My Brothers Keeper

“How many times have you been arrested? How many times have you been charged with a crime? How many felony convictions? How many misdemeanors? Contact your lawyer and ask him to send you a copy of your criminal history. Add together the days, months and years you’ve spent behind bars. I’m not speaking for anyone else but this is the amount of time you’ve robbed me of. This is the time that you’ve taken from being my big brother. This is the time you’ve taken from grandma, mom, your siblings, your wife, your kids, your extended family and friends. You have taken YOU away so much, so often that you don’t realize how it affects me. I can’t call you to run ideas or problems by you, can’t meet you for breakfast, couldn’t even invite you to my graduation man. So if I sound like I’m mad or disappointed; fuck yeah! You’ve been leaving me for institutions and jails since we were small kids. Deep down inside I’m not angry. I’m hurt. You left me and you keep leaving me. The greatest crime you commit is when you make the conscious decision to engage in criminal, illegal, immoral, unlawful behavior that results in you being locked away from your family. You keep saying that nobody’s here for you. Motherfucker you ain’t here for us. You left us, we didn’t leave you. We’re still right here! If you were here, living in the freedom that God gave you then maybe you could rush and send yourself that paperwork necessary to get back the freedom that YOU chose to surrender in the first place. I’m your baby brother; always will be and I will always love you but that bull about nobody coming to see you or sending you anything – Save It. You ain’t supposed to go to jail in the first damn place. Unless it’s an emergency, I’m not calling your lawyer or looking your case up online because you shouldn’t even have a case. I know you want to get out but if I was the judge and you couldn’t produce a plan, proposal or at least some idea of what you plan to do if/when you get out; then you ain’t going nowhere. You’re gonna set yourself up to repeat the same mistakes. Push for a release but have a plan upon release. Have some idea of what your life could be or the streets will devise one for you. Grandma gave me some money for graduating. Don’t tell her but I’m sending you half of it. I love you and I miss you.” I came across this letter written by a first generation college graduate while I was doing research for ‘The P Code’ (an original stage play). While everyone else was celebrating, he was writing.

Strafire Council invades Detox Therapy Session!

Ty Stuckey & Wayne Box Miller

When I think of poetry…When I think of poets in Cincinnati – I think about,

 Wayne “Box” Miller and Ty Stuckey. Cincinnati has a plethora of talented poets but these two are different. I won’t take the time to list each individuals accomplishments for they are too, too many. Instead, allow me to simply say from my perspective why these two stand out. They are consistent, actively involved in the community and totally approachable.

They’ve been supporting and performing poetry locally for years. Rather it be on the microphone or behind the scenes, they make it happen. In their own way, I have personally heard them speak up and speak out on issues such as; gun violence in our community, sports and education, equal employment opportunity and entrepreneurial strategies. I have found that it doesn’t matter if I see them at a business luncheon, a book signing, a private dinner engagement or run into them at a coffee shop; they always have time for a kind hello and words of encouragement.

So, to you, Ty Stuckey and Wayne “Box” Miller; Mac Daddy’s of the mic, Crooner’s of Spoken-Word Cool, Improvisational Professionals and Pillars of the community, THANK YOU!!!! For teaching me that I don’t have to be that ‘angry-poet’. Thank you for teaching me that it is good to aspire to be a ‘role-model’ in my own way. And thank you for teaching me that above all else, without love for self, family and community, it is all vanity.

p.s.

Box, The book is definitely for the GROWN and sexy. Thanks for my autographed copy bro but that’s just too much damn homework for a ‘single’ man. I wrote my letter and I’m sticking it in the mailbox today. Can a brother get an ‘A’ for effort?!

'TIS A GREAT DAY'

Tis a great day to think about you. Tis a great day to think.

Thighs peeping through your sundress, head laid back on a head rest. Your smile is so sexy that I can feel its caress. Ears, naval, and nose rings setting off detectors and reflecting sun beams. Oh how I’m blinded but not by sex; it’s the mere possibility of what you do next. Strut across my playground. Lay my life down for your silhouette. Can’t keep a straight face. Where’s my straight jacket? Picture of your back tatted on my dome. I’m the only one home and my neighbors question all the racket.  Arguing with logic for a chance to stare at it. Obscene magic and I’m attracted to the illusion of you in a sundress, head on my headrest. Tis a great day…

…BUT IT DON’T STOP. Time passes and I think I’m healed then a song, a scene or a scent reveals that still…I long to feel. To feel that one kiss. To experience that one bliss. Occasionally I long for this and ‘this’, be you. Unsheltered, unguarded and unwatched by telling eyes waiting to televise how much you dig quiet time with your hips planted against the front door. Grown enough to ask for more without saying a word. I’ll be at this all day until I hear you say, ‘Come on over’.

So I’m going to fry up some fish and smell up my house because I can’t think of another good excuse for you not to come over. How much poetry should I spit? How many gifts should you get? Tired of grinds masked in a hug, pretending that I’m pretending that ‘hello’ is good enough. Damn, well actually it is for that part of me living secretly, writing poetry, and wondering if you’re over me. In other words; are you still out of reach? Hide-n-seek champion. Just when I think I’ve got a chance then someone else is tagging you. Dishy dishy got my ice cream. Making wet dreams until there ain’t any left. Dag! Got it so bad I’m bragging about you to my own self. You’re top shelf but come down selector. Don’t stay out of reach. Maybe I’m having issues with my phone because the thought of you not wanting to call when I’m alone at home just don’t seem authentic. Pretending that I’m pretending to be patient but for real, I’m just waiting for you to say, ‘Come on over’.

Conver-sutra; verbal stimulation cooler than a breeze n squeeze round your areolasphere. Well now, what we got here? You gone put my eye out all excited like that. Meant to write it like that. Throw it off the balcony while I run round back and catch it like a bullet between my teeth. Spitting hot lead till waters shed from your rain forest to silk sheets. Bare feet, doors squeak and before you can blink 3 times, I'm cooking breakfast and running bath water. Thoughts of good touches gotcha smiling and why not? You ought to. Smell like rose pedals in your Fubu cause every step you take leaves a good scent boo. Who sent you? Call you AfroNu cause you be in them AfroNubian catalogs I write to. Ship two of you cause the one I got, I ain't never really had. That's why I keep listening so bad to hear you say, "Come on over".

Conver-sutra aficionado- in other words; I'm well aware that all words emit a certain vibration. That's why women love to talk in bed. Get it? I do. Give it too. That's why grown women like you fain the sickened, childish gestures of this new ebonic plague. Young cats have no rhythm in'em.

Conver-sutra aficionado; speaking directly to your intellect, moisturizing your libido. Made it hard for me so I fight through years and walls of idle chatter and broken English that you've been forced to drink like way too sweet Kool-Aid. Hear what I say and know I mean this; don't you ever date a lover who can't practice good English. You're a good gift; worth more than all the toys on Sunday morning Wonderama and thinking about you in that sundress has become a daytime drama. Already. Yeah. I’ve already dramatized the way that I might kiss u. First, act surprised that you're allowing me to. Second, got a shirt and it’s twice your size- off of me then on you in a doorway with hands held high- TSA and I'm scanning you. Start at the bottom then work my way around from your toes to your calves. Inverted V is pleasing to me and the middle of your "X" pose got me digging this alphabet stroll up to your rib cage. I gage at this stage u flutter more than a bird caged so I disengage long enough to see morning dew dripping from you like juice off cornbread from grandma's beef stew. Tis still a great day to think about you. Tis a great day to think. Tis a great day to hear you say, “Come on over”.

CDS 021/135

Long OVERDUE

Now that I have a moment, allow me to officially thank everyone who participated, supported and attended our very first G.O.ME! Showcase. Our goal was to gather leaders from the community who are concerned about sexual violence against our youth and young adults. Leon Starks provided the setting at the Lion of Judah Christian Center. Greg Stallworth of the ‘We Must Stop Now Tour Against Domestic Violence’, kicked it off. The Leading Ladies Christian Ministry provided the food, Monique Marie, (Nikki O.) and Jacqueline Johnson-Wilkinson, (Gifted) killed it with their poetry. Khrys Styles, Piper Davis, Kent Robinson and Lee Lavozier ‘Loe’ London brought it home with the reading of “If only I had told someone”, (stage play written by Greg Stallworth). The testimony of Theo James was riveting (he also created our power-point show). Dezia ‘Sissy’ Cook took care of the still photos and David (Silent Dave) handled the video while Marcia A. Cummings worked the power-point presentation to perfection. Mike Coaston directed parking and Shaquora Shai Oli Oliver handled the stats.

Someone said there would have been more people if we’d attached a “big name” to our event. Really? I thought since it was free and the sole purpose of what we are doing is to help youth/young adults speak up, and speak out against sex abuse, that was big enough. Another someone later said, ‘In these hard times, if people could see a way to make money from it they might show up”. Ok, that's going too far. No matter how bleak times are economically, I will never believe that humanity’s center has shifted so much that most of us are thinking that if we cannot figure out a way to pimp a program designed to help save our children then we would prefer not to get involved. So with that, the Showcase was a success. In fact, we received an invitation, on the spot, to present our program to a group of students at Walnut Hills High School on Thursday, April 12, 2012. G.O.ME! is showing up and the message will go forth.

Again, thank you to everyone who attended and helped to make our first Showcase a success.

The Detox Therapy Session w Paul Komarek

Next on the Detox Therapy Session: wvqc.wildapricot.org

95.7 FM

Independent radio in Cincinnati, Ohio

Paul Komarek: author, consultant and educator who has worked on tough social problems for over 30 years. He has worked for the Social Security Administration, Catholic Social Services, and the Urban League. His clients have included YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Joseph House for Homeless Veterans, Collaborative Law Center, the Center for Mediation of Disputes, Envision Learning Center, HOPE4CHANGE Business Development Center, and Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy. His training program, "Working with People with Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System," has been presented in courts and jails across Ohio, and has become mandatory training for deputy jailers in Kentucky. In 2010-2011 he led a local planning initiative aimed at creating a system of volunteer-delivered mediation and restorative justice programs to divert misdemeanor cases from court. His book Defying Mental Illness: Finding Recovery with Community Resources and Family Support, has been drawing 5-star reviews on Amazon.com. Learn more about Paul Komarek at www.humanintervention.net. Follow Paul Komarek on Twitter @pkomarek

Educators, Youth coordinators, Soc.svc prov. and Community Ldrs

Calling all Educators, Youth program coordinators, Social service providers and Community Leaders to the free Get Off ME! Showcase happening at 1:00 PM, on March 31, 2012 at the Lion of Judah Christian Center. 4400 Hamilton Avenue in Northside, Ohio. We will be showcasing our one hour workshop designed to encourage and empower at risk youth/young adults who are, or, have been victims of sexual abuse. Our primary objective is to inform and remind our youth that they have a Voice through spoken word poetry, story-telling and drama.

Perhaps what we’re doing is neither new nor innovative.  Perhaps you’ve already had the talk about ‘good touch’ vs. ‘bad touch’ or maybe you’re comfortable in holding fast to the belief that, “I am NOT my brother’s keeper.” Or maybe you don’t know any children so the breaking news of: ‘High school teacher has sex with student’, ‘Eighteen year old reports being assaulted on campus’, ‘Sex slave trafficking in the US is on the rise’, ‘Another Hollywood celebrity reveals shocking truth about childhood abuse’ or ‘Young woman shot and killed because she finally decided to tell her mother that the father of her child, is actually the mother’s boyfriend’, maybe these breaking news updates don’t bother you at all but there are a few people out here who would like to try and make a difference.

Second to parents, educators have the most contact with our children…so we need you. Those who oversee our youth during extra-curricular activities, (sports, girl/boy scouts, visual/performing arts, youth leadership programs, ect… we need you. Abuse is not deterred by one’s religious affiliation and neither are we, so to all religious youth leaders, youth choir directors and what not…we need you. College (health and safety, fraternity, sorority, student union or community outreach) leaders…we need you.

Local social service agencies; you are hereby put on notice. What happens if the message, (G.O.ME!) gets out and suddenly a wave of youth and young adults feel empowered and begin to flood your phone lines for help? G.O.ME! will encourage them to speak up and speak out and seek ‘Professional’ assistance. That’s where you come in. Someone suggested to me that they would inform the child to first tell the parent(s). Suppose the parent is responsible for the abuse? Then what? That’s why, WE NEED YOU.

Again, this is a FREE event and refreshments will be provided by the Leading Ladies Christian Ministry. Who are the ‘Leading Ladies’? Remember that old lady in your neighborhood or in your church when you were little that told everything you did? The one who would come outside in that tattered robe and break up fights, drag you by the ear and give you a spanking all the way home then tell your parents where you were, what you were doing, why she spanked you and then invite your mother to her church revival? The same lady who made sure you had a quarter to put in the collection plate right before she threatened to hit you upside the head for not paying attention in church? The same lady who cooked and delivered chicken noodle soup to your family when everybody got sick? Reminded you that it wasn’t safe to play in the street? Gave you money and a card when you finally graduated from school…then gave you a little extra when she found out that you were going to college? Well, she’s back with reinforcements. These ladies are committed in their faith and believe in charity. Sort of like Mary and Martha; they love God but don’t expect them to just sit around and do nothing.

Not too late to register via cincygome@gmail.com

See you on the 31^st!!!!!!!!!!

Greg Stallworth and I often have to remind one another to remember just WHY we’re doing this. And in doing so, occasionally we have to remind one another that we have to have thick skin. That there are times when dealing with such a sensitive issue, we let all of our guards down and are completely vulnerable. Well, during the course of sending out invitations I got an email from an educator that I respect highly. It was a reply to the G.O.ME! Reminder that simply said, “Unsubscribe”. Initially I was puzzled but I was having such a good day with my daughter that I tried not to think much of it so I responded by saying, “Thank you. Will do”.  Then I completely deleted the individual from my list of contacts. I thought, man, how could you not want to be a part of a message that solicits to encourage and empower our youth to speak up for themselves? As an educator in the public school system, how dare you?! Then my daughter went to sleep and in the stillness of things I was reminded of several, very important insights: I don’t know what everyone else is going through or has been through. Not only children but adults are trying to recover from a barrage of issues and perhaps traumatic experiences that may haunt them to this very day. I was reminded of the time my mother told me when I was a very young man, “Baby, this is America. People have the right and the freedom to do, say and think what choose. Period”. Then I was reminded that no matter what anybody else does, thinks or feels, I need to and will be challenged to re-think and examine again my own motives to ensure myself that I’m being, (to the best of my ability), true to my own inner voice. I thought about that and I thought about some child, right now, crying on the outside while dying on the inside because he/she is on the verge of being assaulted again and no one has shared a word of empowerment, letting them know that it is their right, their prerogative, their inherent, irrevocable choice to exclaim, “Get Off ME!”

How selfish and petty am I to have my feelings hurt by, “Unsubscribe”?

Later I received another email from that same educator that I respect so highly. It said, and I’m paraphrasing,

“Thanks for doing what you’re doing. Going through some things and can only handle so much right now”.

Wow. Please forgive me. I’m sorry. Like a small child to a music box w/o batteries; how often are we too quick to throw away a blessing because it won’t play for us Right Now?

I Need ALL my contacts.

The G.O.ME! Showcase will start at 1PM on March 31st and for you historians who plan to attend, (2) fiftten minute tours of the Historic Lion Of Judah Christian Center will take place starting at 12:25. Located at 4400 Hamilton Ave in beautiful Northside, Ohio and only 3 occupants in it's one hundred years of exixtance. Designed by Glen Parker and inspired by his love for ballroom dancing, the 2nd floor boasts a beautiful dome ceiling. It is said to have been home to The Knights of Columbus and a well known Cincinnatian who prefers not to be identified. If the faint sounds of music boxes and toy trains fills the back hallway, dont call Ghostbusters. Someone collected these elaborate items and used the center for storage...once upon a time. See you there

G.O.ME Showcase

Get Off ME Showcase in 30 days, March 31st at Lion of Judah. Showcase to feature Cincinncti, OH actors, poets and story-tellers addressing the issue of child sex abuse in a Free one hour workshop. Register at www.cincygome@gmail.com