Child of God

If I wasn't rock-solid,
there might be a reason
for me to crumble, crack or deteriorate...
but I'm rock-solid
If I wasn't washed in the blood of the Lamb,
one could assume I have no faith...
but I'm washed in the blood of the Lamb
If I wasn't deeply committed
to change the condition of my people, or just 1 person,
you would understand why I have endured such suffering...
but I'm deeply committed
to change the condition of my people, or just 1 person
If I wasn't created to live and love and laugh
and forgive and finally live again,
then my purpose would be worthless...
but I was created and I will live and love and laugh
and forgive and finally live again
If I wasn't rock-solid, there might be a reason
for me to lose my way...but guess what my friend?
You just didn't know...I'm rock-solid

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman
1st published in The Stride of Our Walk...The Root of Our Stand A Collection of Performance Poetry

Sing Little Girl or Chante Ti Fi

Sing a song little girl
Chante une chanson petite fille
sing of dreams of hope
reaching from
while reaching for...
the pearl of the Antilles...
songs in the key of natural beauty,
high mountains, revolution
and tremors of the earth
moving my sugarcane melodies
pushing my voice west
jazzing my instrument
singing each song like a little girl...
without apprehension...for your consideration

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Consequences

Aroma of Flowers

Shiny Apples for two

but God said...not from that center Tree

so winding-slithery tricked me & you...

banished from beauty forever

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Mid-Life Cruise (an excerpt)

Undoubtedly, in the middle of your life

if blessed to experience that high-light in time,

the story or stories you tell yourself

will pave a promise of peace

or a promise of deterioration...

discern wisely, think on the better,

the best of and for yourself...to perhaps

just perhaps be a blessing to someone else

tell yourself that story and watch it bloom

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman

Crime

1st published in "The Stride of Our Walk...The Root of Our Stand" A Collection of Performance Poetry 2001

Come Ye (an excerpt)

What strength you hold 
in the palm of your hands
the stride of your walk
the root of your stand
Come Ye righteous Warriors
and make a bridge for me
What price will you pay 
for your soul to know freedom
the battle is a spiritual war
as sure as slavery is genocide
and homeless Africans 
is stolen pride, wake-up 
Jihad at your door...
Come Ye Warriors
Come Ye Soldiers
Come Ye Armies of God
Come Ye Men both young and old
I have carried the weight for too long
Come Ye like your Ancestors came
brave, bold & strong
Come Ye armies of God and chant a prayer for me
chant a prayer for me...chant a prayer for me...

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman (1st published in "The Stride of Our Walk...The Root of Our Stand" - 2001)

Sister Celebration (an excerpt)

Sisters celebrating
evolving and elevating
trailblazing and transcending
we are the beginning and the ending
Celebrating sisters so serious
our souls see inside sun-nurtured nations
kneeling in honor of she
she is sanctified rhythm walking on water
riding the tide turbulent sometimes
calling forth the spirits of ancestral fire
in the bodies of babies, grandmothers and we
We are sisters celebrating
uniting forces and creating beautiful things
masterful are you and me...

by Shonnese C.L. Coleman (1st published in "Revelation Art Poems" - 2008)