The cypher was real, in fact it was authentic
Everything I mentioned, no doubt I meant it
Though I discuss topics that aren't debated
Everybody in the crowd smiled and related
I guess that's another one of life's contradictions
Kinda like the Qur'an I got for Christmas
But my mama encourages the pursuit of knowledge
Whether it be at work, in life, or in college
We understand the meaning of perspective
And if you don't you should at least respect it
Cause though you rap, and I write poems
We both have the power to enlight domes
The two are closer than it may seem
It can be underground or mainstream
Just be true to you, and be humble too
There's no telling in things you might do.

Preamble at the showdown the fighters eye to eye
Droning pulse of discourse from the referee is dry,
Bouncing back to my corner the butterflies take charge
For the other guy’s a monster, like a Doberman at large.

Bell resounds alarmingly, I shuffle forth to meet
A combination thrown with steel…it whacks me off my feet.
Seeing stars I resurrect to lurch about the ring
To try to keep some distance from the monster’s punching sting.

Roaring crowd are baying now they call to take me out
The Doberman is grinning for he reckons it’s a route,
The flashing light confusing, the noise a steady din
As the monster comes in quickly to achieve expected win.

Throwing jabs to keep him back, retreating to the rope
I cover up with everything to give myself some hope
He pounds with his salvos they hammer hard and fast
His breathing rasping in my ears I pray to God I last.

Saved by the bell and cold water, such disgrace
The crowd are loudly booing, I’ve not put leather on his face,
A wash of resolution hotly surges from within
So I **** the mouth guard back and rush on out to tackle him.

Defensive expectations had him open up his chin
So I feinted with a left and launched a mighty right with spin,
Boring in with fury and a combination score
I hit him with an uppercut which traversed from the floor.

Miraculously the eyeballs rolled and disappeared from sight
I threw another flurry…but had no one to fight
Flat out on the deck he lay, the Doberman was out
As I bounced around like Rocky to the punters frenzied shout.

Camera flashes blinded as the raving crowd went wild.
It defied all expectations, I was the sacrificial child.
Bets were laid that I would fall within a round or two
The screaming din reflected that all bets were in the poo.

The countdown took forever and I swear I watched each stroke
And kept one eye on the fallen, should he rise he’d go for broke,
My amazement with two wobbly knees and heaving lungs of fire
When my leaden glove was held aloft to victory entire.

Winners come and winners go but this I’ll not forget
When fortune favoured sweetly…and I collected on the bet!


Marshalg
My thanks to Shane Cameron…a real fighter.
14 April 2013 (Pukehana Paradise)

© 2013 Marshal Gebbie

A waif on this earth,
Sick, ugly and small,
Contemned from my birth
And rejected by all,
From my lips broke a cry,
Such as anguish may wring,
Sing, — said God in reply,
Chant poor little thing.


By Wealth's coach besmeared
With dirt in a shower,
Insulted and jeered
By the minions of power,
Where — oh where shall I fly?
Who comfort will bring?
Sing, — said God in reply,
Chant poor little thing.


Life struck me with fright —
Full of chances and pain,
So I hugged with delight
The drudge's hard chain;
One must eat, — yet I die,
Like a bird with clipped wing,
Sing — said God in reply,
Chant poor little thing.


Love cheered for a while
My morn with his ray,
But like a ripple or smile
My youth passed away.
Now near Beauty I sigh,
But fled is the spring!
Sing — said God in reply,
Chant poor little thing.


All men have a task,
And to sing is my lot —
No meed from men I ask
But one kindly thought.
My vocation is high —
'Mid the glasses that ring,
Still — still comes that reply,
Chant poor little thing.

Oh, come to me in dreams, my love!
   I will not ask a dearer bliss;
Come with the starry beams, my love,
   And press mine eyelids with thy kiss.

’Twas thus, as ancient fables tell,
   Love visited a Grecian maid,
Till she disturbed the sacred spell,
   And woke to find her hopes betrayed.

But gentle sleep shall veil my sight,
   And Psyche’s lamp shall darkling be,
When, in the visions of the night,
   Thou dost renew thy vows to me.

Then come to me in dreams, my love,
   I will not ask a dearer bliss;
Come with the starry beams, my love,
   And press mine eyelids with thy kiss.

Dedicated to Eva and a southern mother
“  I grow weary at times but having my mother’s spirit, I always bounce back”

Through the coldest chill her voice reaches with the warmest comfort in all the vastness that life
Can be she is and always will be the central anchor of life a spirit devoid of all misrepresentation
Love’s most endearing and all enduring I don’t recall a natural physical monument that exists but
It could never stand or grace such a rarefied place that already abides in our spirit our soul the
Almost unlimited mind pays her homage if you checked and ran back to the root of our actions
You would see her precious face eyes glowing with pride at your accomplishments her influence
Is always present like a deep pool of the richest wisdom it surges when you face difficulty or
Know stress without remedy not to leave father out she is the buttress the support beams in all of
His successes his central nerve center tenderness ever winds through his heart and soul and sets
Controls on his actions that would be harder and make life predictably harder she pardons and is
The enabler for him to be a little boy at times that is his refreshing and procures lost magic and
Wonder that is drained by the demands of life her life is a costly one no one else would ever go
To the lengths she goes to they might go but it would be with the complaint this is too hard and
Question is it really worth it she knows the answer to that question there is no greater reward
Than Being the well spring the unending fount that spills and thrills the little ones she brought
Into The world no matter what their ages are and when her earthy sojourn is complete and she
Must cross the chilly waters of the Jordon her limitations now at an end her free and unrestrained
And enlarged noble spirit is in part like the prophet when his guide and enabler was taken he
Received a double portion of his spirit first you have mother naturally that is awesome
Unbelievable then when her earthy duties are over she goes to her reward and lo and behold you
Get her back but twice what you knew before her insights flash in your mind her strength surges
Through your tired and weak body you see ahead with limited sight she is standing on mountain
Tops looking at vistas that create hope from great turbulence of wind that spans the globe and the
Universe taking its beginning from His throne yes she does trim its arrival in your life because its
Two strong for earthy climes it comes just at the right speed enough to make the trees put on a
Glorious show as they twist and bend its musical it’s just fast enough to please and not be scary
That profound ease that slips into your thoughts she has come to rehearse some delightful aspect
She has learned it is gripping it is tinged in mystery so you will long for the knowing it provides
Yes I’m thinking of mother Perry and mother Merrifield as a child I was a thief I stole from these  
Precious mother’s needs that I so needed there are many more that are too many to mention
enjoy Your Treasure if she is present or absent

No one cared if I quit but I did it for me
Seen good and bad in the world
I wish I could take away pain
Free ppl of their burdens
Get out of debt own possessions instead of being owned
Love and peace let hate die be among the decease
Doing what you dream instead of some 9-5
Getting by trying to survive almost cried along long night
Stories in music stories told relive moments growing old
Trying to stay humble not grow old and bitter
Keep working hard don't be a quitter
No more pain just want to heal
Be thankful for the meal served just right
Rest in a bed no more cold floor
One day things will light up
No more stressing being up all night