Thinking about James Baldwin

In Giovanni's room we all wrote notes
native sons we are to Harlem
about to go meet the man
but the price of the ticket
well that cost more than Sonny's blues
cramped up quarters sweating walls
just above my head, oh yea the devil finds work
no name in the street but if Beale street could talk
Lord have mercy on my soul, the fire in another country
will tell how long the trains been gone from 5th Avenue
next time we'll write about the evidence of things not seen
forget your blues, I already told you 'bout Sonny dem
Jimmy and Mister Charlie will carry that cross of redemption
I see you through the keyhole little man little man
go tell it on the mountain while I shout Amen
over here in this corner

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Watch your step

Who knew...I mean really who knew
every turn was a stop sign or a puddle to jump
quicksand, fire ants, broken glass, black ice
which way is up cried the children of the corn
reborn as Thespians marching together
holding hands lifting the other to reach wide-open
windows of opportunity while scrutiny fills the air
not fair...not fair...I was here first she yelled
snap out of the spell Gertrude your day is coming
just don't let go of the hand ...don't let go of the dream
none of them really knew...nope
but all of them were lifted to the window

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Don't get it twisted-ku

Don't misunderstand
Kindness is not my weakness
Kindness is my strength

By Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Leg stretch-ku

We all got big thighs
track running and long distance
Tiger Balm on deck

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

For the love of my Jamaican daughter

The story was already written
words running out of my mouth
paralyzing punctuating pleasing
painless pain penetrates the mind
scattering from good cheer my dear
to choking back a bellow unexpected
don't touch me anywhere...back up man
you understand I'm a child...a girl child
requiring a special kind of love that will
author the rest of this story...glory...hallelujah!

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman