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Best Poems Written by Tameko Barnette

Below are the all-time best Tameko Barnette poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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I Am - Part 1

uncertain about
my future but certain when
it comes to right now

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A World Without Violence

when it's taught
and they see it
or hear it, then
they speak it,
'that's a shame',
but who's to blame
it's not their way
to seek it
weaponry and hate
are a combination
for an unnatural 
and unresponsibledisaster
excuses are plentiful
blood is abundant
debates inevitable
among politicalpundants
second amendment 
and the NRA
claim they have the appropriate way
for safety to reign  in a 
country  of tainted lands
whose only concern  is 
money and bullets
changing hands
we can't say yet
that it's all in past
violence been around since  the
takeover took place
in most situations
it's a matter of race
every day in some cities
people all and their 
21st century  lynchings 
that have to stall
it can be hard to
walk tall in city
o violent giants and it 
spreads all over the world  
with the intention of  
dictated violenceand what 
are we to do?
untimely deaths ain't up 
for debate, so 
in truth we may
not have a clue
it has to stop
starting from the top

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Broken Cup

broken cup
constant comments 
the tea tastes the same

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Bittersweet

I love the taste
of pears -- especially
red pears

sweet some times crisp
or some times soft juicy
inside as my teeth sink in 

while the sounds of the 
chewing calms down story
after story headline after 
headline -- it was a group
at work, a Black boy walking,
people at a concert, a group
at a nightclub, peaceful 
protesters, a Black driver 

they're gone too soon
all I'm left holding is the 
core of a red pear its flavor
turned from sweet to bitter
to nothing 

this person shot that person shot
on their way to work or home 

to savor the sweetness of the
pears in the future perhaps i 
should never watch the news
again -- maybe there's a scientific
study somewhere that  talks
about the positive effects 
oblivion has on one's fruit
i understand why some spiritual 
folk don't believe in watching
the news -- it has an ingredient
that takes the sweetness
away -- but even if the news
ain't on it still get around on
social media or people just 
talking, "hey, did you hear 
about the guy that...." the voice
fades into the distance caught
in a cirrus cloud or hid behind a 
very tall mountain where there are
no echoes only silence and 
occasional animal and nature
sounds -- perhaps, this voice
might come back one day
some day with a smile and
join our voices with smiles 
also as we share all day every
day good news?!  

to awaken 
per chance
to dream

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The Road

the road
the bench 
sitting only when they're tired

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What Butterflies May Come


in a city where
a statue of a black man
being stomped they're few

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A Tall Tale On Love

*this was inspired by 'tall tales' that were collected and written by Zora Neale Hurston...this is meant to be humorous* 

I knew a woman
who loved a man
so much she 
couldn't hardly
take his touch
she would faint,
wake up, and such

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To Nikki Giovanni

at fifteen
seeing and
listening
to you in 
Roanoke, VA
in that moment
I knew that's
what I wanted
to do and your
words elemental
thought-provoking
grounding, energizing,
and at times, 
beautifully subtle

and Ms. Giovanni,
if I were a poet
i'd be like you
vocal, strong, 
and flying on 
wings of freedom

you kidnapped me
that day at Virginia
Western Community
College to take me
on a ride of rhythm
and words -- we 
retrieve our blues
back and because
of you I will alwys
remember that
shoulders are for 
emergencies only
and will go back
to that blues that
gospel that African 
drum in heart and
spirit even while
llistening to rap
music

up up and away
to mars among 
the stars and you
shine so bright so
bold every poem
a story told

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Finding Soul: Realize Thyself 3

soul searching
purpose working

once upon a rhyme
a friend named Trina and I wrote
it's still true in this space
and time although some
things have changed
the life of a soul with a 
spirit in a body from 
soul to radiant 
and whatever else is 
believed to be within
and without; I search 
for the meaning of that
whicih I cannot see and
that which I can see 
I have been fooled by
appearances this is a 
notoriously promoted
'don't' on the universal 
spiritual list

in the year 2000, 
I sat down with journal
and pen everyday for 
six days I asked questions
and God gave answers
I knew nothing of a 
Neale Donald Walsh
but at my desk in my
bedroom I had my own
conversations with God
and it wasn't as hard as
I thought it would be
I wasn't new age or new
thought savvy and
I had know idea that
perhaps what I was 
doing according to 
some was completely
wrong I had questions
and I wanted answers

my favorite exchange
was a question about one
correct religion or path
to connect with God
I was given an answer
in numbers; let's just
say the destination is
the number six. write down
how many ways you know
off the top of your head
to get to the number six
I came up with fourteen
equations. and I knew there
more that would take time
to calculate and contemplate
so many ways to one goal
and could I say any of 
them were wrong? no.
there's the answer
and I was satisfied and
yet I know there are folks
who would treat people
like outcasts, argue in large
groups or just a few people 
any and everywhere or kill
to make the point there's
only one way to God

I've read about many religions
including the one in which I was
raised Christian....the history
behind it all is astounding
but oddly enough, not surprising

finding soul through religion
and spiritual practice taught
me something profound -- it's
with me all the time, it was
a matter of finding its purpose
a path already in motion
before I uttered a prayer
but the need for labels, 
phrases, terminology, 
and specific concepts 
can muddy a surprisingly
clear view when I was 
not so overwhelmed 
by the "Am I getting it 
right?" syndrome and 
I need confirmation
over and over again

it had to stop
and it did

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On Consciousness

the road less traveled
was the one that lead me
to enlightenment