People seem to always ask me.
When they see me with outstretched hand
What do you want to be when you grow up?
First of all, I’m grown.
I’m twice the age of a teenager who enters high school.
I have lived their life twice.
And each time saw the same outcome.
Secondly, I really don’t know.
All my life I was told that when you grow up you have answers.
Only to realize at my age there is always questions.

What to do, when to do it.
I’m too old to be a pro athlete.
Too young to be president.
And too busy to care either way.
So I get I could want to be an attribute.
Like kind, smart, funny.
I think I heard someone over there said I was cute.
But kind, smart and funny doesn’t pay the bills.
And I don’t want the bills that cute pays.

So I guess I could stay in my lane.
And think with confidence.
I went to school to get loans
That would buy a house in middle America.
So that I could be uncertain about job prospects
And as a bonus I would have everyone on tv.
Tell me how easy it is to make money
But they are silent when I say I want a career.
They are also silent because I am yelling at a tv
But never mind.
So I guess I could just do what I went to school for.
To be an inspiration to others who are coming up
So that there are professionals who think like me.

My poetry is the middle name that is not found in the baby book.
Because it was first the item that was not in the wedding registry.
But people were mad.
They did not have children
They did not participate in the wedding.
Because they were not invited.
No surprise.
These people said you cannot bring a present that is not in the registry.
I said I was not bringing a present, but the present.
I said I was not coming to open wines in open bars, but I would give them my open whines.that open barred.
I was not going to a reception, but I hoped my poetry would get a good reception.
But they told me I was under arrest for disturbing the peace so throw up my hands
They said to swallow my pride, so throw up my hands.
They walked around me and said they would fight me, so throw up my hands
That’s three times they wanted me to raise my fists.
And I only have two fists.

I told them
My poetry is still given to people
Both in books and in registries
It is still a part of a celebration
Of a greater human language.
Because although it is not part of a baby book
Or a wedding registry
It has a birth certificate.
Called Poetry.
It has a drivers license
Called Poetry.
You are so concerned with the beginning
That you forget this poetry still has to live
After Happily Ever After.
After I do.
Comes We are.
I thought about the future
You just thought about a name that my poetry could not pronounce.
And that people would not remember
So when my poetry brings the drive and you are just staring.
Just remember there will be a time when you don’t even have to say his name.

I tried to call on inspiration
But it was a ****-dial.
It turns out I had it saved.
So when I tried to reach back
They said to leave a message.
I told them I wrote it
And it was my poetry
I called on motivation this time
It said that I would have to explore some options
And they said I would have to put you on hold
I sighed but I did not want to leave.
Because I have important words to say.
I heard a voice at the other end
I thought now is the time to speak
But that voice was poetry
It already spoke for me.

I was in the student center one day
I was watching a game
And it became vital to me over time
In fact, It became more than important
It was revelation.
But this was not found in a book.
I could watch it on T.V
Knights with helmets battling on a field.
Some of my friends became those knights
And fought on the high school level.
It was different playing it in the inner-city
Where one person would throw up a ball
And we would all try to catch it.
Dodging cars and houses and the road.
I tried to be one of those knights
But I was more suited to watching
Than taking up arms.
Because I could not catch the bullet from certain arms.
They said I should stick to shooting
Basketballs, that is.
Then I was introduced to the Super Bowl
And it drew me in.
I did not think any bowl could be so amazing
I am not a dog
But this bowl is always filled with treats
So I kept coming back year after year.
And the college bowls as well
Now I had more bowls than mouths
But I was not complaining
So when I was able to set up my own Super Bowl tradition
And this is tradition
A national holiday as game
It was a fulfillment of a youthful passion.

Someday
I will be both above and below ground.
And both inside and outside of men’s hearts.
When my body is not yet cold.
Someone would use a technology
I could not even fathom now
And retrieve Michael Kusi’s poetry.
Let’s just hope their collection is complete.
They may ooh and aah
They may grimace
They may laugh
They may smile
And at the conclusion
They may collect these writings
And publish them as poetry from this time
For their time
To reflect for future times.
But wonder how one man could write so many times.
Congratulations, Michael Kusi
You have just been Emily Dickerson’ed.
I would tell you all she says hello
From the great beyond.
But there is an open mic in heaven
And I am about to speak.

I spoke about her like the dictionary needed to know her name
So much so
That people teased,
You sure like her
I would get to blushing and stammering
We are just good friends
Who hang out all the time
And talk into the night when the sun refuses to shine
But I’m happy with where we are
Then she said she was going back to school
I hoped that it would not affect our friendship
Friendship?
Is a friendship so vital as to be affected by this.
I hoped not.
Maybe this friendship is more than I thought
And I need to think about what to do next.
But I hope you do well in school
Because I would hate for you to be disappointed.

Ms. Johnson soon left, and Dialect and Breastplate Bearer came to see.
Breastplate-Bearer asked, So who won the final round of Jeopardy.
Message shrugged her shoulders and said, I don’t know, but it wasn’t me.
Dialect interrupted, Dragon-Man, your Abyss-Sword will no longer respond to your command.
It is decreed in the Decipherment charter that no holder can have Helmetchief blood on his hand.
Dragon-Man groaned, and Message jumped up and cried out, I give him a Rulership reprieve.
She looked at Dragon-Man and weakly smiled, Dragon-Man’s body was filled with relief.
Dialect continued, It is best to keep the Abyss-Sword in the Damocles stone.
Therefore someone can still pilot it, and you Dragon-Man will have atoned.
Breastplate-Bearer spoke up and said, I can be the pilot, I have the experience.
I was a fighter pilot during the war, and had the highest clearance.
One day my missile system misfired, and hit a nearby town.
One of the apartment buildings was damaged, and collapsed to the ground.

They dishonorably discharged me at a court-martial, I had to leave the service.
Even though I told them what I did was in the heat of battle, not on purpose.
Someone approached me to join the Federation, it struck my curiosity.
That I could fight for a better cause,  one that would save eternity.
Dialect replied, You can be the pilot, just don’t take the Abyss-Sword out.
Whoever tries to remove the sword will go mad, and insanity will sprout.
They were all silent for a while, they did not know that Abyss Sword had so much tension.
Dragon-Man asked, Who would be able to take it out when the fight has to be won?
Dialect cocked his brow and frowned, Let’s not hope we get to that, because it would be tough.
You might be able to wield the Abyss-Sword in time, but we don’t know how much time is enough.

Dragon-Man asked, then what weapon would I use, to what system would I go.
In came in Lady of the Night with the Composti  repeating crossbow.
She grinned, You gave it to me, and this weapon always seemed better for you.
Because we need firepower as well as slashing, and a repeating weapon will do.
Messaged moved to the other side in relief, she had done her very best.
Dialect interrupted, I have Magaian tiger-hounds to protect you as you rest.
Dragon-man asked whimiscially, Do they bark, I don’t want them to keep me up at night.
They all laughed out of relief and happiness that Dragon-Man could keep it light.
Suddenly there came on the tv, The Police Commissioner Joseph Grant  has declared martial law.
Message stood up and said, Let’s move out and fight , this is what the Federation was created for.

We were bred with much love until the ref said to touch gloves.
When they said to grow up, we put on suits to rush much.
We talked about being men that our daughters wouldn’t want to be with.
Our tribes had sons, and the saying was to not follow how we lived.
Because our role models were songs and movies, all with guns and girls.
But now we have a legacy so we want to make our sons our world.
Because when our son comes home with a problem, it is now the village's
And we don’t want society to take our young one out for pillages
We can sit down with our children, and tell them the birds and the bees
And if Mother asks how you knew this, you never heard it from me.

We spill ink
Like we spill milk
Onto the ground
But we say that it is not our fault
Because the spill was already there
But why does it say words, and touch my heart.
Ok so maybe I spilled it on purpose.
To make a gourmet treat for all of us to enjoy
But on the ground though?!
This ground brings us closer together
So we can kneel and admire what I wrote
Why use paper
When you can use Earth’s platform?
But who is going to pick it up?
Who said anything about picking it up
It will stay there
Because ink like this on the floor
Is meant to be admired, not cleaned.

In life, I do not have haters
I would rather call them commentators.
Because the refuse to step up and become debaters.
Criticizing me must be the new flavor.
Because they cant get me out of their mouth to savor.
Don’t they recognize I can be the world’s savior.
That is why my skin is the color of Darth Vader.
But I am not their father, they are orphan baiters.
That is why I have to cut them off with this razor.

I said that I was something
They said I’m something else.
If I get whipped.
At least I can show what is in me.
And that fluid spilled
Will help life grow whether it lays to rest.
When I have to walk
Someone on the other side is sure to enjoy my company.
Not because I am needed, but because they missed me.
I stand on the shoulders of giants.
Because it is better to collaborate than to slay.
I can see a lot farther from this vantage point.
I see someone climbing up the mankind of height.
Because that somebody must stand on me.
And because the person beneath me did not fall.
I must make sure to hold my ground and dig deep.
So they can see out even further than I can.

I wonder when I got to the age
When I stopped being good at everything.
When my drawings stopped being Van Gogh
And started being like oh no
That’s not my face.
That’s not anyone’s face.
It looks like a cat
Who was chased and barely survived!
I’m sorry.
I thought I was good at this
No, no.
It was not so much that I was good
That it was I was just a child
So when people saw my art portfolio
They said that those stick figures
Looked like the ones in cartoons.
But I think that’s so funny
Because I never knew a cartoon character was named Stick
And had a sidekick called Scribble.
But poetry was different
It was a reverse process
First people said there was something there
Then people noted that I was getting better
In a way I never heard them say about my art.
Maybe it was whispered
But I don’t read lips.
Next I heard murmurs of greatness
And how it was touching
Greatness?
I got to the age when I stopped being good at everything
When I got great at this one thing
Called writing poetry to move the people
And that is my art.
So go figure
I think I will stick to it.
Because if Van Gogh sat down to write poetry.
It would look just like mine.

I am Abner
Commander of Saul’s Army
The Lord’s Army.
I have met this David
Of which many goodness is spoken.
I saw that he was brave
But he would need skills in battle to become a warrior.
I trained him with Jonathan.
Jonathan was quicker with the spear.
His hand traveled faster with the spear to the target.
While David was still pulling back his arm.
I am sure that it is because Jonathan was more skilled
Because of practice
Because of experience
And also, because he was stronger.
He had the height of his father
The heart of his father.
But not his rage.
Jonathan was a better warrior that the King because he kept a cool head.

I’m sure David’s skill with staff and sling did not prepare him for spearwork.
But David was relentless in his pursuit.
And eventually with practice
He learned how to march and not always run
Gradually learned how to fire a bow from distance.
Dare I say, better than Jonathan
I guess it was because his skill with the sling
Helped him with missile weaponry.
But I had to tell him to always aim.
And that just because you could fire 13 arrows in a minute
Did not mean it was reasonable to do so.
So eventually over time, David grew
Even though when he stopped he was at Jonathan’s shoulders.
I knew he would be a general.
So I made him one of my commanders.
Then a servant came to where me, Jonathan, and David were.
Saying that the Philistines were coming.
I hoped David was ready for war.
Because he understood warfare
And not just fighting now.

My dreams are an album
That play so sweet and true
The only problem is I have to put them
Through Life
And life is television
That does not take CD’s
Because it has its own programming
And shows with music.

So when I listen to that melody
I find that it is better than my dreams.
But I keep the album anyway
Just in case I find a CD player
That could hold all of my dreams anyway.
Because someone said I have to choose
Between the album of my dreams
And the programming that plays music
I told them
It’s not a choice
Because the dreams I have
Is on a album that is out-of print
So you don’t see vision like that anymore.
So I will keep both.
Because each has its time.

I was so bad at jumping
I could not even jump to conclusions
So it was bad from the jump
Reaching eluded me
I could not reach a decision.
Let alone reach for the stars
But I sure could bite
My bite was worse than my bark
Too bad I only bite my tongue.
They told me love is blind.
I said it had eyes in the back of its head
Then they asked, What did anything you say before,
Have to do with love?
I replied, Love is what makes us jump out of bed.
And also, I said with a wink, love is what makes us jump into bed.
They murmured, Okay.

Poetry
I stepped in from the outside.
Glad to be back.
From the place where I could not touch the waters.
The waters yelled I'll tag you first.
So now I'm IT.
But when I was ready to run after
They decided to play hide and seek.
Wrong game waters, wrong game.
The skyline was not picture-perfect
Where the sun refused to start shining.
And then came out.
But I am the one who is to seek.......
Sun I don't think you know how to play this game.
Because this is not how this game works.
This is not how any game works.

I made my bed outside
It was a water bed.
And I think there is a hole in it.
That wasn't there when I took it outside.
I am sinking, I am falling
I am melting.
Then a voice said You are not melting, stop being dramatic
Stand up.
But I cannot lie in it.
Because there were ants.
Or rather, Ain’ts
From Aunts
These aunts saying Ain’t you supposed to be married  by now.
I sigh
Deeply.
Kids walk by me.
And forget to walk by.
No don't leave your food there you will attract the ants and the aunts with their aint's.
I just came outside to eat.
Show me the way to fulfillment.

But I saw that there were lines.
Long lines.
Short Lines.
I could not see the end of the long or short line.
All of these  line are  in the way
Of where I wanted to be.
Lines that were not moving.
So I sigh
Again
And put a blanket down.
I miss my water bed.
One of those people in those lines came by.
Wow.
And said, Do you need anything?
I may not have the most sustenance
But we can play catch.
I looked at her
And she was indeed a catch.
Oops, I said that out loud.
With the covering of swine silly, she laughed.
I can travel through this pigskin to you on the other side.
This time I made sure to keep that thought in my head.
Good thing she cannot hear how fast I said that.
I spoke so fast internally the thought almost became speech.
Such thoughts when nurtured become our truth.

So we played catch until sundown.
We should have called it drop.
Because she caught the football on her end.
And I dropped the football on mine.
I could not even claim that the sun was in my eyes.
But I did say the sun is in my hands.
I even tried a one handed catch
And the other hand said Stick to two-handed dropping.
My brethren hand said this monstrosity hurts his fingers.
With every throw I did, she had to come closer.
Hey they call it catch, not pass.
My arms were almost reaching her
With every back and forth
We even threw once in a while.
Until we hugged at the end of catch.
In the darkness I came home.
Poetry.
I could get my sustenance now that I’m here.
Never mind.
I received all I needed from the outside.

I sometimes wondered about the hand that I was given.
But God reached out to me in the pit of the land of the living.
I felt like I was wrestling, but I felt even more my hurt hip.
God said that you have prevailed, when I thought my worth slipped.
Because when I saw him I thought it was another fight, we wrestled all night.
When the dawn came God said let me go, but I thought that would not be right.
So I told God to his face, I would not let go unless you bless me,
He said, Your name is changed to my nation, my happiness where your stress be.
I walked with a limp, but I also walk now with a purpose.
Who would have thought that God could sit on my waters surface.
I asked what is your name, and He replied Don’t worry.
I searched for God all my life but He was not in a hurry.
But he called me by name, so I went back with the breakthrough.
Because since God can empower me, He surely can make you!

God then proclaimed
Over all of his creation
Let us make man in our image
After our likeness.
To look like us
And to like what we like
To be like we be.
God took the dirt from the earth
And mixed it with the waters.
Until he had a form.

But God needed more than a form
Because this was a house of worship
And a house of worship
Needed a congregation of the spirit.
But God was the spirit this house needed
A body without a life is just a scene
And it was time to bring this man into the land of the living.
God breathed, out
The breath was cool and refreshing
The breath went through the form’s nostrils
So he could smell God’s creation
To Adam’s mouth
So he could speak the things of God
So he could give the worship the angels could not
This breath was the wind flowing from the soul of God
A piece of Jehovah he wanted to give to his choicest creation
For man to keep
And for man to live on

The breath of God then arrived to Adam’s belly
To fill a hunger that Adam would have.
It finally came to his legs
Adam’s toes stirred.
God then stepped back
To admire his creation.
This was more than good
It was man
Adam lay there
God shouted, Adam arise!
Adam then got up from his knee.

Mary went to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth said that she was blessed.
And Mary began to give praise to God above.
Because the blessing of God sparks praise
In all of us.
Mary said that this was God’s promise to her forefathers.
Made in the house of fleshly man.
Which contained God in all his authority.
So all she could do was give thanks to God.

Zachariah was asked
By the people who were around him
What is the name of your child
Who was just born?
But he could not speak.
How could a man name his child
The most sacred of duties
With no tongue.
He would have to write it down.
And Zachariah did.
He wrote- His name is John.
And instantly his tongue was loosened from the ******* of silence.
Zachariah could speak again.
He praised God.
This child.
And the child of Mary
Would go on to do ministry together.

The angels in heaven.
Told God, It is our turn.
The father of the prophet has praised.
The mother of the Son of Man has praised too.
Even the prophet worships your holy name
From the comfort of the belly-sanctuary
He can conceive of your glory
And he is not yet conceived.
Let us praise in all our elegance.
Because you are the great and dreadful God.
Keeping the covenant because you love us.
God told them to proceed.
And they came down to Earth
The first mass choir.
An angelic host too numerous to be counted.
And only God knew all of their names.
They said Glory to God
Because favor had come from heaven to earth.
And when the angels went back to heaven.
We continued their praise to God above.
On Christmas and forevermore.

Can we get a round of applause for this occasion?
How we celebrate this day with lights and trees
Reckon that this is the most important time of year
I believe it is the happiest time of the calendar
See the brightness of the lights is blinding
Trees too short to climb and too sharp to touch.
Mistletoe I hope to find with the girl I like under it.
And as we stare, love is certainly in the air
So if we kiss, this season has become so great.

Do I put coal in the stockings of my nephews and nieces
And tell them that Santa did it for them being naughty
Yea that sounds like a good idea, but my aunts and uncles would not be happy.

They tried to defeat us
Did not realize we was the fetus.
Tried to grab us by the legs
To de feet us.
In a sort of breach birth.
But we left by our heads
To get ahead.
Came out with one accord.
So when they cut a cord.
We could get sustenance from the outside.

I wish I could forget
But I can’t watch more than one sunrise up close in a day
Without changing where I am.
And I could not remove the image
Of what you have done for me.
Without changing where I am
Because the place I reside now
Is where I am comfortable
But comfortable does not watch the sun climb the sky
Getting out of bed does.
I could not look at it straight.
Just as I looked at our friendship with two lazy eyes.
Thinking we would always be close.
In time
In distance
As people.

So as I wake up every day
And see the sun shine when before it did not.
I will always remember your kindness.
Even the moon cannot block the sun forever
So time cannot prevent us from talking.
Because our distance
Is only the distance the sun has to travel across the sky.
And just as the sun has to travel down
I could travel down to where you reside
So I do not have to forget
Us

I made a call to the man upstairs.
I heard a voice say, Please hold.
So I grabbed on as hard as I could
Really took hold with both hands.
Because I was not about to let that go.
I knew that there would be a penalty.
But I also knew what was handed to me
And I said I would rather risk a good run
Then watch them pass and lose it all.

My essence is the second twin, the words in scripture, and the slaves savaged.
In other words, I came to the world by the middle passage.
My skin black like ebony, it lacked the ivory webbery of Spiderman
They thought skin should be dyed and I said it would be you died with no chance.
People say they want to travel to learn themselves but they end up going nowhere
In some ways its like seeing the doctor, they don’t really want to go there.
They get physical because they don’t wish to take a geneology physical.
It is probably mystical, but it is better than thinking ancestry is all from  colony visceral.
But they check up famous people from the past, the ones who said we are free at last.
And then decide they can read a little more with their breakfast.
To get a greater appreciation of their heritage, and to know what was done.
Because to keep on achieving, we have to know what was lost and won.

I was walking with my cousins
From the mall to the car
They came from the motherland
Although I don’t think my ancestors could have mothered
What was about to happen.
See, I had checked on my phone
And knew that it was about to snow
Although I had forgot to tell my cousins
I really wish I would have remembered

The first flakes began to fall down
I thought, It is a winter wonderland
Then the flakes began to turn into a snowstorm.
My cousins looked up and were confused.
Because they had not seen snow before
Not even in their movies.
Most of their movies were like Beyonce vs Rihanna
Or Obama vs Ghana’s President
They started to run
I shouted, The car is that way!
They screamed, Forget the car
O God, save us from this snow-fire!
My aunt was standing under a building
Shaking her head and saying, Not today, Satan

Their reactions hurt my feelings
I thought we were braver than this
Soon the snow turned to rain
What they could recognize
They came back sheepishly
And it was a long ride back
When I had to explain what snow was
And how it was not fire

Whose Text Message is This
Is you and her together sleeping?
This deed is low, don’t blame the mistletoe
Now I think I am weeping

Oh no we just met at the water fountain.
We went caroling and sung Go tell it on the mountain.
She gave me her number, there was no slumber.
I think she is my seventeenth cousin and she has a husband.

So she gave you a present under the tree.
All wrapped up with a bow.
Please say the truth to me, and I promise I wont be.
So mad that you did something under the mistletoe.

Oh that’s a relief, so then I could get it off my chest.
We met, I took her home, and you probably know the rest.
She gave me a tour, we kissed at the door.
Now I’m glad it worked out for the best.

This, this is the worst thing that you have ever done!
For Christmas you can swallow pride and sleep outside.
But I thought that everything was forgiven?
Besides isn’t the Christmas season a time of cheer.
Well it sure doesn’t feel cheerful up in here.

I’ll delete her number from my cell phone contact.
Because on Christmas I don’t want mortal combat.
I know now the correct thing to do.
Because for all time I will always choose you.

One day
When I will know nothing but ground
And cross over to the great beyond
Becoming a name on a genealogy
The roots of my family tree
Poetry will select this page
And so many other pages
And sigh
And look around
She will say
To her grandfather, Clause
To her grandmother, Great
To her father, Time
And to her mother, Earth
I knew this man
He was my first love

The doctor stood up in the press and said
The President is as fit as a horse!
Someone coughed in the back.
And raised his hand.
Saying, Doc, there are a lot of horses
Horses who win the Triple Crown
Horses who fight in wars
Horses who get made into glue,
What kind of horse is he as fit as?
The doctor eagerly said,
The President is ready for war!
Then the doctor held his hand over his mouth and said
Oops!
I did not mean that.
I mean, the President wants the Crown!
No, scratch that as well!
The press was muttering amongst themselves.
Some were mad the president was well.
Others were concerned the president was ready for war.
Another was furious the President wanted his crown.
He said to himself, I am the eighteenth cousin of the Queen.
10 times removed.
I am 2000th in line for succession.
Not this President.
A White House staffer guided the doctor out of the room.
As the press discussed what to do with the information.

My lines have controlled substance that will up your heart rate.
Superfly, caught airplanes in my hands and don’t want to depart late.
Because like Clark Kent I was born to be soaring.
I get strength from the sun that rises in the morning
The guns went off, and I made sure that I start straight.
So when people ran up against me, they could not catch.
I went to the finish line, they stayed with the back cameras
Then they tried to make excuses with wack manners.
Those behind were pressed further and lacked answers.
This king got the medal in my hand like Black Panther.
I was in my prime like my first home is Cybertron.
So when I brought the drive, it was vibrant and strong.
Came from the motherland that’s the tribe I’m on.
So when they try to ask me what type of race I’m in.
I’ll say I belong to the race where I'm ahead and winning

They want to arm teachers.
I would rather pay teachers
But they replied they would pay teachers to carry arms.
But I sneered that they would ignore teachers who come with open arms
To receive pay.
You cannot convince me that a teacher should only be paid more
If they take up arms.
And if teachers are to play  police
To police our children
Does that mean the role of children in the classroom changes too?
Would teachers be more instructors or security guards?
I don't know how anyone would be able to do both equally well.
It would be like someone being both judge and baliff.

The sad part is if they ask for a pay raise for any other reason
Such as I need to keep up a standard of living
They say we can’t afford it.
But we can’t afford to skimp on education.
They risk their lives every day
To do what is most essential for our society
Teach our kids.
We have people who can protect them.
The teacher's role is uniquely bestowed.
But you add guns to the equation
It makes it more of a battle.
And not one thats adds up.
The violence might multiply
Because more guns cross the divide between teacher and student.
It is said that the teacher’s unions are the problem.
If there was no teacher union there would not be advocates at all.
Because if these people complaining did not talk out of both sides of their mouth
They really would not be able to talk at all.

It is a feeling I both wanted and dreaded.
I guess I could say I love-loathed it.
You and me sitting together.
Alone.
This is what I thought I always desired.
So why am i so scared.
Why am I sweating even though I feel cold inside.
How come I can't hear what you are saying over my beating heart.
I try to speak
But the words get stuck in the space
Between I love you and my first kiss.
I just wish this feeling could last forever
Or until we meet lips when we meet again.
This will be one of many firsts.

I felt the heat, but I was afraid to see if it was fire
Because looking at you was like viewing the first plane across the sky.
This brother is hoping that no one takes him off this high spot
Because I am in a place I have not been to before.
I hope this situation holds up
I pray I do not fall
Because there is nowhere to go in my life but down.
They must have told that brother, use a balloon.
It is what is there.
Like they told me I should be happy just to be friends
Because you are already there.
But just as the wright brothers had to try.
I, as the right brother, had to at least attempt.
I am glad I was successful.
So we can be fly together.
And change the world forever.

You’re such a parcel, but not much of a marvel, you lack a price
But that is good because now we have the Oathed Sacrifice.
Such was the words when Dragon-Man stood before his main foe.
He dare not think what types of devices Drent had for pain though.
Dragon-man was taken off the Lynxian Road and it was a horror soon.
I was watching with my cousins one of the last of the Saturday morning cartoons.
My cousins watched for more, I had already seen it all twenty years before.
I was just shocked that they would show Dragon-Man to Generation Y
Dragon-Man looked to me now like one of those ventilation guys.
I could see Dragon-Man smiling, and I knew exactly what that smile meant.
Because he needed the Composi crossbow, and he could only get it from vile Drent.
The arrows were like missiles that sought out and broke down the body.
It was the type of weapon so strong, it was almost ungodly.

The Abyss-Sword, tell me what does it feel like to be killed by your own weapon.
Dragon-Man replied with a smirk, I don’t know you tell me, and got to steppin.
He reached for the Composi crossbow, but it was snatched away by a Brackti Guard.
**** him with the full arsenal we have, and make sure his death is especially hard.
It is amazing that Dragon-Man could withstand such an onslaught.
He cannot stand up against it for long, with such brawn brought.
Some of the firepower gets close, Dragon-Man might not survive for long.
What manner of man can withstand such a powerful throng?
Suddenly, there is a noise, and all of the Brackti Guard fall dead.
Drent you might have to sacrifice yourself, said a voice that they all dread.
Beside all of them were gleaming bullets, which had a hole in them but were filled with lead.


It was the Lady of the Night, who came in with the Nike sling.
This weaponry was fierce and devoured enemies and their everything.
It also  made a hellish noise when it fired Byzantine bullets, nothing could stand in its path.
Drent suddenly disappeared because with the both of them, his death would be the aftermath.
You forgot your cross-bow, she said as she gave it to him with a smile.
What took you so long, Dragon-Man asked, I was waiting all this while.
You forget it takes long to reach you when you put yourself in trouble.
At least be happy I turned the Brackti Guard into pebbles of rubble.
Dragon-Man looked at the Composti cross-bow and this was good weaponry.
If he saw Drent it would be the last time Drent ever stepped to he.
Let’s go, I got the Paroah chariot, there is no time to waste here.
Drent probably went back to regroup inside of his lair.
Dragon-Man climbed inside the chariot and said “I will drive.
The Lady of the Night replied, I got it, because I want to survive.
They drove the chariot away, and Dragon-Man got back to his place
Little did he know that waiting for him was a criminal court case.

Breastplate-Bearer said as they were walking, I would put the Federation on my back
Drent rolled his eyes and said, Does he always have such foolhardy confidence, this hack?
Lady of the Night yelled, You two stop having a ****** contest and get over here
Dragon-Man said, This is the place we can regroup with no one to interfere.

Dragon-Man pushed his watch and the Isotrain Mechanism came into existence.
Drent screeched, I will pilot this thing because I am the best flyer before or since.
No I am the Leader so this is my Mechanism, said Dragon-Man annoyed by such insolence.
You know there is a Dual-Pilot Mode, said Message and Dragon-Man whispered Hush.
Drent taunted, Or what are you going to do, fight against someone with a lifeless touch.
Message responded, At least my touch did not lose the Mpoma Stool.
Drent jumped up and down shouting, I warned you not to say that in public and one day I will rule.
You shouldn't talk when a Headdress Prince is speaking, that calls for a duel.
Stay out of this brother, Message turned around with her finger in Drent's face.
Lady of the Night hollered, We have a Logres Market to get to so we better make haste.

Drent growled and said, My Patriot Knighthood Way has not been assigned, so I guess you guys will have to do.
Breastplate-Bearer said, Thank you for your kind intonment, we welcome the ability to fight with you.
They arrived at the Logres Market and Message whispered, We have to use stealth.
They take Premo-Cartridge Gems as their building blocks for wealth.
Lady of the Night give me your garment, I'll go in to make the barter.
Lady of the Night protested, But why can't I do it, and Message replied Because I'm smarter.
Can't argue with that logic, Dragon-Man grinned and Drent replied, Smart is not part of this whole conversation.
Breastplate-Bearer said, The IsoTrain Mechanism has a shielding mode to hide us in our location.
Okay get ready for anything, Dragon-Man called out and Message be vigilant and cautious.
Drent, prepare the Brackti for Battlefare, they are now aligned with the Federation Forces.
Message gestured and said, I will go in and if I need you I will signal by the Flaretine pen.
Drent retorted, The real question my dear sister is not if you will need us but when!

Adam and Eve walked out with heads bowed, covered in ****** lamb’s fur.
This was not how man was supposed to leave, in such a bad manner.
God walked purified in the Garden, but he laid down in a ***** manger.
Lay God down so we would not walk among God as unworthy strangers.
Because God said that His firstborn would crush the snake’s head.
So when the wise men gave the babe Jesus gifts, it was also for our sake instead.
Gifts were a foretaste of the time Christ gave his body to break bread.
God has a prophecy in the beginning, but the wise men had a dream.
Angels drove out Adam and Eve, but another said Herod is a fiend.
Now the angels were not against us, so that Jacob could say he struggled.
But Herod ordered that all the sons be killed, so Rachel was in trouble.
She mourned and could not be comforted, but Mary found guidance.
The protection of the Most High was on her, to shield from Herod’s violence.
Joseph and Mary had to go to Egypt, and leave Bethlehem.
Because they had to protect Jesus, or else it would be the death of him.
But rejoice because God whispered, Out of Egypt I called my firstborn son.
John cried out in wilderness places, Prepare the way, The Day of the Lord is come!

I went to Dunkin Donuts.
Just to get some ice
I had purchased a drink from another store.
That was not so cold.
This was a cold move by this store
If only their sodas were cold
So I asked the cashier for some ice in a cup, please.
The cashier said, One dollar.
I was shocked.
This disgraced my forefathers.
A dollar for a cup of ice?!
I could get water from the sky
Put it in the fridge
And I would have ice, for free.
But I needed ice now.
And to do some work.
So I asked what is the wi-fi password
The cashier also said
And I quote
Wi-fi is for customer use only.
Now my forefathers are desecrated.
I told him I would take my business elsewhere
Where I don’t have to pay for wi-fi
Or ice.
That elsewhere was home.
And my fridge can supply all my needs.
My forefathers can breathe again.
I did not give in to the pressure.

If I was a superhero
Writing would be my superpower.
It makes me see with the extra vision.
Gives me strength for the day.
Because my style is like a computer
In the era of typewriters
Because I’m the type of writer who would breathe words to live
They asked what type of blood I have and I said Writer’s type.
My terms are up like a president who served eight years.
So now others can see what I brought here.
But I did not just come here for your approval.
I approached this from a deeper place.
If your attention is mine.
I assure you that my creativity will be yours.

In life I wear a mask, in death a grave
This mask is kingly borne to fit the great.
To place remains in grounds with nothing to save.
The mask after my life is just my fate.

To say to smile futile, I have no eyes
They ask why don’t you wear a hat.
I scream disguise is pain to hide my cries
A cap inadequate, I have no use for that.

The parts of life I need to keep today
Will go below as people say their last
The epitaph omits my private ways
The skeleton is still in closets, past.

Headstone is speaking from beyond my death.
To search for truth until not one is left.

The world is playing football against us
Without a helmet.
Because it says that it wants to be seen.
And people cannot see its face
With a helmet on.
To make matters worse
The world thinks that we should be that crazy.
We say we should take advantage.
Of a unprotected world
That is out for us.
So we put on our helmets.
And our pads.
And our cleats.
Because it makes us run faster.
And the world says we are cheating.
We say cleats are for winners.
We say we are only following the rules.
Because the object of the game is not merely toughness
The goal of the game is victory.
But victory is nothing.
If I am too battered to enjoy.
Playing with a helmet is good.
Playing without a helmet is a death wish.
So world.
We are the Grim Reaper.
Get ready because we are coming.

I wanted to walk but it was like an elevator.
You brushed me off and said that we would talk later
Just to show that I am not the one to mess with.
Ill become I.T and turn your life into a horror flick.
But I’m not down for all the chasing and running.
Because I breathe too hard, she will know I’m coming.
She will probably laugh and think this is the best comedy.
Then I will tell her I am not the next solemnly.
I swear by now I am the one who is haunted in this franchise.
This love has to be coordinated and I don’t have the hand-eye’s
You didn’t follow the script, because you wanted to ad-lib.
So it frustrated me that I was seething while you were mad glib.
But when I said I was leaving, suddenly she were concerned.
But respect is not taken, and mine was not earned.

He went to the fast food restaurant
And made his order
In front of some very impatient people.
The cashier said Would you like a slice of apple pie?
It is complimentary with the order
He said, No, no.
I would want an apple pie
But take out the caramel filling
We are not at a carnival
Throw away the sugar
I don’t need that negative energy in my life
And take off the crust

The cashier replied
Somewhat shocked
So basically you want an apple?!
He said, no, no,
You heard me wrong
Because you never seen a man like me on a mission.
The apple pie should have no skin
Because I have no skin in this game
Give me all the apple pies you have
Bring all the boxes with apple pies in them
Minus the filling
Minus the crust
I know what must be done
And I am the only one brave enough to do it.
She said, I’m sorry we can’t do that
We cannot help you
She said under her breath
But I think you need help.
He took his food and left.
Everyone else around wondered what must be done
And if they were brave enough to do it.

I’ll be here
When the seasons and the snow and the holidays say I should arrive.
Because when it is the time of lights and reindeer and birth scenes
Is the time I should announce my presence.
And come to where you reside
Bearing gifts after a long journey.
Then we can take a sip of the eggnog
And another one of cider
We can sit around and sing Christmas carols
And not know half the words
It is ok, because we are the only ones to hear
Then look outside and see a white Christmas
The snow coming to rest after a long journey
Just as we have come from all that we were.
Both physical and spiritual locations
And just like that we have to say goodbye
We should do this again
But we know the next date is the next time
The Earth makes its yearly run around the Sun.
That is a day we can look forward to.
As our tradition

I was praying one night.
And I said,
God of my fathers
God of Michael Kusi
Please grant me a woman to be by my side
To do kingdom work with me
And to build a dynasty together.
I waited
For several months.
And I wondered if my prayers were delayed
Or if it was just not the right time.
I prayed again
O God what about my prayer?
I heard God say
Right now there is a woman who has uttered that same prayer
And I have gone to prepare a place
Where two are gathered together
There am I in the midst.
Adam had to be in my rest
In the position I had made for him.
Before he met Eve
I told your special someone
I swore by myself
Because there is no higher power by which to make covenant
Like in the Book of Daniel
Your Michael is coming.

I say I am the good.
Nothing good can come of this
Even though they told me
I refuse to simply believe
They say this day cannot be my day
If it is dark here it is light there.
And I want to go there
Maybe they see where the sun went.
I don’t see why they are so loud
The dogs all bark
There must be sun somewhere
I saw it with mine own eyes
The light was blinding
I wanted to see the sunrise
I did not think the sun came up so early
It is the story of my life
This is not  just inspiration

The beginning of a poet?
Its like trying to get to the beginning of man.
It started with Dr. Seuss
And colorful pictures and rhyme.
Continued with the reading of psalms.
And looking at King Arthur.
Trying to create short stories.
Until I realized I could do it in rhyme
And tell a story at the same time.
And use metaphor and alliteration.
Without having to draw it out.
I could put Arthur’s sword in the stone again.

It was also embedded in the soul of rap music.
I thought that I could spit like them.
And I kept writing until I woke up one day.
In a cold sweat to realize that I was not a rapper
But I could make something of these words
That was not rap
But was a special bond.
It picked up in school

When the teacher said, I have an assignment.
And I discovered a part of me
That I thought was buried
In my childhood
And to arrange them into beauty.
And then the beginning really soared in slam poetry.
Spoken word that was performance art.
Even though I did not win an award.
I discovered a talent
That was more than victory
It was realization.

If this white tree could only stand and talk.
It would say, I’d be dancing right now if I could walk.
I fought in America’s Independence, and was a tree for snipers
They would sit on me and use me as a platform for aimed fire.
One shot down a general, the other shot at British horsemen
But weren’t those two different battles, The tree replied It’s not Important.
They took parts of me to make the Executive Mansion.
The White House, I said, It replied Son houses cannot be handsome.
They then hit me in the side and made the presidential desk.
I buried my head in my hands because this story sounded a mess.
But the tree continued because in its mind, it was always there.
The one thing that always struck me as always unfair.
I received no mention, garnered no monies for pension.
Even though I deserved to be well-paid for all this tension.
Hey wait a minute, I protested, the White House is further south.
The tree roared, It is the Executive Mansion I tell you to watch your mouth.
Put more respect on the place where our president will reside
Of all the trees that gave themselves, I am the only one that undied.
I yelled, I’m pretty sure that undied is not a word, anymore than Executive Mansion is.
The tree then shed a tear and said, of all the places I know it has the most unprettylessness
I groaned and I wondered how a tree could be so obsessed with a home.
Then I realize that the tree was out here all abandoned and alone.
So I asked, How were you able to make the table that could seat 150 people.
I swear that as the tree talked about triumph it could not have looked more regal.

Brad called Joe in.
Brad said, I saw you kissing my daughter
This isn’t kiss my daughter at work day
Its just work day
Joe replied, YOU can kiss my big naked-
For those who don’t know, its where the sun refuses to shine.

The man strides to the stage but his words are not just another speech.
In the crowd he hears a voice, singing “Go on Brother, preach!”
She also sees that heaven told him the right moment is this here.
He see a familiar face, her eyes reflect both hope and despair.
Ears reaching to hear him, a mouth that curves upward at his words.
The lines under her eyes match the lines over his paper surface
He looks on with bemused eyes when the cameras tape her nerves.
Both her lines and his eyes understand the nature of the struggle.
He remembers walking around in the night, collecting his thoughts for a dream.
Today his spirit is a bridge over still waters, but yesterday was not so serene.
Every word weighted as worthy because it will be caught on the screen.
Eyes on the camera, he tells himself as hands grasp the lectern and it feels strong..
The same man who said that America itself has guided missiles wrong.
Looks inside to see how America can guide itself right
Thinking to himself, I gotta bring these people to church.
Back to the home I was raised, back to the place of our birth.
He clears his throat, the voice has to be made ready for so dear a show.
Then he cries out with his mouth, those sacred words, “ Fivescore years ago………”

The God-head
We are not a stiff-necked people
But we are the body of Christ.
The government is on Jesus's shoulders.
This same Jesus that sits on God’s right hand.
The goats that get banished lined up on God’s left hand.
The God who performs deliverance by the Almighty's finger.

God promised he would take out our stony heart
With His right hand.
And put into our chest a heart of flesh.
The nail’s went through Jesus feet.
But never his heart.
By his stripes that are on his back we are delivered and restored.
He showed Thomas his side.
That same side that  Adam gave up a rib to make Eve.
But this time something did not just come out.
It came in and out.
But no weapon formed against me shall prosper.
And anything that goes into my life that is impure.
Must come out by the Word.
Because I am covered by the oil and by the baptismal waters.

There lies life inside this vein.
Strip away my struggle and pain
Until only the beauty will remain
They call it love.

I wondered how to express
This burning feeling in my chest.
That was with me without rest
I am sure it came from above.

When we don’t talk I will miss you.
I think the beauty has just grew.
I hope you feel as I do.
I am the hand to your glove.

Because in this life we all need a cover.
On it I am willing to play the role of lover.
Because I know that we need each other.
I know what they call it but do you call it love?