Handstands – Page 6 – Fried Chicken & Philosophy

April 1, 2017April 7, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken, Handstands, Morning Coffee

Chiburui

Slap
No more than a breath
the extension of my hand
leaves hearts asunder

Chiburui – “shaking off the blood” in the Japanese martial art of iaidō

December 16, 2016February 23, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken, Handstands

Perfume

The sweat smell on sheets

confection to my senses

personal perfume

-CZV

October 24, 2016February 23, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken, Handstands

Remembering

“Lynching is an extrajudicial punishment by an informal group.”
No, lynching is a crime against humanity.

The grand wizard
buys the boys a beer
and they laugh
over the poor polaroid
covered with blood and crime

There is no final resting place
FRP frp frp frp frp frp
He must walk the earth
rattling fetters in the
symphony of slaves
in which so many play

They never found the car
the one he washed and loved
I had a water pump and friend
in that gone baby gone

Did he say see you soon
before he strode into castration
or did salvation come lynch like

God and the good ole boys
keep the secret while secretly
mom and dad die

After three days
did he roll away the rock
and rise while she watched
are the bones still broken
in some unholy hole
did night things rip and scatter
what poor man was left

There is no day or place
remembering
I do.

Bill Paying

Being a black man is a bill that shows up every month that you have to pay and the vig is outrageous.

Singing

You taught me why the caged bird sings she said as she walked out the door.

The Greatest Commandment

The Second Commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than [this] these’” (Mark 12:28-31)

I Am Not My Hair

Yes you are. When you look at African culture hair has always defined who we are. From the braids of one tribe to the shaved heads of another to mud or cloth wraps hair has always been a statement about culture and who we are.

White Tie, Top Hat and Tails

Gladys Bentley was an over the top original when that wasn’t a popular thing to be. Performing in her signature White Tie, Top Hat and Tails she was so, so cool and bending a lot more than gender.

Bass Reeves

Bass Reaves: The Real Lone Ranger.

The Wells of America

Those who drink the water should never forget those that dug the wells.

Billie Holiday

“You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair, and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.” — Billie Holiday

Game Changer

“You have and always will change the game, so why are you concerned with their retelling who won the last hand. It’s not history that’s important it’s your next roll of the dice, the next turned card. Stop playing with their marked deck”.

Casualty

I was a soldier before I should have been. I’ve fought wars and been left for dead. A prisoner all my life. I’ve been MIA and I am a casualty yet still I rise.