CONTENTS
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The Evening Chill
Photographer BlackIce Bell and the team collaborates with Alex Holliman of FarrierBell Fashions to bring you another dose of beautiful images.
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Editors’ Letters
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Power of Words
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DYCI MANNS
Dyci believes if you increase the quality of education, you will increase the quality of life.
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CHRISTOPHER “COCKTAILS� CORNELL Mixing past party throwing experience and marketing savvy, Cocktails separates his multi-faceted entertainment company from the typical party promoter.
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DR. SHARON J. WILLIS
A woman of many accomplishments, Dr. Willis is dedicated to teaching and keeping history alive through her theatric compositions.
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The Optical
Check out the latest images from Prince Winston, Jerrica Raglin and Jeremy Bennett.
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A Message from the Executive Editor
BlackIce Bell
INSPIRE MAGAZINE • VOLUME 13
executive editor BlackIce Bell senior editor Dominique Cannon
contributors
Asif Lakhani, Fanicia Howard, Essence Franklin, Bronte Velez, Natalie Cook
photographers
BlackIce Bell, Jerrica Raglin, Jeremy Bennett, Prince Winston
front cover
photographer - BlackIce Bell model - Akilah Waldon MUA - Patrice Story hairstylist - Nina Lee wardobe - FarrierBell Fashions
back cover
photographer - BlackIce Bell model - Quanetia Johnson MUA - Patrice Story hairstylist - Nina Lee wardobe - FarrierBell Fashions For all inquries, contact BlackIce Bell at thecoldbutterfly@gmail.com
executive editor
“How do you know you can trust your government?”
T
Ask the Native Americans.
hat’s what I read off a t-shirt today a Native American was wearing. So simple yet so true! It’s the election year once again for the United States of America. This past week, heated political debates took place across all the social networks. And while each side made great points, in the end, it all bores me. In the end, no matter who gets elected, I feel like the country will still continue to operate on a broken system. Our public school system will still be subpar on the worldly scale, which is an embarrassment considering America is a world superpower. It’s a shame that public schools have to pimp out students to make money for their fundraisers to buy essentials that the government should already provide. It even goes beyond the cheesy gift wrap they have to sell… look at ChannelONE and vending machines entering the schools. Millions of young Americans will still continue to start their adult life thousands of dollars in debt just because they made the decision to go to college to create better opportunities for themselves and be an asset to society. College textbooks are expensive to buy, yet their resell value is worse than a SUV. And yeah, every presidential candidate speaks on lowering the unemployment rate, but no one is saying these jobs are going to pay enough to make ends meet in this economy. How many of those jobs will pay enough to sustain yourself? People damn near need 2-3 jobs just to stay above water. And I could 6 | INSPIRE Magazine
go on and on and on… But the fact I’m trying to make is, I’m hearing all these people talking every election, but when will we have true change? 2008 was an exciting election season for me. Today, I’m nowhere as interested as I was then. I’m just tired of it all. I’m tired of this nation’s politics. I’m tired of watching myself and fellow Americans living in a broken system. I don’t blame Obama for it. I don’t blame Bush, either. This country was built on brokenness. I’m not saying voting doesn’t make a difference. I’m just saying I’m looking for results. I’m looking for results that will change the way we think and operate. However, despite all the mess and flaws in this country, America is still one of the few countries in this world you can be born poor and die a wealthy man. And that gives me hope. In this issue, we gathered more stories from the young and old that is hopeful to prove yet again that anything is possible if you’re driven and passionate enough. Also, be sure to check my new photos!!! They came out dope! I’m generally a very private per-
son when it comes to photo shoots, but in the future, I’ll try to find a creative way to share some behind-the-scene photos of the team at
work. We have one more issue before the end of 2012! So until then… keeping God first, keep dreaming, and enjoy!
Blackice Bell BlackIce Bell
A Message from the Senior Editor
Dominique Cannon senior editor
Dear Old Friend:
It’s been quite some time since we’ve last spoke and so much has happened. Seasons have whisked by and new fashion trends have waltzed the runways (on repeat. Because you and I both know fashion recycles itself). My contacts list took another hit dear friend. Yes, sometimes it’s best to move forward from those people and circumstances you’ve outgrown. But I’m grateful for you. Even when we don’t speak for long periods of time, when we get the chance to reconnect it’s like old times. I miss you, but then again I don’t miss you. You’re always with me. My dear old friend you’ve been around for years and our bond continues to grow. Through the up and downs, the disappointments and the triumphs you’ve had my back. Your loyalty to my dreams is a motivating force that I can only hope to pass on to others. My dear old friend: My Inspiration, thank you for always holding me down. You’re always in my thoughts. Love Always,
D. Cannon D. Cannon
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The Evening Chill Photographer - BlackIce Bell MUA - Patrice Story Hair Stylist - Nina Lee Wardrobe - FarrierBell Fashions Models Akilah Waldon Quanetia Johnson LaLa Alexander
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Photographer - BlackIce Bell Model - Akilah Waldon MUA - Patrice Story Hair Stylist - Nina Lee Wardrobe - FarrierBell Fashions
Interview
Educating the Masses One Country at a Time Dyci Manns, Founder of Model26 words by Asif Lakhani | photography bt BlackIce Bell
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At the age of 22, Dyci (pronounced Dee-ci) Manns has already accomplished what most people hope to do after they win the lottery. “I’ve become completely fluent in a new language, lived in three different countries,” she says. “I’ve visited eight countries, and I’ve taken eleven weeks of vacation.” If there ever was such a thing as a humble-brag, then that was it. She’s quick to add, however, that those eleven weeks were hardly a vacation. Manns is the founder and CEO of MODEL26, a non-profit that collaborates with partner organizations in impoverished countries to work on education reform. Manns says MODEL26 helps organizations build schools as well as build schools, by training teachers and developing them professionally and strengthening surrounding communities by implementing literacy programs for the adults. Right now, MODEL26, which stands for Making Opportunities by Developing Emerging Leaders, is moving forward in Brazil and Nigeria with plans to get established in South and Central American and African countries. Manns has been working on MODEL26 since her days as a Georgia Bulldog in Athens. She admits she started the non-profit out of naivety, idealism and because she missed the deadline to start, of all things, a student organization. It wasn’t until a year into planning and operating that she realized what she had actually done and how she was doing it wrong up until that point. Her perspective and focus changed when a member of the Do Something Awards committee called her and told Manns she is all over the place. The ten-minute conversation she had with the committee member—the gist of which was just to pick one project and execute—has gotten MODEL26 where it is now and eliminated much of the initial stress Manns had placed on herself. The movement Manns started also got her recognition from BET’s Black Girls Rock event last year. She knew the show aired when she started getting friend requests on Facebook from people she didn’t know. Many of them were asking her for advice. Manns says anyone who wants to do something great needs to answer the question,
“When your heart is in it, you don’t give up.” “Okay, but why?” (It’s not as easy as it sounds.) The “why” for Manns is the reason the two-digit number is tacked on to the title of her organization. Paraphrased, Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states education will be provided for all and should aim to enhance the quality of life as a direct result. Manns believes in this. We, more or less, discussed about it for an hour. The poverty she’s witnessed is more than enough to keep her going; keep her fighting for quality education across the globe. She doesn’t take trips to sites to remind herself of the horrors America doesn’t know because seeing them one time was enough to inspire her to do something about it. She admits she thought about giving up a few times early on when starting MODEL26. A member from a partner organization told her no matter how much good she does there will always be work to do. While some people may be turned off by an insurmountable goal, Manns is the opposite. She needs a challenge to keep going. “When your heart is in it, you don’t give up,” she says. Right now Manns lives in Munich, Germany and works on MODEL26 full time, but every now and then she has contract marketing work that requires her to come back to the States. At 22 it’s really an incredible feat for her to be living across the globe from where she grew up and still making an effort to help those less fortunate in a separate part of the world. What’s more incredible is she does it all on a four-day workweek. “I believe in sleeping,” she says. Working efficiently for 10 hours a day has yielded results for her, and there’s no reason for her to change the way she operates. She takes pride in the fact that she is her own boss. Her belongings are minimal. “If it can’t fit into four suitcases,” she says, “I don’t own it.” Manns has the privilege of giving good to the world, and she sincerely believes it’s her role to do so. Her goal is to make people’s lives easier and to spread the power of education to as many young minds as possible. There’s no doubt that’s a lofty goal for a 22-year-old, one who claims she reads The Hunger Games as a way to relax. We like her odds to succeed in her endeavors. 11 | www.thecoldbutterfly.com
Photographer - BlackIce Bell Model -LaLa Alexander MUA - Patrice Story Hair Stylist - Nina Lee Wardrobe - FarrierBell Fashions 12 | INSPIRE Magazine
Photographer - BlackIce Bell Model - Quanetia Johnson MUA - Patrice Story Hair Stylist - Nina Lee Wardrobe - FarrierBell Fashions 13 | www.thecoldbutterfly.com
Interview
MASTER OF THE TRADE Christopher “Cocktails” Cornell words by Fanicia Howard | photography by BlackIce Bell
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o make a name for yourself in Atlanta you have to be a jack of all trades. Mr. E. Christopher Cornell, notoriously known as “Cocktails”, not only is a jack of all trades, but has mastered his skill of promoting various venues throughout the city of Atlanta. It is his innovative ideas, distinguished style and drive which have made him a well known name in the city. FH: How did you come up with the name “Cocktails”? Cocktails: I used be a bartender. And when I pledged that became one of my line names because I was pledging Alpha Phi Alpha at Clark (Atlanta University). So from that to when I started my entertainment com-
pany, and became a spoken word artist, the name fit perfectly.
FH: Ok, well I’m actually a student right now at your alma mater, Clark Atlanta University. Cocktails: Yeah. That’s my school. I was SGA president there. I was on the board of trustees. I founded the Texas Club, the LATEX party- I’m one of the creators of that.
FH: So I’ll see you at homecoming and tailgate then? Cocktails: Yeah I do all the homecoming parties. I do the alumni parties and I usually promote y’all neo-soul
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concert too.
FH: Were you a promoter during your undergrad years as well? Cocktails: I was more so of a party thrower. I didn’t consider myself a promoter then because it was just more so kicking it and you know gathering people. So when I went to “corporate America” I just kept doing house parties and barbeques and was like, “Hey I’m kinda good at this”. But before, I wasn’t looking at it like a business. I was looking at it like, hey I wanna party and it would be easier to do my own party than someone else’s so.
five hundred people show up, I still treat every show like its ten people about to show up. I would say about three to five years is when it really became relevant to people and I went through a company change too.
FH: What do you believe is the secret to staying relevant? Cocktails: The secret to staying relevant is creating things versus doing things that’s already been done. You have to stay relevant because people look [to me] for the next big thing, for the next big idea. They don’t come to my event because I do what everyone else does, you know? I do what I do and everyone else is like, “Yo, that’s hot” so they try to do the same. So, you know, that’s how you stay relevant; by consistently presenting new formulas and concepts.
FH: Do you think your skills with promoting comes second nature to you or did you get the hang of it over time? Cocktails: It’s always been second nature. They say, “When you find out what you love, you’ll never work a FH: Being a college student myself, I believe there’s a day in your life.” I’m a communicator. My degree is in negative connotation often associated with promoting. communications. So I feel blessed that I fully understood How do you consider yourself taking the skill of promotmy strength and have been able to use that for transfer- ing and making it positive? ring of skills in different areas. “If you set out and achieved Cocktails: Well, first you have to change the language. I’m an event everything you wanted to FH: When you began promoting, did planner. I don’t promote. I plan do in this life, you didn’t you consider it a competitive field to events and I create a positive exget in to? perience. You have to change the aim high enough.” Cocktails: Yes and no. Yes, because language and let the people know you know, everybody in Atlanta is trythis ain’t that. When you come to ing to be somebody, and everybody is trying to create my events you’re gonna see décor, you’re gonna see a name or a brand. That’s actually the kind of healthy art, you’re not gonna come and see people on the wall competition I like. No, because I actually started out in smoking weed and wildin’ out. When people come to my poetry. So I actually created my own genre. Spoken word events they know I put work into it and thought behind has always been in Atlanta, but it was never marketed it. to the masses. But being that I came from the larger events arena, I put my party promotion skills behind the FH: Tell me about your involvement with Year Up? spoken word movement so I was able to utilize the mar- Cocktails:Well, Year Up is a work force development keting effort to sell out different things like Center Stage program. They give opportunities to young adults and all of that. It was a privilege that I was even able to 18- 24. They taking urban youth, with a high school create that market. After I created that market, a lot of diploma, or GED, and give them business skills and comother artists were able to empower themselves by being munication skills. So, coming from an instructive backable to not only promote themselves but also promote ground, I get a chance to interact with my students. I get events. So even though I was a spoken word artist and a chance to get them successfully prepared for the work did spoken word shows I could bring a fan base in. force and the real world. FH: You established earlier that you had a large following in Atlanta as far as promotion. How long did it take you to gain supporters? Were there any struggles along the way? Cocktails: Oh, definitely. The keyword is consistency. Especially with black folks, because you know black folks don’t trust something until it has been around for awhile. Honestly, we started off pretty strong, but you know, when we first started it might be ten people in a spot and eight of them were artists. So even now when
FH: One last question: If today were your last day, what is one word, quote or phrase you would leave with the word inspiration to whoever reads this? Cocktails: “If you set out and achieved everything you wanted to do in this life, you didn’t aim high enough.” Mediocre has become the new excellence and that’s a damn shame. God put something in you that was greater and you shut it down because of your own fear, selfishness, and insecurity. You never know what will come from you pushing yourself and how you inspire others.
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Photographer - BlackIce Bell Model - Quanetia Johnson MUA - Patrice Story Hair Stylist - Nina Lee Wardrobe - FarrierBell Fashions 18 | INSPIRE Magazine
Photographer - BlackIce Bell Model - Quanetia Johnson MUA - Patrice Story Hair Stylist - Nina Lee Wardrobe - FarrierBell Fashions 19 | www.thecoldbutterfly.com
Interview
THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL Dr. Sharon J. Willis words by Fanicia Howard | photography by BlackIce Bell
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n the world we live in we are blessed to hear and know of talented individuals who have accomplished much in time. Dr. Sharon J Willis, founder of Americolor Opera, an AfricanAmerican opera company, is one to name. Adding to her longevity is her dedication, willingness, and faith to show the world her gifts.
FH: How did you come about the concept of the Americolor Opera? Dr. W: Well, I got the name of putting the company together because when I was a student at Clark (Atlanta University), I was trying to get scholarships to raise money, and someone was having a Miss Aquarius contest. So I entered the contest. It was like a beauty pageant and I’m not into that kind of thing, and I won! I won $750 and that paid for both of my semesters at Clark. So that lets you know how long ago that was (laughs). FH: It was the Miss Aquarius contest? Dr. W: Yes
FH: Oh, I’m an Aquarius! Dr. W: Really, you are? Beautiful! Well so, at the end of that contest, there was another pageant going on in New York. And they said, “Well, we don’t have time to have another pageant in Georgia, so could you send us your winner?” And it was the Miss Americolor contest and I then was named Miss Americolor Georgia.
big celebration, and they all came together on my behalf. From that it continued and even though I’m as broke as I want to be, (laughs). I have faith that if God gave it to me, I’m going to perform it. I don’t worry about the money. Although, that’s not good business sense I still do it, and I have not failed yet.
FH: So what is needed to have a successful company in your opinion? Dr. W: You know you’ve got to have faith; you’ve got to have a dream. Dreams transform the dreamer, but you’ve got to have a dream. You’ve also got to have something unique. My company is not exclusively to people of color. It’s titled Americolor meaning its open to all colors. FH: What are the storylines of your operas? Dr. W: I base them on Afro- Centric and American history. My first opera called The Opera Singer was about Sissieretta Jones, the first internationally famous opera singer who never got in opera because of her color. The second opera I wrote about was about the first black man in the South to become
“I’m the only African- American woman living, dead, white, whatever, that has ever written twelve operas and owns or founded an opera company in the United States.”
So when I thought of having this opera companywell, at first I wasn’t going to have a company. But I assembled more than sixty people together and we did our opera together in East Point for the Millennium Celebration. I had no idea that I would write another opera and ten years later I’ve written twelve works. I’m the only African- American woman living, dead, white, whatever, that has ever written twelve operas and owns or founded an opera company in the United States. FH: That is beautiful. Dr. W: Thank you.
FH: Did you gain a lot of support from family and friends when you started your company? Dr. W: Without family, friends, and faith it couldn’t have been done because it takes a LOT of money. It’s almost like financing a war to start an opera company, but it was family, faith and friends. I got people from the church to be my PR team, I got singers who just wanted to be apart of this
a millionaire. My third opera, La Roche, was about the only black wealthy passenger on the Titanic. If I’m not writing about those types of historical events, I’m writing about social or civic issues or medical issues like women with breast cancer, or young people with AIDS. I actually write both play and operas. I have done twelve operas and five plays.
FH: Do you consider yourself monumental? Dr. W: I don’t want to be braggadocious (laughs) because you know when you say that someone is always going to put out there, “Well, you haven’t done your research there’s this person out there writing….” I can only say what I have done in Atlanta. I have also searched the internet and you don’t find me. However, I am everywhere (laughs). There are articles about Americolor in Chicago and New York.
FH: I can tell even though you’ve had much success, you still carry a humbling spirit about yourself. Can you tell me about a humbling experience you’ve
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been through? Dr. W: Well, I would say even when I was not financially able to pay my students my singers would turn their contracts or agreements back over to me. They would say, “We don’t care if you don’t pay us. We just want to do it.” So that was very, very humbling that people would admire what you do and believe in what you do so much that they would do it for free. It touched me that fifty people were willing to perform for absolutely nothing just for the sake of performing. FH: What are your future projects and or events? Dr. W: Right now I’m writing a cantata about Judas Iscariot. No one wants to write about Judas because we say, “That’s a traitor.” Well, I say this about Judas: He was a traitor, but he loved his Lord- he loved Jesus. However, he was hoping by betraying Him that Jesus would act upon overthrowing the Romans. As Christians or believers [respectively] we betray The Word, we betray our faith all the time. So we become like Judas Iscariot.
FH: If today were you’re last day, what is one word, quote or phrase you would leave with the world to serve as inspiration to whoever will see this? Dr. W: “I’d rather be talented than beautiful, and I’d rather even be more spiritual than talented.” I believe that all those things are gifts if we know how to use them.
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Photographer - BlackIce Bell Model -LaLa Alexander MUA - Patrice Story Hair Stylist - Nina Lee Wardrobe - FarrierBell Fashions
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Photographer - Prince Winston Model - Joel Kimmel MUA - Rosalynn W Wardrobe Styling - Prince Winston
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Photographer - Prince Winston Model - Joel Kimmel MUA - Rosalynn W Wardrobe Styling - Prince Winston
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Photographer - Jerrica Raglin Model - Vieng Nhotsombath MUA - Renelle Atkinson Hair Stylist - Nina Lee
Photographer - Jerrica Raglin Model - Vieng Nhotsombath MUA - Renelle Atkinson Hair Stylist - Nina Lee
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Photographer - Jeremy Bennett Model - Koreen Hull MUA - April Epps
poWER OF WORDS
I’LL MAKE MY SON A MAN By: Fanicia Howard I pray the Most High blesses me with a son So I can raise him to be a man. I’ll make sure he has the best of everything And he’ll know for sure he was planned. My son will be a man of business and fortune He’ll master the craft of spending and saving the same He’ll be a man of good moral and integrity No son of mine will disgrace my name. My son will know God first And I hope they stay close over the years I prayed that prayer into existence before his conception Knees bent, hands clamped, and shed few tears. When he reaches that dignified point of his journey The path which separates man from boy I’ll explain to him the secret of capturing women’s hearts And how they are not to be played with like toys. I’ll teach him how to treat a lady How to protect and love her from the heart He’ll always honor the sanctity of matrimony He’ll make sure his happy home never falls apart. My son will be a loyal soul To both his family and friends This alone is a trait that nowadays Lies scarce in the hearts of men I know the Most High will grant my wishes It’s all in His master plan Unfortunately, I can’t show the boy how-I’m only his mother, I’m not a man.
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RIMSHOT By: Essence Franklin excuse me...excuse me sir who told you it was okay for you to dump your negative energy on me? trying to be the very strand of straw on my camel’s back to break it, I laugh out loud at your effort no longer will I play the role of the Bitter Black Female, I’m too wise for it, I’m to sophisticated for the title you...you, ma’am who told you it was okay for you to dump your garbage unto my lawn my well manicured, ultra green turf that hasn’t been watered with the wickedness of your self esteem pardon me as I choose not to care about what you think of me forgive me, oh please forgive me as I grace my well spoken lips with the lipstick that screams fabulous what did you think this was? a comedy skit? or did you think this was a reality television series geared to embarass my race or disgrace my kind you know, my kind? the BLACK FEMALE! oh yes honey, I’ve been televised before I was abused, mislead, mistreated, and lied to however, don’t feel sorry for me because I don’t feel sorry for myself if you didn’t know, I’m a survivor the type of survivor with thick skin and even thicker and tougher faith why, you ask? because I’m a KING’S KID, fearfully and wonderfully made allow me to exit stage left as I pick up my guitar and have my choir sing you a song about my life the life that stands before you today just as bold and strong as the blood running through my veins rimshot? ha, pour me a glass of Jack as I reminisce about how I felt the need to prove the stereotypes wrong what I found was that people will talk and judge no matter what so, I asked myself a simple question: why do I give a flying, driving, or walking fuck my answer: I don’t fan me with a rock for I have heard much foolishness from the hearts of fools pretending to be intelligent hey baby, I’m living my life are you living yours....or mine’s for me? 35 | www.thecoldbutterfly.com
poWER OF WORDS
THREE SUNRISES BEFORE THURSDAY By: Natalie Cook, Atlanta Word Works LLC, affiliate of Primepoets.com
Three sunrises before Thursday I dreamt a reality that still feels like a dream The moons in my mouth fell like shooting stars Each crescent gracefully bowed before my throne of a tongue When I told people about the newly caved wrinkles in my gums They all asked, “Doesn’t it mean someone’s going to die if you dream of your teeth falling out?” The morning of mourning My teeth itched like shriveled legs out of water The only sound louder than a lighthouse Is a waiting room of eyes that ripple like lakes We all know we have to leave but grow offended when our neighbors return home for their last meal We love but don’t want to carry each other’s spirits like commandments So when one dies to his own flesh we dismember our hands from scripture Trap them in coffins where we mistake a body for the person Forget we lifted their tablets up mountains Even reverence becomes a sin When your heart stopped making beats I scratched my head like a record And broke like dance I had heard the doctor’s lyrics before But this sample was fresh Your skin left my palms Like teeth leaving its gums for the cradle of a child’s pillow I don’t want a two-headed coin In exchange for a toothless grin I want your sweetness back Cavities are a lot more pleasing than seeing your cavity Not awake at a wake You never slept because you knew your body would drift like a current But last night I saw the sky liquidize into a cypher 36 | INSPIRE Magazine
And water didn’t seem as haunting God had the Bible written in rhyme to prepare us for your prophecy Peter was only able to walk on water because from under you were moving his feet You knew your time was running out of time So you didn’t put a time on time Your internal clock didn’t like to move its hands slow So your circadian was replaced with hip-hop Giving a whole new meaning to the word rhythm You once asked, If the essence of the truth could hide inside a dream Would this insomniac be far away from truth as it seems If a dream of my teeth falling out gracefully Is equivalent to an angel in water seeing the sun rise for the first and last time Then yes Your truth was far from a dream Because your reality didn’t see anything more productive than waking the world up I hold this microphone Imagining it is your cigarette The water didn’t fill your lungs And neither will this smoke If God was a burning bush The fire that saved Shadrach, Meshach, Abendigo Then I too can turn a hell into something holy I too can celebrate you in the wind when you blow against my ear To whisper, “Sister, smile. Reflect my shine. Let the world know if they’re scared to look into the sky they have a light that is right before their eyes. Sister, breathe. I did not drown. I only left Earth to receive my God given crown.” I trace my tongue along moons Feel them glowing against my words Smile in the reflection of what I spit Yet I only see sunrises looking back at me Creating shadows Watching over me
Natalie Cook, Founder and Executive Director of Atlanta Word Works, affiliate of Primepoets.com and First Wave Spoken Word and Hip Hop Arts Learning Community. 37 | www.thecoldbutterfly.com
poWER OF WORDS
BALCONIES AND JACK DANIEL AND YOUTH AND SUMMER AND YOU. By: Bronte Velez, Primepoets.com and Atlanta Word Works LLC The stillness of the city Never seems right Until I realize it’s because all of the movement Is in your body How even the Earth can’t compete with you Your flesh With all that night Those two moons looking back at me That Atlanta skyline of a smile Broken and bright I turn my back away from you. I do this because I want you to know I’ll leave things behind for you You say I am probably writing a poem. I am amused by the fact that I am. I smile into myself Poems perch from my palms Onto the railing I write how balconies are meant for lovers The way they hold you above the world To scream out silent soliloquies I Julieted you last night to all of Atlanta And so many parts of me Want just this moment I wish you could see how my quicksilver heart Mulls over with gold 38 | INSPIRE Magazine
When the city looks back at me You think I don’t want to look at you But ironically enough, I still am How I can feel you wanting to hold me But I know I am incapable Of holding the landscape in return So I stay turned away from you Waiting for you to decide when you will envelop me. I do not ask for anything more than the wind in your breath To take me away I am known to be stone Unshakeable With too much resilience for any human to handle But you are the rain You have a way of eroding all the parts of me That others find so difficult to excavate I want the clouds to clench onto you a little longer I don’t know if my Earth is ready for all your heaven.
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