on repeat...

haiku:
music is like Lays
i can't just listen to one
good shit on repeat


I said on facebook a couple days ago that I needed a Badu intervention.  I was serious!  I have certain songs of hers that I will put on repeat or keep playing one part over and over again.  There seems to be certain songs in general that just touch a place in my soul or speak to a situation I am going through. What songs do you play to death? These are mine:



Erykah Badu - Window Seat
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"I need someone to clap for me..."



"The story ends... as stories do, reality stepped into view... no longer living life in paradise..."



"I've been changed and rearranged.. it's not like it was before...."



"Were you hurt by love before... too much pain for your heart to ignore?  Do you hide? Hide behind a disguise... pretty girl"

Guest Blog Poetry Slam: Musical Favorites (National Poetry Month: Day 6)

This week's Blog Poetry slam topic and poem is coming from my very dear friend and kindred spirit, Amy.  You can find Amy at her two beautiful blogs: random and pressing details and The Attic of my Mind or on twitter.  Amy and I share a mutual "stan-dom" for Erykah Badu, so she contributed a poem that I thought would be perfect.  Today's theme is to write a poem about or inspired by your favorite album or artist.  The next two poems will be Amy's and then mine.  Write your poem and put it in the comments.  Your poems can be short or long, silly or serious, however the spirit hits you.  Happy Writing! 

Road Trip With Erykah

Shifting into drive, and rollin' out

Miles stretching out before me like a promise.

My travelling companions on the pre-dawn highway...

my over-taxed,

overflowing,

over-active

mind

And Erykah's voice.

The sun rises to my left and

waves away the dusky purple shadow

of night's last sigh.

"Honayyyyyy...... you're soooo sweet"

the lyric coincides with the gilding of a new day.

Note by note and mile by mile

driving the pain away,

leaving Thought along the road,

let that raggedy hitch hiker fend for herself.

Lyrics, fluid from my speakers,

flood my mind.

Rising like the tide

to wash away the memories

and burdens.

In this solitude with Erykah's voice,

I am finding a small, quiet place.

It is mine.

And the miles roll on under my tires.

I am farther from home,

closer to where I am going,

and not wanting to get there.

Yearning for the journey,

not the destination.

It is mine.

Like silk ribbon through slack fingers,

the notes slip through my brain.

Caressing away the tense expectation

of resistance yet to come.

For now, the music says,

let this be enough.

Let go.

Yes...

Let this ride last a little longer,

safe and alone in my capsule of sound,

wheels turning...

and delivering me away....

Even if it is temporary,

it will be enough,

and...

it is mine.

© AmyMay

Cold, Lonely

on cold lonely nights
i hug my journal
i strike pen to paper until the smoke detectors go off
and let the flames warm the empty side of the bed
and thaw the ice forming on my heart
so it can melt onto the page
to make sweet poems
to cut the edge of my bitterness

on cold lonely nights
i cuddle badu albums
hoping the other side of the game
will certainly occupy the other side of the bed
and lull me into dreams of having you right now
instead of next lifetime
underneath the orange moon
together going on and on...

© Naturally Alise 2010

musical treat:

you think?

I was sitting thinking.  Well, actually that is probably the problem, I am always sitting and overthinking. In fact I am doing it now by not getting to the point of my post.  I know, I am special, but you love it.  Lately I have been stifled in my writing because of aforementioned overthinking.  First off, I have been dealing with a lot of internal, well shit internal too, turmoil.  I start to write about it, but then stop because I second guess it and sit and wonder who wants to hear/read another sad poem .  Anyway, the point is I feel like I am channeling Eric Roberson's song, "Pen Just Cries Away," where he sings:

I tried not to write a song so sad
When you gave all you had and it still goes bad
It's seems the pain just shows up on the, on the pad
As the pen just cries away

Well I decided after thinking, rethinking, and overthinking some more that it is okay to let my pen cry away.  That's the point.

poetic melodies: kindred...

I love Kindred the Family Soul...  The love that emanates from this husband & wife team is so beautiful.  It is the type of love I dream to have forever.  How beautful is it that you share the same passion and do it together? I wish they weren't so slept on, because they are a positive example of Black love and even outside of that it is just great music.   They make you just want to go fall in love and stay that way...   Here are my faves:





This is actually one of my favorite songs period... that's the kind of love I want in my life...







If someone told me that the stars looked up at me, I think I would just melt...







...and no matter how many hats you wear it's nice to hear sometimes that first and foremost you are a beautiful woman...


and thinking of Kindred reminded me of a poem I wrote a while back:

You have Alise in Wonderland once again



Evoking Cheshire cat grins


With embraces that cover a multitude of sins


Holding me tight ..... skin to skin


Where do I end ?


....and where do you begin?


Feeling like kissing cousins because our souls must be kin…


Dre(a)d…. ing this moment’s end


Wondering how you stole my heart with a pen…???

poetic melodies...

old poem of mine that I think fits:


You have finally faced the music
Cut through the overproduction,
Pushed through the synthesized keys and unlocked your destiny
Swam against the tide of superfluous watered down beats
Escaped the trap of snares...


Came up and breathed in the pure air of lyrics.


Unearthed what lies beneath and between the lines.
Found the treasures of knowledge in each syllable.....

I am trying to get back into the rhythm of writing in general. I think every week I will do some sort of music post about musicians that I see as poets, sometimes more, not putting myself on any sort of schedule, but I just want to expand myself creatively. Enjoy…

Everyone who knows or semi-knows me, knows that I am a ridiculous, hardcore Erykah Badu fan/Stan. The funny thing is I don’t think she is the best vocalist and honestly sometimes I don’t know what the hell she is talking about. However, I love her because you can tell everything that comes out of her mouth is true emotion… she means it.

I think of her how I think of a lot of spoken word poets. I find that many spoken word artists are very Beyonce-ish, that meaning they have lovely voices, entertaining shows, and a glossy exterior, but when you listen they are not offering nothing to stimulate the mind, they throw around tired clichés and repetitive filler.

Then there are those artists who step on stage and Badu-ize the crowd. Those are the ones who come to the stage wearing what they wore all day with bags under their eyes, but by the time they leave the stage they leave your soul overfilled and salivating for more, leaving your inspiration gluttonous. Those that deliver any art form from the inside out, instead of the other way around are the best in my book.




Here are 3 of my favorite Badu performances where she really exhibits that soul-filled performance that makes me love her:





“Ye Yo”


I think this is my favorite Erykah Badu song ever. Though it does not have many lyrics, the ones it does have are so powerful. This song talks about the connection of mother and child. My favorite lyric being:

“Well see the suns in the east and the moon reflects
Like the knowledge and wisdom I manifest
If you wanna go to heaven lay upon my breast”

Beautiful. (The song makes me sad though because my relationship with my mom right now isn’t great… sigh…)












“Green Eyes”


Another favorite of mine is “Green Eyes”, from the Mama’s Gun CD. Not for the catchy intro of the song, but for the pure, raw emotion of the 2nd and 3rd part. I always view this song as 3 songs, the first part playfully poking fun at oneself for what seems to be just innocent jealousy. However, the next part of the song takes a journey into the deep feelings of jealousy, resentment and insecurity. I think often many people forget about the layers in Badu’s songs. She can take the most playful or seemingly benign concept and show the anatomy of it, not only through the lyrics but through the inflection and tones in her voice. This is definitely a song that displays that.









"I Want You"


Another Badu favorite of mine is “I Want You” from Worldwide Underground. Once again, this is a relatively simple song, but it expresses the depth of love/attraction she feels for her mate, one of my favorite lines is

“got a good book and got all in it
tried a little yoga for a minute
but it won’t let go”

I definitely know that feeling, where you are so enamored with someone (or thing) that you can’t concentrate on anything because the thoughts are so consuming. I know you’ve been there before!






These are just a few of my favorites….. What are your Badu faves?


***Actually I think I will carry this post over to my other blog and make this week a music series***

just because...

this song makes me feel all warm inside...

sampling...

...done right







Peace Y'all...

sampling...

done right...






...peace y'all

...something wonderful

this song is just.... just.... everything. talk about a little song summing up your whole mood and state of mind. Thanks Amel....

psycho...

i'd say i'm stir crazy
but that ain't quite right
because my crazy is sitting still
and i sure could use
some stirring up.....

That's an old little piece of poem I wrote and it pretty much sums me up. I find myself to be a moderately sane woman most days, but sometimes you wouldn't be able to tell by some of the things I listen to. I was going throuh my music collection and realized some of my favorite songs are rather psycho, random and/or mysoginistic. Let's take a journey through my iTunes




*I think the story line is pretty damn interesting and realistic, clever, but kind of crude*




*I dare you not to tell me this isn't entertaining...*




*I love any song with a story, point blank... and it's B.I.G. for goodness sake, lol*




*nuts...*



*I think Joe Budden is certifiable though...but I love it*

cherry pie...

Sade-Cherry Pie Live
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I love this song. that is all....

the hairbrush mic

As y'all have probably figured out, I am a music fiend (it's like the lyrics be calling me a la Pookie). I just wanted to share one of my favorite hairbrush mic songs... you know the songs that you grab the nearest object in sight to be your microphone. This song makes me sublimely happy. Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!

What is YOUR hairbrush mic song?

my fave...

Dear World,
Stop sleeping on Jean Grae.

Thanks,
NatAl...


This chick is just so sick:

My Crew - Jean Grae

My People: Thank You!

In this holiday season, I am thankful for the people in my life. Thankful for my family (even the trifling ones), happy for old friends (Hey Tiha, Renee, and Curly!), new friends (PBG & Luvvie, and many more), my honey, and all those in between. I am thankful for the laughs and hugs that have gotten me through the HARDEST year of my life, a year when I almost lost this life. Thank you all.

Common - The People
by commonofficial

Sugary Ho-sh*t

Since ho-sh*t and Erykah Badu have been a running theme as of late, I'll keep the party going with a lovely live Erykah performance of "Honey" and a haiku entitled "Can't Wait Til' You Get Back to NC" (The title is longer than the damn haiku, but I dont'care, dis here my juke joint blog.)



missing my honey
has me thinking of ho-sh*t
and it isn't sweet

Love rain....

I have the "Love Rain" by Jill Scott playing on the music player as you enter the blog, this is the version with Mos Def on it reciting a poem that I think is something kinda awesome.... here it goes:

I stretched my arms towards the sky like blades of tall grass
The sun beat between my shoulders like carnival drums
I sat still in hopes that it would help my wings grow
So then I could really be fly
And then she arrived
Like day break inside a railway tunnel
Like the new moon, like a diamond in the mines
Like high noon to a drunkard, sudden
She made my heart beat in a now-now time signature
Her skinny canvas for ultraviolet brushstrokes
She was the sun's painting
She was a deep cognac color
Her eyes sparkled like lights along the new city
She lips pursed as if her breath was too sweet
And full for her mouth to hold
I said, "You are the beautiful, distress of mathematics."
I said, "For you, I would peel open the clouds like new fruit
And give you lightning and thunder as a dowry
I would make the sky shed all of it's stars like rain
And I would clasp the constellations across your waist
And I would make the heavens your cape
And they would be pleased to cover you
They would be pleased to cover you
May I please, cover you, please"

no words.

i am sad.
that is all i can say.
sometimes even poets are at a loss for words.



*Sade, "King of Sorrow"*

Food for thought....

^^^^This video makes me happy^^^^

Please enjoy the poem I penned as well:

Food For Thought...

So you want to know what I can bring to the table
But can your TV tray hold this food for thought?
Because you need to know:
Every word I speak is nourishment…
No empty calories..
No fillers…
No artificial preservatives…
Just organic truth…
You are what you eat…
And I would feed you a helping of insight…
Some complex verbal-hydrates…
To give you the energy to burn off that excess negativity.
And I do give to the needy…
But only the ones that hungry enough to receive it.
My cup runs over with compassion,
But I will offer no pity birthday party cake…..
I don't fill your heart with greasy, grimy thoughtless ramblings…
I take the time to wash what I say…
Let my thoughts cook fully..
And offer you up a gourmet conversation…. Let you digest every course.
I start with some soup to warm your soul…
Then let you savor the meaty knowledge I have to offer.
A little wine and cheese to mellow out your mood,
And a something a little sweet to inspire and lift your spirits…
But of course everything in moderation….
I won't overfeed you with superfluous chatter,
Or stuff you with nonsensical ranting.
In fact I'll give just enough words to fill you up….
Leave a good taste in your mouth,
And you will eagerly anticipate the next meal…
So are you ready to taste my world?

Shouts to VSB: Hardest.Question.Ever.

Hardest.Question.Ever. - visit Very Smart Brothas where they are talking about favorite love songs....

my answer:

Be's like that sometimes......

Well since I am feeling all musical as of late and what not, guess the theme of the above playlist...... the silly poem from ages ago should help you figure it out rather quickly......... enjoy... *wink*..


Damn, whose deal is it?
I'll See what fortune hands out this go round....
Oh damn it is my bid, naw this time I ain't going ten,
Last time my heart got set, won't do that again.
I'll just sandbag my true emotions and feelings,
Just underbid and underestimate, avoid all these love dealings,
Put my strong face on like I am holding all the trump,
Not let anyone know underneath it all I'm a chump.
Thinking the worst of my partner so I renege to even the score,
But getting caught, putting us back even more.
I am tired of having a good hand of hearts but always getting cut,
Further pushing me into this indifferent rut.....
So I try to see what these night "clubs" do for me,
But damn it seems like I am still coming up empty,
So I try to compensate with diamonds and fine things,
Convincing myself I am happy with these fast hands and flings
So now I am forced to look at myself honestly and call a spade a spade,
Realizing I am not proud of the choices and books I have made.
But instead of dealing with those demons, I talk shit and smack every card,
To hide that I really am damaged and scarred.....
So for right now I'll play some solitaire and just understand,
That If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand........