I crave
the green forests and the towering mountains,
the free feeling you get when you're on top
of an object tall enough that you can see for miles
leaves cavorting across the soil, as if
tossed by hands of the wind and sun rays,
playing a game of catch with the moss.
the wind gets praise and worship from the trees.
branches clapping, birds singing symphonies
the gossip of flowers in the summertime breeze,
discussing which bud the sun loves most.
and with each spring rain the forest hosts,
the stones make music, the river boasts
that it knows the secrets of the world.
the water passes and twirls over stones
like a crowd of ballerina girls dancing  
to the beat of leaves falling to the ground.
with the sound of my breath, I would join
the orchestra. and with each pound of my
heart, I would contribute to the melody
of the nature surrounding me. I could be
the conductor while lying on my back
as the grass whispers sweet nothings
into my ear, like a love long since passed.

yet I wake up from my vast daydream to find
I am still surrounded by linoleum and plaster
and the forest is only in my mind.

I have never felt harassment because of my race
what does that feel like? I couldn't say
I imagine it's like trying to tell a sexist male
about the pay gap and attempting
to explain to an insecure woman
that a thigh gap is unhealthy
or convince the wealthy that money
only buys temporary happiness
why do we become obsessed
with treasures, power and appearance?
it's all about the way you look
my skin is white, his skin was brown
and now it's pure black as it sits
in the cold ground, waiting for nothing
because as long as there are people
willing to rise up and ask why
there will be someone squashing them
like a boot to an ant.

time withers all things
the flowers bloom and die
our hands become wrinkled
like these sheets we lie in

the ocean pecks the shore
just as long as a timid twinkle
or for a split second spark
whatever lady moon will allow

quickly changing moods fall
like leaves on the bough
until the ground is covered
with failed hopes and possibilities

our eyes filled with reverie
our lips blossomed with fertility
overflowing visions of devotion
until we conceived it in our hearts

we extend our sentiments
toward the sun beams to flourish
in summer's warm upbringing
growing still and unyielding

but even rooted woods expire
and live bodies will discard their skin
their feathers, teeth, and hair
like we shed layers of attire

the bulb above will burn out
exhaust all of its energy for us
and we deliver nothing in return
we're merely more matter to spread

It's hard to be happy in this world.
Constantly we are faced with hardship.
Not only in our own lives, but the lives of others
In the form of media, social or news or television
And it's impossible to hide from it.
We are exposed to everything now
In this age of technology, there is no innocence
There is no privacy or solitude
There is only ignorance to the truth
and lies spewing out of the tongues of dragons
who control the sheep and lead them
to their fiery mouths only to chew them up
and spit them back out to wait until
the next 6 o'clock horror show
Another black kid shot, who cares?
Another mother taken away from her children
Big deal! celebrities go to africa to help
the starving black babies with swollen tummies
while here in the land of the tv slaves and
home of the brave-only-when-it-benefits-me
we refuse to give our third slice of
ultimate supreme extra meat deluxe pizza
to the homeless man living on the street
who hasn't eaten food in days
you threw some out this morning
because it didn't look good to you anymore.

rain falls to the grassy floor.
a dog barks at the front door.
(let! me! in! let! me! in!)
no one's home to hear the pour,
the whines and cries and tears.
leaking through the lines and cracks.
ringing loud off silent blue walls.
leaves fall like autumn bombs.
the atom air calms the soul.
cold turns my breath into clouds.
the smell of winter shrouds me.
the moon is casting it's spell.
i swoon as i drink it's sweet liquor.
the blue street light flickers.

i see you.

walking slowly toward me.
stalking, graceful snake.
i am the prey to take.
you part the grey fog.
work of art, feast for the eyes.
my prize is almost within reach.
skipped beats with each step.
your breath meets mine.
they intertwine, a silent storm.
your skin warm, my furnace.
burning a thin flame in the soul.
fingers stroll down my back.
your touch lingers on my cheek.

you speak.

even angels envy the sound.
the ground begins to disappear.
we're floating through the atmosphere.
slow dancing to your symphony.
i see what i thought was unreachable.
what i had fought for so long.
now it is the song i sing.

there's a first time for everything.

to be touched.
as gentle as a summer's breeze.
for i am the leaves hanging from the branches.
as quiet as a roaring mouse.
as silent as a squeaky house.
we praise the moonlight,
that enveloped hands reach toward.
the night is made of blankets.
twinkled sheets and bright covers
to keep the streets warm,
to put the sky to sleep.
and to protect the silent trees,
the animals in slumber,
the ground filled with tired flowers,
and the foaming sea.
while the sun was gone,
roaming grace fell upon me.
for you i've come to know so well.
grow we did in moonlight's spell.
we put up no fights.
stay right here with me.
free to love under gentle touch.
such fingers made of shy midnight clouds.
fly me to new heights.
through night sky cotton.
through desires not forgotten.
and we'll float; mid-space flyers.
in a twinkled sea; higher now.
never coming down.

i am but a dream.
a fantasy.
i am the sun hanging o’er your head.
i am the star that shines brightest in your night.
i am the sunlight beaming through your window.
i am the wind that causes the blades of grass to bend.
i am the laughter escaping your mouth.
i am the smile stretching across your teeth.
i am the chill crawling up your spine.
i am the butterflies in your stomach.
i flap my wings just to see you smile.

you grab my hand like i am yours.
i am, i always have been.
you lead me to bed like a fawn to water.
with one kiss, we spill together.
like sweet lemonade poured into a glass.
intertwined as one, flowing as one.
you quench my thirst, replenish my hunger.
finger tips glide across ivory.
you’re playing the perfect keys.
it’s a symphony of knobby knees.
a melody of freckles, a harmony of eyelashes.
i could stay in this moment forever.
i breathe you in, i inhale your perfume.
like smoke in my lungs, you invade me.
you’re a soldier of compliments.
the captain of my soul.
i watch you as you sleep.
i hum quietly hoping not to wake you.
you’re the definition of peace, my angel.
dawn is on its way, **** the new day.

i am but a dream.
i puff of smoke, a fantasy.
for as the sun rises, i set with the moon.
just as quickly as i arrived, i’m gone with the night.