Piece: A Poem

Everybody's got their own piece of the world.
It's the place in which they
     live, dwell, work and play.
Many would call this place home,
But it can be so much more than that.
This piece of the world is their zone of solace, joy and comfort
     keeping them centered and grounded.
This piece of the world you call your own is a part of you —
So open up,
And let someone get to know you better.
By sharing your piece of the world with them,
You'll be astounded by how much you'll learn —
You'll be amazed at how your piece of the world connects
     with others.

© 2005 BuddahDesmond

Claiming to Know: A Poem

I never thought I'd see the day when people would use the Lord's
     words in vain.
The Good Book has been used to support every ill within society.
There's no exception to this, even now.
With people using The Word against each other —
Not knowing while in defense they're spewing more words of hate.
This contradiction is the cause for my current disdain.

I'm left wondering what happened to the love?
What happened to respect?
What happened to decency?
The current regime is using its religion to support a political agenda.
They think they're sounding righteous when speaking for the people,
When in actuality they're catching feelings and taking it personal;
     it's sacrilegious and totally obscene.

I'm left asking what happened to the separation between church and state?
I was under the impression that religion had no place in politics.
I thought there was freedom to choose.
But I'll be damned if somebody's going to tell me how I'm supposed to live,
     What I'm supposed to think,
     And how I'm supposed to feel.
I have an individual relationship with God.
We're cool;
And nobody can tell me otherwise.
No preachers, no priests, no nuns, no family, friends or strangers at that.

No human being can ever take precedence over the Supreme Being
     because of infallibility
We're not perfect.
We're flawed.
So what makes you think that the real message didn't get lost in translation
     or in our current interpretation?

Everybody's claiming to know the deal.
Everybody's claiming to know The Word.
Everybody thinks they got The Good News.
Everybody's claiming to know,
But claims aren't totally legit.
Besides, no one's really going to know anything...
     until Judgment Day.

© 2005 BuddahDesmond

Luther Is Love (A Tribute to Luther Vandross)

Here is my tribute to Luther Vandross entitled, "Luther Is Love."

Luther—

Or Loofah, as some of us called you—

Still in denial about your passing on,

Doesn't seem real.

Gone too soon,

But never, ever forgotten.

Luther—

The silky smooth voice,

Flawless,

Full of passion and emotion,

Consummate artistry and professionalism.

A rare commodity,

Especially in the world of contemporary music.

You will remain in a class all your own!

Luther—

Exemplifying class and grace on and off the record.

Media seems to want to "out" you now,

But whatever your sexual orientation, it wasn't and isn't an issue.

Media also seems to want to make a big deal about your weight,

But that was just as insignificant with us as well.

It's the contributions you made that matter;

It's who you were as a person that matters.

Luther—

You sang in a way that made us feel like you were singing only to us,

Expressing all that we were feeling.

It was a musical connection that became deeply personal and spiritual.

You've touched us in so many ways.

For you, we are forever grateful.

Luther—

You spoke of love in all of its splendor.

You are the balladeer of love,

One of the greats.

Your music and spirit will continue to move us eternally.

You will always be loved,

For you are love.

Luther is love!

© 2012 BuddahDesmond

Last Night I Cried

Check out something that I wrote a few weeks ago....

Last Night I Cried

Last night I cried. I cried for the families of the young boys who were found dead in the trunk of a car in Camden, NJ. I cried for the Bowie High School teacher who was found shot in the head in his car in Greenbelt, MD. I cried because there's been over 80 people killed in my county, Prince George's County, since the beginning of this year. And the sad part is the number does not seem to be slowing down or halting anytime soon. I cried because the war on terror seems to be taking more lives than saving lives. I cried because my family, that seemed like it was coming together, is drifting further and further apart.

I cry because something is really wrong. The world is in shambles. Political unrest. Social unrest. Religious unrest. War. Destruction. Epidemics. Racism. Bigotry. Natural disasters. Nothing seems to be getting any better. I cry because no one seems to believe in any other way than fighting each other. When we fight each other, there are no winners. Everyone loses. We need to work together. We need to put the pettiness aside. We need to banish the hidden agendas and bury the selfish mindset.

Though it may not seem like it, though it may be forgotten, there are ties that bind each and everyone of us. What affects the lives of one group in one place, affects the lives of all groups everywhere else. In this time of upheaval, unity is needed now more than ever. Honor humanity. Respect life. Love your fellow man and the land he inhabits. Or else we shall falter and perish--from demise we've long since created.

© 2005 BuddahDesmond

Let's Get It Started!

So I've finally done it! After reading and admiring so many blogs, I now have a blog to call my own. Welcome to BuddahDesmond's Rapture! Here is where I hope to discuss my many fascinations, passions, and thoughts. As you will find out, my postings will touch on a wide variety of topics--such as entertainment, art, technology, social issues, and everyday living to name a few. From time to time I may post music reviews and some of my creative writing. There will definitely be posts detailing interesting events from this crazy life of mine. At times personal. At times insane. At times vulgar and humorous. At times somber and detached. But always in some state of rapture. Come again to BuddahDesmond's Rapture!