New Year Tributes to Family & Friends

(bare with me)

David-Baybid: you are everything I hoped for and everything I need....you are sooo beautiful to me (lol). You know the new year will bring completeness to the bond of us. Thank you for letting me love you.

Moma: you are the angel that got away...I'm forever in debt to your love because I owe you soo much. Thank you for being strong enough to have me.

Pizza: you are the best big sister a little one can have. My yin. Thank you for being the sweetness of my life.

Ky-Ky: you are the brother that wasn't had by her, but closer than anyone that could. You and your family hold special places. Thank you for keeping your word to dad.

Ham, Heron, Pop: my Bone...you are the hazel that has never been shown in my dark browns. I love me some you...thank you for being close enough to miss, talk to, and love. Heron Rashad, you are my Kappa...non other than my favorite color. Thank you for the times you've provided. Pop Mystro thank you for being my down to earth encouragement made to make it big. To all three...I love you more than you know.

Ree-Ree: Heeeyyyy Heyyyy Hey! Hit it 3 times Heeey Heyy Hey! Keep doing ya thang as a young single mother, you'll soon be his hereon. I love you 4 Heys in a row (smile).

Brandon & Britt: Bran, my tattle-tell cousin has grown to be a handsome seed. Thank you for asking me to write that poem for you/her means a lot. Britt slow down make them know your worth. Thank you for being a little crazier than your mom (lol).

Adrian: my 'Drian, your height wont make you a star, your attitude will...you just have to decide what kind of star you wanna be. I picture you being MVP. Thank you for challenging my love.

Jennifer: that Jenna-B, you were the first. Neither here nor there can change our bond. I love you like Lucky Charms...thank you for allowing me to know you like the back of my hand.

Zara: my Gemi you are. And even if you weren't we'd still be down (Hit em in the head wit a honey-bun Lol). Thank you for allowing me to share a space with you-our bond grew from that.

Shae: Shae-mama congrats on all that you've accomplished this year, and I'm glad we got to see through dark clouds in getting to know one another. Thank you for that alone.

Kay-Diesel: you know it goes without saying between us...I love you as my friend/brother running races to conqueror everything...thank you for your drive-its motivation.

Ronzetrick: Tywon I'm proud of you, growing up still goofy just now meaty and got a WOMAN-get it then. Thank you for being that phone call I need to make.

K.I.M: my crazy auntie, man you & me...I'm afraid for anyone who draws their swords at us. Thank you for being the friend you are, auntie you've become, and the mentor I expected. How every could I thank you. Hearts curve.

Angel: my big sister SO for real...thank you for all the conversations, lessons, laugh lines, and bonds we've created. How ever could I thank you. Hearts curve.

Sarah: cousin, thank you for turning me on to Neo when you did, helping me find the place to do what I love. How ever could i thank you. Hearts curve.

Shelle: that strange butterfly, you are the soft words I can't find. I love you just as you are. Hearts curve.

JoJo: thank you for your spirit and for bringing another voice into this world through your beloved son, Jono. Hearts curve.

TeeTee: you see me?-lol You are that relationship that is waiting to grow closer. Everything about you is real. Hearts curve.

Jackson: Thank you for giving me the opp to know you a little bit more. Hearts curve.

Dora: as my new hair dresser I thank you, as your friend I adore you.

LOVE: you are the poet that I first wanted to be like...I love Love Robinson for that alone. Hearts curve.

Copa!: met you once, love you as a friend and a brother for a life time. Hearts curve.

Element: I shrink in the side of you when we hug, you have that big brother feel to you. Thank you for your kind words that have humbled me. Hearts curve.

BFran: forever keeping your house and arms open taken in those who need another place to speak...thank you for that alone. Hearts curve.

Coach Hill: the belief you have in me, makes me want to perform better each time.

Funky Mike: my coach learned from the best.

Herman&June: that damn neo-soul gives me a place to spit, sit, and spread my wings. Thank you for that.

To all a Happy New Year. I wish you the best. Know that you may think you know, but really you have had no idea. As my mentors quoted to me: "Those that don't got it can't show it. Those that got it, can't hide it."-Zora Neale Hurston. My best is yet to come.

My Tribute To You

I am not tragically colored.

I'm proud to be the granddaughter of a slave.

Nude in the boldness of my womanhood,

Knowing that this world called on me to be their Zora.

I set the tone, so time can't f*ck with me.

Emptying my words in breathless efforts.

I am a poet.

Call me Eb,

or 13's 26.

Like my sidekick,

Kneaded and weaved in exclusive talent.

And "it's exciting to hold the center of the national stage,

with spectators not knowing whether to laugh or weep from the pieces I speak."

Did I mention she's a poet.

Dreaded in Harlem locks,

with split tongues that spit like whips or wisdom.

We have all been colored by her Kimberley 13 taylor-made ways.

I didn't get to finish last night. I assume that my pause made B think I was done, but I wasn't. It's cool, its still publicly known how I feel in this and in Cocky Poet. Plus, it doesn't rhyme ; ) Auntie Kim, thanks for being the friend that you are, the Aunt you've become and the mentor I expected. Thank you for the extra pushes and for helping me to want the beast to come free (lol). I've always loved poetry and I've always loved to perform, but you helped me take extra steps in wanting to be greater than I thought. As a host you gave me confidence to get on the mike because of your words that introduced me to the crowd. Whether hot or cold, I have learned from you and I hope you have learned from me. Thank you for being exactly who you are. Hearts curve to you.

Always your,

26

Ooooooo Sooooo Much To be Grateful For

1) Being away from him for the holidays, and seeing him today! (your the best Christmas present you could ever give me)

2) Family, Food(mama's gumbo), and Friends!-Breakfast Klub

3) My mom- your even more gorgeous than the first time we met

4) Seeing my sister-Pizza her husband & their happiness (I love you both)

5) Seeing my brother-KyKy his wife & their kids (I love you all)

6) Gifts received and gifts given

7) Fender-benders that will be laughed and talked about for Christmas's to come (Lol)

8) Back in the house of Poetry-NeoSoul style

9) Poetry and the way it was spoken through words

10) Getting things into place with the wedding- xtra excited

Bonus: Spending time with my dad, being honest, and actually trying to get over the things from the past. PLUS having talks with my mom, time spent, laughs laughed, and her wanting me to sleep next to her as her baby-girl.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to ALL!

Eb&Flow

Gratitude Wednesday!

I'm grateful for.....

Bonus First: My first "Featured Poet" coming up soon in Baytown provided by Lee College Poetry Slam - I'm sooooo excited!

1) His smile, his hugs, his goofy laugh, his kisses, his motivation, his support, HIM

2) My mothers strength & for hearing her laugh.

3) The challenge from my Auntie, hard...but I'm game and working on it- you'll see!

4) Patience...damn!

5) Feeling like a good freakin poet!

6) Angle's constant sissy tendencies-Bad Like Beat It!

7) Poetry new, old, nicknames, and closeness through words and inspiration

8) My Creator watchin over us

9) Seeing my Aunt Billie & my mom this past weekend...you're beautiful

10) My dad askin about the wedding plans, offering to help if we need it, and for saying yes to helping me pay for a class!!!!!! - making progress