The Legacy of America

Red, white, and blue, yes, you!

When all is said and done what will be the legacy of your daughters and your sons?

Will we remember the true natives who were slaughtered and uprooted so that flags of England could be placed upon bloody soil?

Do you hear the beat of their drums? The war cry of their souls? Their arrows piercing the wind?

Fooled into believing their foes were their friends.

Travel to a reservation and watch the legacy of this country's sin

Let's make America great again

Will we remember the hundreds of years of free labor of mothers, fathers, and children ripped from the motherland to toil and build this country in the day of light and the darkness of the sun?

This is the land of democracy, where equality was fought and won...

Why aren't you happy? Why don't you feel free? Why do you blame the past for your grief and misery?

Well, hmmm let me see...

Flash back, families divided misplaced and displaced, the woman of color took on a role that was not her place, and the man she loved become a shell of manhood, forced to submit like an animal and become docile and weak. Now years later after sharecropping, segregation, Jim Crow, and hateful-hooded-hoodlums were allowed to run free-to kill, rape, and go forth on murdering sprees, We say get over it! Yet, historically we can still see in the 21st century the "first" title given when a medal or award is presented?

Are we there yet? Have you not arrived? Put away the shades and imagine what it means to be watched and monitored when you enter a store, stopped because you fit a description, sterotyped and considred a second class citizen, you bring the value of the property down, even with degrees of honor a job cannot be found, because you don't know the right person. Inner city living? Drugs pushed into communities and pushed through veins by business men in suits, how can a thug get a plane to ship the cocaine?  But I digress, 40 acres and a mule to help you climb out of the pit, and yet, it was never seen.

No reparations for you, for them! This country owes you nothing! The rich are not rich from the slave trade or the servitude of the blacks, so take this here freedom we are offering and catch up from your place of lack

Get your education, buy a house, and a car, forget about discrimination, racism, and prejudice, because they no longer exist, you are just a lazy bum wanting a handout from my check, but wait a minute let me check, how can a minority receive the most aid? I think statistically that is a lie that lacks depth

Do you want wealth?

This is America, America, so dream big, work hard, and succeed!

Feed your pockets, make them full, so that you can become the elite, top percent

Then you will never have to worry about the past, only how you will keep what you got, study the market hard, so that you don't lose a dime, walk over the back of the weak, and focus on your own kind, we are strong, we are better, we are powerful!

Make American great again?

How?

When?

Will we feed the hungry? Will we educate the youth? Will we love EVERYBODY? EVERYBODY? Will we give before we take? Will we truly look to God before decisions are made?

I wish we could, I wish we would make America Again,

Not great, because it never has been,

But make it more honest, make it more true

Make it more inclusive, loving, and kind, make it more by keeping God forth most in our minds.

America this is the place, the building blocks and foundation of the great dream, that many immigrants came to obtain, looking for a better way. You want to build a wall? Build a wall that will keep our true enemy away!

America is a beautiful place, full of beautiful people of all cultures and ethnicities, but to become great we need more than a flag, a slogan, a song, or pledge, we need a fear and respect for God!

Please let us make America, let us rebuild and restructure this land, I'm not asking you to take a stand, I'm asking you to bend a knee, bow down with me

Pray to God-for this land is dying, crying, bleeding, and pleading,  and healing is truly what we need, not a race war, filled with fear, anger, hatred, and destruction, but understanding, kindness, peace, and love overflowing from one soul to the next

We need lies to be made truths, darkness to be made light, change to be made real, and the true power of God to come forth like a balm and heal

So bow down and pray to God for the future of your daughters and your sons is at hand, we seek something far greater than a man or women's solution for this land,  we want the legacy of God's perfect will and divine plan!

Jamie Hoffman AKA J. W. Hoffman

Back Again

So, I must admit I have started a love affair with a new blog, not that I don't care about you at all. (no rhyme intended, it just happens from time to time) It is just that I am now part of a community of artists, and I find that we are able to support and uplift each other more easily than a blog that doesn't exactly get much love. Anyway, please know that I have not forgotten you dear blog and that since you were my first I shall always hold thee in high regard. O.k, enough of my nonsensical rattling. Here goes a poem........and I've entitled it Back Again

Will you wait for me?
Or when I return will I find you gone...
I realize it has been a great deal of time that has separated us from our 'home'
Yet, the love I feel has not diminished, it has only grown
No place for rejection in this celebration of our unity, let my embrace be the apology to replace
my absence
All that really matters is that I am now here
So can we put aside the pleasantries and really communicate what we feel?
Life is short and I have no time for childish games, when I say I love you, it is not a flimsy whimsical
thing
It is that forever love that reaches out to you even when you can't see my face
You should still feel me lingering in your thoughts like a favorite song on repeat
I won't stop playing when you hit stop, but my notes will continue to tug on your heart
Back Again, Back again, it's not too late, all you have to do is pretend I never left


Love ya Blog!

Poetry: My Voice: My four blessings

Poetry: My Voice: My four blessings: I am a mother of four beautiful children, two boys and two girls. When they were born, I wrote a poem for each of them in honor of their bir...

My four blessings

I am a mother of four beautiful children, two boys and two girls. When they were born, I wrote a poem for each of them in honor of their births. However, they are now 12, 6, and 5 respectively, and I have not written anything on their behalf since then so here's to my four blessings!

He came as a surprise in my youth, a curly haired chunky boy, but oh so cute
His smile, his bright eyes could light up a room, his head banging tantrums could shake a room too,
now he is a young man, helpful, full of wisdom, and intelligently gifted, focused on his goals, and a mouth of sarcastic prose are his attributes, proud of who he is, and even prouder of who he will be....as he continues to fulfill his destiny

She was my natural birth, pain forgotten for her presence made it a fleeting memory, little princess she is so sweet a dimpled smile, and eyes so bright, she loves to be helpful and kind, a bit stubborn sometimes, but still a joy as she grows into a lovely little girl. As I watch her grow my heart is warmed, she reads, she sings, she dances, and she performs her way into a future of promise

Twins? Oh My!
Pink, round cheeks and plump little lips, no hair on her head, but still you could tell, she would be a sweet little girl...tragedy at first struck but my miracle child never gave up..she is now an imaginative, talkative, bossy, affectionate joy. Oh and she is funny too, her memory and words are plentiful...she grows each day into a lovely girl, and yes, she now has hair long enough to twirl

Blue, skinny, and hungry looking was he, but not for long. He picked up weight and energy too.
Now he is a ball of excited activity. Toys fall where ever he goes, and his words although unclear at times are strong when they are heard. He can't sit still for long, but when you read a story he just might, although a very picky eater, bread is a must, he'll eat a dozen rolls one by one, he might whine from time to time, but his lop-sided smile will make those cries worth while day by day he grows in height and into a great little boy

These are my blessings, my four blessings!

Poetry: My Voice: Real Love

Poetry: My Voice: Real Love: Infatuation: Sparks, and tingles at a slight touch A feathery kiss that reaches your toes A hand held, a warm embrace, a long conversatio...

Real Love

Infatuation:
Sparks, and tingles at a slight touch
A feathery kiss that reaches your toes
A hand held, a warm embrace, a long conversation about nothing
And promises of forever are etched into place
I love you over and over again the words are repeated as if a chant of worship need be reaffirmed
How long? Will this last?
Real Love:
Babies crying, a mortgage due, a car needs to be fixed, and jobs stressing you
A quick peck or a have a nice day, date night canceled, no time to just get away
conversations are short or limited, quarrels over trivial things are commonplace
In the hustle and bustle of life we must find the space
to show that special one that they will always have a place
because when it is Real Love nothing can take it away
it overcomes every obstacle and struggle
Real Love is strong enough to stay!


P.S: I luv u SRLH!

Poetry: My Voice: Happiness vs Joy

Poetry: My Voice: Happiness vs Joy: Do you see this smile? It is radiantly bright as long as everything in my life is going right Do you see this head held high, I'm happy th...

Poetry: My Voice: Am I a rapper? You be the judge!

Poetry: My Voice: Am I a rapper? You be the judge!: O.K, so back in the day when I was very very young I was a bit of a wanna be, I mean I wanted to be MC Lyte or some other smooth female MC. ...

Poetry: My Voice: My Voice

Poetry: My Voice: My Voice: I use to think that quiet was the way to be a shy introvert both humble and meek as I grew I changed and time with life came the ups the ...

Poetry: My Voice: Happiness vs Joy

Poetry: My Voice: Happiness vs Joy: Do you see this smile? It is radiantly bright as long as everything in my life is going right Do you see this head held high, I'm happy th...

Happiness vs Joy

Do you see this smile?
It is radiantly bright as long as everything in my life is going right
Do you see this head held high, I'm happy that's the reason why
Happiness is happening when my pockets are full, my life is at peace, and drama is far away from me
With happiness I can grin and laugh and joke and be glad
But oh where is my joy?
With joy my smile comes from within and shows in a radiant glow on the outside
With joy my pockets can be empty, chaos can reign supreme, and I can be the main star in all the drama around me
My joy is not based on my happiness and what is happening, but my joy is eternally deep down in my soul
and it regenerates even in the midst of my pain
Why joy? It may sound strange
But the simplicity is found in one name and his alone do I proclaim
For he is the source of my joy!

My Voice

I use to think that quiet was the way to be
a shy introvert both humble and meek
as I grew I changed and time with life came
the ups the downs the turnabouts and turnarounds
I begin to yell so that I could be heard more clearly
I began to speak with just a touch of sarcasm in my voice
I wanted the world to know that I was nobody to play with!
But the joke, it was on me!
In reality in order to truly be heard you have to learn to listen not speak
My voice it is most powerful when I whisper!

Spring

I feel you near each day
in the air you seem to be
beckoning to me
the sweetness of your embrace I await
like a bud of freshness you will appear
to bring brightness and life near
I love you, a birthday month
and beauty are your gifts to me
and I welcome them
with open arms!

Oh Happy Day!

I celebrate!
I rejoice!
In spite of what you think to do to bring me down
on this round face of mine
joy can always be found
and on occasion when you find me a bit blue
know that it's not because of you
for my emotions often change
but my peace remains the same
for when all is said and done
and my final race is run
I know my victory is won
I know my destination and my place
so when you see a smile upon my face
know that you did not put it in place
but the anticipation of the day
when all joy is released and free
when all worry, doubt, pain, grief, and misery are gone
that's the day for which I long
Oh Happy Day!

Winter Time

There is a chill in the air
wind gushes through my parka
and chills tingle down my back
a feel of anticipation for the seasons' holidays beckons me on
from the fall of October, to the thankful feasting of November
I await the delight of December with all of its trimmings, from the one true gift of life
to the lights, trees, family gatherings, and treat filled nights of rest
as I anticipate the coming days I try to remain focused and peaceful
in my zeal for with each passing day I cross out numbers waiting for that coveted break
that only you can deliver, hand wrapped, neatly and colorful with a big bow on top you are my
one true gift!

Am I a rapper? You be the judge!

O.K, so back in the day when I was very very young I was a bit of a wanna be, I mean I wanted to be MC Lyte or some other smooth female MC. I actually use to battle my brother and between you and me, I think I beat him more than he would care to say. Anyway, I on a regular basis do not usually watch BET, however, I happen to briefly turn to the awards show and watch some of the performers in the Cypher, and I was inspired by some and left wondering what in the world with others. Nevertheless, I must say I have been way disenchanted with the rap game for a long long time, and so I wrote a rap about it, wanna hear it? Here it goes.... and it sounds a little something like this....

Prolifically speaking I give words life
birth out of me like a woman in travail;
impregnated with this gift I must TELL
the WORLD, the TRUTH
for you've been in darkness too long, cloaked in the shadow and the shackles of your
iced out jewelry and your "FABULOUS HOMES"
material wealth your only gain while your rhymes lack moral depth and all sound the SAME
Give me the classics of the old school, where the purpose was to uplift, groove, and bust a MOVE
Now you rappers lack class cuz you left school too soon
As a teacher I can teach ya how to get back to the basics, to the nature of what it means to be
a lyrical genius not a one hit liner with cliche' slang/slanging EBONICS
 you need HOOKED ON PHONICS
so you can speak right
who said a rapper had to mumble and loose syllables to sound tight?
Crisp and clean words ring clearer and more profound than your preschool like sounds
Please excuse if I do offend, just trying to shed light on the industries plight, it's time for us, my brothers and sisters to make our words RIGHT, not just get another spot on the radio rotation
selling our souls for the 10 cent CD donations
 instead we must enlighten future generations
so if my words strike a cord with you the next time you in the studio let your music speak the truth
about how money and fame can lead to destruction and lost if you don't carefully weigh the cost
how inspiration can lead to desperation
 where you find no place
you become just another famous face
lost in the crowd
place wisdom and knowledge above money motivation and let them be your first inclination
so put pen to paper
and truly for the first time RHYME!

Can heaven recommend you?

So on yesterday the preacher chose a topic that was very poignant to me, he asked the question can heaven recommend you? I gave that some thought, and I would have to be honest and say I really don't know the answer to that question. I would love to say of course heaven can, but I really don't know.... only God does. So here goes the poem of the day....

Recommended by Heaven

A call was sent out all around
from the blue of the clouds you could feel the ground quake
But not many, only one could here the sound
Proud and joyous was the candidate found
who came highly qualified and fit for the job
humbly he answered and expressed his gratitude to God,
but yet he had one question that seemed to weigh him down
before he could enjoy the moment he had to know
Why was I chosen and no one else? What separates me from the rest?
With a hearty pat on the back and an expression of love, God answered simply,
You are my beloved, my own precious child, my son and in all the earth their is none to be found
as highly recommended as you are you see
because you come from part of me

Poetry: My Voice: Catching Up

Poetry: My Voice: Catching Up: So, I missed my post yesterday due to a very hectic schedule...five different plays, a kindergarten program (by the way my baby is destined ...

Letting Go

So on Sunday the preacher's topic was Letting Go. Letting Go? You may ask yourself what does that mean exactly? Well, he gave many examples of things that we need to let go of, such as past pain, hurt, frustration, revenge, negativity, etc. I could go on, but I think you get my drift. Well, most people would like to think they are free of their past, however, since we are just humans after all, I think that we all have some things that still grip us, and hinder us from being the blessed children of God that we should be. Therefore I share these lines with you...the task of letting go of things that have been with us for a long time is hard, but the reward of shedding the dead weight of those things is PRICELESS!

Letting Go (by Jay-Me)

Your tentacles clung to my flesh in a death grip
deeper and deeper I would drip
drip into your miserable depressed web of deceit
Walking around in defeat
With years of anger, frustration, hurt, and pain, laying claim to my frame
as if they were my identity instead of the true me
the girl with a smile in place, a jilt to her step, and a faith built on experience, and a love only God could give
Are you for real?
Trying to hold me down, lowly to the ground, walking with my head down?  
Please know you are the jester, you are the clown!
For I learned that giving it up is better then giving in,
I also learned that revenge is not my friend
So all the things that had me bound, I release them with joy, I lay them down
So know that although you thought to break me, overtake me, and turn me around
I'm letting go of every single thing that sought to weigh me down
I'm Letting go, Letting go, Letting go
and in letting go, I know for sure
in my release I will be  
Forever free
Living in God's intended purpose for me
LET IT GO!

My Uncle By Jamie W Hoffman

In honor of my Uncle Buddy I write this poem with love, gone, but not forgotten!

I remember when your old gray truck would rumble up the dirt road
You'd swagger in the house in your polyester shorts and high top socks and flip flops with a grin on your face and with our little legs we would race, race to see you
excitement would fill our hearts at the thought of a trip to the convenient mart
or a spin in your front seat, we would let our imaginations soar as we drove around Grandma Pearl's yard going nowhere but loving every minute of it
candy treats and wise cracking jokes were your gifts to us
and as a reward Grandma Pearl always had something sweet for you to eat
cake, bread pudding, turnovers, and pies were all like sunshine to your eyes
for I remember those days well, long ago but never gone
You, the Patriarch of the family, not just an Uncle, but our Uncle, not just a Buddy,
But our Buddy, Our much loved Uncle Buddy!  

Jamie Wiggins Hoffman