jet flow

vocal, honest, serious…funny
with a dash of joy & pain
rolled up into a brown shade of beauty
hidden from the insane…those that choose to judge ‘us’

costumed in “correct” grammar, with a southern twang…
relaxed hair, looking the part, we’ve all unconsciously auditioned for
in a society where our true fruit would be audited for imperfections
too light, too dark, mind too slim, ass too wide….
not lookin’ like the rest &
ya’know err’body pose to be/look/act the same, to past ‘their’ test

Oh… grammar got twisted again….
….Talkin bout me or you?
Talkin bout ‘me’, knowing this life is one ‘we’ all see
Gotta play the game, to be accepted
You can choose to refuse facts, but reality won’t let you forget it

never free….It was never me
& decided to undress the suffocating wrap surrounding me
coming home, shaking my wings
the blues, crying from within…I sing
knowing the juice that flows from within my soul
wasn’t/isn’t considered acceptable
& ‘we’re’ slowly dying inside these molds

my sanity could no longer be contained
I burst clouds with thunder, lightning & rain
within this worlds insanity, cocooned as protection
but only protecting a shell, while my heart was asphyxiating
smothering my soul, living disguised in hell on earth
I let go of an appearance that didn’t embrace, nor reflect me
holding ancient manners that I had never known,
but known forever…. as the drums beat throughout me
unraveling truths revealed by standard setters

I remind’em….“Don’t let the smooth flow fool ya.”
I Am All that my roots have bled
All seeds bore, I Am that worth
no longer will I willing allow suppression of who we birth
for those who refuse to see my thirst
for individuality, uniqueness and the royalty taken
I knew that I knew…. before I actually knew
I sought for a truth that is in my roots…..
…with a fire… venter embedded

today I continue a journey of elevation
for mySelf & soul’s salvation
Could give two damn’s about who chooses to Accept me..…
Or Not…..I Am
hisStory may have suppressed, but never erased Us
I Am
of the many who live, rejected by our own
trying to reflect ourStories, revealed through soul & bones
& every revelation I see, I will implant seeds
into my deepNess, & ‘every’where I can’t & can see
I will flow Self-Worth, Determination & Worthy Pride
because, we have no reason to hide
the truth Is…
We Are more than we were taught, more than we were lead to believe
We Are the worth…. of the battles Our ancestors fought
We Are the roots of existence,

seek prior to what was revealed to us
prior to the diaspora…
OurStory didn’t began with slavery, nor will it end with it
My womb will not let suppressed truths die
as calms come, the fire within my belly ignites inside
to ram lies into their Hell, with their so called sins
tales taken from ourStory, twisted to scramble our mental
keeping us under subjection
got Our people fucked up with this constant rejection

don’t ever allow an outsider, who could give a fuck about you
to convince you that you’re sisters & brothers aren’t enough
I ain’t painting an illusion or imagery, that can’t be accepted
Nah we ain’t perfect, but no one is, despite what we’ve accepted
told it’s just a matter of perception….I don’t believe in rejecting….My own
for the sake of likes & fake ass smiles,
yea we’re on different levels, but the miles to walk are ‘Ours’ together
some have chosen to face & embrace facts
while others still hold to the acts, who aren’t where we’re at
once it was unknown to you, & still much unrevealed
unchaining brains…will only come with patience & time
from years & years of broken backs, hearts, minds…
shed blood & tears

Unwrapped & soul free
Loving Self & the GodIs in Me
One Love Family, Let’s Git It!
Ase’ O!

© LeTisha.W.Bowie 7/31/13

Blind & Deaf

speaking to deaf ears

mouths a constant, overflowing dumpster

corner-shelves of drawn shit,

awaiting the funk monster to dispose of it..

quickly, before the repetitive refill

standing still,

stagnant,

yelling to broken spirits & deaf ears,

overfilled for years...

with inactivity

& I beat the drums of ears softly,

with Our wails, until they become shriekkksss!

Our rivers of tears spill, from My heart's tip,

onto pages & pages

enraged!

Eye peer through tear bubble-filled scopes,

looking around Us

“We have to awaken!”

...become a part of 'The Rising'

in 'this' reality,

which 'is' a southward spiral of a Divine race...

we chant, we argue, we plead...

of this new day,

of the great unity taking place,

yet, Yet to be seen...

but not only are present ears deaf,

the delivering eyes must be blind,

to the increasing innocent bodies lying

of our men, wombmen, children...

we're continuosly finding...

by the wayside,

day by day by...

& My Soul's ears mourn, to the distant Mother's wail in the wind, for a child gone too soon,

& My Soul's heart outcries, with the Father around the corner, banging the door railing, for a son gone to soon,

& My knees surpass my ankles, hitting concrete pavements, to the moan of grandparents

who lost their child too soon!!!

& sit awake at night wondering why We can't see,

how magnificent the power of Our Love in a multitude could be...

...the rapes, molestations, the diseases

this shit ain't on decrease family!!

& speaking unity ain't nothing,

if we ain't supportin, & upliftin Our Brethren!

...only a sermon, being flushed out to sea,

with the rest of the gradually washing-out ,

man-made, religious mental slave mentality

looking passing seekers by,

looking our spiritually broken Sisters by,

looking our mentally tired Brothers by,

shouting unity over their heads....

cus they ain't got the grammar down,

cus they don't sound all educated, conscious & fly

My Soul breaches Blood & pours pain...

over & over again,

watching Blood dog Blood...

& yeah, I've heard...

“Just cus they black, don't mean they blood”

but what Eye do know is....

live long enough to find out Who you are

& you'll remember what color you are too

…..when you're out trying to survive in this world...

“Oh there will come a time”

...when you will be informed... of just who you are

You just better know...

& Blood gone always be Blood...

Rooted.

“& You will remember, regardless of your shade,

You gone always be Black.”

& go on

sadly,

hindering Our unity

spoken to the communities

unconscious of one fact

a circle goes round & round...

“How much longer do we chase our tails rotating it?”

...degrading the very faces, facing us in the mirrors

One another

Our Ancestors Love...

getting nowhere, we're losing grip

while, trying to grasp It

the truth of Her Love,

...Her knowledge....Her treasures

Antediluvian.

Impregnated, withIn the deepness of all that We seek,

we'd rather watch Our brothers dirt-smother,

in the pit of this corrupt shit,

than to lend a hand, for fear he may rise above,

instead of rise beside you...

as One...

It's time for Us to get a grip over OurSelves

if you ain't bout Ours,

back back, so we can take Our positions,

It's time to be bout this mission

time has shown & does tell,

no one else ever will

write a few lines, spit a pile for the Mother Earth's Crew,

gotta get into Our Souls and do what we need to...

heart, soul & feet

else all talkin remains in vain

& that new name means nothing

to a child who has no idea what is means,

who can't get a job, due to the same ol mobs blocking pro-gress,

who ain't got a dime, in a society that don't give a damn...

determined to keep us rammed in the hind,

don't give a damn whether we live or die,

watching & laughing.....

as we fight, kill & belittle Our own kind

stompin & dumpin Our every move...our every effort

as Our people walk by, heads down, faking pride,

tear-stained souls, unable to break the keloid pain barriers,

unable to feel Our voices,

to feel the leaders...

because there's no walk, to Our talk

Blind Eyes, Deaf Ears

A Black Power Poem...In Honor of Our Black Story

....written by Our Sis Queen in Honor of Black hisStory Month....beautiFuLLy PowerFull!!!

Luminate

Eyeluminate spoken concerns of emotional distresses
the belly toilin’ pains and afflictions, holding your peace under arrest
Left abandoned in the darkness….
Ohhhh Lovessss I feel Your Souls rain down into my spaces
I see your anguished faces
in the night ….the tears of Souls that rain
but, I’ll steady shine, a magnetic energetic star in Our sleepless nights…
shinin not only mine own light, but the hidden glow of Your many hearts
I carry within

crushin’ biased opinions! from a bunch of dressed up lemons
stompin’ stereotypical judgments! Time dey take a damn hint!
dat buzzin’ roun’ our heads fuh years
achy jaws we’ll bear….
We chewin ignorant spewed un-thoughts rules layed out
that’ve been fillin’ our ears
Our Eyes, heads…hearts
Locked Our lives, no keys and the fears
….many a swallowed tears, beer-drunken in negativity
Now We spittin the shit that was ‘In’planted in reverse
We Standin’ One Strong

& Eye stand
Midst One!!
on ‘Root’ed years, of Our Ancient Dears
blood, bloodshed, Hearts & Souls gone
& yet with Us Still!
Feelin’ the achin’ backs of carried sacks,
of thrown stones in my bones
bore none of the burdens of my roots
those of old & yet new
& they’ve ached still withIn me
And Eye see & wear the soul wombs
the birthed
the birth nations, while shouldering the heavies
while walkin ancient fields, bleedin rivers,
buidin railroads, levees & their own plantations
Eye walk with them, with you
We do…
awake in my sleep
Eye See, Eye Stand
to seek, to learn, to reach, to teach …
Each One…
You are Me & Eye am You…
It is We that must stand to sow the seeds
that are Ours to see the harvest reap…
Can’t you see!?

These are the contractions of Ours…
Our pains to bear…
To choose or not…We bear them still
Our labor to reap….to moan…..
To choose or not we ache the lost…the bloodshed still
The contractions are Ours
to reap the benefits of Our sowing….as One
One People
OneNess…. Nations….
A Great People lost from time of the great antediluvian
Our light contained in a mental darkness
ill-taught, we didn’t know Our inner glow
thought our skin color was Our mentality
and it hovered like a black cloud hiding the truth!!
& the flickering still is! the light Eye bear withIn my soul
in my sleep awakening
in my conscious day
revealin the torment not only of me
of ruthLessness,
“sleepLess nights Eye see your stories….
Eye feel your inflictions…
shared with my awakened siblings,
with Our open Souls, achy feet- as we walk the mid-sleepLess night plantations…..
with ripped fingers, ripped backs, torn hands
bleeding Our Soul’s spills onto the pages & into lyrics”
Oh….how quickly we lost Self into pleasing…
Appeasing....into form-fitting…season after season….

Awakened nights inTo the silence,
revealed to me over and over…that I’m not awakened alone
but the vibrations hum into my soul
into letters, words….tones, notes and melodies
each One. Reach one. Teach one.
Embrace and Love “One”.
which is All…One Is.

movin forward on this road…
in the darkness of the midnight…. under Her moon’s light
Eye smile withIn a peacefulness
We must gain Control of Our Spiritual Minds
which cannot be contained
feeling Our InnHer Guides present
and the elevation that is in motion
…..dreaming into the faces of My Wombspring,
& All my Earthly Wombsping
In This Inevitable OneNess

Together
It is time
Seek. Learn. Teach
Release….the carried burdens of past,
remembering from where your strength has come
forever use your will….remember it as lessons to build
The bags…the sacks….carrying no names
Listen to Our Ancients withIn …
GodIs guiding….guarding with the energy flow of forever
InnHer Soul

Seek
Self….1st
Elevation….Uplifting
Self….1st
Knowing Self….1st
UpLifting All of Our broken hearts & minds
Healing Selves
No longer allowing past as barriers as walls!!
Crushin’ it, using the crumbles & brick pieces to step up & buildddd
building new walls blockin non-pertinent judgments of those irrelevant minds….
renewing mental slave blocked minds
Standin Onegether
digestin’ truth….planting seeds withIn the depth
Promoting growth through fertilized words of wisdom and truth
…..been livin barren land for years wonderin’ why there’s no progress..no progression
Gotten too comfortable with “just”
….too comfortable with “just enough”
that our growth has become stunted….took a rest from the fight & fell asleep
thinkin it was gonna still work out for your peeps!
Can You See?! It ain’t what you thought
Nor what you unconsciously think in your sleep
It’s time to Move….

Eye evolve from withIn for me, for you, for Ours
One
Guided by the powerFull
The non-understood, the rooted minds….
Soul Free in this Stipulated World, in which Our bodies exist
Eye’m sayin’ seek My Sisters & Brothers, the knowledge is withIn
Our bodies may suffer, and the world aint what it should be!!
It’s time to wake up…
rebuild…
All that takes place…in the manner of You!
Takes place with Your desires!
Our Inner… “What it Is!”
in the form of Your Power…Your Strength…
comes from withIn Us!

& Here..Now…..Know This!!

Our ‘Souls’ are Free!!

Let’s Git it!!!
.One Love.

© 1/3/13 (Mbali) LeTisha.Woods

Awaken WithIn Your Consciousness

Who Is that… is the motivated?

Who Is that…. is the liberated?

What is liberation? Huh?

….as we say it?

What & Who is love….

& who do you love?

What is it…Black Love?

…..as we say

to make a call……who makes the call?

to share a word of education…or liberation-

to the youth….to the lost….

Who is this liberator?

……the ass moving motivators….Who…. Is?

Motivation.

Liberation.

Education.

Elevation…..

Preach. Teach. Reach……

Who are we reaching withIn the comfort of Our realms?

Define these “We” yell from the roof tops,

into the thin air….

We know what they mean!

We….the consciously, educated & liberated knowledge buffs…..

We talk it!

Or is it……??  talking that liberates “Us” individually

Perhaps in Our little groups that all agree…eh

But “We” are One

Hell yeah there’s much to do!!

Much work to do!! to wash away years and years of Mental Slavery!!

but do we start ?

or do we stay apart?

and continue to complain & talk about the injustices,

that no one else is going to change?

Do we continue motivating ourSelves?

without sharing the wealth of knowledge,

that permeates to the Soul?

Our people have lost hope,

those who retain it are wandering….

With no actions,

we are meeting the needs of “no one”

Perhaps, we think self-educating is enough

It is not.

Not to rebuild what has been knocked down,

stolen, shackled,  physically freed

& mentally slaved!!

Is this the shit you continue to spit!?

We the Black People~ We the Black People

& wonder why they turn away…..

“It is” the reason

it passes no further, than the sight of deaf ears

missing the drum, much less reaching the Souls…

Action is the process of acting or being active!!

to move something in whatever you do,

in your cause, your destiny or your purpose!

For Us!!!

Is it to come together as One!!

Unite Our People!

Is it for the love of Our people, that we must get motivated!

Is motivation not to be motivated…to liberate….to be liberated….

Is it not to take Action?

To do something! ?

It is to make a move

To free

To show what “We” speak divisively, as the “One” we speak of….

“We A Black People”

“Our People”

To uplift, elevate…to Unite

The question is….to All of Our loves…

Pro Black, Pan-Afrikan, Liberated,

Conscious-Minded, Educated, Po’, Rich Black Folk…….

We Are One

How many ways can We count thee divided?

We have been slacked too long in taking Action

The time is now My Sisters & Brothers

to educate with the truth….

Get the hell up, step up & speak up

Move

Take action in Our communities

for the better of Our children, Our Elders, Our futures

Our Ancestors have spoken loudly

Ain’t nobody looking for action from Us,

because we ain’t done nothing as One

Piece of us fighting here, and pieces talking there….

The vast is use to Our talking and so are Our Own people

What’s Up?

It’s time to Unite Physically….Soul Unite

Leaders you have been Called

Step Up!!!

© 11/4/12 LeTisha.Woods

Soul Dip

work bound
makin’ ‘nutha dayz pay
left glancin’, at dark brotha,
goin’ opposite my way
he gotta sway
dat slight dip, in his hip
‘aint nuthin’ wrong wid dat stride
got strength… ownin’ its smooth,
as he bobbin’ his head
to his own tune
I smile- keep on my way
gon’ to make my day
an’ at its end- headed out….
‘nutha brown brotha walkin’ bout
can’t help but smilin’
don’t matta’ whetha’ My Brotha rich, middle, or ya wanna call’m po’
dat Soul beats deep, like dah King he bon’ ta be
in His Own sway, His Own way
gotta stride, gotta dip dat study of pride,
an’ fo’ da stop-light turns
…..reflectin’
…..even young black boys, young men, Our Elders
dey send Dey Own Rhythmic Vibrations bone marrow deep,
Puttin, smiles in yo’ souls,
Givin’, yo’ eyes unheard beats,
Makin’ you bob yo’ heads an’ tap yo’ feet…
Dat Black Man’s Soul’s Dips’ got His Own beat.

5/29/12 © LeTisha.Bowie

Our Shades of Black

Our Many Shades of Black" Lessons learned.... Dedicated to my Twin Sisters, & all of My Brothers & Sisters Granny 'Nora had a subliminal hatred for shades- she had a set of black grands' & a set of whites, which were the lighter shades, she raved; Grandma Clara's hatred for shades was so strong- she wished they were invisible..... emotions so durable, they caused divisions made, …between, her and the "Joy", of a grand-daughter's love, she so desperately craved; ….the birthing’s & deliverances of self-hatred & confusion, ingested by our babes, who ate of knowledge, before knowing they'd been fed, ...devouring words & worlds of Our Precious Elders, like fresh ripe plum, from "Big Mama's" plum tree… anticipating the ripening…. ....& breaking the flesh of the fruit of their wisdom; Their innermost knowing… that: Black we are- "All" ....and in "All" of Our families, we are: Light-skinned, yellow- bones, Red-bones, black, blue-black, Jet-black, dirty- red & copper-toned.... Cocoas & browns & almost whites.... .....name callings of many, and many by Our very own..... ....the pain, of the souls, of the left behind, …of the chosen, has & is obvious & obviously carried for lifetimes; ……in the shades of the songs, of Black Spirits…. Yet We are “One.” My mind recalls: An innocent child spoke, “I’m the light one, you’re the dark one,” and How could she have known? for she had been fed from supposedly wise ones…. …..the ones who chose the lighter shades, over the darker, yet, we are all black….we are all “one” Recalling Her sibling: An also, innocent child, who was the dark scorned, as she cradles that day, like it was her limb birthed….. …..& Grandma, who wished color, was non-existent…..One who preached, “You’re no better than your next brother or sister!” “Who do you think you are?” …..& Granny, who wrote letters, questioning the darkness of the color, of one’s own grand-child’s child… Scalding hot!!!…showers of confusion…. & mental slavery begins… in the minds of our children, who soon realize, they live(d) in a time, when…. you are better, the lighter you are…. the better you will be treat-ed, the brighter your skin…..the more quality you are of a being….. Children wishing for light-skinned babies, before they know the locus of their own beings!!! And so the downfall of our heritage goes! For the fear!! Of judgment! & the same pain of our ancestors! Fear of enduring & sharing their unshed tears, our babies hold fast, to what seems like the truth of endurance- And so ….the patterns of subconscious, negative, spiraling downward, into pits of depression goes on….. The brainwashing began, before we knew what it was…. birthed into young spirits, with the contractions of our Elders own sufferings, as subconscious mental protections….. …..they thought,….. As a means, to blend, with whom they thought were the “civilized ones” “Good-haired” “To birth lighter-skinned babies,” Maybe they wouldn’t suffer so much hatred. ….thinking back & remembering of those days & I know that I’m not alone…. ….my heart feels the division, caused among our bloodline, for causes that aren’t even our own….. I believe “They All” and “They Both,” wanted to protect us, but it was in ways of their very own; ….the ways they’d also been taught…….My Grandparents……Our Grandparents… It’s the venom of “our” own pain, fear, experiences & racism….. …with it came loss & still comes with loss ….that we adapt, fit in, and deal with it, no matter what the cost is … …losing the love of those that should be closest, at the start of a child’s lesson, that should never have been taught……. ….the expense has been & still is: “Our” Spirits, “Our” Smiles, “Our” Songs, and most of all “Our Love of Self!!” …..the cost is more expensive than any purchase…. Because venom is deadly!!! And for the most….. we vaccinate with “acceptance” (of what shouldn’t be accepted!!) It’s like treating a migraine, with a pneumonia medication- It doesn’t work!!! It’s like taking a placebo, to treat diabetes, and expecting your sugar to be regulated!!! You are pacified, not filled or cured and slowly die inside!!! We vaccinate, with accommodation, and “blending in” vs “standing in” …lovin’ Self in “Your Own Skin” & standing!!!- Just you!!!! Blending in….with the “Fly” external presentation….appearing so wonderful… “Blending” …carcass…. Dying within from the pain of the desire for freedom….the desire to just be ….wondering of the “Joy” to free yourself, of the internal bondage of Self- hatred!! ….freedom from the bondage of low self-esteem, which “we,” so many, still refuse to claim!!!! It is!!! When you believe changing who you are, to be pleas…ing…. ….for someone who could give a damn about your heart- About Your Soul…. About “You”!!!! And Internally, your dying daily… How would they know? Do you love yourself enough to search within You? To find the things that make You do what You do? I’d been told by my Grandma to, “Leave the past, in the past!!!!” But!! I’d have never known why she shed those tears at night…. if I would have just accepted it!!! and leave it!!!.....leave my people starving for themselves!!!!, ….Without a clue how to truly love Self!!! If I had just left it!!!! I never would have known why my mama cried at night, and why sometimes she still does!!!! If….If I would have left it…Just left the past in the past!!!!! If…I would have just left things alone….left them the way they were…the way they are….!!!! I never would have known why my daddy cried & drank himself sick, almost every day of his living life!!!! …………….If I had just left it!! I can’t!! My heart won’t let me, if I try!!! I am a seeker!!! A seeker of truth!!! It’s because, I love me, and It is because I love you!!! …that I can never just accept what I’ve lived through!!..... …which is nothing!! Compared to what Our Elders survived and died for!!! It’s because My Soul won’t lie still and digest, that accepting!!!, that the shades of our colors!!!... ….that the many shades that lie within Our Blackness, are divisions!!! I regurgitate the notion!!! ….that these forced wedges within & throughout us…that it is Our only way! It is not!!! It is not!!! And I refuse to accept the suggestions that “It’s just the way it is.” Well the way it is, don’t fly well in my wind!!! I’m here My Loves, to send you a message: ….that we are shades of many, hair textures of plenty and the diversity within our blackness, is what makes us unique, a one-of-a-kind, and Blessed people. There is no need to change for the likes of any others- Change for the love of You!!! Know Your history, so that You will know, that there’s more than enough reason to Love You!!! You & Me- We were created in the Glory of the Eyes of a Creator/tress, who makes no error….creating uniqueness in every single detail & shade, with pleasure!!!! I love Our Many Shades of Black, and without them, what color would the world be? Colorless. I said, without Our Many Shades, what color would the world be My Twin Sisters, My Brothers & Sisters!!? Without Natural, without kinky……there would be no curly…..there would be no wavy No. Without “You as created”…..What would this world be? It takes us all, to make this grand variety!! Straight. Colorless. You better look inside, ….let’s teach Our Children there’s nothing to hide!! There’s no reason, not to know where it all began, … otherwise, How can you heal & mend Your broken hearts? How can you teach, if you haven’t been taught? Love Yourself!!! Know Yourself!! Our Many Shades of Black are Beautiful!!!!! © LeTisha.Bowie 4/15/2012

Black History for Eternity Presents more of us.......

I look at the world

BY LANGSTON HUGHES

I look at the world

From awakening eyes in a black face—

And this is what I see:

This fenced-off narrow space   

Assigned to me.

I look then at the silly walls

Through dark eyes in a dark face—

And this is what I know:

That all these walls oppression builds

Will have to go!

I look at my own body   

With eyes no longer blind—

And I see that my own hands can make

The world that's in my mind.

Then let us hurry, comrades,

The road to find.