A Lyrical Poetic Social

"Thank you, Annie. You know as poets'; we tend to wear our emotions on our sleeves. This is where the best of us bleed. the heart is writing its wounds, its scars, its passion, its lies, its truths.... for the world to view to connect, gain aspect, give respect, a cause an affect, an effect, a reflect, to the deflects.... hahaha. Sorry I do not intend to take the spotlight." (Henry does a dust-off gesture by his chest and shoulder). The crowd kind of ignites into a slight clap and one woo. "Thank you, but without further a due! Welcome, Venessa!". Said Henry.

Venessa walked like a diva to the mic. She gave a flirtatious smile to Henry. "Thank you." she delightedly said. She looked at the crowd and gave a clear her throat sound in the mic. "Hello." She spoke. She wiggled in her dress to feel a little more comfortable. "This one is called, 'The Scheme of Things.'"

The scheme of things

Ever since I can remember it was the little schemes to get us by/ always askin shorty you wanna get high/

I could see the attraction in your eyes/

ease dropping hearing you tellin her lies/ knowin if it was me someone else would be the side/

well, when you see me lookin the other way/

take note that one day in one day/ to someone else I became the main/

now you a side oh the game the game we play/ got us on the scheme of things/ playing with love and hate/

such a thin line in between/ while we are living in a fantasy inside a realm where we searchin galaxies/

We were intertwined within this poetic setting/

Oh, the framework was divine now look where we’re heading/

I think about the words you used to say/

Sometimes I grin cause I catch myself saying them on some days/

We be on the scheme of things/

The things/ the dreams/ what does it mean/ when you have to choose up/

You see eventually those things got you bruised up/

Boy don’t play with me/

I got fam that bring you to your knees/

Askin god please/

That metal to your head/

Oh, the scheme of things you wanna scheme on me now/

Boy you lucky this don’t go bla laaw/

What you did was foul/

I wouldn’t hesitate to mark you out in front of this crowd/

But a let’s keep it civil/

Making it right gives us principle/

Make light convo keep it simple/

Professional/ yes, a scheme of things on my expertise/ to your own lessons of scheme now I’m here to teach/

Trapped in the ways you think/ in order to change you must set yourself free/

I learned how to calm that lioness inside/

Not afraid to bring the heat/

I got too much pride/

To stay at a low esteem and feel defeat/

Them long nights I cried/

Part of me died but part of me came alive/

Aahhh as long as I can remember and visualize the place that gives me peace.

I can decompress the stress the distress always remember that sacred place keeps me blessed.

The crowd clapped. Henry got on the stage and shook Venessa's hand. They both said thank you to each other.

"Alright alright, Venessa Ya'll." Henry said as he looked back behind him as if to imaginary watch her walk off the stage, but she was already off the stage. He turned back around. "Man, pure beauty. A very poetic soul. Thank you Venessa. Ok, next up is Jackie." Said Henry. Henry seen her come into the spotlight and as she did, he stepped aside to get out of her way. He bowed and silently mouth thank you. She looked his way and gave him a head nod. She grabbed the mic off the stand.

"Hello, everybody, once again." Jackie said. "These days I have no time. I know some of you can relate to this one." She continued, "No time for the bullshit right." Some of her friends in the crowd wooed.

No Time

Currently speaking/

I have no time to be restin/

Eyes tired but I need to get to where I’m destined/

This purpose to meaning/

Is breathing life into me/

Yes, I’m one of them roses growing from the concrete/

Defeated the odds now I see the reasons/

At first, I did believe then I was distracted…

Wait can someone get me a coffee please/

No for real I have no time to be tired/

Henry came to me and said I need you wired/

I need you to spit this poetry/ and plant them seeds as did others did for me/

For us/ oh the rush/ the topics to discuss/ obsessed vent to depress the pressure/

Top dollar nothing lesser/ run this one as a tester/ with the word god blessed her/

In her presents/ feeling enlightenment/ that joint you going to hold it or light it/

My mind and soul and body I am trying to heighten it/ I’m that bad bitch start having fits/ tired of them telling me to calm down/ I don’t have time to relax/ I set the match to the ground/ racing against that fire/ nah I have no time to get tired/ that Tupac hustle that lizzy Jeff inspired/ this ego and what they desire/ it’s all material/ my wealth is higher than most/ spiritual/ we all possess a spirit please address me by my spirit my ghost/ my aura my light my shine my energy/ my frequency/ when I do get time I rest so easy/ sleep light on the move/ never on the wheel when my bro’s got too…./ I’m checking my nails making sure they match my heels/ hopin them ….. heal/ yes it could always go the wrong way only takes second for…. To go away/ leave the imprints of yesterday’s/ so them outcomes let’s avoid let us pray and par lay…

The crowd clapped for Jackie, and it made Jackie smile. "Thank you all for this opportunity, I appreciate you all. Thank you for coming out." Jackie said before leaving the stage.

There was a bit of a delay in Henry coming up onto the stage after Jackie left. A journalist entered the behind the stage section and caught Henry on his phone.

"Hey Henry. How are you?" Carmella asked. Carmella was a journalist for a magazine that promotes and advertises for upcoming talent. The magazine show cases local areas. The magazine was just launched a few months ago and she was trying to get a hold of Henry for an interview. She heard word of mouth of this event and wanted to know more about it.

Henry looked up at her as he was about to get on the stage. "I am good." Henry replied.

"Thats good, my name is Carmella I am a journalist and-" Carmella was cut short by Henry. While she was talking she reached out to shake his hand and he grabbed her hand but then said, "I'm sorry, I do mean to cut you off, but I need to get this show going. Let me do this real quick and I'll be right back." Henry said.

“Ok.” Carmella said as she let go of his hand. She didn’t know if that was a moment they had like ‘do you like me’ type vibe. A couple thoughts crossed her mind but she shook them thoughts, so it didn’t distract her work.

Henry walked onto the stage and grabbed the mic.

“Thank you, Jackie, always an amazing poet. Next up we have my man Manny.” Henry clapped. The crowd clapped and Manny walke onto the stage. Henry again, acknowledged him by shaking his hand.

“Let’s go.” Manny said he kept the mic on the stand. “Self-talk dirt talk.” He stated.

Before Manny began his poem Henry told Carmella to wait after the poets were done to talk and that she needed to listen to their work and take account for the performance. He also took her to sit with him on the side of the stage to watch and listen.

Self-talk dirt walk

I self-talk on a walk down a dirt road up hill/ it’s a bumpy road I don’t recommend wearing white shoes/

Souls bound to turn brown/ in the rainy months be covered in mud/

Little streams creating puddles/

Even the flow smooth doesn’t mean we won’t stumble/

Up and down this path/ no runoff/ all good keep it natural/ in telling the headliner keep it factual/ actual the fiction/ that self talk keeps the focus on the mission/

This for my sisters and brothers in prison/

This one for the ones taking care of business/

For the ones doing what the last generation didn’t/

If god is word and word is God then praise the vocal artistic/

Self-talk to my endocannabinoid system/

Balancing out my what makes me function/

During the summer months got to adapt to the heat wave/

During the winter months body limbs tend to freeze up move a little slower/

The cold shock the brain activity electrified/

Get used to the seasons getting conditioned/ always acknowledge and appreciate what has been giving and this type of thinking might allow us to last a little longer I’m convinced the younger generation will save us I’m no longer a worrier paranoid to live/ you see this gift this art this portrait in real life reflecting what inside you you came here for me to tell you and you came here to tell us / we got to get uncomfortable to discuss the disgust the anguish the pain the hurt/ there is a substance here or within each of us that wants to love and protect/ and if we can’t talk show respect then how can we move to the next/

"Alright Manny, thank you for them words. Really put me there when listening to you speak the words. It's important we give the poets our attention. We all know, venting as we do, it is therapeutic to our souls. Alright people this is our last poet for the night. Give it up for, Mona Lisa!" Henry expressed with accomplishment and excitement.

Mona Lisa walked on the stage looking glamourous as all the poets were dressed to impress. Mona Lisa did a light wave gesture to Henry as Henry passed her. He nodded his head with a smile. He was happy.

"Hello my people. Hope you all had a good night. This poem I have is called, 'A place close to my heart.'" Mona Lisa said as she closed her eyes and then re-opened them.

A place close to my heart

In the middle of nowhere.

But in the middle of everywhere.

We hiked this trail before.

But nowhere near here. It’s all new.

A countryside to be exact. So dear to my heart. Childhood memories resonate off the juniper tree, the sunset skyline.

off in the distance birds talking flying gliding does not mind us.

Oh, such love nature gives us.

The busiest days of our lives

It just hits me when I’m outside…

It’s like I come alive, like a rebirth…

Mother Earth her veins be the rivers.

The hi desert of sage. How I love her as a mother. She takes care of us so we should do the same. I mean we need to do the same. In this life as we play it as a game. The difference between what is manmade and what come natural.

Oh, this place that is so dear to my heart I can close my eyes right here right now and bring me back to that one spot that one spot where I used to go to clear me thoughts let my emotions go put my palms to the sun so the sun could grab my soul leave me all exposed. All the lies I hold inside me help me be truthful redemptions

I want a glimpse of heaven at this moment I know I can fly I know I can rise above the madness the average oh I’m feelin in heaven now this must be where the spirits dwell the quietness the clandestine presence of being exactly where I am I am I am the place that is close to my heart.

The landscape hi desert where temperatures can be harsh.

The land speaks a story of old.

If we listen within nature, you can hear a story being told.

After Mona Lisa was done with her poem the lights switched on brighter. Henry and the other poets walked up onto the stage. The crowd started clapping and most stood up clapping. There was a moment of clapping as the poets and Henry all made a line in front of the crowd. Henry grabbed the mic.

"We appreciate you all for coming out. Thank you for supporting these poets and also those that performed during the open mic. We might be calling you too for future venues. As poets we need to support each other. This is why we formed this event A Lyrical Poetic Social. To allow us poets and people with the arts and crafts to bring and showcase their talents. Please give these poets another round of applause!!" Henry said and started clapping. He walked in front of them as he turned back to the crowd to ensure they was praising the artists.

"We will be socializing for about an hour or so after. If anybody wants some pictures, copies of them poems that were expressed, networking, and enjoying each other's company. The bar will remain open for the remaining time we have here. Also, the food as well, maybe have some leftovers to take home. We do not like to waste food if my mans over there cooked anything. If none of you want it, I'll take it home. Just saying. Haha. Alright my people we out catch us in the crowd!!" Henry said. After he said that he motioned everyone to get off the stage. Everybody was walking off the stage as Carmella was waiting for Henry.

Henry seen Carmella standing there. He seen the gleam in her eye. He pulled out a joint. "You smoke?" Henry asked Carmella. "I am working." Carmella replied. "Comes with the territory." Henry said as he lit the joint. He started walking away from the stage and she walked beside him. "I will go with you so you can smoke that." Carmella said as he tried to offer her the joint, but she didn't take it. "That is ok, more for me. Just kidding." Said Henry.

Carmella and Henry were on the other side of the event from where the bathrooms were located.

"So, what you want to interview me about?" Henry asked as he took another hit.

"I wanted to interview you about this event and what made you do it." Carmella said as she had her notebook clip board pen and paper out.

"How about you come with us tonight, this way you can get to know the poets and hear from them as well. Because this wasn't just my idea. Most of these poets that were featured tonight been discussing this type of social event." Henry said.

Carmella checked her phone to see what time it was. "My company gave me 4,000 dollars to give to you for this interview." Carmella stated. Henry looked surprised and exhaled weed smoke.

"$4,000 dollars?!" Henry asked surprised. Carmella raised her eyebrows and open her eyes matching his excitement. "But I was wondering if I could keep 2?" Carmella asked and the reason she asked was the energy between them was like a spark that ignited causing a magnetic affect between them. Like they knew each other. "Hey, I mean yeah you need it go ahead that's cool. But you going to come with us tonight?" Henry asked her. "Yeah, I can do that." She then reached for the joint and Henry gave it to her. She took a hit. She then gave it back to him.

"Let's go introduce you to the poets. If you want, you can start asking them questions. Also, this way it be exclusive let you get your money worth. Then that magazine can give you more. You know what I mean?" Henry asked Carmella. "Yes, I do know what you mean." Carmella replied.

Henry seen Cole walking toward them.

"Hey I'ma take off." Cole said as he reached to give Henry a handshake.

"Whaaaatttt, take off to the house?" Henry asked as him and Carmella were standing facing Cole.

"I don't know man, might just take off back to the other side." Cole said as he took a breath and then looked at Henry. He nodded his head toward Carmella.

"Oh, this is Carmella, she is a journalist for a magazine. She going to come to the house for interviews. (Henry looked at her and then back to Cole.) Carmella went to shake Cole's hand and Cole did the same as he seen her start the motion. "Hello." Cole said. "Hi, nice to meet you." Carmella said. "Nice to meet you too." Cole said. Cole let go of her hand. "Yeah, so you going to have come to the house," Henry said as he plays hit Cole in the arm. "Get that exclusive (Henry emphasized the word exclusive) interview." Henry added. "Looks like it, well I'm going to head over there now. (Cole looked at Carmella) if you want to ride with me or wait with Henry. Can start the interview on the way there. Get one out of the way. Or you might get more out of here too." Cole suggested. "I think I'll stay here and get a few out of the way." Carmella said nodding her head. "OK. Sounds good. Well, I will see you guys over there then." Cole said as he was about to walk away. "Hey why you do not want to stay?" Henry asked. As Cole was about to walk away, he turned around and start back stepping facing Henry and Carmella. "Ah, I'll talk to you about it in private." Cole said nodding his head a little. "Alright bro. I'll see you in a bit." Henry said as they started to part ways. "Alright later guys." Cole said walking away. "Later." Both Carmella and Henry said simultaneously.