Acts of Faith - February 5th

Today's Acts Of Faith really hit home for me today. It is so funny how God works. I was conversing with a friend about my doubts and insecurities about my poetry. I've been struggling with feeling like I had to meet the level of other writers. My friend gave me the pep talk and reminded me of just how great I am and how I can't base my gifts on someone else because I am me. Shortly after having that conversation I read this in my Acts Of Faith:

Nothing can dim the light which shines from within. - Maya Angelou

Each one of us brings to the world unique talents, gifts and abilities. Even if you don't know what it is or value what you do, someone somewhere, will benefit from your presence. No one can do what you do exactly the way you do it. It is this uniqueness that makes you valuable to the world. We are each as unique and valuable as the other. It was designed that way. A gift from God. Gifts are not given on the basis of race and gender. As a matter of truth, gifts come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, When you do what you do, exactly the way you do it, you are sharing God's gifts, bestowed for the good of the world.

I have something valuable to give to the world.

THIS RIGHT HERE! was definitely the additional affirmation I needed that I am doing the right thing. At times I get doubtful and wonder if this is what God wants me to do. Last night I was surrounded by so many blessed and talented people. Individuals whom I highly respect and regard as the new aged griots of our time. I am both humbled and honored to even be in the presence of these people and on the same platform as them. I take these things I've read and heard and will continue to press on to touch people with my words.

Some Of My Favorite Designs

I did this design a while back for a mixtape. I randomly was going through my designs and came across these two. I love these so much they will be going on the portfolio section of my company website. [creativestardezign.com Coming to you soon!]

Note: I did this for free... imagine what I do when I get paid lol.

Dope Music - Menahan Street Band

I had the pleasure of hearing about this band while at The Legendary Spit Dat [LOL] 733 Euclid Avene NW [For all my DMV heads] Jay-Z actually sampled their song 'Make The Road By Walking' on his song 'Roc Boys' (And The Winner Is) I loved the original song so much that I decided to go ahead and check this band out fully. I have their album 'Make The Road By Walking' on Vinyl. So if you are looking for some REAL music. [Not the crap on the radio, check them out. TRUE musicians]


A little background about Menahan Street Band:


MENAHAN STREET BAND

The Menahan Street Band is a collaboration of musicians from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (Dave Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Fernando Velez, Bosco Mann), El Michels Affair (Leon Michels, Toby Pazner), Antibalas (Nick Movshon, Aaron Johnson) and the Budos Band (Mike Deller, Daniel Fodder), brought together by musician/producer Thomas Brenneck (Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Budos Band, Amy Winehouse) to record hits in the bedroom of his Menahan St. apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn. With influences reaching beyond the funk/soul/afrobeat architecture of their other projects into the more ethereal realms of Curtis Mayfield and Mulatu Astatke, the Menahan Street Band creates a unique new instrumental soul sound that is as raw as it is lush. Their debut album, Make the Road by Walking will be released on Dunham Records, Brenneck’s new imprint of Daptone Records, a joint venture devoted to bringing the Menahan Street sound from Brenneck’s bedroom out into the world. The album is marked by eerily quirky arrangements, featuring vibes, horns, piano, organ, percussion and even a strange bling sound that Brenneck creates by tuning and plucking the strings of his guitar on the wrong side of the bridge. However, it is not the textures themselves that make the new sound of Menahan Street so exciting, but rather the way the sounds are incorporated into the heavy rhythms and bold melodies of the compositions.

via www.daptonerecords.com

Mother To Son - Langston Hughes

Beautiful Photograph By Steve Hill

This is one of my fav poems by Langston Hughes. I believe this poem shows that we have to persevere in spite of all the things we may face in life. Some things won't be easy but God builds us up and wants us to trust totally on HIM. We cannot give up. We have to push, fight, and endure. God won't give us more than we can bear. His word says so.

Mother to Son

BY LANGSTON HUGHES

Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

He's Complex Like The Magazine

This cover is so innovative and artistically sound. I love it! Cudi looks like a Super Hero. I may just frame it lol. The interview was great as well. If you haven't read it check it out: http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Cover-Story/Kid-Cudi

DC's Diamonds In The Rough Show/Thoughts

StarChild Fact: I am always extremely nervous before shows. It's like the inside of my body is havin a bad party lol. I always worry about how my work will be perceived or if I can get over the jitters. But once I hit the stage its like I become a different person. I am a very shy person normally. But performing is a whole different realm for me.

I just wanted to take the time out to speak about the show I had last night at the Gala Theater in Washington DC. I really enjoyed the environment and getting to know fellow artists/poets. I was a great vibe. The majority of folks had a very humble attitude and genuine love and respect for each poet/artist. I really appreciate what Nelson Gadson and Jesse Gadson are doing. They are supporting this art and also getting the youth involved with their Non-Profit 'Wake Up DC' I think it is just wonderful because the youth do need an outlet and self expression is a great way to do that.

I thank everyone who sent well wishes and who were there to support the show. It was great and each time I perform I fall more in love with poetry and spoken word. To me, it is FREEDOM. It is AIR. It is my PURPOSE. I thank God for it. I am humbled by the love and support I am getting from people and it makes me want to strive to become a better writer and share my piece of the world with others. My aim is to uplift and inspire. I pray daily that I am doing that.

I also believe in this profession you have to be confident but there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. No matter how long I have been writing and performing I will always have humility because God didn't have to choose me to share this with people. He could've easily chosen someone else or he can take it away. So I will remain humble. In my eyes it is not about who is better or worse. It is about who we touch with what we voice.

Please support poets. We are changing lives and the world one piece at a time... Believe that!


PS- 'Narratives Of A Love-A-Holic' available on www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.authorhouse.com OR if you would like a signed copy. Simply e-mail me at iamaloveaholic@gmail.com

Be Blessed!

T

We Had Him ~ Maya Angelou

We Had Him

By Maya Angelou

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon.

In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.

Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.

He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.

Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.

His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.

And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Black Star Square.

In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England

We are missing Michael.

But we do know we had him, and we are the world.

A Poem I Read 2Day That I Had 2 Share

The U in JesUs

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God even stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand,
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true,
That I love them all - Just like I love U."
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U.
--- Author Unknown

RainDrops - 'ASC' 2010

I overhear raindrops on my window.
Reminiscent of copious caresses as your lips stroke mine.
Heartbeats rapidly racing against the quiver in my pelvis as we...
Embrace the droplets.
Entwined spirits dancing in puddles.
Ballads recorded over thunder...
Thirst extinguished when my...
Body felt your fingertips.
Conquering the drought that once consumed us.
You are paradise anchored in my oceanic insides.
We...
Authorize the lightening to snap photographs of our sybaritic silhouettes.
Unabridged orgasms prescribing doses of silky caramel kinship...
Arising as I...
Left sunbeams along your ribs after the rain ceased between my thighs.
Isolated torrents in the satin we christen as we...
Embrace the droplets.
Washing away yesterday's blunders to...
Create tomorrow's triumphs.
My...
How I adore the rain.

© Tisean M. Bell Author of 'Narratives Of A Love-A-Holic' & 'ASC'

Man On The Moon Wallpaper

Most of you who know me know that I absolutely adore Kid Cudi... I think he is one of the most refreshing artists out right now and I identify with him and his music alot. He recently broke down Man on the Moon and how it is a metaphor for his life. Cudi is definitely in a league of his own. I respect him a lot because he is just simply being himself. Something not too many people can honestly say they are doing. So anyway, I designed a wallpaper for it. Found a really dope pic of Cudi I liked and ran with it. Maybe one day he will see it. The passion for design remains when I am inspired and Cudi has fueled a lot of inspiration in me.
Man On The Moon: End Of Day September 15,2009.

Dopeness - Queen God Is

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT! RELEASE DATE!

Peace Family,

Firstly I would like to thank all of you who have joined the family and those who have been continually supporting me and my poetry. This has been a long time coming and finally the dream has been realized. The release date has been set. My publisher surprised me and finished all the services early! Isn't that GREAT! lol... So instead of June *drum roll* LOL...

Now that my mother has the VERY FIRST printed copy of my book 'Narratives Of A Love-A-Holic'. The Release date is MAY 12, 2009! I REPEAT May 12th 2009! That is 13 days away! And guess what that is also the day I graduate from Kean University with my Master's Of Science Degree in Graphic Communications Technology Management. WHAT A GRADUATION GIFT RIGHT? Well I am asking all of you guys! My Supporters to PLEASE purchase a copy of my book on that day and beyond! Please support this dream and movement. I PROMISE you guys won't be disappointed. This poetry is true life! It's not cliche! It is not corny! LOL... It is real... things from my heart and soul! So please support!

The book is $12.50... That is approximately 96 cents a day that you can put away until May 12th! LOL... Seriously... this price is recession-friendly :)

ALSO! The first 10 people to hit me up can get an even RECESSION FRIENDLIER price of 10 dollars! :) So... hit me on the inbox and let me know you would like to purchase a copy! But you have to be one of the first 10 people! And I will notify you as to who is on the list of those 10 people!

I have been getting a lot of requests about an autographed copy! Well, if you would like an autographed copy please let me know! I don't know why people want a signature of little old me but I do this for yall! So in the words of TI "You can have whatever you likeeeeee" LOL

Alright Fam.... SAVE THE DATE! MAY 12th, 2009 - THE SAME DAY AS MY GRADUATION! HELP ME CELEBRATE BY GETTING A
COPY!

GOD IS GOOD! HE HAS BLESSED ME TO SEE A DREAM COME ALIVE RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.... TEE-PAWT... I gotta thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an inspiration to me. Thank you for even contributing to this project. I appreciate all the input... there were days some things you said kept me pushin' through to complete this and I mean that! Thank you... you are amazing!

Peace & Love!

Humbly Yours,

Tisean :)


PS- I designed the newspaper myself from scratch! YES from a plain white rectangle! It is the designer in me! I pray you guys enjoy!

Oveous Maximus

Dopeness - Kesed

Change - B. Yung

I Am A Queen - B. Yung

Freakin AciD that's all I have to say!

The Dream Has Been Realized... Narratives of a Love-A-Holic COMING SOON!

Here is the cover of my book Narratives Of A Love-A-Holic slated for JUNE 2009 release. Pictures by Tia Hall... Get into it... This book came from the depths of my heart and soul. The poetry is unlike any other kind because it is mine. I truly hope every person who reads it will gain something meaningful from it. I started writing at age 10... I never really saw myself as having a gift until words started pouring out of me with small doses of effort. The way I write is really weird to me because I don't write anything down until I am ready to commit it to memory. Most of my poems take less than 10 minutes to write. I like to think of it like music. I'm like Jay Z to a certain extent... I don't write anything down initially. I just go in the "booth" and let loose so to speak. I just look at it as God speaking through me to spread a message of love and inspiration. Poetry is my therapy. I love writing it and being around like-minded enthusiasts, poets, and spoken word artists. Updates will be coming soon as far as where to purchase the book... PLEASE SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT/DREAM!

'Try As I Might' A Poem From My Book 'Narratives Of A Love-A-Holic'

Try As I Might

Try as I might this thing never worked...
I gave all I could and it still ended
Time after time... arguments, fights...
Jealousy, rage...
Who is right? Who is wrong?
Neither.
Overprotective, Insecure...
Immaturity, foolishness...
Who is weak? Who is strong?
Neither.
Why is it when I speak it seems as if my words become muted?
Why do you talk for no reason?
Words without actions are dead.
I judge those by what they do.
Not what they say...
Lies told, empty promises...
'I will change, I will change! Please take me back!"
Here I go again, a victim of your trap.
I can't for the life of me understand why you are like this!
Hot & Cold... Up & Down...
Stability nonexistent...
Maybe I was blind...
I didn't see the warning signs.
You were single when I met you & why?
Could it be because your temper is like a monsoon
sweeping over a nation?
Could it be that you aren't at all in tune with who you are?
Is it that I was blinded by aesthetics?
A trophy huh?
Nice to look at yet holds no real value...
Irrelevant conversations, no patience, no imagination.
Just time wasted... Come on let's face it.
Years down the drain, no progress or love made mentally or physically...
My needs ignored... you run and tell people how horrible I am...
Yet you stayed... it wasn't that bad right?
No. It was damned good... good for YOU.
So really what was the purpose?
I realize it...
Fear governed this whole thing...
You were fearful of losing me...
I was fearful of leaving you...
Complacency killed it!
You were too comfortable thinking I wouldn't leave.
I was too comfortable thinking I had to stay.
Until that day... I ended it.
Finally fed up. Fuck it.
A ring for no reason.
No respect for its meaning...
A circle representing forever...
Forever is too long to wake up to you everyday...
Emptiness inside... no passion...
No desire... Happiness fleeting...
Routine bullshit... No excitement...
Not even so much as a spark!
I had to leave this emotional hell.
I'm releasing my mind from your jail.
Bondage no more...
Sweet Freedom.
Truth be told I knew it wouldn't work.
You never gave me what I needed...
Just a bunch of grief, aggravation & headache.
Yeah there were some good times.
It was all just a show.
Lying to your "People"
I was on YOU right?
NO. When we met I didn't even know who you were.
All the while pretending to be something you weren't.
The 'Representative' revisited
I pretended to be happy with it.
Potential without a purpose.
I accept my part to blame in this.
I believe you will always be fraudulent.
Putting on a performance for your fans.
Oh well, your burden to bare...
It's over... I don't care...
Like I said Fuck It.
I gave my 110%.
I can look myself in the mirror and be content.
But try as I might...
I'd be just like you, a LIAR
If I said I didn't hope some day you would change...
Sadly, I waited with unparalleled patience
and that moment never came.

© Tisean M. Bell Author of 'Narratives Of A Love-A-Holic'