Come on over and sit right down
The storyteller has come to town.

So many stories I have acquired and that's a fact....I keep them hidden in my knapsack in a book that's white and black.

This a story about you.......It was a day just like this .....a total stranger came to offer you A gift.

It was wrapped in the most beautiful paper one has ever seen.  The workmanship was awesome.....some would say prestine.

He leaned on his cane .....due to a bad leg.  He hurt it one night wrestling until the early morn......he also received a gift like a mother who cuddles her newborn.

So ....as he leaned upon the cane and lit his corncob pipe ....and blew smoke in the air.  The extravagant gift was placed on the chair.

He said "This gift that is contained in this box is something that everyone wants." " You have have been chosen to receive this gift." "You don't have to take it.....you can give it to another.....if you chose.  Although....it wouldn't be wise to make such a move."

The gift is still sitting in that chair......should I open it or leave it there?

A potential to change my life and end the strife I face on a daily basis.  This isn't a deserted scene where you will see a thirst quenching oasis.

My basis for this story is about choices.....you have so many voices guiding your every thought......sometimes we chose wisely......and other times not so much.

These are the occasions when we lose touch or sight between right or wrong......the consequences for that wrong selection.......will have me singing a sad song.

If I chose wisely the day will be a lot easier to travel...not a perfect ride.....but I will arrive with all my bags in tow.

Chose wisely ........

So....he gathered his belongings and blew a smoke ring in the air.......and hobbled off into the distance.  He hummed a jovial tune and yelled back that he would return soon.

The Storyteller...........

Late night dedications from you to me.
Writing you letters to see if you are holding it down for me.

Collect calls from me to you and some steamy conversation...
when your family inquires about my whereabouts....you say I'm on vacation.

Your image in my head is what makes each day easier to bare.
I'm writing and doing this time instead of stressing and pulling out my hair.

It's been said that you do the time and don't let the time do you.
I don't want to see the white jackets and be 302'd.

Listening to the radio as the love songs play.....
Daydreaming as I glance at the pictures of us together on Unity day.

The reason I love you is not hard to see or maybe it's just me.
My emotions run wild whenever you're next to me.

Expressing to you my visions and dreams while I'm incarcerated.
Promises that when I get out ....our lives won't be complicated.

My thoughts become hot air balloons and the English language becomes foreign.
A refugee in my own land except my name's not Lauryn.

Wishing I could hold you and fall into a deep sleep.
Time would stand still and nightmares would never creep.

Our love is like a mountain that has no peaks.
I'm missing you like crazy as I'm counting down the weeks.

I'm holding you hostage.  You're a prisoner without the cuffs.
You're saving yourself for me, but it's evident I'll never be worthy enough even if I was free.

The money was my idol and it came so fast.....
Partying my life away and having a blast.
I never thought about how long the money and fun would last.

My rise and fall like a pool that's been deflated.
My capture and imprisonment greatly exaggerated and celebrated.

The families that I've hurt......by them I'm hated.
I've destroyed my neighborhood.  That's what many have stated.

All this is true .....so I'm setting you free.
Consider this the last correspondence you'll ever receive from me.
Please accept this heartfelt apology.  My love I am so....so sorry.

My love has revolved around you.  My every waking thought has been about you.

Now you are telling me that you're setting me free.....
Whoa! wait a minute......How could this be?

Since we were little kids it's been me and you.
You were the paper and I was the glue.
My people said that you were not good enough for me, but I was still stuck on you.

This really hurts my heart as I read the words you've penned.
I realized not so long ago that this relationship must come to an end.
The transition will be difficult and it will take time for my heart to mend.

As I listen to the lockdown love dedications again and again.....
I'll have vivid memories of how this relationship began it end.


                                                                            4ever in my heart
                                                                                Lockdown Love

Let the tears flow and let the guns go.
  
If men start crying, we'll stop dying
and the killings in the hood would cease.
The prisons would be empty of angry men.....because they've finally found a release.

If men start crying we'll stop dying
and take our rightful place as the head.  No more negative views, news or obituaries to be read.

If men start crying we'll stop dying
and now I'm on my knees.....praying for my life, but not from a gang of thieves.

If men start crying, we'll stop dying
because we're no longer afraid......about the misconceptions about men that have been made.

If men start crying, we'll stop dying
and hiding behind this wall of pride......so much hurt inside .....I need a life preserver to prepare me for this ride.

If men start crying, we'll stop dying
A canoe full of emotions traveling to and fro, but I've held them in so long that I'm about to blow.

If men start crying, we'll stop dying
Do you know what I've been through?  It wasn't a pleasant ride...but God knew what to do.
Jesus loved the world and he cried for it too.  The Perfect one showing me exactly what to do.

If men start crying, we'll stop dying
and become the leaders that God has called us to be.  We'll be the voice of reason instead of the negative images often displayed on TV.

IF MEN START CRYING,  WE'LL STOP DYING.


John 11:35 Jesus wept.

I enter my class around eight thirty three.  The teacher gives me a stern stare.....making feel as though I shouldn't be there.  I shrug my shoulders because I fail to see....the cause of the attitude....she didn't wake up next to me.

We had a test and I tried to study .....but the book studied me. I really want a good score....but my efforts were poor.  Too busy lolly gagging and talking to my friends at the store.

I'm sitting at my desk with my notes in view.....a student walks over and pushes my things on the floor......and states " I really don't like you."
A little startled and caught off guard.....I gather my things from the floor and say "is that true?....I haven't even done anything to you."

I never liked you and today will be total hell for you.  Don't worry about the test.....worry about what I'm going to do.  He had the peanut gallery who were making comments and instigating ......anticipating the chaos that was awaiting.  Meanwhile, I'm debating my immediate situation and I'm seeking some type of instruction.

I look to the teacher and of course .....she has a blank stare and says " I didn't see nothing."  Class, quiet down and clear off your desks.  It is now time to take your highly anticipated test.  The hint of humor didn't help me a bit.  I had a body full of anger collecting and it refused to submit.

A piece of paper hit me in the head as the teacher passed out  papers in the rear of the class.  I felt the train moving fast ....and about to derail.  A delivery was about to be made. "You have mail."

I had another item hit me.....and i said to myself this is getting out of hand.  I said a silent word and breathed in some almost fresh air.  I walked out of class to calm the beast within.....knowing that it would be detrimental if i connected with his chin.

I've been bullied for the last time.....my friend once told me this" in order to gain someone's respect ....you have to disrespect them first."  I didn't understand at the time......but as I walked in the halls I reflected on that line.

I gathered myself and went back to class....of course I was in trouble for roaming the halls without a pass.  I went to my seat and proceeded to sit on a tack.....not to mention that someone also emptied out my knapsack.

He was sitting there with a smirk on his face and said "so what are you going to do?" "You're that skinny kid with a fat stomach from room 302." " That's the slow class."

I walked away with my head down....but the anger hit overflow.  He stated that my class was slow....but forgot my hands were fast.  I gave him a taste and before he even knew......his face went from red to blue.  A preschool lesson about blending colors....

I got suspended for my part in the fight.....I could've done more....but bullying just isn't right.  We never became friends ....but everyone now knew not to pick on me.....because of what my hands could do.  The skinny kid with the fat stomach from room 302.

Stop Bullying......

To whom it may concern.....

You will never see this note because you decided to take your life.
I guess you didn't consider your children and your wife.

Okay maybe you weren't married and you live on your own.....
I'm not claiming to understand.....how it feels to sit with a gun in your hand.

What i do know is this....you have effected many people with this choice you have made.  There are people crying and the question is "Why did they do this?....it wasn't their time to die."

What do I tell the kids who found you lying there?....blood splattered on the wall.  The note neatly placed on the side of the bed....your last words....I decided to end it right here...I love you all.

What kind of love is that?  I'm attending a funeral for a person i thought I knew.....evidently I didn't have a clue.  What was going on in your life that made you snap?  

I'm upset with you because you didn't say a word to me.....this could have taken a different turn.  Did you think about how difficult it will be for the children to learn?

I have them in my class...they are present in body, but their mind isn't there.
They have a far away look ....just staring into the air.  At times there are angry so they yell and curse....I had a few who did something worse.  The pictures they draw are unnerving and disturbing....and in each one .....there is always a picture of you and that gun.

I'm praying that they get the help they need....they are wounded deeply, but you can't see them bleed.  A void has been left in the family and their hearts.......you took your life before you had a chance to start.

I'm going to say something God said to me when i was thinking about taking my life....I was going through a divorce ....separated from my wife.  My daughter I was unable to see....

At my wits end I heard God say..."How can you take something that doesn't belong to you?" "I died to set you free.""Who have you died for?" "I love you." after that he said nothing more.  The voice wasn't loud it was quite low and was filled with love.

I just wanted you to know how much we are hurting....all we have are pictures and candles burning in memory of you.....I wish you were here.....and I wouldn't have to cry so much......you were so warm....but now you are cold to the touch.

I'm upset and disappointed that you took this way out instead of talking to me.....or anyone. What about your mother? She no longer has a son to call and say "hey....Mom." That's all she needed to hear....now there's only silence in her ear.....and pain in her heart.

I wish you had of considered her at the start.  Well this is the end.

Sincerely .......please sign here





A few facts about suicide:


Suicide: Intentionally taking one's own life.

Suicide Risk Factors: Major Depression ,Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia

A suicidal person may be dealing with stressors such as:

An impending separation or divorce.

****** identity issues.

Losing a job.

Chronic pain.

A serious illness.

Financial crisis.

A suicidal person might be feeling or thinking:

Sad, Insecure, Humiliated, Hopeless, Worthless



The World Health Organization(WHO)reports that every year, an estimated 900,000 people die by committing suicide.  This represents one death every 40 seconds.

Worldwide, suicide ranks among the three leading causes of death among those ages 15-44 years and is the 10th leading cause of death up from (11th in 2005) for all ages.

Men die much more often by means of suicide than women.

men are more likely to use violent methods

Women suffer from depression twice as much as men.  2:1 ratio is inclusive of racial, ethnic background

A woman takes her life every 90 minutes in the US....A pattern that has hel for over a hundred years.

A woman attempts suicide every 78 seconds.  Women use more fail prone methods such as overdosing on medications.


Think before you decide to die.....consider the tears that will fall from the family's eyes.

I see her often ....struggling all alone.
A diaper bag, pocketbook and the baby.
The look of distress on her face as she pushes the stroller home.

She raises her child all by herself.
Her pockets are not overflowing ....which means she's lacking wealth.

She shuffles off to work each day.
She's wondering when they will increase the dollars in her pay.

Single mom to some, Superwoman to her kids.....no regrets, it is what it is.

How I admire her strength and drive.
She's strong during the day, but at night she cries.
This is not the way it was supposed to be.
My child should be seeing double not just me.

Her mind is steady racing, but this is not a race.
The thought started here and now it's in a different place.

The sacrifices and staying up late when her child is sick.
She's snapping pictures at Christmas time as her daughter opens presents left by jolly ole Saint Nick.

She's thankful for this precious jewel that she must shape and shine.
Smiling as she puts her child to bed, because she has to be at work by nine.

There's always something to be done, so there's not much time to sit.
This is a full time job and one which she can't quit.

The cooking, the cleaning and washing clothes,
she's looking for some tissues so she can wipe a runny nose.

She thinks she's a single mom, but that's not entirely true.
The Lord is guiding and assisting ....pulling her through.

Keep your head up and don't let anyone or anything bring you down.
A queen's crown belongs on her head.....not upon the ground.

A dedication to the single mother's........Thank you for all that you do and have done.

As I went about my day.....I thought about Dr. Seuss. How much I enjoyed his rhymes and his stories in my youth.

The truth of the matter is this.....Sometimes I feel like the grinch and my heart doesn't measure above an inch.

I feel sad ...mad and blue.....and when I feel I have been disrespected...my reply is " Who are you talking to?"
I don't live in a zoo.....and never met a "who", but needed them to give me a clue?

Aachoo! Bless you! Who me? yes you.....couldn't be. Then who? Anywho....I don't like to argue and fight .....my intentions are to do what's right.

I write due to a love affair I have with words.....adjectives ....nouns and verbs.  You may call it cheating....but its not that at all.  I believe they're all beautiful ......and allow them to shine when I write about our time at the ball.

How beautiful she was standing there unassuming in a dress that was red.  I approached her from the rear of course and whispered in her ear about my horse parked outside.

I was curious to know if she wanted to ride.  Aside from her beauty her scent drove me crazy.....as it entered my system my nervous system became lazy.

I could hardly concentrate on what I should do.....instead of level ten ....my mind was on level two.  What should I do?.....my grinch like heart had gathered a spark.

As words danced around in my mind....and massaged my hardened heart .......my anger was released to create a work of art.  The feelings that were trapped inside were allowed free reign.

The substance that they contained.....revealed a man who should have gone insane.....it's plain to me .....and why wouldn't it be?.....that suddenly my mind is free......

At least for the moment......I don't like green eggs and ham....but I do enjoy money in my hand. Yes! I do.....and if I gave you a few dollars ....I'm sure you would too.

How much I enjoy when money is around....although she doesn't stay long.  As soon as Bill comes along ......she suddenly is gone.  My pockets become empty and my mood not so bright.

I feel like a jilted lover.....whose been abandoned late at night.  She never returns.....but I am able to hold her again......until Bill arrives and demands her attention again. I don't like him....he's always around like the first and fifteenth.

**** Bill is what I often say.....I'm a little Suessed out ....forgive me for my rant if you can I say.....Have you seen Thing one and Thing two?

I wonder if they can come out to play?