Identity
Words That Describe Me
by Anthony Smith
Athletic
Sensitive
Blunt
Shy
Romantic
These are five words that I feel describe me well. One word I forgot to mention in this list is “smart”; if you know me, and see the way I write, you will see my intelligence. The word that I feel most describes me today is “sensitive”. I feel very deeply, I listen well, and I give pretty good advice. A few people have tried to take advantage of my generosity and sensitivity. Over the years I have gotten better at not allowing myself to be so vulnerable. Also because of sensitivity I have been known to be blunt and rude at times. It hurts me to see people in the bad situations that they are in, and it bothers me how some people act because of the way they’ve been treated. I hate it when people try to act tough because they were bullied, neglected, or had a bad childhood. Another thing that bothers me is how some people expect everyone to feel bad for them because they had it rough or have suffered a loss. I can see through a lot of people’s masks. I’ve given up trying to be something I’m not. I wish everyone could see it that way.
The other word I would like to use to describe myself is romantic. I strongly believe it is part of a real man’s duty to take care of his woman, sexually, mentally, physically and emotionally. To me if you can’t please a woman well in bed, you aren’t a real man. My sensitivity helps with my romantic capability. I study women (my girl in particular), pick up little hints as to what she likes, what keeps her happy and satisfied, and what she needs to feel fulfilled. I notice the way she carries herself, the way she approaches others, and the ways she treats her man and what she expects of him, if she has one. I love to approach a woman like a tough guy who is all about his money and then surprise her with a curve ball when I show her how sensitive, romantic, and educated I am. I can tell by her shoes what kinds of things she is into and if she takes care of herself. Especially if she takes good care of her feet and they look good in high heels, and she can walk in them. I love to approach a woman with a wave of mature comments about her hair and clothes, the perfume she is wearing, and the way she carries herself. I love it when a woman realizes, through the way I present myself and carry on conversation, that I’m interested in her as a person and not just for physical pleasure.
Where I'm From
by Anthony Smith
I’m from greens and ribs and chicken and cornbread
From “put on some lotion” to “comb your nappy head”
I’m from “respect your elders” and “speak only when spoken to”
From weeding the garden and cutting the grass too
I’m from model cars and lots of sports trophies
From chopping wood for the fireplace to hearing family stories
I’m from aim for the upper 90 and snap your wrist to make it swish
From alfalfa fields, fresh fruit and vegetables to pick
I’m from mom’s home cooking and country living
From camping trips and lessons for swimming
I’m from cottonwood trees, 7 dogs and a house
From family get-togethers and the dj on the porch
I’m from “don’t slam the door” and “you don’t live in a barn”
From “keep your room clean” and “rake the leaves in the yard”
I’m from a close-knit group of family and friends
I’m from too much more to mention so I think I will end
I’m from never give up, beat all the stereotypes, be the best
From give 110%, there’s never time for rest
I’m from church on Sunday and Tuesday always on time
From just trust in the Lord, everything will be fine
I’m from put it all in God’s hands, he always understands
From turn the other cheek it’s respectable to be the bigger man
I’m from be independent, don’t need no one, hold your own
From paying bills and raising a family, that’s what it means to be grown
I’m from being home-schooled and smarter than average
From keep up your hygiene and don’t pick up bad habits
I’m from it don’t matter what people say, always be confident
From “we taught you as much as we could, it’s up to you to apply it”
My Heart
by Gonzo
I am the kid on a swing made of a tire, hanging over a ditch playing with his little cousin Johnny.
I am the kid who always heard his mother tell him, “Wait ‘til your dad gets home”.
I am the kid sneaking a homemade tortilla back to his room.
I am the kid who plays ping pong in his backyard.
I am the kid whose hair was always cut at John Hair Design.
I am the kid who would play with his father’s firefighting equipment, dreaming of being him one day.
I am the kid who fell in love with the food at family gatherings.
I am the kid who lost his identity at an early age.
I am the kid who could trust, but now can’t.
I am the kid who loved the game, only to be played.
I am the kid in my heart.
I am From
by Richard Cortez
I am from the best part of town in Burque,
the South Valley where I know lots of people and
have lots of so-called homies.
I am from some good-ass Mexican food.
Red and green chile, beans and rice.
I am from homemade jellies,
homemade fudge and lots of canned fruit.
My auntie is the best.
I am from lots of bud, blunts and bongs,
munchies and junk food for days.
I am from missing and ditching school,
just to get fucked up and throw parties like fuck.
I am from alcoholic parents that are divorced.
I am from a hard and tough childhood
and even harder in the teenage years.
I am from being a little hustler since the age of 13.
Hustle to eat, hustle to have a place to live and
hustle to survive.
I am from being an addict for many years and
getting caught up in other people’s shit
as well as my own.
I landed behind bars.
Shi Dine
by Shadow Bear
Indigenous
Proud
Survivors
My people, my tribe,
Dine nation.
The biggest in the US
Yet little is known about us.
Survivors of genocide
Saviors to the land of homicide.
We’ve come a long way,
Since the “Long Walk.”
But how many know the truth
Behind the journey and survival of my people?
Hunger thirst, and exhaustion.
The young weak, and old
Those who couldn’t make it the journey
Killed with boot heels and stones to save bullets.
Rancid meat, maggots and flour,
Things we couldn’t eat, much less devour.
Taken from our beautiful, beautiful land.
Survivors of a slowly killed clam.
Code talkers, defenders of our land.
That wasn’t always the case.
When rulers and soap were administered
For speaking a language that sealed their victory.
In the jungles of chaos, death and destruction,
Our fathers and sons
Were not recognized for their bravery.
I’m proud to be a part of this
My language my culture
My tradition which I’ll never be ashamed of
My heritage, my clan, my people.
We’ve proved time and time again
We are true survivors
My people, my tribe, the one and only dine nation.
A Lion of Courage
by Jose Pollack
“each body a lion of courage” Mary Oliver
The courage to accept my fate and move on with my life no matter what obstacles come my way. So with the courage of a lion I have the strength to move on and try to make a difference.
Iceberg
by Anthony Coulson
“like an iceberg between the shoulder blades” Mary Oliver
taken away
placed behind bars
misplaced
hidden
silenced
forgotten
It’s like an iceberg between the shoulder blades
Tearing me apart
Painful heart
Wanting to be cared for
Wanting to be loved
Wanting what has been taken way from me
My freedom
My children
My wife
My family
My life
Me myself, and I
Cottage of Darkness
by Hendrick Yellowhorse
“I want to step through the door full of curiosity wondering what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?” Mary Oliver
Will I come to realize its where I was always meant to be?
Will it welcome me into her midnight embrace?
Was death really my summons to appear before an existence of my original origin?
My Home! My refuge from the disappointments in my past life?
Darkness forever more!! My eternal pillow of complete bliss.
I want to step through the door, full or curiosity.
When Death Comes
by Raymond C Debaca
“I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world” Mary Oliver
I especially like this line because I’m like a lot of people, I want to be remembered in this world. Make some kind of mark, not necessarily by being famous, but still making a mark in the world. Hopefully when I leave this earth I will be remembered through my music, and at that point I’ll be satisfied with my mission in this world. I’ll know then I did visit this world, but that I made a difference, and an impact on the people around me.
Bird on a branch
by Anthony Coulson
Sounds
Chirping
Smiling
New day
Look out he window
Shining sun
Blue sky
Get our of bed
Shower and shave
Get dressed and smile
My beautiful woman smiling back at me
Coffee made
Breakfast made
Full stomach
Off to work
Back home sleep
Wake up
Bird on a branch
by Craig Ellis
Being Saved will often bring you lots of gray.
Hoping faithfully for a chance of having a place to stay
Our heavenly father won't lead you a stray.
But it will most likely take more than
Just praying from day to day.
Identity
by Anthony
To start I will describe the obvious parts of me. I am a young black male. I was born in South Carolina but moved to Albuquerque at a young age. From a glance you would guess that I’m a thug, hustler, and generally up to no good. But if you get to know me you would be very surprised. I am a lot smarter than your average guy and have big dreams and goals that I plan on accomplishing. I have been instilled with a good work ethic and respectable values and morals. My strength, character, and confidence come from several sources. My mom, the music I like (hip hop. rap, r&b, blues, soul, etc.), my athletic ability, and achievements. I take pride in my physical shape and have been in sports since I was six. I love playing soccer and basketball. I played on a soccer team that took second place in the state for several years and traveled to many prestigious tournaments. My other favorite hobby is working out. I also love building model cars and such. I want to have a professional career and see the 25 states I have yet to see. I love my culture and my heritage. I love the South and plan to go back. I want to have a family and be someone in life; I want to beat all of those silly stereotypes about my race. I personally am proud of who I am and what I will become. This is just scratching the surface. I could go more in depth, but then you would get to know me without ever meeting me and chillin’ with me!
by Gonzo
Gonzo is a person whose life can be summed up in one word – Heart. It takes one to listen and care about others even if they don’t think you do. He is trusting and
knowledgeable in areas that reflect morals and values that maybe he should be listening to at times. Life’s experiences have shaped the very fiber of his being.
I have a family who cares yet are tired of the cycle in my life that needs to change.
He has ideas that he wants to share but is a little bothered by the possibility of rejection or acceptance.
Music shapes my hatred so I allow my feelings to go in old classic rock and sometimes lose myself in the moment. I still have a problem with who I really am. An adoption can strip a person of their identity before they even have a chance to establish one.
He becomes a misfit of sorts, never really even having roots, never knowing if he would have had a very different life had he not been given up.
But here I sit, wondering about who is Gonzo, and what will kind of legacy will he leave behind when he leaves this world.
Identitifying Me
My character might seem relaxed.
I’m very calm, dramatically smooth, and often laid back.
I stay very humble in dangerous situations because I was raised in the trap.
I love to play basketball, compose music, stay fit, and I like to rap.
I’m always writing rhymes and traveling across the US map.
If I need some spiritual guidance I read my Bible for facts.
I’m also a very compassionate person, my girlfriend can vouch for that.
I’m a slim, strong, handsome man who’s black.
Despair
by Mr. Anonymous
I feel so empty, or maybe I’m just half full
Life around me keeps on moving, and I’m still lookin’ like a fool
My days turn into weeks, months into years
and my family still stays,
engulfed in my hopes, dreams and fears
Everything inside me has been torn,
I hate everything and everyone and more
I slash my wrist just to feel the pain,
it’s like my own sadistic mind game
Walking the pod always looking for something
but don’t know what
It feels like I’m walking in circles with my eyes shut
My life right now is like a game of Spades
I’m praying my partner is holding, ‘cuz I got no bags
It’s like I got a pair of shades over my eyes
And everything in my life that I touch eventually dies
I finally realize what my dad was trying to tell me –
There’s much more to life when you’re out and free
I miss my daughter so much it makes me cry
The thought of holding you again gets me so shy
But soon my day will come,
nothing more to worry about it’ll all be done
