Help me Most High to live each day so I can truly say: I loved You with all my heart Followed in Your prescribed path I pursued my dreams Got up when I fell And tried and tried again I won some and I lost some Settled for nothing but the best I was good …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 20: I Affirm Today to Live With No Regrets©
One of the good-good gifts of The Most High God—NATURE! It’s morning where I am in the world and it’s evolving into a beautiful gift which I’d like to share with you in this short video clip and photo montage with one intent: to bless you as I’m being blessed right now. Thank You creator-God! …
I’m not a patient person. No judgment. Just saying. Knowing, however, that patience is indeed a virtue I’ve been praying specifically for patience. And this prayer has truly been an object lesson in “careful what you pray for, you just may get it”. I don’t know if I thought God would have waved a “magic …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 19: I Affirm Today to Find Peace In the Waiting
Today I affirm and reaffirm to let God be my Most High. Period! That’s it! Photo provided by Pexels Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Written for today’s Fandango One Word Challenge: focus #FOWC Unending lists of things “to-do”, less check marks on the side Moving hither, moving thither, all around is stimuli Linking breath with motion, getting present in body and mind Breathing-in-breathing-out, finding equilibrium Finding mountain, finding drishti, meeting palms at center of heart Pressing foot into inner …
Betraying yourself is being unfaithful to the authentic you. The you with all your weaknesses, quirks and flaws. The you with all your strengths, uniqueness and flawsomeness. When was the last time you said something unkind to yourself? Maybe even using words you’d never use to someone else. Or, have you been unkind or unloving …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 17: I Affirm Today NOT to Betray Myself
It’s spring time I’m abounding with joy There’s a cute little bunny that drops by the garden each spring He’s an elusive frisky little fella Ears always at attention, pointed straight up to sky like soldier resolute to flight, not fight At best I’ve managed only to stare longingly at “His Royal Cuteness” Face pressed …
Have you ever met “they”? You know that all-encompassing “they” that direct and control your life course, your choices, your happiness? The “they” in “what will they say?” or “what will they think?” But, they don’t live your life, do they? Then why should their opinion matter as much as they do, or at all? …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 16: I Affirm Today, Only My Opinion Matters
Why do I celebrate my birthday or do something meaningful to mark the day? It’s for one reason only: my birthday is a reminder of the moment in time that God designated as “mine”. I was born with a purpose-tag on me, and every day I’m afforded life it’s a reminder that my purpose-tag is …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 15: I Affirm Today to Live in Purpose (Haiku)
Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Shout out to Gottfried over at https://banterrepublic.blog/ (a fantastic blog) who single-handedly broke the record of most likes in one day. One love @Gottfried. You totally rock!!!! Thanks!!! Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Beforeword: I was searching through email for something and came across this message. At the time, I had just moved to NY for work. On the day I wrote this email, I was sitting on the cusp of history being changed and didn’t know it ... Last Thursday, after a day of trekking through New …
Life is a journey, and we each have our unique way to move through it. But, no matter how different our journeys will be, we all will end life in the same way. Different journeys, similar destination. The state you’ll be in when you arrive at the destination is based on the choices you make …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 13: I Affirm Today to Trust My Journey
Today the blog reached another milestone—100 follows! Yippee 🥳 THANKS to each of you. I appreciate you so much—you’re part of the motivation for my writing. From Mauritius to Macedonia, from Ghana to Sudan my words have traversed the globe connecting with people in places I’ve never been: how incredible is this?! THANK YOU! I …
Basing your happiness on anyone besides yourself is giving people way too much power over your life. Period! Happiness is subjective, stimulated from within. It won’t be achieved based on acquiring things but the extent to which you’re satisfied with and grateful for what you have and use it to the benefit of others. This …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 12: I Affirm Today NOT to Base My Happiness on Externals
We all have scars. Whether visible—from physical wounds, or invisible—from soul wounds. Scars are the evidence and reminder of a wounding or a traumatic experience. But, no experience is wasted. “Everything in life is happening to grow you up, to fill you up, to help you become more of who you were created to be” …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 11: I Affirm Today to Wear My Scars Like Beauty Marks
Life is for more than just surviving. The Bible says it this way—life can be lived not just abundantly, but “more abundantly”. That means not just surviving life, but thriving in life. A thriving life will look different for each of us. I’m aiming to show up to each day fierce and bold; and to …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 10: I Affirm Today to Thrive
word of the day—RELEASE—to allow substance to flow out of What’s done, is done Release yourself from what is done for it cannot be undone But, you may do differently A good starting point is forgiving yourself Self-forgiveness will open you up to receive grace, compassion, healing, restoration, love Thank you for reading! Follow the …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 9: I Affirm Today, Self-forgiveness
Word of the day—PURPOSED—to have as one's intention or objective I read somewhere a definition of FEAR as False Evidence Appearing Real, and it stuck with me. The biggest obstacle to leveling up in life, love or relationship is F.E.A.R. The fear of rejection, or of failure, or of what someone may say. But, if …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 8: I Affirm Today to Level Up
Word of the Day: RELEASE—to be relieved from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses To have the YOU that isn’t defined by the hurts or losses of your past, means letting go mentally and emotionally. Letting go doesn’t mean “getting rid of”, but “letting it be”. Release. Truth is, you can’t receive the now when …
Word of the Day: LOVE—an intense feeling of deep affection Never make excuses for the way your heart loves Love ❤️ honestly Love ❤️ naturally Love ❤️ completely Love the way your heart knows how to love Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Word of the day: STORY—telling an account of imaginary or real people and events What is the story you’re telling yourself? Whose story is it anyway? As the day unfolds, inevitably we’ll tell ourselves stories about what’s happening around us—in our own lives, about people we’re interacting with, and about ourselves. The story or narrative …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 5: I Affirm Today to Tell My Story Like It Really Is
Here I am again, this vaguely familiar place Miles away from all that matters Memories of you bring soft smiles to my face Although you and I are in different parts of the world tonight I wonder what you’re doing, if you’re thinking of me This distance keeps us from touching, that just ain’t right …
Word of the day: COMPROMISE—accepting standards that are lower than what is desirable Going along to get along, or to be liked, is the worse kind of compromise. Why? Because it means you’ve given up something that you value to please someone else. The reason maybe you want to be liked or you want to …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 4: I Affirm Today Not to Compromise at My Heart’s Expense
Celebrating this milestone with YOU—the you who read the words I write, the you who show your appreciation and encourage me with comments and “likes”—THANK YOU! The journey continues. I remain motivated by your interactions with the words I write, the thoughts I express and my perspectives on this beautiful complicated “thing” we must live—life! …
Word of the day:INTROSPECTION—to observe/examine your own mental & emotional processes You have a voice—not just the sound you utter through your mouth; but the power to express your opinion and attitude. Be bold and confident and own that voice in your head. Your voice is the embodiment of who you are—your voice is your …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 3: I Affirm Today to Speak My Truth
Word of the day: RESOLUTE—to be admirably purposeful, determined, unwavering It takes courage to be your unique authentic self, to be resolute in who you are at the core, to “do you” when everything else and everyone else around you screams at you to fit in a mold/in the status quo/in what is expected. When …
Continue reading BirthMONTH—Day 2: I Affirm Today to Stand in My Truth
Before word: Today marks the start of my birthMONTH. Yes, I don’t just celebrate birthdays I celebrate the entire month. I’m dedicating this month to blog words of affirmation, celebration, gratitude and life. Please join me in celebrating with/through words. Quietly, quiet Change, through seasons renewingLife, in makeover Thank you for reading! Follow the blog …
Continue reading BirthMONTH Day 1: I Affirm Today I’m A Work in Progress (Haiku)
I wish you love of the purest kind Love that never lays the blame Even when the cause is clear Love that says I’ll help you tame That heated temper when it flares Love that doesn’t mind being wrong Keeping vows made in tact and strong Love that always generates a smile Melting away, bridging …
with graceful ease you gave your children lifefrom the deepest and loveliest part of youyou shaped and molded us into the strong and dark image of youwith your lush vegetation you adequately provided for usyou sheltered us from the sweltering sunfrom the bowels of your soul came treasures untoldalways, you make us strong—MAMMA then the …
When I’m alone and missing you, my mind goes back to yesterday I can’t remember when we first met It seems you’ve always been there In my dreams your face eluded my glance But I loved you just the same When I’m alone and missing you, I think of yesterday When I’m alone and missing …
Here it comes again Living in the past What could have been, should have been Deception Preconceived notions Not knowing what she thought she knew so well Discovering beliefs Navigating norms Wishing things were different If only she could change, erase Hoping about impossible situations Retaking pathways of pain previously travelled Not letting go Troubled …
Before-word: Long before the written text, poetry existed. It was the reciting to memorize genealogy, laws and culture. It was the verbal incantation of hymns, love songs and chants. It was the conveyor of prayers, stories, historical accounts, and instructions for everyday living. Long before colonial conquest—from the Nile to the Volta River valleys, from …
Before-word: Poetry has the unique ability to capture and reflect the creative nature of our souls; and, to evoke authentic expressions of one’s self, culture, norms or mores. In this tribute piece to World Poetry Day 2021, I personified poetry as the embodiment of my being. i am POETRY Embodiment of rhythms and rhymesMetaphorical language …
Continue reading i am POETRY©: A tribute to World Poetry Day
The longer I live The less I need: Just Words Love And You
... yeah, she gotta love jones—for him: It’s the handsome way he stands out in a crowd Strong muscular features that complement Chiseled angles of caramel-toned face Perfectly-formed brows arched protectively over Pools of dark-brown eyes Eyes that glitter with mischief, laughter and delight Or, could it be nose gently protruding Above the sensuous pout …
Death walked into life Stole what would not be given The affection of a daughter The love of a mother The endearment of a sister The protection of an aunt The kindness of a friend Death stole life. Life not fully lived, suddenly taken Gone, but will never be forgotten In my heart I’ll keep …
My friends tell me I can see You treat me wrong I'm not as strong I just can't be without you I close my eyes, you come to me In memories so strong, I feel you You make me laugh, then make me cry You make me hurt, yet ache for you You know me …
The loneliest days are when I’m alone and missing you It’s when I have a day off And know you do too Or when a plane goes by Knowing it could have taken me to you It’s when I walk through the park And other lovers hold hands the way we use to Or when …
Unassuming Void of unreal expectations Given unconditionally Asking for nothing in return Not fallen into Mutually given and received Appreciated, prized above all things Accepting the little as gratefully as the big This is what I’ve found in you Thank you for loving me with a simple love Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 …
Sorry that I’ve hurt you It’s the last thing I wanted to do Words spoken aren’t always kind When you speak what’s on your mind Things aren’t the same like in the start This distance keeps us too long apart When I need you, you can’t be there At night, pillows absorb the tears Hopes …
Because of you, there’s a new reason for being Life is lived from a deeper meaning Because of you, I go at a slower pace There’s a smile more often on my face Because of you, now I can see The deepest side of the secret me You’ve entered my life, and helped me to …
I always wished upon a star A star that hangs on high so far I wished for someone who would dare To steal my heart and make me care My twinkle, twinkle little star Tonight you seem so very far Right now I wish that you’d fall Upon my lover and make him call Thank …
Is it the whimper in a baby’s cryOr the joy from laughter thrilling? Is it the uncertainty in a child’s first wordOr the surety of life’s final word slipping? Is it the warmth of a friend’s bare-hugOr the fragrance of spring-flower’s blooming? Is it the dew drops of morn’s early dawnOr evening’s sun crimson-like setting? Is …
Before-word: I wrote this piece in response to my friends’ varied reactions after I chopped off my dreadlocks a few years ago. Many (MANY) of my friends were aghast and sent me a range of reactions: “Why did you cut your beautiful locks?” “You hair was so beautiful !” Truth is, for the longest while …
Continue reading Ode To My Hair© (in honor of Black History Month)
LaughterShe glides Among sunflowersRicochets Across fields of emotions Pleasure-Happiness-Joy She collides, intertwinesUproariously-Unabashedly-EscapesShe collides, intertwinesPleasure-Happiness-JoyAcross fields of emotionsRicochets Among sunflowers She glides Laughter Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Snow laden branchesWhite as far as eye can seeTill she appears, red Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
She’s the beat in my heartThe air in my breathThe spirit in my soul She’s entwined in the melanin of my skinThe rhythm of my stepsThe swing of my hips She flaunts in the kink of my hairThe roundness of my noseThe fullness of my lips She’s the lineage in my genesThe legacy in my …
Before-word: Dedicated to my brave and courageous sistah-friend. This piece was influenced by her latest episode which she bravely shared on social media and embraced what she called “spark of madness”. She’s braveThis female friend of mineWrestling with her mindRiding the emotional swings of low to highShe fightsLooking up from below sadness, fighting throughShe writes, …
Accept you as you areBelieve in the good, do goodCultivate an attitude of gratitudeDo what you love, do you Embrace the flawsFind peace of mindGive with no expectationsHappiness is fleeting, create joy Invest in experiences, things are ephemeral Jump around in bed some times, find your inner child Kindness is life-changing, be a kind human …
He’s a man of emotions deep, like ocean’s untapped places and out-of-this-world spaces Intense, they flow like liquid gold from deep within a furnaced heart, words clothed in sultry endearment Each, a languag of intimate expressions of deep emotional proportions Babe Beautiful My queen My love Each call-out expressing the epitome of affections deep, attaching …
Before-word: during a recent office retreat, the facilitator used murmuration to describe the working method of our team. We’ve had to be quite resilient in delivering services and support to the beneficiaries we serve while taking care of our wellbeing. We work to address challenging areas of social development such as human rights, equity and …
if I Took Off The Maskfully Unveiled Meopened Up My Heartrevealed The Real Methe Me No One Else Seescould You Really Love Me?love Me Just As I AmUNCONDITIONALLY? if I Let Go Of The Hurtfrailty From The Brokenness Withintrusted You With All Of Meloosened My Graspletting Go And Letting Youwould You Really Love Me?love Me …
he looked the epitome of love submit I must surrender I will transform I did evolved I am in love with love Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee 👈
Before-word: long before COVID-19 many people felt socially isolated and lonely. This was exacerbated with efforts to reduce the spread of the virus such as stay-at-home orders, social distancing and quarantine. In an age where we are most socially connected (digitally), we are the most isolated (humanly). How many are slumped over (literally and figuratively) …
Before-word: Some days are hard. You don’t want to get out of bed; and when you do, you wish the day was over. Lean into the cause of dismay/hurt/pain. Honor the emotional place where you are. Validate your feelings. And know that it’s okay to not be okay. When I’ve looked retrospectively at my hardest …
Before-word: On this historical day in US political history, I’m trying my hand at the Haiku (5-7-5 syllable, 3 lines form) in tribute to Kamala Harris. Haiku are usually written about nature, the seasons, a beautiful moment in nature, an emotional experience while in nature, or change. A haiku should share a special moment of …
Before-word: And concluding the series with a Tanka. I structured this Tanka with a 5/7/5/7/7 syllable structure, it has 5 lines and a pivot. The pivot is intended to apply to the first 2 lines as well as the last 2 lines. The last 2 lines use simile and complement the first 3 lines. True …
Continue reading Exploring Types of Poem Series: #4 Tanka Poetry
You chose to follow my blog — THANK YOU! I couldn’t have gotten this “badge” without each of you. I know you have thousands of writers to follow and you chose this space—to read my words and to give my voice audience. I commit to continue to being transparent and to write authentically while speaking …
Before-word: Next up in my exploration of writing different types of poem is the Haiga, also called observational poem as they comprise three art forms: imagery (photos or original art), poetry (haiku or senryu) and calligraphy. The accompanying image cannot complete the poetry but should add to the reader's appreciation of the piece (contrasting or …
Before-word: Today I’m trying the Haiku (5-7-5 syllable, 3 lines form). Haiku are usually written about nature, the seasons, a beautiful moment in nature, an emotional experience while in nature, or change. A haiku should share a special moment of awareness with the reader. Did I accomplish that in this piece? Emotions cascadingPainting rainbow in …
Everyday you become my poem to-beMy Muse reblog from yassy66.wordpress.com
Before-word: trying my hand at a traditional Senryu sequence which means using 3 lines with 5 syllables in the 1st line, 7 in the 2nd and 5 in the last line (5/7/5); and written in the present tense without rhymes, metaphors or similes. A Senryu is written about love, a personal event, and should have …
Continue reading Exploring Types of Poem Series: #1 Traditional Senryu
Like Martin Luther King: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear”. His words are oh so relevant in these times: “I’m concerned about a better World. I’m concerned about justice; I’m concerned about brotherhood and sisterhood; I’m concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about that, …
This piece was commissioned by a church as part of the Pastor appreciation program. When a piece is commissioned I usually consult with the client and/or friends or family to get the backstory to create a piece that is personal and reflective of the context the client wishes to convey. In this case, it was …
It's in the way you know meChoose meListen to meConsole meDefend meStand by me, beside meSupport me It's in the way I know youRespect youTrust in youAdmire youDesire youConnect to you, with youSupport you Souls cleaveHearts believeDesires peakWords speakAffections growWe know Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Before-word: LOVE! “Falling” in love is euphoric. In the early stages it’s like all rational thoughts are hijacked, isn’t it?! It’s no coincidence it’s referred to as falling ... Euphoric ascension in love FALLING Eyes locked in indepth soul searching Conversations unending Hearts in unity flip-flopping Each passing moment lingering More of you and more …
Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option. Mark Twain The longer I fight for you The longer Lies Empty promises Deceit Control me The longer I fight for you The longer my heart beats pain Thank you for reading! Follow the blog👈 for more.In creative solidarity, Dee
Happiness is a vine that takes root and grows within the heart, never outside it.Kahlil Gibran It isn’t about the size of the city It’s about the people you’re with The experiences Those little moments Like Cup of hot chocolate on a snowy weekend morning Music Listening to an old record Reading by the river …
Before-word: 2020! What a year it’s been?! It started out as merry and promising as any other year. Sure, there were some rumblings about a “novel virus” but nothing to disrupt partying, merrymaking, living, working, schooling. Or so we thought. As the year is about to come to an end, as is often the case, …
