R.I.S.E. U. P.

Where I Stand:

I stand on a foundation
Denser than concrete
Even more solid than earth
A foundation stronger than diamonds
Of undetermined worth.

I stand beside my uplifters
Who’ve supported me on my journey
Encouraging me everyday
Gibraltered with a hope and faith
In me that never gave way.

I stand beside anyone with less
Needing just a little more
To help them get through
What seems like hopeless times for them
When needs are far between and few.

I stand beside the friends and foes
Having knowledge of their innocence
When being falsely accused
Far be it from me to bear false witness
That’s who I am, that’s what I do.

If there’s any wrongdoing by
Kindred distant or close that
Has to me been made known
I will stand beside them as they
Accept the consequences and atone.

I stand here of...

In the Spirit

For everything there is a season and

A time for every matter under Heaven.

A replenishment of hearts and souls

Symbolizing the relinquishment of

Old ways and the start of new beginnings.

Allowing the past to remain the past

As we optimistically look forward

To our future and whatever it beholds.

The closing of one door

The opening of another.

Surrendering and submitting

Our spirits as offerings

Just as Christ was offered to us.

As we journey into each new year,

Let us do so fervently with prayer

Whether it be out of thankfulness,

Repentance or need.

Let our consciences be clear,

And our hearts as opened as

Welcoming arms.

And within the spirit of this season,

As we all are a part of

The body of Christ,

As we grow in unification and

Until He is ...

Acceptance is the Key to Change

Unapologetically and unconditionally claimed
Taken as I am
No need for change
Uniquely and amazingly made
Everything about me is just fine
I am enough for us
And I know He’s mine.

But as I live and breathe
Having to deal with the insanity of
Society betting against us
As we strive for the unattainable
Assets they have so graciously
Dangled in front of us.
It was painful to see
Just out of reach and without speech
How we endlessly searched
For our mind’s peace.

I was done with settling for
And conforming to society’s realm
I played that role a thousand times
When I was at the helm.
And while navigating the obstacles
Of societal pressures
Thoughts of the serenity prayer linger
Making the weight of my burdens
Lesser and lesser.

As my mindset began to change
It was within...

Made Up Without Makeup: The True Beauty of Us All

Just as I am

What you see is what you get.

Your inability to understand me

Doesn’t require change on my part

Just further research on yours

See, I have no regrets.

I do me as I see fit

In accordance with His acceptance

Regardless of other’s questioning.

Molded and shaped over time

By known and unknown events,

Guided through the darkness

By His light I’ve spent

Hours, days and nights

Hands folded and knees bent.

Not asking for easier times just

The strength to make it through.

Learning how to better understand myself

So I can learn how to see a better you.

This is where the true beauty of us all

Is supposed to shine through.

When you look inside yourself

And you’ve received confirmation

Of the conformation of be...

Dawning of a New Horizon: A Test of Faith

From the first day I set out,
You were the encouraging winds
That filled my sails.
As I learned, you became the oar
That guided me through
Narrow waters.
When times got rough,
You were the rudder
That kept me on course
Through angry seas.
And when I thought
I Was journeying alone,
You revealed to me
Your beacon of hope;
And it was in that moment
My darkest fears disappeared.
I watched as you
Cast your light across the waves
Letting me know you were still there
As I continued on my way.
So I held onto the last
Of my diminishing faith.
And whenever the fog
Settled around me,
Obscuring my vision
From time to time,
I’d raise my eyes
To the midnight sky
And as the stars glistened
With direction,
My hope filled smile grew,
Raging waters calmed
And pe...

Freedom Day

One hot summer’s day

June 19th, 1865

Was a day that forever changed

Black America’s lives.

The Sounds of breaking chains

Echoed across the lands

Taking center stage with the end of

Whipped backs and bound hands.

So many priceless lives

Unnecessarily given

In the name of freedom because

Bondage wasn’t how we were living.

Over the decades we strived

Fighting every step of the way

And we’re not done yet

Because we still fight to this day.

We’ve come so far into our own

And as we continue to do,

We make a way for the next

Generations of me and you.

Uplifting and encouraging them

To be steps above where we were

So they’re treated with respect

With yes ma’am and no sir.

The bells of freedom hav...

Woman to Woman

Woman to woman my sistas,

We have to do better.

We need to look up more

Instead of looking down

Upon each other.

Here, let me help straighten

Your crown.

There ya go!

Embrace yourselves as you are

And accept your sistas as they are.

There’s one on your left,

One on your right,

One in front of you,

And one in back of you.

Give your sista behind you

Something to look forward to.

Set an example for her so

The lessons she learns can

Be the foreground for next generation.

And as we teach our children

In the way they should go,

When they’re older,

They will not part from it.

Give your sista in front of you

A pat on her shoulder

As you work together

For the greater good,

Let her know you’ve got her back!...

Time and Place

In time, with time and by time

From first thoughts to implementation

In creation and formation

In building and demolition

There’s a time and place for everything.

With the beginning of new life

And the nurturing of the young

To the guidance of adulthood

And the ending of the older

There’s a time and place for everything.

From the dawning of a new day

As we work throughout

To the setting of the sun,

As we lay down to rest

There’s a time and place for everything.

When we’re gathered in times of joy or sorrow

Or stand united in solidarity

We have to make the most of the

Time we’re given while we’re here now

Because there’s a time and place for everything.

And once these things are gone

They will not return,

Nor will we.

Self Awareness Haikus

Belief:

Know that most things sought
As we journey on through life
Can be ours in time.

Go For It!:
Whatever it is
Your heart desires, seek it
And it will be yours.

Sincerity:

There’s nothing to gain
From negativity but
Pain and loss of trust.

Dishonesty:

Deception gains
Its momentum from the
Negative minded.

Support:

Just as the oak branch
Reaches out, I extend my
Heart and hands to you.

2/11/2023 by LP45

Hedge of Protection Prayer

Most gracious God,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
I come to you humbled and
On behalf of my brethren.
God, I ask that you place
Your hedge of protection
Around them as they continue
Along life’s journey.
Keeping all illness and
Negative influences away
From them so Satan and
His demons bear
No chance of prospering.
Protect them from the hatred
Of those who seek their failure.
And extend this same hedge of protection
To those who intentionally look to harm,
But in turn see the error of their ways.
God, please keep them,
And all that are of them,
Protected under your wings.
May your presence be the armor
That protects them on the battlefield.
And as they seek you for their needs,
Shower them with your blessings.
Because it’s only with You
That all things are possible.
May this hedge of pr...