Body Snatcher or Here Comes Lady Macbeth...Run!

No I was prepared, I was...I was prepared

then I got in the audition room and suddenly

without warning the character who I was not

auditioning for took over my body and voice

seriously, some other character who decided

she was needed in that moment started talking

and walking around and making up words that 

were not on the paper...

gesturing to imaginary people 

breaking the 4th wall and ignoring the reader

who was great by the way 

laughing where it wasn't funny 

dancing when there was no music 

crying for no apparent reason and then it was over

I got my body and voice back 

stared at the casting director for a few minutes 

who stared back at me...then simultaneously 

we said thank you and I left...I left feeling like I did that...humph

that's what happens when you haven't auditioned

in over a month and the 1st chance you get 

that role you played of Lady Macbeth back in 1996

seems to be the only thing that makes sense...

oh that don't happen to you...

oh so I'm the only one channeling Lady Macbeth at the exact wrong time...

oh ok...but I was prepared for that audition...I was...no I was

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Delusions of Grandeur

Honorable, Honest, Virtuous & Upright
titles or identifying words associated
with you or who you want the world to see
you be...go on for pages and pages but sadly
don't describe the true you, authenticity compromised
too many surprised by the title-hog mentality
no integrity but tailgating not waiting on invitation
but declaring an alliance not desired or required
please...slow your roll...what's destined for you
already paid in full, packaged and awaiting your pick-up
every shiny stone on which you stumble does not belong to you
strive for your Honorable, Honest, Virtuous & Upright...self

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

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