THE PEAR, Poetry by Patrick D. Peay

Let me plant my bitter seed, and we can make a better breed

They’ll know not to complain about the rain

The rain is like good therapy

It is food for the pear tree

So we can live a life that is carefree

There is no partridge in this tree

Genre: Maniacal Spoken Word

THE PEAR by Patrick D. Peay

While I sit in my lair with a painting of a pear

I sit and stare off into thin air and wonder why life isn’t fair

I wouldn’t dare compare my flare to that of another player

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

I swear I won’t get stressed out and pull out all my hair

These burdens I bear make me aware that people like me are rare

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

I’m not square, so don’t give me that glare

It’s not like I’m running for mayor

I’ve got a prayer my soul is spared

I’m not a hero, but don’t say I didn’t care

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

 

Let me plant my bitter seed, and we can make a better breed

They’ll know not to complain about the rain

The rain is like good therapy

It is food for the pear tree

So we can live a life that is carefree

There is no partridge in this tree

This isn’t for the industry

The fruits of my loom are for my enemies

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

There’s something on my mind I would like to share

This is not a Facebook status

This could come without practice

Practice, we’re talking about practice, practice

Muscle memory should make this automatic

Why not burn to the core like acid that is muriatic

The blood I shed is hydrochloric

There should be a warning for it

There’s passion in my veins, I can’t ignore it

I seek to do something that is historic

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

Sometimes I give myself quite a scare

 

That’s right sometimes I scare myself, but I’ve learned to prepare myself

There will always be a call when you need my help

So just keep picking at my pears

Soon enough the traps I’ve set will ensnare

Then you will be the one that’s in despair

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

I deal with shades that are fifty times grayer

 

 

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Read NEW Poetry from all over the world

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three option to submit.
https://festivalforpoetry.com/

Read NEW Poetry from all over the world:

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three option to submit.

FREE POETRY CONTEST – Deadline TODAY

Read NEW Poetry from all over the world:

WAGNER THE LIGHT GUY, by Chenda Cox
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/27/wagner-the-light-guy-poetry-by-chenda-cox/

GABBY’S STORY, by MS Rockett

Gabby’s Story, Poetry by Ms. Rockett

THE DESTITUTE DEMOCRACY, by Steve Miller

The Destitute Democracy, Poetry by Steve Miller

IT’S ONLY RIGHT, by Drew Price

​​​​​​It’s Only Right, Poetry by Drew Price

A MOMENT, by Oyinkan Agboola

A MOMENT, Poetry by Oyinkan Agboola

SLEIGH, by Brian Anthony Hardie

SLEIGH, Poetry by Brian Anthony Hardie

NOT EVERYONE, by Pyja Jurid Pyxaz

Not everyone, Poetry by Pyja Jurid (pyxaz)

THE NIGHT WE FELL IN LOVE, by Lari G.

The night we fell in love, Poetry by Lari G

WORD FROM EMMANUEL, by Emmanuel Griggs

Words from Emmanuel, Poetry by Emmanuel Griggs

SURVIVAL, by Nwoko Alexandre

SURVIVAL, Poetry by Nwoko Alexandre

YOU’RE NOT THE BOX OF ME, by Cindi Walton

You’re Not the Boss of Me!, Poetry by Cindi Walton

WHY CAN’T I MOVE, by Tierra Martin

Why can’t I move?, Poetry by Tierra Martin

 

Why can’t I move?, Poetry by Tierra Martin

Being enclosed by your infidelity no air for me to breathe.

Why won’t you just let me live!

Being caught in your wrongs isn’t what I pictured our relationship to be.

Genre: Heartache, Romance, Relationship

Why can’t I move? by Tierra Martin

Being enclosed by your infidelity no air for me to breathe.

Why won’t you just let me live!

Being caught in your wrongs isn’t what I pictured our relationship to be.

Not being able to be set free me falling damn on my knees in a searing plead.

You took quit advantage of my kindness.

Therefore, me pushing away from all this hurt in the end would help me mend things on my own two feet.

While my heart is beating defeating your indecisive mindset

I’ll also be set free to fly away too a place where I can finally love me for me..

 

 

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You’re Not the Boss of Me!, Poetry by Cindi Walton

“You’re not the boss of me!” the kindergartner said
When his mommy told him, “Son, now it’s time for bed!”
“Wait till I turn 18, I’ll do just as I please”
Said the boy to his father as he took away his keys
“I’m 21 and DRINK; stop me if you dare!”

Genre: Family

You’re Not the Boss of Me!By Cindi Walton

“You’re not the boss of me!” the kindergartner said
When his mommy told him, “Son, now it’s time for bed!”
“Wait till I turn 18, I’ll do just as I please”
Said the boy to his father as he took away his keys
“I’m 21 and DRINK; stop me if you dare!”
His folks were concerned, but he didn’t really care
College came and went, and a job he did procure
Found a pretty brunette and asked to marry her
Bought a house in “Newville” where everything was new
The boss of his own destiny, to do as he would do
The years went by and children came, one, then two, then three
He had it all, life was grand, and this was his decree
“Look Mom and Dad” I did succeed, I knew it all along
You didn’t have to ride my butt and tell me right from wrong!”
The seasons changed, his kids grew up and then they started school
“You’re not our boss!” his children cried, he knew he’d been a fool
He saw now as a parent sees, through eyes just like his own
He knew he had a call to make, pulling out his phone
And when his parents answered, he said between his tears
You’re the “best boss” a kid could have; I thank you for the years
You never walked away and let me run amuck
The things you meant to teach, I DO BELIEVE they’ve stuck
Until we are a parent and see what parents’ see
We never can appreciate just how we came to be
Thank you to my Mom and Dad, who led, and did not fold
And made me see the value of ….Do as you are told!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Planting Seeds – Poetry Reading by Abu B Rafique

There are multiple themes that I try to touch on in my poem, love, wanderlust, youth, memory, but the biggest one is how people affect others. Everyone leaves some sort of an imprint on someone else, I like trying to look at how that can influence where people go from there and how they are as people afterwards.

Watch the Poetry Reading – PLANTING SEEDS

Poetry performed by actor Amaka Umeh

Get to know Abu B. Rafique

1) What is the theme of your poem?

There are multiple themes that I try to touch on in my poem, love, wanderlust, youth, memory, but the biggest one is how people affect others. Everyone leaves some sort of an imprint on someone else, I like trying to look at how that can influence where people go from there and how they are as people afterwards.

2) How would you like people to respond when they read or watch your poetry reading?

Preferably in a good way, I’d be a little put off if someone absolutely hated me or something. But the fact that they react is the most important thing no reaction would just make me feel like I did nothing with my words.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Since I was six years old. The first one I remember writing was about chicks. It’s the definitive work of a generation honestly.

4) Do you have a favorite poet?

That’s a hard one. If you threw together William Carlos Williams, Sylvia Plath, Rumi, and Allen Ginsberg, that’d probably be my favorite poet.

5) What influenced you to submit to the festival and have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

The chance to have another platform to share my work with people.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes. I’ve got four books out actually, “Leave the Rice on the Windowsill (short story collection),” “Let’s Go Wandering (poetry collection),” “The Other Side of it All (more short stories),” and “The Chaotic Caffeine Fueled Collection (short stories and poetry).”

7) What is your passion in life?

Trying to connect through my writing.

A MOMENT, Poetry by Oyinkan Agboola

One moment, we are a race who sees beauty in everything

The next, we have devolved into a race that sees beauty only in the vanity of appearance.

Genre:  Philosophical, Sad, Semi Inspirational, Humanity, Disappointment and a little hope.

A MOMENT by Oyinkan Agboola

 

One moment, we are a race who sees beauty in everything

The next, we have devolved into a race that sees beauty only in the vanity of appearance.

 

One moment, we speak philosophically

The next, we mock our own wise words.

 

One moment, we weep over the empty voids that are supposed to be filled with emotions.

The next, we celebrate the emptiness of the void.

 

One moment, we are so willing to fall in love

The next moment, we fear to leave the safety of the loveless heart.

 

One moment, we cling to humanity

The next, we gleefully tramp on it.

 

The moment we once again begin to see the perfection in imperfection,

The moment compassion begins to flow again in our blood,

The moment the mockery stops and the loving starts.

That is the moment we regain our humanity and lose the insanity.

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​​​​​​It’s Only Right, Poetry by Drew Price

I know he didn’t mean it. He says I’m sorry so it’s only right I forgive him. He tells me he loves me so it’s only right I believe him. He tells me it won’t happen again so it’s only right I trust him.

Genre: Hurt, Love, Lust, Pain

​​​​​​It’s Only Right by Drew Price
​​​The Fool in Love (Which Always Seems To Be The Woman)

​​​​​​Cliché

I know he didn’t mean it. He says I’m sorry so it’s only right I forgive him. He tells me he loves me so it’s only right I believe him. He tells me it won’t happen again so it’s only right I trust him. And you know I’d leave him but its only right I’m insecure, lost without him its only right my self-esteem be knee high to a grass hopper, Knee high to a new born, knee high to the leg of the chair I fell into you know the one he pushed me into when I mustard up a mustard seed amount of courage to tell him I’m worth more, but its only right that I didn’t because not even I believe that. I know he’s unfaithful, but it’s only right I stay because he may sleep with them, but he comes home to me so I know he doesn’t care about them only me, just like he says. Not even the sting of peroxide inside my open wounds makes for reason enough to leave because I know he’s just stressing got a lot on his plate and I just pushed him to his limit. So don’t tell me to go don’t warn me of my safety because I find pleasure in the pain of the fast fist and harsh words or at least that’s what I told myself because its only right I make excuses as to why I should stay. We all know I’m insecure its only right I can’t live without him like my life wasn’t created before him and won’t be without him like I hadn’t found any parts of heaven before him but hell burned in my back yard so you know it’s only right he be my knight and shining armor to put the fire out. I know his words are sour. Stale “your beautiful” and false “I love you,” but I stomach it because somewhere this must be a delicacy and I must be very lucky and you must be a treasure and I must be a wonder and you don’t see it yet, but its only right I stay around until you do because we all know a foolish wife believes all tales true or untrue which goes right back to me needing you which goes right back to never leaving you because that’s what I’m supposed to do as the insecure lover who obviously has no brother.. Or no father because its only right my reasoning be need for male figures need for a heart lifter need for a strong hand even though your back hand is firmer than your hug but somehow they both feel the same. It’s only right I push that feeling behind my lasting love because it’s only right I become a punching bag for love. It’s only right I have no back bone so I stomach your rough hands even if they crack and bleed against my open wounds created by those same rough hands. It’s only right I be stuck between rock and hard place more like fist and fist cold heart and dead emotion not love all lust but its only right I stay. I…. the joke past among friends masked as she deserves betters and she’s stupid for staying, masked as “why do you think so little of yourself?” and “ Child I know you lost your father but he’s turning over in his grave at the sight of you with this monster.” It’s only right I lift my head slow with the weight of a ton of a bricks and say “you don’t know him like I do. Really, he’s a different so don’t talk bad about him just remember the curl in his smile the first day you met him and remember how beautiful the mask created by his wit was. Remember him as he was the fantasy of my imagination. Remember when I told you “This one’s different,” It’s only right I face my mother like god on judgement day and say “See momma’ I’m okay. He gave me this ring to make it all go away. He gave me this bag and begged me to stay.” But he also gave me these scars and on this floor I lay but its only right I stay because it’s my fault I had no right acting this way so it’s only right I stay as long as you’ve covered the bruises it means they’ve gone away so forget that day…allow it to become dust along with the person you once were… before you fell in dangerous love. This person, this flawed person with eyes containing no depth and hands too weak to hold a heart now to broken to mold into anything desirable. I, clearly the face of bastard children. Looking as though I’ve lived with no love so desperate willing to give my heart to any person willing to take it, so along came you and along came this cliché which I fit perfectly… It’s only right one day I come to my senses but only when it’s too late only when I’m bearing a child because my life alone isn’t enough to care about so it always takes a child for me to realize any sense of worth and even then my worth is no worth at all because its only right that I place me below your hard rugged feet, a footstool, a doormat, just an object to you its only right that be me. I that silent spirit too flawed for gods touch too flawed for your desire just weak enough for your abuse, I that still fool hearted silly girl, you clever lover with oil words silk smooth yet bitter to the taste but that just goes back to the delicacy you are how I must treasure this bitter taste you are this sticky feeling you bring, old song you sing, once music to the king, but your demonic heart shot your music to hell and it only be right I come along for the ride only right I steer this ship called love wreck we’ve created with our hands this ship called love wreck we’ve created where we stand and when this ship is destroyed.. It’s only right I take the blame not like you deserve it, but its only right I take the shame. To what do I owe this pleasure? You and me together to what do I owe it? I learned the back side of your hand like momma done raised me right so I memorized the sting of it that way I would never be caught off guard by the pain of it. Oh this stain you left of me. Oh this heart you broke of mine…this evil you’ve surrounded me by, so why did I pray by you? Pray for you? Have faith in your I’m sorry’s? Why? You this vast ocean with angry waves ruffled by rough winds me, this delicate ship who bares your waves just to feel the cool of your waters against my cheeks how I love the feel… even though the after math be rotting and broken boards my ship little and fragile standing up to the devil in your rocking waters…. Just for the feel of your cool waters. You my cool waters words like diamonds sharp enough to cut…. And you do, but it’s only right I hide the bleeding put a bandage over and act like it’s not there its only right I ignore the pain and the fear and the warning. My god. This skeleton of me you’ve created all skin and bones its only right I learned to starve the need for love, my god, this skeleton of me you’ve created, but its only right I learn to love my bones.
The eve of my funeral it’s only right you sit… behind rusted grey bars in a black and white jumpsuit and think of me, how much you loved me. They gave you life for taking mine. It rained for days after that because I sent tears from heaven just so you know I still cared and… I did. I this distant memory of limbs and organs who fell in love with the devil so it’s only right that even from heaven I find a soothing melody in your eyes. When you sleep I appear in your dreams and tell you, “I love the flowers you sent my mom on the eve of my death… I wish I could smell them but you snatched the air out of my lungs when your unhappy hands met my neck like baseball bats and… I forgive you, because its only right I forgive you.”

 

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The Destitute Democracy, Poetry by Steve Miller

Democracy is in peril my friends
forces greater than you or I
Conspire in the night
They seek to steal it as we slumber

Genre: Life, Society, Political

The Destitute Democracy by Steve Miller

Democracy is in peril my friends
forces greater than you or I
Conspire in the night
They seek to steal it as we slumber

Democracy is in peril my friends
We sleep walk into our fate
A fate of destitution and destruction
Where man and beast are one the same

Democracy is in peril my friends
Power rests in the hands of the minority
While the majority fends in the urban wilds
As the few live in luxury and opulence

Democracy is in peril my friends
Corruption has seeped into our society
The maxim of the age is greed is good
And might is right; we need a Robin Hood

Democracy is in peril my friends
the powerful stand as tyrants
Modern day kings of capitalism
You and I their faithful subjects

Democracy is in danger,
It is on its last legs.

Democracy lies on its deathbed
About to take its final breath
It’s time you found your voice
Before there is nothing left

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Gabby’s Story, Poetry by Ms. Rockett

From the hood of the ghettos I still rose
It wasn’t because the clothes on my back or what covered my toes
It wasn’t because my Daddy had stacks or cuz he had hoes
My momma had woes
As she rose to wake up to make up
What my Daddy left behind

Genre: Lifestyle

Gabby’s Story by Ms. Rockett

From the hood of the ghettos I still rose
It wasn’t because the clothes on my back or what covered my toes
It wasn’t because my Daddy had stacks or cuz he had hoes
My momma had woes
As she rose to wake up to make up
What my Daddy left behind
In the same town, in the same time
There were nights without lights
Roaches and mice
Screaming and fights
Grilled cheese sandwiches and box Macaroni and Cheese, canned corn and brown, I mean “green” beans
That was my life
Time behind bars before I could even dream about stars
Long dark walks and old azz men stopping in their cars
As I ran away to my Grandma house only to find out that life was still the same
No shame
It took hella years to know that I was more than my name
More than the blame
More to what came
And went
Money spent late bills sent
After the stint
In the US Navy
Shit still didn’t make sense
I’ve walked down the aisle to receive my honors
Praying and hoping the bill collectors just wouldn’t bother
I’m struggling to survive
Hoping good 90 day evaluations can keep me alive
Thinking my degrees would stop the fees, reduce my needs
Nope
Life don’t work like that
It wasn’t until I decided that it was my shadow of doubt and fear
That always seemed to loom near
Something I can’t name yet something that I framed
Operating in that frame of mind
Lost a lot of time. Cost a lot of dimes
So now I mind my mind
I practice great thinking
I sit without blinking
I make vision boards and do prayers and affirmations
I’ve turned my life into a declaration
I’ve freed myself of all frustration
The best way to describe this feeling is elation
I’ve elevated operating on a higher frequency
The bottom thinking people can’t see me
From the hood of the ghettos I’ve become a rose
One that grows inside and outside the ground and no one knows
How
Why
When
And Then
It just happened
I started blooming…

 

 

 

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Read NEW Poetry from new poets from around the world

Read NEW Poetry from new poets from around the world

MESS, by Damilola K. Fashola

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/mess-poetry-by-damilola-k-fashola/

TANGENT, by Rebekah Mambiar

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/tangent-poetry-by-rebekah-mambiar/

VAIN I AM, A.D. Largie

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/vain-i-am-poetry-by-a-d-largie/

THOUGHT NAZIS, by Benzuko

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/thought-nazis-poetry-by-benzuko/

BE THE LIGHT, by Yusef Vance

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/be-the-light-poetry-by-yusef-vance/

MY COMPASS, by Esmeralda

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/23/my-compass-poetry-by-esmeralda-hernandez/

JAHH THE POET, by Hooper Simba

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/23/jahh-the-poet-poetry-by-hooper-simba/

 

 

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