FAMILY TREE ROOTS

THE ROOTS OF A TREE ARE JUST LIKE A FAMILY

THEY ARE SO EXPANSIVE AND CAN BE TRACED BACK MANY GENERATIONS

THE STRENGTH DEPENDS ON HOW MANY ROOTS YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT THE

          GIRTH OF YOU AND YOURS

THE MANY COLORS SHOW THE DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE IN TODAY'S FAMILY UNITS

           AS WELL AS THE WARMTH OR THE DECAY

YOU CAN TELL HOW SICK A TREE IS BY THE LOOK OF IT MUCH THE SAME IN A

           FAMILY

LEANIN' TO IT'S SIDE WITH NO PRIDE

A STIFF WIND CAN KNOCK IT DOWN LIKE A HOUSE OF CARDS .

STRENGTH, POSITIVITY, AND BEAUTY ARE GREAT TRAITS IN A TREE AND THE

           FAMILY UNIT

NOT MINE, BUT THE DOCTOR IS ON THE WAY WITH THE  NUTRIENTS AND WE SHALL

            GROW STRAIGHT AGAIN.

THREE LIL' BIRDS

THREE LIL' BIRDS

ON MY WINDOWSILL

CHEEP CHEEP TWEET TWEET

SPEAK TO ME YOUR PHILOSOPHY

YOU FLY THRU THE AIR WITH NO CARE WAY UP THERE

SO EFFORTLESSLY

ON A BREEZE

PREACHIN' TO ME ABOUT HOW TO LET GO

HOW TO LIVE

EXPAND MY WINGS

FLY FAR AND HIGH

SO CAREFREE AM I

FEELIN' THE WIND IN MY HAIR

RAISIN' MY SPIRITS

SWEEPING ON DOWN TO THAT WINDOWSILL TO FINISH THE DAY

THANK YOU FOR THE LESSON OF LIFE AND FLIGHT

LIVE CAREFREE LIKE THE THREE LIL' BIRDS WHO MAKE LIFE WORTH THE FLIGHT

ARCHITECTURE OF A TIME

THE BUILDINGS OF OLD

SO MANY STORIES TO BE TOLD

THEY HAVE GREAT CHARACTER AND FLAIR

AS THEY STAND TALL AND PROUD IN THE SPRINGTIME AIR

WAS IT AN OLD BAR WITH A SEEDY PAST

OR A HOTEL THAT SOMEONE NEVER CAME TO REST

HISTORIES MYSTERIES FUEL THE FIRE

TO LEARN THE HOW, WHERE, AND WHY

DID THEY CRUMBLE AND DIE OR JUST HAUNTINGLY STAND

WHOSE GHOSTS HAUNT THE MOST AND WHO IS THE REAL HOST

THESE BUILDINGS TALK WITH THEIR BEAUTY AND STORIES OF PAST DOOMS &

GLORIES AS WE GLIDE THROUGH THE MANY ROOMS

SNEAKING A PEEK AT A TIME THAT TIME HAS FORGOT

MYSTERY OF HISTORY/ FOREVER FREE/ HEARTACHE

HISTORY IS A MYSTERY WAITING FOR ME TO UNCOVER LIKE A LOTUS GROWING IN

IN THE MUD.

ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL AND SURPRISING NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

I SOAR SO HIGH IN THE SKY ON THE WINGS OF MY DREAM COSTANTLY EVOLVING

TOO WHERE I ALWAYS KNEW I COULD BE IF I JUST BELIEVED IN ME FOREVER FREE.

SEARCHING FOR YOU

AROUND THAT CORNER

DOWN THAT BLOCK

FINALLY SEEING YOU

FEELING IT DEEP IN MY HEART LIKE A GLOCK

REFLECTIONS

Reflections in the mirror show us who we really are and who we are to become.

Stare into your own eyes you can see that spark that is your soul.

Let it radiate to your lips to let it escape in your smile that can light up any room.

Spreads to your fingertips and arms to embrace others to pass on the joy so your  reflection can be

          taken for what it is and paid forward.

THE MIGHTY WIND

The wind is a blowin'

With the people here have no clue of what to do

Do we huddle in groups of two or look for a warmer view

People watchin' people

Stride down the street

Gettin' a bite to eat

Not even caring about the homeless sleepin' on the cold concrete

Blowin' us here and there

We scurry along to look for more

For what can we see that we haven't really seen before

Same BS different wrapper

Oooh so pretty with the bling

They catch us in, Katching!

Tighten your hands around your cash

You never know when you can be out on your on the grass or chasing pavements like the homeless

      you just passed by on the park bench

What's that stench?

The smell of corruption and greed

Take heed and don't let the wind take you wherever it blows.

WILDFLOWERS

It used to be me and you walking down the street feelin' the beat of our hearts skipping a beat.

Rat a tat tat.

Becoming one now we are dividing into two.

What are we supposed to do.

We are walkin' to the beat of a different drummer and the lead has left the band for another.

We set our sights so high to fall so hard on this cold concrete.

Rumble tumble tumble.

Screech crash

As the cars try to avoid our mess.

Clean this up before it is on the 6 o'clock on the dot.

Tick tock no more wasting time on my dime.

I will be fine.

For I see the path not yet taken and it is paved in wildflowers.

BEWARE THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Beware they say the devil wears Prada.

I say the devil comes in many labels and sizes with many vices.

You can find them at the Goodwill stores along with their second-rate whores, along  with the angels side by

       side as we smile down the aisles of health and beauty, or in the clothing department stores where our

       sights are set  on what isn't there yet as we reach to the heaven's for the newest inspiration for the next

       season.

So, the devil doesn't always wear Prada, Gucci, or Dior.

It's  whomever this metaphor fits for.

PLAYA'

Playa', Playa' beware.

When you look into my come hither stare.

Because I am a lady who is a pure woman to the core.

Who will make you want more and more.

All the others you used to see will all be a fading memory.

For I tame your wild inhibitions with my stable love.

You will think that I am sent from up above.

All those ways will vanish into the haze to spend the rest of our days together.

All played out.

REALIZATION OF LOVE

Love Potion #9 so sweet so divine makes u soar up to that cloud 9 where you are blissfully unaware

         of what is happening down there.

That is why they say love is blind where the heart confuses the mind over matter pitter patter be

          still my beating heart I hope we never part.

So many things come into play and the gravity of reality takes effect and you are pulled by the

         heartstrings back down to Earth like a bungee jumper at Niagra Falls when you finally realize

that you have fallen in love.

NICKEL & DIME

Spittin' this rhyme

It's on my dime

Whether your callin' me or not uo in here

I am so broke as a joke

I can't even be a Dollar Menunaire with that kind of flare

Wait!

Hold the pickles

I just found some nickles

Yes, I would like some fries with that as I contemplate what the heck I have just ate.

Oh, it's ok.

Next time a salad will be my biz.

Cause I am definetely lovin' it as I check my nickles and dimes and damn, not this time.

SINGSONG

Sing a song, spit a rhyme, whisper a prayer.

Here it comes in many layers.

The melody moves through me like the light bulb that lights continuously above my head.

Add a smile to stay awhile and go that extra mile beating down the path of enlightenment to

        the one and only.

Do a turn, swing the hips, and dip like they do everywhere where nobody seems to care.

So the song in us determines our joys, pains, and loves.

The rhymes reminds us of the times and intelligence of a people.

The prayers help us to contain all of our emotions.

Sing a song, spit a rhyme, whisper a prayer,

Always takes me anywhere.

MEMORY LANE

Walkin' down memory lane brings me back to that plane of consiousness that I have almost forgotten.

Where a picture is worth a thousand words and a thousand words conjure up my dearest memories

       that I have been chasing pavement to catch up to.

Back to the days of the hair spray and the music video veejay up all day and night going to school

       lookin' a fright.

I wish I may I wish I might have a date with that cute boy tonight.

As the years pass and we get more class we raise our glass with no more pomp and circumstance as

       when the fight song would blare at the Homecoming games.

Then we smile and say, remember when my friend when, haha, oh yes I do and didn't you...

Oh no you didn't just say that reminding me of an impossible dream that should be inspiring my

        reality.

So today remember yesterday for the present is given to us freely and is up to us to cherish.

Throw that reciept away, for you can never give it back.

WHAT WORDS...

How do you say what you want to say when the words come out all wrong and you pray that the next

         day there will come a way to say never again my friend from around the bend you cant mend

        when you cant send a happy thought to whom you care for through that open door up to the next

        floor can there be more there has to be or we will never see where we are supposed to be.

Please let us forgive and live and get like the beautiful bells.

What the hell is your problem man, come down off that high horse you rode in on and feed the need

        for more with open arms and a open heart where that is a true art where you will never part ways

        of the heart.

So how can I say stay and let it come what may as the tears dry upon our crystal clear eyes no more

       lonely cries.

We pray to take each day as a new way to pray.

Lift up your voice and heart and say I came to say what I want to say and I promise you a new day.

SWEET HOT CANDY

Hot damn, u a fine man walkin in here with that smile and words that could melt into my soul.

We can be rollin' on down the river of love are u sure u are not sent from up above to give me love?

I am trippin' on the sweet honey that's drippin' from your lips like I've never been kissed and I wish

         I may I wish I might have a quick lil' bite.

Ooohh child, where have you been all my life?

Probably a galaxy away like a Katy Perry scene in a dream on a cloud of pop and candy.

What's a gal to do with you?

Have any clue like Ms. Scarlett in the dining room with the revolver blasting forth with emotion as

          powerful as potion.

Give me some of that suga magic like in the old days of glory and fire where you can consume my

          desire.

It's getting hot in here and I have no water and I am parched.

I need a drink to think and relax because I am on a high that you can't buy.

Wake up u say.

It is all a dream playin' in my head because whomever this is isn't in my bed.

Throw back the covers to uncover the internal heat of want and lust.

No treatment tonight doc.

This fever will go down on it's own in time.

So as I lay me down to sleep I pray and pray that I meet you again here where the rooms have no

        walls and emotions can flare up to there.

Remember me .

LYIN' EYES

Who's that bitch a layin' in my bed with her head I said?

I see the candles are all a lit for the night of what isn't right and I fight to say no way is she foulin'

         up my bed with her lust in her eyes and your hidden alibis with those lyin' eyes.

I was a fool for loving you when i could have had someone better who treated me with the respect

         that I deserve not the insights of a perve who wanted more ass than he could grasp.

Yes, that's right, I said it, she is a 2 and I am a 10 and I felt like kickin' your ass right then.

But I was shocked that you made room for her in that heart of coal and kicked me out like I was

          the intruder and it was something that I stole.

Forget that?

It is NEVER forgettable, but forgivable to a point.

The point of no return for damn sure.

Do I love you?

Maybe a little.

Right now I would tread very softly.

For the trust is broken and can't be repaired, just like this relationship it has gone down the drain.

It's a train that kept rolling down the track stopping at Splittsville where I detoured to My Life.

I loved to love ya baby, but I can't hurt anymore.

Used to be my 10, but now I have faith no more.

And you, homewrecker, don't bother getting up to walk me out.

Bitch you can stay.

I am already well on my way.

Oh, before I forget, have a nice fuckin' day.

MI AMOR MI CORAZON

I lost something today where my heaven was residing.

My love was abiding there for all to share as I nurtured  and nourished it with everything I had.

I can never get it back.

Please don't harbor ill feelings toward me as I live on without as the daily stresses mount.

I love you forever and always and that will never change.

Wish I could have changed the outcome but there was a different plan for me and you.

I will meet you again when it all comes to an end my beautiful angel where time where time will

        never touch your magnificent beauty.

I adore you Mi Amor Mi Corazon.

I will my whole life.

I will always love you.

My Tristan.

REASON TO LIE FLAT

I have no reason to lie of why oh why would I slash your tires to expire your ride of new found pride.

Deep, deep, deep sleep, so deep that a creeper did creep with some intent to vent on your ill content.

God knows and God shows, it will not come to blows hopefully not this time.

For I am in a new state of mind.

Let it roll of my back with a whack whack paddy whack give this dog a bone I am never going to

       condone because I am the beacon of positivity.

To whomever did it, Karma is a Bitch.

MY PERSONAL PRAYER


Someone is against me again with their suicide of brainwaves.

When will it end?

I can't be friend, it must be some sort foe.

That does not fit into my mental rolladex, what is next?

Lord help and save me.

I am above the the riff raff, the drunken crazed purple haze.

 I am calm and know the difference between right and wrong.

When all is said and done, God, help me, please pray for me on bended knees with your eyes up to

         the skies to connect with your beauty.

I need my sanity and they will get what is coming to them I am sure.

For now I am choosing to ignore and it is a constant chore.

All I can say is love and light and i know what is right.

PROMISES


Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to let the chips fall where they may.

Onward and upward I say and pray a promise of a new day.

A day has gone, gone and done.

Where there is no one left to redo the bad things done.

A promise of a day a new way.

Some people say we are cray'.

But I don't look at it that way.

Onward the soldiers of love come.

Marching to your heart.

Never fall apart.

Have heart.

It's your start.

LOVE


It is a gift from up above.

Like a flight of a dove.

Bringing the promise of a new life.

Where we have no seeming strife.

Where we are so blind to see the negativity.

I long for the days.

For when they come to me I will see through the impending haze where the blues and greys will transcend

      to let the sunshine in.

The warmth of the sun is love, all consuming and empowering.

Oh, love to love ya, baby.

The birds will sing in perfect harmony and all will be right in the world.

My love is your love and we will fit like a glove and our souls meld together like the joining of intersecting

      clouds.

As I watch the sky I see that dove fly by.

I smile because I am looking at love.

THANKFUL


As I open my eyes, I feel the sun's warmth reach across my body with a loving caress as I lay thinking of the

        welcoming light of the new day.


That brilliant yellowy-gold  with  flecks of silver, what possibilites lies in those colors as I turn to look at my

        well worn room.

I smile to think of the thought and lightly reach over to pet my cat who deliciously purrs his approval.

All is right in the world today.

Thank God I am alive and well to wake to this heavenly sight.

I look out the window at the expanse of mountains and trees and I am in awe.

A lump catches in my throat and I find it hard to suppress the tears because it is so beautiful.

The birds are happy, the air is clean, and I am here.

Happy.

Thankful.

UNTITLED



You have to regulate so you don't procrastinate on your feelings of rage says the sage.

Fly like a butterfly to the sky so high says I  the sage of the post-rage let me out of my cage.

I am going to drop bombs of affection on this congregation.

So come one come all for this free for all, for united we stand, divided we fall.

THE BIG BAD WOLF


So who is afraid of the big bad wolf?

It depends on who it is?

To me the wolf is anything and everything that is not what it seems.

Even while we dream it is there to scare.

While we are aware we always get scared.

We know they are always there.

Lurking in the underbrush or in the corporate office.

We also find them in the common household and schoolyard.

How do we defend ourselves against such a foe?

We look inside ourselves and call upon our spirituality to see us to safety.

It makes it easier to see the flaws in the wolf's fur and we can tell who is friend or foe.

So ask yourself, are you afraid of the big bad wolf?

HOW DO I LOATHE THEE?


How do I loathe thee?

Let me count the ways.

Ten fathoms I wish I could push you into the murky depths of you rotten soul.

Nine leeches sucking my positivity adding fuel to the ever consuming fire.

Eight sacks of dime store candy stuck to my teeth that you gave me.

Seven cans of Mike's Hard Lemonade that you so love rolling around on the floor of your car.

Six violent shoves and kicks.

Five crazy looks.

Four "I wont do that anymore, I promise."

Three "That was not me."

Two "What'dya want me to do?"

One lonely, fucked-up stupid hoe packed and all ready to go.

MY WORDS

My words are flowing down the babbling creek so light and meek, like a  mouse who's lookin' for something

      to eat.

The colors of the blue, gray, and silver intertwine to make paragraphs form into the edges of the banks as i

       scurry along gathering my strength.

It culminates to a resounding boom as my paragraphs become an intriguing plot and i finally reach my climax

       as i tumble down, down, down over the jagged rocks to soldier on.

My words have taught me to sink or swim, so as i reach for the bank with waterlogged hands, I know that

     my new words will make new memories as I pull myself up and out.

TRUE LOVE


Truly deeply we fall in love with the other.

What is true love someone asks?

Well, it is when you look at someone and not only see yourself, but life.

The convergence of 2 to 1 where none was before the door of many frogs or the so-called dogs.

The spark ignites and with it the internal mix tape of emotions to play out to death do us part.

Why so sad?

Be glad when the other passes on.

They lived because of you and you for them.

True love means to find the meaning in what is always there when you share.

Always be there.

In physical, metaphysical, and spiritual.

Until you meet again true friend of the heart.

We will never part.

True love is an ancient art.

INSPIRATION

I look around for an inspiration to write these words to you.

What inspires me might not inspire you.

Love, hate, trust, lust.

No ideas in this wanderlust.

What a bust!

Oh, look at me now...

I feel my  aura getting bright and fizzy like the Fuzzy Navel and a Gin & Tonic I should not have drank too

        fast the Saturday after last.

That's when it hits me.

You're straight up coffee.

I've got that cream and sugar to make that magic elixir to make the headaches go away of years gone past

       with the tears that have dried on the cocktail napkin as I sharpen my pool game.

I am lookin' for inspiration in this game.

I trust that it is wack like the  drunks tryin' to make eye contact.

I ain't havin' that.

I lust for the thrill of getting of getting out and having fun.

It's not about being trashy or flashy or even about sex.

I loathe that a woman is gets caught up in being labeled as that.

I love the fact that I can go anywhere and not care who is anywhere.

Because I am neither here nor there.

I am where I am because I am.

So my inspiration is Freedom.

The freedom to be, the freedom to speak, the freedom, to listen.

Be inspired. Be free.

THE RED ROAD

My ancestors if they can talk to me would tell me to stay on the "Red Road."

Such a hard road to stay on with all the twists and turns and the myriad of colors that catches thine eye like

     the dream catcher to keep out the bad spirits.

It is so easy to look at the purples and the greens when the red is straight ahead marking the true course.

We are a people who need to test everything even the roads we walk upon.

When we come to realize the road to take for some it might be to late.

For me, i hear their voices calling me loud and clear through every fiber of my being.

I don't even need my ears.

I feel the joy and i want to share this magical journey with all of you.

Search for me.

I have the slightly olive skin-tone and dark brown hair down to just about there.

Let's move forward on the "Red Road" we all call Life.

RAINDROPS


The rain falls like the pitter patter of children's feet as I lay down to sleep.

It is so comforting to hear that you almost want to go and play with them like it was yesteryear.

SNAP!

POP!

CRASH!

BOOM!

Back to reality.

2AM.

Got to go to work at 7.

Then you hear Mother Earth calling her children home but the battle wages on for hours until 6:30 thunders

   by and the alarm gives no reprieve for the night of sleeplessness.

The new day has dawned with the children's tears not yet dried.

Can't go out and play.


Annette Radcliff