Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
uncertain about
my future but certain when
it comes to right now
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
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
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2020
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
broken cup
constant comments
the tea tastes the same
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
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
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
the road
the bench
sitting only when they're tired
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
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
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
in a city where
a statue of a black man
being stomped they're few
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
you riddle me this
oh ancient one of spirit
of love, who see me
a name, a label of
sorts to be called by but what
I I don't know it?
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
*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
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2020
|
Details |
Tameko Barnette Poem
plastic flute way back
when - then a violin came through
then a piano
Copyright © Tameko Barnette | Year Posted 2019
|