You can't steal my dance...

There will never be
a dance more powerful
a move more thrilling
a leap more heroic
spins more rapid
extensions more lengthy
back-bends more flexible
than the dance...that dance
that lives in your soul
that fuels your passion
and resolves your peace

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

...in the beginning

From the Alpha to the Omega

at morning dew to midnight blue

In waters deep to skies unseen

I am one within the beginning

Forefather's energies command my soul

there is no room for fear

They take me to the land I have never walked

feed me slices of daystar I have never tasted

place me in the pocket of the moon

and cradle me 'til the morrow

I am one within the beginning

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman 

1st published in "The Stride of Our Walk...The Root of Our Stand" A Collection of Performance Poetry

The Few

You should know by now
those like we, we who believe
we who see...are the few
the far reaching...between...
loud and spacious...rooms 
we exist to assist...when you are quiet
exploring the corners of your mind
kind we are, you should know by now
those like we, we who believe
we who see...are the few
the few who will still 
kneel to take a stand

by Shonnese C. L. Coleman

Born in the Summer - an excerpt

I was born in the middle of the summer...
early am...the month of July. 
I cry and smile when I'm happy...
my silence tells you when I'm not...
thinking long, dreaming vividly, walking rapidly in my destiny...
each passing year I cherish more...
growing wiser, grateful, loved monumentally by my mother, my family, my friends...
those that matter...learning new ways to reciprocate that love, to celebrate daily...
this journey on earth we share...a child of God...I AM...
still dancing the road of my story...the road to free...
hugging that cool breeze when it visits on hot humid days in July...
I was born in the middle of the summer 
and every drop of sweat on my brow proves it!  

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

The Hudson

The Hudson River, Pier 45

This river drips...rushes...drains into the Atlantic

Ocean waves hello and goodbye at each onlooker

The story of its origin is visible in mountains

an origin deep low-flow in the center of a valley

the gray blues and sharp-edges rising and falling

when wind blows...toes grip wood planks above

disturbing the peace on humid summers eve

some still grieve for what drifts in its depths...

but tonight we dance...we dance on the Hudson

and bless the waters that nurtures our every move

              by Shonnese C.L. Coleman, 7/18/17 NYC

Summer

Sun-filled skies stare down at me...I stare back...without a squint
Uniformed in beach-wear and boots I am...sweating
Millions of dust particles attach to the essential oils...dry-drenching my coiffure
Must buy a big hat with a big flower attached to the side...note to self
End of the road leads to a watermelon patch...yellow meat
Reading Miles and Me, The Road Less Traveled and Don't Believe The Hype...again

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

I know it was the blood an excerpt

I wasn't born in the street 
but into the street mentality
a reality no child should know
but it was there among strangers 
my character was built
a place I called home, where I'd grow
growing wild like a weed
seeded haphazardly
no one thought I'd succeed
but I stand today...tattoo memories all over me
and it's the blood of Jesus I plead...and pray

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman