Poetic Knowledge "The Knowing"

"TEDxVirginiaTech"

I know why 4 times 4 is 16; because in the third grade Ms. Campbell taught me. Proving to me that 0 times 10 isn’t 100 and that teachers don’t live at school. 

I know how to solve all of our issues with education. I know because Lean Six Sigma taught me; how to maximize quality and minimize waste. Imagine if our educational system operated at manufacturing students at a rate of 3.4 defects per million. Using DMAIC, define measure analyze improve, control. I know because I’ve had a few black belt teachers. 

I know everything, and the only thing you know is you’re a jerk. 

I know why you are scared of tests. I know why you do not excel in school. It’s because someone told you C’s and D’s equal degrees but never told you there aren’t any 2.0 (GPA) jobs. 

I know it all. And it is because I am so poetically prophetic. 

I know why stomachs growl; because Ramen is more than an arm’s reach away and the McClone combo and genetically modified everything never looks like it did in that commercial. But the taste is always worth it. A small dash of high blood pressure, a few spoons of high cholesterol, antibiotics, steroids and meat glue. I know because I’m hungry right now. And need something that’s finger licking good. I know.

I know what makes you mad and grinds your gears; because Kony 2012 taught me. We get sucked into the current trends and forget all about the issues that truly matters because of a real nice video clip and a Facebook page that everyone likes but no one wants to come with me to start Fargo 2013 and I know more people in debt than with degrees and next time, we should occupy the highways.

I know why you sleep. Because of Mary J, or that needle piercing your vein and every other drug in your blood sang you a lullaby, the constant self-medication for meditation and why you survive by the backs of Law abiding citizens who struggle day to day and check to check from working their butts off.

I know everything, from The Weekend. Because I’ve been good since Thursday. 

I know how to spit a quick 16 bars, because the fact remains that your favorite rapper went to college. These rapping actors perform daily, “Microphone, Lights, Camera, Action, Spit bars about murder, crime and served time, CUT” then go home. I know because I’ve seen each and every last one of their degrees. 

I know that you can change a life with just a word. I’m not saying through conversation and phrases, I said just one word. I know of your thoughts of blade glides and contemplating suicide and I know that you could’ve been saved you heard just one word; because they weren't strumming your pains with their fingers or singing your life with their words but killing you softly with their silence. And sometimes that one word is “Hi”; sometimes it not you just passing by or being orally armed to do bodily harm, when someone is seemingly screaming for poetic justice. And if you can change a life with just a word, imagine how many it would take to change the world. I know because I studied a many of Words I Never Said and because I saw a million flashcards on YouTube. 

I know your problems. I know your struggles and pains. What’s inside your brain and the source of the rain in your soul that keeps your soul.... stained. 

I know why we have dreams, why we have aspirations and goals.

I know what you are capable of...achieving; because I've seen it in my nightmares and on the news. 

Think of what you know. 

I know a little bit, just a little. Like why most would volunteer to be a victim rather than a pay to be a success.

I know that if I set myself on fire I’d be a trending topic with a million views because the world would rather watch me burn. People would pay a lot more to see me fail than succeed. I know because I learned it from Mayweather, Mr. Woods and LeBron.

I know almost nothing. Or maybe just can’t remember. 

But I do know what you did. What your baby bombing I mean baby booming generation did. 

Because you see there are known known’s. There are things I know I know. I also know there are known unknowns. That is to say I know there’s some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknown’s. The ones I don’t know I know. 

I know why it rains. Each drop is that from the tears of those whose tears were never seen. Each crack of lightning is from the cries and screams that were never heard. I know because of Rwanda in 94’, Cambodia from 74’-79’, Darfur in 03’; I know what was done from 1933 to 1945. I know about 1620 to 1865. About 1865 to the present. I know because the memories of generations of pain cannot be erased and can be seen in our eyes.

I know the two richest places in the world. Sparkling with creative genius and talent. Actors ready for their Training Day, Composers that could rival Mozart and Bach, Billionaires that could’ve made their first million with ease, Authors with thoughts of writing books as powerful as a Bible, Rappers that weren't Ready to Die, but Live; because the two riches places in the world are the tomb and the womb. Souls with greatness buried or born within them. I know because Mr. Nugent said for me to “Fulfill my Passion”. And Eric Thomas said I had a unique opportunity to make my dreams become a reality.

I know why kids cry, men yell, and women scream. Because pedophiles, murderers, and rapist terrorize this earth and if or when they are not judged by what you think to be god, they will definitely be judged by mine. 

I know that I should have died a million times over. But I too had a dream and have yet to fulfill it, and am blessed to make it to this stage. 

I've told you everything that I know. I know everything....Which means I know nothing. 

Moises Seraphin

If Only You Knew

"If only...."

If only you knew,

That every morning I stand in the mirror flexing for a good 5 minutes, dancing to PYT and telling myself, “I am 5 foot 11 and a half and my muscles are huge”, If only you knew,

I used to have this dream. And I hated it because I would, walk into the bathroom, stand at the urinal and handle my business. But it sucked because every time I woke up from that god forsaken nightmare I had wet the bed, If only you knew,

That when I’m in the presence of beauty I start stu-stu stutter and look away to not be lost in her eyes. So instead I gaze at her waist and thighs, to not be sucked into her....boo...I mean beauty. And yet at times I fail miserably. If you knew,

I found the girl of my dreams and I loved her but wasn’t in love with her. She loved me more than any other but I couldn’t love her. And it sucks because the girl of my nightmares stole my heart damning me to never love again. I found true love but had my soul go cold and ripped from my chest, If only you knew,

That I don’t call my dad as much as I should. And I tell him its because I’m busy even though I’m really not. And I can never find the words to tell him he is my biggest hero. My icon... And I strive to be half the man he is. Showing me what its like to love god and all unconditionally. How to become a father, teacher, mentor, pastor, man and human all in one, If only you knew,

That my parents pray every morning for me just in case I forget.

That I’ve forever wondered what legacy I’ll leave behind and what they will say when I’m gone. Because I’ve imagined my body..... without life, If only you knew,

I should be dead 100 times over. Did you know?

I came out fighting from birth. I came out feet first with a cord around my neck...choking me.... and upon surviving hours of labor without drowning they named me Moises. Did you know?

In high school I remember a day when I was going too fast in the rain trying to beat the light and make a turn.. And my car skid into oncoming traffic and stopped feet from the others coming the opposite way who stopped....because the light went from yellow to red. Did you know?

That last school year I was going through hell. I could’nt sleep all semester...I couldn’t sleep. And the time I did...I was driving. The alignment in my car that always goes right went left and I hit the rail and didn’t go over that 50+ foot drop, If only you knew,

That inside of every manly exterior is boy who at times sobs.

In my vivid dreams I see things I can’t touch.

Sometimes I feel pain and it isn’t my own....It’s yours. I taste your trials, tribulations and pain. I feel your tears in the rain. I hear your screams in the back of my brain, and I write down everything I see in these poems, If only you knew,

At times I shred tears when I write because I feel every single word, If only you knew,

That there is a god... A god who has been blessing me every step of the way.

That I am blessed beyond measure and I spend hours wondering why me, If only you knew....

If only you knew....


And if you didn’t.....now you know.



-Moises Seraphin

Diversity

The Beauty of Diversity from t rashaad on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/36445765

Diversity is defined as the condition of being composed of differing elements. Just like variety with the inclusion of different types of things or people, diversity... Is what makes us, and by that I mean everyone and everything unique and special... Because without diversity, one cannot differentiate between him or her, I mean, this or that...diversity. Is what separates me from you, and you from me; the qualities of being tall, short, young, old, big, little, athletic, artistic and the differences in our melanin.

Because diversity...is beautiful. But our so called human nature struggles with embracing diversity and mold that beautiful word into the ugly nightmare known as prejudice. Prejudice...a preconceived opinion not based on reason and experience; followed by bias, detriment with prepossession, discrimination... and racism. Because the misuse of words like “All” perpetuate the cycle of prejudice. And the only way to combat prejudice is by embracing diversity. And we should teach others to reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. We should take individual and collective responsibility for helping to eliminate bias and discrimination and for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education, training, and interaction with others through our, diversity...which is as amazing as individual snowflake... as remarkable as a fingerprint. Diversity...different...yet beautiful. Diversity.


Moises Seraphin

Tears For Trayvon

For Trayvon 

Who mourns the boy you couldn’t see. The child slightly younger than you and me. Who mourns the boy that was scared and crippled by fear. The kid who screamed, but no one could hear. Who mourns the boy who spent his last moments in pain. The young one whose tears were lost in the rain. Who mourns he...That boy who looks just like me.

He went to the store. On the typical night he went to purchase the routine snack and drink. Never thinking twice....not thinking this trip to be his final destination. Ice tea and skittles in hand. Walking home on the phone talking to his girl, yet never imagining tonight he would leave this world.  And yet out of the darkness he felt eyes.  Eyes gazing into his soul. Eyes piercing into his heart. He was engulfed in fear and remained on the phone. As his assailant came closer he was stopped by a question. Heart now beating he heard,  “What are you doing here?” And out of the darkness he saw, what that question held. A weapon. On the phone she told him to run. And all that’s known was that he cried....he screamed for help. Only for his screams to be silenced. Silenced with pain. Piercing his soul with a chill deeper than no other and leaving his hoodie stained. He sank into the hands of god....he fell slain. And his name...was Trayvon Martin.

You can’t replace a life. We cannot go back in time. And there were other lives before his.... Manuel Loggins, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr, Amadou Diallo, James Anderson, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, amongst many others. And what do you tell their families? How do you wipe his mother’s tears when justice has yet to be served.  17 years old. Do you remember 17? The nights you walked home alone? Your trips to the store? Imagine if you were Trayvon....

And we combat injustice through action. We march. But I tell you...and I mean each and every one of you that I am tired of marching. Not that my feet have walked as far as Dr. Kings but because I thought I would never have to. I am tired of walking just as my parents were tired in the 1980s. I am tired of marching like my grandparents were tired in the 1960’s. Because they marched a mile so my parents would only have to march half. My parents marched half a mile so we today would only have to march a quarter. And we march today March 27^th 2012, so our children will never have to march again. We shed tears for Trayvon...that we may never have to shed tears again.

Because I too wear a hoodie. And I am not a criminal. We wear hoodies, yet we show no criminal intent. And to Mr. Rivera I say this, At night with a hoodie I look like Trayvon. At night with a hoodie you look like Trayvon. (Point), You look like Trayvon. You. And you. We are all Trayvon Martin.

And all we ask...is for justice.

-Moises Seraphin

If I had a spaceship...

"A Compilation of my Tweets"

If I had a spaceship,

I would be in Paris...Right...Now, if I had a spaceship,

I would go to Mars when Earth got boring, if I had a spaceship,

I would write poetry in the stars, go back in time and heal scars. I would say **** my damn car, if I had a spaceship,
 
I wouldn’t be eating Ramon Noodles...Right...Now. I would dine on Mount Everest and upgrade to Chef Boyardee, if I had a spaceship,

I would never feel pain, and never be without pleasure. Because I would never see rain, subtle tears, the anguish and stains, if I had a spaceship,

I would fly past the sky.....if I had a spaceship,

I would keep myself outside of the silly thoughts inside my brain, be released from my struggles & pains, if I had a spaceship,

I would be in love with the heavens above, and I wouldnt be feeling the pain of your heartbreak, if I had a spaceship,

If I had a spaceship. If I had a spaceship. Never mind because I don’t.

 If only....I had a spaceship.

-M.Seraphin

No Ordinary Call

Hello....

Oh, I didn’t think you would call......

 Yes I know, it is his birthday but.......

Well, I’m glad you did....

 Yea it has been a long time....and in the time I contemplated what I would say in the event that you called. I spent months wondering if you even cared at all...and what I would say if you ever called. I’m not gunna lie and say everything is easy because sometimes I break down crying.......

Why? Because of the joy of my seed. Holding this child in the highest esteem. And yet I know my deed is to hold he....because it’s only me. I know that this isn’t a home of three and it’s because of thee.....

Wait.....wait...let me say what’s on my mind...you’ve missed a lot of his life so I have to catch you up.

Because he almost didn’t make it to his first day. But the coach said it was fine because our child was one of a kind. One of the best ones out there.  And at his first game, he scored. He ran the ball all the way to the end zone. And, so what if he scored for the other team... in my book he still scored. Running over to me holding the ball with a huge smile...and I laughed and partially sighed. Because I knew soon he would learn to run up field.

And even before that. You should have seen what you considered less of a being, and his smile when I tucked little man in bed anticipating the morning. 

And you wonder why sometimes I cry.

Because he almost didn’t make it to his first day. Because I got off of my third shift late, and when I got home he sat at the door with his ninja turtle book bag on waiting. Waiting for me to take him to his first day of school. With no help it was on me, you see. It was on me...to take care of he....

Yea..... yea I know you were busy, but let me finish...because I remember before that.

Because he almost didn’t make it to his first day. Because on his first birthday it was his worst day. He didn’t want presents or toys he wanted you; and you? Didn’t show. You wouldn’t give him the time of day. And I should have known better because for the first 12 months of his life you were just a monthly visit to our seed, knowing damn well I couldn’t give the missing motherly love or even breast feed, didn’t give the time...not even dropping a dime.

And I knew even before that what it would be. You made it clear, way before that.

Because he almost didn’t make it to his first day. Because I saw your car at the clinic on my way home. I ran in there screaming your name, coming to find out you changed your mind. Saying you didn’t have the time for he; our seed.  Holding the documents and blood payment in hand, I said I would bear it all. I would endure everything but the labor pain. No worry for you. Just 5 more months. Only 5 more months.

And before that I knew.

Because it took two to make three, and it was you who skipped that pill and begged to be pleased. You wanted me to fulfill your need. And protection was neglected because you pleaded to feel it all, You wanted to get it raw. And my dick took over because it never felt that wet before. Blacked out when I busted because you were someone I trust, because he almost didn’t make it to his first day, of life, because I definitely had a condom in my pocket.....

Wait, wait, wait, I didn’t ask for your piece so let me speak.

And sometimes, I break down crying. Because of what was supposed to be our seed. Back then we were close. But as your belly grew you wanted to leave. You didn’t want any part of he.  Your dreams were bigger than me. And the day of my inception into thee was 9 months from his birth day, from his first day.  I was the 19 year old boy with baby, who had to become a man too soon. And I have fulfilled my duty as a man, I’m talking like Flex Washington from One on One, Tamera’s Dad from sister sisters, Chukies dad from Rugrats, Jack Baurer from 24, Alan from 2 and a half men, like Michael from Lost, I’m gunna hold it down and continue my responsibility as a single parent, and yes it’s our child’s birthday and I’m not asking you for a dime....or even your time. I just needed to get this off of my mind to restore my piece of mind.

And when you call back in the next 4 to 10 years I will update you again on what is no longer your burden. No longer your child.

Hello...hello....(“Click”)

-Moises Seraphin

Verses of Love

If you asked me what your name was when we met, I would have said beauty. Because Beautiful is what I called you long before you told me your name. And back then my two words would have been, “Good Morning, Afternoon or Evening” because I trembled at the thought of saying anything less than what I envisioned in my dreams.

You see, I spent hours contemplating the words and phrases it would take to make you mine, and yet in your presence I was speechless. I was mute, I rebuked every thought that came to by brain, I was frozen and pained in the sight of your perfection. And yet as we first spoke my responses came natural as if written by the most eloquent poet. 

But what you don’t remember is that sprain or the way my heart began to feel pained. You saw me playing it cool, but inside I collapsed at the sight of your smile. I was intimidated by your swag and your style.... My heart skipped beats from gazing into your eyes. These were just few of the emotions that jolted me on the inside. But this wasn’t the day I died.

You see, that was the day I came back from hours of dreaming, planning and bore the contemplation of grabbing a meal late or even having just a simple first date. And before you said the words “I will”, my heart stopped, and on your clock it would’ve been merely a few seconds, but to me it was an eternity. Because I asked as a joke, never thinking you would even possibly say yes.  Yet you said yes, and I felt the words running into my chest. I lost my breath....and momentarily I died. If you looked close you would see I partially cried. And yet more than ever I felt alive as I said, “Does tomorrow at 8pm work?”

Date number 1 was one I will forever recall, mainly because there was no awkward silence. I do remember being upset at that one comment, that one inclination that maybe you weren’t exactly the girl of my dreams and it was when you said you didn’t believe in love. Out of confusion I found the words to go to the word and show you verse 4. Because verse 4 was the beginning of our chapter, it was the beginning of our love and after god there is nothing above love. And as our night became the morning I remember your smile as I ended the argument with, “Well if you don’t believe in love, I have to welcome you to my fairytale”. And our night was complemented by a gift. I mean a kiss. Another reason to say I’ve felt the lips...of an angel. Followed by...”Good night”. Which was followed by your mother looking through the screen saying “OH Oh, sak gen la”

Through time you presented the quintessential picture of what a queen should be. Reflecting verses 5 through 7. Because before I let you meet my mom and dad, I had to introduce you to my God. And even though I know that I’m not that good, I know that I serve a good God. Because unconditional love comes from the one above and he is the only one who can teach me how to love you. I know that I am just a man, but if we stand on his word we can grow forever together. Yes, we can grow together forever.

You are my best friend and my sun. I knew from the first time that you cooked, diri sous pwa, bannann peze, griot ak pikliz that you were the one. And when I got down to one knee I knew you would fulfill verse 8.  Ever since day one I knew we would make it to day two......and there was no doubt that you would be the one to say I do. Because in you I saw 1^st Corinthians 13 and it was love. I’m taking from verses 4 to 8 with you matching everything God said you would be, because love is patient, kind, doesn’t envy, boast and isn’t proud. Love doesn’t dishonor, isn’t self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, doesn’t delight in evil but in the truth. Love always, protects, trusts, hopes and preserves. Love never fails. And love...is you.

I’ve searched high and far for the rule book to love, but I’m afraid some of the pages are torn out. So with our vows we can rewrite the rules together. Just us, and by that I mean You, Me and God. So let’s rewrite the rules of love.... Starting from verse one.

Moises Seraphin