Like a scene from the Huxtables
we gathered around the toilet
to say good bye to our fish Little Mike.

The news of the death brought no anxiety or stress.
We casually said good-bye and flipped him into the
toilet bowl. She was told to the flush the toilet.
She did. And at that moment it hit her. Her face
began to rain as he swirled away and out of sight.

The memories immediately swam in her mind, the reality that he was gone.
She needed a hug. She needed a minute to regroup and gain her composure.
Love in abundance was poured upon her until the pillow hugged her to sleep.
In the morn, her mind was still replaying the ciruclar disappearing act of her friend.

But that night I pondered on her lost and pain. It was baffling because she ignored the fish the last six months. Her initial joy to feed him soon turned into a chore, her glaring amazement turned into a casual look, if at all. A gift she seemed so excited about on her fourth birthday was barely recognized when she turned five.

She is my seed. Am I her? Do I take for granted those whom I love? Do I disregard the subtle cries of those who I have ignored who once felt my powerful love? Will I not recognize until it is over? Shame on me. Shame on you, if you choose to shower a deceased loved one with an emotional overflow after their departure.

My friends, let us not take anything or one for granted. Let us hold on to those things that need our embrace and let loose the items that does not merit our attention. There is such a thing as a good death. It comes from have having a good and full life. Will the next death be a good death for you? It is a shame we must learn through adversity and pain; but, it is even more baffling when we lose the lesson.

Bottom Line: If it is not over, act like it. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Blessings and Prayers
The BLAQUESMITH

A heart that yearns for love is like a hungry stomach.
The pain is bearable but constant. Some of us will eat anything.
The immediate relief gives way to more pain. You can put a lot
of things in your mouth, it does not mean it is edible. Why pay
more attention to your belly than your heart?

I walk out into the air
the breeze tickles my face
The sun warms my body

With each step I greet
different people. Some friends
Some strangers. Some enemies.
I greet them all the same.

While I walk, the clouds turn gray
the rain falls while the thunder roars
Still I walk and wave. And smile.

To forgive is divine, to forget is foolish
I know the snake. I will love the snake,
but I will keep my distance from the snake.

My actions can never be
contingent upon the actions
of others, lest they dictate my life.

The rain turns to snow
the temperature suddenly drops
I am unprepared for the weather
My lips are pressed together
Yet, I speak with love to all.

The return of the moon darkens the day
As I walk in the dark there is no fear
The sun always rises to illuminate the day

I shall stand steadfast while the elements
play merry-go-round. People change like the weather
but my love walk cannot and will not be compromised.
I do not need you to love me for me to love you.
So for me, it is always a lovely day for a walk.

A poem by DJD. Courtesy of Total Package Productions

Someone walked by the door yesterday and heard “spiritual prophylactic” and was like what kind of Sunday School lesson is this… The lesson centered around walking after the spirit and not the flesh. There is an internal war that goes on between an individual daily; and, the key to winning is to understand the battle. Many religions teach that the vast majority of our adversities, pain, sufferings, and trial can be linked back to our inability to control our own lustful thoughts.

If it is true that we are the cause, then the good news is that we can stop a lot of this turmoil by the way in which we conduct ourselves. This is easy and difficult at the same time. We know what to do, but the fact is we just don’t won’t to do it. For example, our thoughts, impure thoughts, is the conception that brings life to our transgressions. And like anything that is born, it is born to die. Why birth negativity and destruction when we can birth positivity and abundance?

Holy scripture teaches us to take captive every thought, that which is good we keep, that which is bad we should discard. See we know what to do, but it is not always easy to do. Some things we like to think about, we all have guilty pleasures that make us blush, smirk, rise, cream, etc. etc. etc. This is where we need a spiritual Jimmy hat. This prophylactic device is suppose to stop the conception. See, we will think about these things, but we must not let them have life.

Bottom Line: If you are Spiritual Minded, you will never be with out the J-I-M-M-Y, the J-I-M, because it is truly a matter of life and death. Be careful what you think it about, it just may kill you.

Blessings and Prayers
The BLAQUESMITH

If EVERYBODY is tripping, maybe, you need to re-evaluate You!

Many times in life we suffer adversity, grief, pain, and turmoil. At these times we begin to complain, become disgruntled and all out pissed off. It is even at this time we can begin to question it all, including the Supreme Being.

It is at this time, we must ask ourselves one fundamental question? Do you trust or not? If you put your hands and faith in the eternal supreme being whose understanding is infinite, how can man with limited understanding ever justify their anger?

For example, how often are children upset with their parents when they are told they can not do a certain thing, go a certain place, or hang out with a certain crowd. The child is unjustly livid and may say things verbally (or within their mind) to show their discontent while not understand how they are being protected. The child seems like a spoiled brat, but due to their cognitive limitations and experiences they cannot grasp the totality of the situation.

How many times have you seen people renounce their affiliation or love to the eternal supreme being after disaster has crawled up their back? This is a normal reaction for one with limited understanding, even great understanding. Nevertheless, it is at this time of irrationality that one must be reminded of the previous goodness and the big pictue. We sometimes get so engrossed in the present that we fail to consider all of the ways this situation may play out. In past readings I have seen Kings accept the loss of a new born infant; holy men recognize that faith must be kept even when adversity was on the horizon; righteous sentient beings knowingly give their life for a cause; comman men deal with ridicule after being unfairly tormented while never losing perspective of who has their back.

And, that is the point. It is not who is suffering now– but who will laugh in the end. If you trust in the power and omnipotence of All-That-Is then rest and know it will all work out in the end. That is not to say this will be an easy task without wandering thoughts and moments of panic; but, when the emotional waves have settled remember that I-AM never sleeps or slumbers, will take away all burdens, and bring a peace that will pass all understanding- if you will only trust.

Bottom Line: If you cannot believe in the bad times, does it even matter during the good times? Know who you trust and rest in it.

Blessings and Prayers
The BLAQUESMITH

Have you ever read a book and then discovered you do not remember anything you just read? That is because you were merely reciting words. Reading is when you can comprehend, recall and analyze what you have just recited.

Even more dangerous is to read and accept without establishing the facts of the literature. Never believe anything you have read until you have done the investigation. Criminal law teaches us that the more witnesses the stronger the case, though sheer massive number does not gurantee anything. Remember, the masses are often wrong.

Reading is fundamental. It is holds the key to knowledge. Remember, a little knowledge is dangerous. There is a Japanese Proverb that states “if you believe everything you read, better not to read.” KRS-ONE said the library is where they go to burry the lies.

Bottom Line: Don’t merely read words and believe words. Try and test the words to truly learn the words.

THe BLAQUESMITH is a wordsmith

We greet with our eyes
and share a hug.
I hold her hand gently
and give a small squeeze
She says “I love you, too.”

We hear some senseless words that remind
us of the same old joke we heard a year ago. We smile
and laugh though no words have been spoken.

Miles away I feel her pain and text to say
I am here. She returns the text and say
I needed that. How did you know?
I reply, I don’t know, I just knew.

I make her a copy of a CD of an artist she never heard of before,
she loves it. Later that week her sister says
I got a CD you are going to love.
It was the same one.

I wiggle to the left. I wiggle to the right.
My face shows the discomfort.
She scratches my back in the right spot.

We argue and fight. Both stubborn. Both miserable.
With animal intensity we make each other smile.
She brings the emotions out of me to the extreme
on each end of the spectrum. I love her. I hate her.
Let her go. She came back. I hate her. I love her.

Years have passed. We both have grown.
I slip. She cries. I still open doors, write poems
and buy flowers. She protects my ego. She believes in me.
I do a lot, but I can still do more. Through the fire.
A flame that cannot be extinguished. Past loves have bruised my ego,
but my heart has never been broken. She could break it. And when I
reallized that, that is when I knew. Yes, I do love you.

A poem by the artist formerly known as DonJuan DeGhetto.

Weather is sizzling
storms beat heavy
Need shelter.
Need food.
Need love.

Hurt and misled
by my protector
but they call me defiant
it is me against the world
must be self-reliant

Victim no more
hear the new predator roar

Force to grow up
way to fast
What they took for free
I now sell for cash

Your words ring true
me I almost was convinced
second thought
to me it makes no sense
to me that does not apply
I don’t hear your nonsense

Young dreaming
intelligent but so naive
I learned the lesson
but only after life have brought
me to my knees

Words planted long ago
I see was true
Now I must find the strength
to do what I must do
If I knew then
what I know now
If I could go back
someway somehow

I could do it better
but the hands of time
will not rewind
Life is not fair
Life is not kind

I understand my journey
my race I still will run
I have been lapped but
I will not give up
I will make it better for me
I will make it better for my son

But I fear I may be too late
For his race has already begun
and I hear the echoes from his shadow
words that pinch my soul

weather is sizzling
storms beat heavy…

A poem by Don Juan De Ghetto. Courtsey of Total Package Productions.

Nights like this I wish rain drops would ffaaaaallll. Nights like this, I wish rain drops would faaa-aaalll. Nights like this, I wish rain drops would…….. “Can’t nobody sing like Eddie Cain Jr.”

If you ever saw the movie The Five Heartbeats, this was one of the lasting scenes in the movie. This scene depicted the former lead singer of a platnium selling music group attempting to regain his place in the band. The only problem is that he had an untreated alcohol and drug problem. Eddie was having a hard time of understanding his reality, but in the same vein he never lost hope in himself. He lost himself but was not lost beyond the place to where he could be found.

The old spiritual Amazing Grace stated there was a sweet sound that surrounded one that was lost then found. In life, we all have a tendencey to drift away from the narrow road. The other wide road allows us to do many things (most we probably should not do); but, we learn just because we can do some things does not mean we have to do those things. When we are ready, the sweet music will play and the narrow path is ready for our return.
When it rains it pours, but if it is a shower of blessings, who would complain?

Bottom Line: If we can persevere through the dark night, understand that joy comes in the morning. When your night is at its darkest, know your morning is just a sunrise away.

Enjoy the sunset as the music plays
The BLAQUESMITH