker"

I smile and nod trying to get back to the grapes 

he then says quite loudly...one notch below yelling

"Good lookin' you a head turna, turned my head"

in bashful-uneasy mode I say thank you 

trying to escape the food section by quickly walking 

towards the check-out register...I heard a voice say

"Hey you didn't get your grapes...where you from girl?"

Huh? Oh wow he's following me...what to do...

"Girl where you from, I'm from Louisiana, Shreveport!"

Oh he got my attention...see I got family around Shreveport

"Well I'm really from Homa, H-O-M-E-R" he said

Ahhhh nice, that's where my grandfather is from, I responded

looking at this man from head to toe...really looking 

and thinking if he cleaned himself up 

he might actually be a head turner

well, he went on to tell me who his people were 

why he left his wife in 75' and moved to Cali in 78'

that he has twins, a boy and girl, Stacy and Tracy

and now he lives on Hollywood Boulevard with his Uncle

I couldn't help but wonder if he was being literal

I mean about living on Hollywood Boulevard and all

definitely had that "I'm in transition" thing about him

he didn't smell or anything but wore that dirty orange cloak

on his pretty brown...common among those who reside

outside on sidewalk floors with tent ceilings

no judgement just reality...anyway 

I continued to listen to him...his voice, the cadence

his colloquialism reminded me of my elders long gone

his features made me think we might actually be related

and after about 15 minutes I announced I had to go

he said "give me your number girl" and I said no

"why not you and I could be good together"

I laughed, told Jesse, that was his name Jesse 

told him that it was nice meeting him 

and Happy Sunday 

then I headed back towards the grapes

Jesse walked out of the store talking to himself

handheld shopping cart full of food in tote

the store alarms didn't even go off

and while everyone saw him leave

no one said a word including me

I decided on the red...and scene  

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

What's Your Story?

I maintain that we're all Storytellers
our every moment is storied
how we choose to share or not
is also a part of the story
if you sing it and I dance it
or he writes it and they walk it
the other one paints it like a
Griot speaks it with grand gesture
or whispers...it's valid and valuable
musicians of all instruments know
directors of plays and players
producers of film they all know
as long as humanity exists
there's a story to tell

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Before Yes

Before the Mayflower we were already giving thanks
Before the first snow we will break bread at the same table
Before the eve of Christmas whole phrases will be spoken
Before the new year countdown giggles become belly-hurt laughter
Before Martin Luther King Jr. Day we will hold hands
Before the Valentine hype we will know each others heart
Before the 4-leaf Clover appears we will acknowledge the green light
Before the rain stops falling we will walk a path clear of yesteryear debris
Before the gentle blink of Spring we will be sprung
Before the 4th of July we will make our own fireworks show
Before summers end we will be joined at the hip...who knew
Before the leaves fall and colors fade we will be masters of love

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman