Black Rose

Artwork, “Black Rose,” by Donald “C-Note” Hooker

Unique and unexpected this black rose.
Its Essence is of a rock, the strength is within…
With the stiff fluffy it does not wither.
My black is beautiful, my black is tough.
Imagine it rising from the concrete?
Think of its scent?
Here, take a whiff,
the eloquent fragrance, it’s Heaven Sent!!!!
The possibilities are endless,
just visualize its song?
The month of February Marks Its Beginning.
You see, in the mind’s eye its resilience is encouraged by the spirit of Mother Nature…
Envision this complicated living, Thug the label I was giving but I didn’t want this.
Runaway slave because I refuse to be crammed in on a slave ship.
Abandoned and rejected like Jesus Christ,
not protected as an adolescent,
not loved by Society, but Still the Lord bless me,
because every time folks strut pass me:
they gawk in amazement because I’m #Mixedish…
Hope you realize you blessed?
The trials and tribulations of a ghetto kid.,
who once didn’t love his Black skin.
Still standing strong through many storms, fingerprint of God.
Nurtured by those with loving hands facilitating its growth–
re storing Justice and healing it’s wounded pedals.
Gorgeous black rose with the life blood of a million Souls Rising through its roots straight from the concrete.

By Darryl Burnside

A Healing Place

A single Hawk Glides across the sky, a sign of Hope. Alone, i stand marveling at this beautiful place. A place of healing wounds that cannot be seen. War a distant memory. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. Here he provides me all that I need. A quiet place. He allows me to lie down in Green Pastures, a water bearer to lead me to rest beside These Quiet Waters. A pleasant place to restore my soul. Yes, I’m considered blessed no longer stressed, even though I didn’t travel through muddy waters a search of a mother’s love. Condemned, because of my father’s past transgression. Through it all I fear no evil; for you are with me. When I bowed down on one knee, trembling in defeat, it was you who Lifted me and led me to this Pleasant place of grace and mercy. Surely healing and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.

Inspired by Psalms 23

By Darryl Tyrone Burnside.

Trapped inside a pill

Trying to figure out this feeling?
This feeling is faulty and weakening
why can’t they understand?
Tell me can you understand how it feels
to be caged inside a pill?
It’s like I’m in a comatose state
I can hear you, but I give no reaction
It’s like I’m running out of time
and that’s no lie…
Tell me what’s the problem with a child running wild
but you ridicule us
cuz we can’t stay focused

See it’s a difficult task
concentrating in class
and if you laugh
shit we just might Act a Fool in class
Please I ask that you pay attention
hyperactivity without an ounce of impulse control most of us are cast to The Wind
and labeled a problem child
And please you should never call us stupid
and if you do we won’t hesitate to disrespect you
and throw some blows
just to let you know
and that was never our intentions
Now we’re forced to take a pill
That’s a contradiction
don’t shed a tear for us
cuz we really not happy here
that is not to our advantage
steady telling us it’s needed
So we’re confine to this pill….
Here’s my introduction
wasn’t well born
cause my father didn’t raise me
too busy introducing Mama to crack
It really went down like that
Sneered at behind behind my back in my teenage years
They say my intelligence low
self-esteem was broken
and that led to feelings of inadequacy
Shame and low self worth
See I rather run like super Sonic
the Hedgehog
See I was faster then most
I wish I could have told them that rest is for the weary
Big Mama kept me close
cause she sensed I was dreary
See in this disheartening state
let me be frank
it was hard for me to cope
I felt helpless
and most times like a joke
So tell me how could there be peace?
When this Ritalin wearing down
and I can finally stand on my own
I’m like catch me if you can
like Speedy Gonzalez
How can I remain in the depths of solitude
of being trapped inside a pill.

Dedicated to kids affected by ADHD, ADD and autism.

by Darryl Burnside

Dear you

Dear you….
peeping out life in my rearview

may have distorted the real view

Excuse Me Miss

Our eyes perceive what others do

still I see the true you

And I agree with Tupac words

just to stay true

Yes you’re my definition of perfection

True beauty is truly Skin Deep

that’s really all I see in you

A flawless work of art

I call you WO-MAN

and see God must’ve had a sense of humor

cause when he made you

“I’m sure he was like whoa-man”

she is fine as can be

And in my city we called them pound cakes

yes we like them thick and sweet

I know plenty of guys constantly try to run game

Just to get your name

How can I blame them?

See none of that matters when I’m speaking on matters of the heart

Cause if everything happens for a reason

then I am merely playing my cards right

I just wish to be near you

and in the end even if we’re just friends

I know by knowing you

you’ve made me a better man

And truly a really good friend

So yes it’s in we I can trust

and truly Trust

that someday dear you

Will someday become

sincerely us

by Darryl Burnside