A discarded white canvas,
that stares with hazy eyes.
It sees me contemplating
as I smile and cry.
  
I try intuition.
I try to forget the insults,
the petty competition.
  
Yet, the ink flows not
and the infinite cackles.
A million choices,
a singular outcome.
A singularity of
a dozen truths,
a dozen lies,
and a dozen perspectives.
  
“What do I say?”
  
The canvas smiles,
and my heart giggles.
  
They open their mouths to answer.
  
“Be as you are.”

As the bridegroom bittersweet The sound so gentle to the ear Perhaps angels has brought it Down newborn on their wings

Song not of earth always near When light her hand has kiss
Saw in eyes along heaven hid soul of life saved by promise

Whisper that lingers a meaning
Last breath in before a scream Carries out the land reason be Consider freedom stead peace

Fires that burns more of ashes Winged by smoke was set free A call as unanswered accepted Echoing true as untold yet still

In language of new it speaks Carved into silence as beauty Into four directions of winds With flames dances on fields

Strange enough one to think
To ask of god a sign if this is it If hour at come kingdom near At marvel of a prophet like him

One look enough for anybody Foolish enough had believed Second born from life to live
As truth done had love to be.

That listened perhaps hears Question answered so to be Time to name if not already
As one who comes a nobody

As told had come to exactly
At hour unknown as a thief
In a world noone can tell if
But that isnt a fault nor a sin

As roses red not of blushing
When looked at like morning
Comes at hearts have dream
Fire burned as proof in need

Lost on ways of one too many
In a world so bright a blindin
Or dark as blind as the minute
Of the hour now a then to be

Word of made all what granted
To call my the name you did
The second at last come to be
Is the second of that minute.

Soul of tender as suger sweet
Voice art flowers whispering
The color a star unfold a field
Into a meadow heart singing.

Kingdom of heaven upon thee
Rejoyce a happiness in secret
Keep untold as dear eversince
As long have longed for each.

Like the song had come to be
From forests of highest trees
In voice of every bird that will
of love that god was pleased.

You…

with your eyes fixed on fire,
on skies that never blink.
You’ve memorized verses,
but forgotten how to think.

You search the wind for commands,
while hearts beat beside you,
unheard.
You shout the name of God
but miss Him in a stranger’s word.

Look down, brother.
No-“ - look around.
See the dust,
the children,
the cracks in the ground.
That’s where truth spills,
quiet as rain.
That’s where faith lives
not in thunder,
but in pain.

There’s no ladder to climb,
no sky to ascend.
The divine is not distant
He’s the hand of a friend.

So loosen your grip.
Unfold your fists.
The kingdom you seek
already exists.

They say speak your truth,
but only...
only if it doesn’t make others uncomfortable.
Can't smile it away.
They say speak up,
but only...
only if you aren’t too loud.
They say walk proudly and tall,
but only...
only if you don’t attract too much attention.
Can't smile it away.
Though I am tired...
Tired of listening to their empty advice.
You can change for so many people...
you no longer recognize yourself...
until there is nothing left of your true form.
Can't smile it away.
The truth of the prejudices that still exist,
the harmful biases,
the injustices which live in our world,
are not erased, simply...
simply because some choose to ignore them.
Can't smile it away.
The misogyny which exists in our world,
cannot be tucked under the rug,
it can’t be smiled away.
These sentiments aren't meant to bring joy,
these words are not fragile,
these words are not beautiful,
this is just me,
speaking about the truth,
and not feeling ashamed to speak it.
Can't smile it away.
There are still far too many places...
places where women must fear...
fear to walk down their own street,
ever watchful of the hands...
hands of those who feel...
feel their bodies are not their own,
because they are women,
because of their gender.
Can't smile it away.
There are still far too many who do not realize,
that many generations of slavery and oppression,
have left their mark on current generations,
and that hate still lives.
Can’t smile it away.
There are still far too many prejudices which poison the minds,
of those who fear...
fear a religion foreign to their own,
and too many wars are still waged,
in the name of religion.
And when does it end?
You can’t smile it away.

-Rhia Clay

You are in the bathroom,
Fixing your hair the way you like it.

The steam from your shower
is setting into the bedroom now.
I can smell your shampoo.

The skylight casting an early summer glow
across the tiny water droplets speckling your skin
makes you look studded with rhinestone.

The subtle shifting of your weight
creates a curve in your side
and as you drop your hip and bend your knee,
I think for a moment,
that you look like art.

That moments like these are what inspire
The greatest artists in the world.

That I might be like them
if you were my subject,
But I am too busy loving you
To lift a paintbrush.

Been single for about two years
It ***** at times but I don’t hate it
Though I’ve had some potential suitors
None have gone any further than it should
Here’s my latest
I felt feelings
That I didn’t want to confess
I felt comfortable
In a way that felt reciprocated at times
He was cute
Chocolaty just like I like my men
But I hesitated
See I wanted him
But to him
I was only his friend
Nothing more, nothing less
In my mind, we were in a relationship
I missed the part where this wasn’t reality
I call other women delusional for such a thing
But who am I?
No better than the rest
Certainly not better than the next
I claim my potential must have this and that
But I ignore one thing to keep everything
That I assumed was there
No blame to this guy
He did no wrong
I did too much
I overthink a lot but I wasn’t wrong with this one
Here’s the truth
I knew all along
I knew for a fact that we weren’t a match
That what I wanted
He didn’t have
My mind may go into overdrive
But with this, she wasn’t wrong
I tucked the truth in the back of the bus
And drove to do to what was a lie
I knew we were only friends
My heart wanted him but nature wouldn’t let it happen
I’m woman enough to admit my wrong
Him not saying anything was everything I needed to hear
No dates
No phone calls
No not even a suggestion or a move
Here’s the truth
I won’t fight myself for this
I’ll pull back and remain
My heart won’t hurt anymore
I will move on and continue to learn
I’ll be just fine
I’m only human after all
Here’s the deep truth
I don’t chase after a man
No more will I think and blindly act like a title
That’s not exclusive
I’ll speak the man I want into existence
Though it may be hard and even upsetting at times
I’ll wait for that right man
Who puts in effort and does the best he can
To show me his interest
Who has what I want and need
He’ll be the man I dreamed of
Here’s the truth
I thank you to the potentials
You showed me what I didn’t need in my life
You helped me to remove the blinders
To see that I deserve better
I thank you and have nothing but love for you
That’s the truth

© 2019 Mia J