The ridiculous is a part of our daily life. It's what we do with it that determines our stability and well-being.  
It's something that is rarely or never spoken about. How do we store all that ridiculous information that challenge us mentally?  
Moreover, how do we know that what is driving us crazy isn't
just plain ridiculous?
When you have come full circle
in your life and repeat everything
step by step, well that's just ridiculous!

The pain crawled into my stomach and inched its way around my back.
It just lived there, making itself familiar and relaxing its insufferable ways.
I buckled over in agony wishing and sometimes praying it would settle down and STOP or DIE or GO AWAY.
The curse had finally caught up with my purpose, my legs, my arms, my body, and mind.
I wouldn't dare cry out because I was a big girl, eleven years old. Even then at such a young age, I knew...
Periods and death were a given.

Being African American is like being on a
see-saw riding up and down and not caring who or what is wavering the other side.
It's standing straight and not being late for your job, because the snob you report to is bright and always right.
When your children attend a school, they have to follow all the rules, because they are black and evidently lack the brain power to shower and shine and achieve.
It's being told over and over again to keep your mouth shut and only speak when you are spoken to. If by any chance you don't
and they listen you're a token.
All the achievements that are made came with
a price and not a roll of the dice.

"I have something to say to you.
Are you listening to me?"
"I'm looking at you, right!"
"I love you... I said, I love you."
"So what!"
"Never mind."

The ridiculous is a part of our daily life. It's what we do with it that determines our stability and well-being.  
It's something that is rarely or never spoken. How do we store all that ridiculous information that challenge us mentally?  
Moreover, how do we know that what is driving us crazy is just plain ridiculous?
When you have come full circle
in your life and repeat everything
step by step, well that's just ridiculous!

By Joanne Mathis

I submerged into this liquid that was
neither hot nor cold. I knew it was liquid
because I could hear the squishy sound
it made as I traveled through it.
When my eyes opened all I could see was
a colorless kaleidoscope.
I could not find myself no matter how hard
I tried. The more I tried the further
into the liquid I submerged.
I was able to stop and stood still.  
At that moment I realized my hands
were up around my head. As I could
not feel anything, I envisioned
myself banging my head with my fists.
The weight of the liquid began to go into
submission and disappear. I fell freely
to the bottom, waiting for the liquid to thicken again.