A Brief Philosophy: Forgiveness - 4/29/10 (from 4/26/10)

"In any situation, the struggle to forgive is a climb to the summit of a mountain; upon reaching the zenith, and forgiving the individual(s) involved, one is able to see above and beyond all that was once troubling, and is able to find peace and serenity in the altitude of the 'high road,' also known as being virtuous. To hold a grudge is to attempt to walk around the mountain, an inane, taxing, and futile path."

-A. Lewis

A Poem: I Love You - 4/29/10

The way I feel about you makes me want to cry
But it's only because I know how high we can fly
In spite of the liars, to inspire the triers
My passion for you burns like millions of fires,
Each a symbol of a trait that I admire
I am but a yeoman for hire,
Willing to work at love every day that God desires
Ready to carry our load should you begin to tire
If love's a kingdom, we're building an empire.
Let me tell you,
I would set the sun to see you shine
Your light shines through the dark pupil of my eye
Like that of the moon in the night sky,
With a smile effulgent like a constellation, your teeth but stars to be gazed upon.
Our trail has been blazed upon,
With many lovers coming before us, and more to be subsequent
Yet our love flows like poetry written so eloquent
Only the Divine could've made you, my dear you are heaven-sent
This bond has made you and I better than we've ever been...
And this is only the beginning.
I can only imagine the seeds we will plant in our time,
The depths of love that we will find
The clarity that shall pervade our minds
So that we may navigate problems of any kind.
Many sign their hearts away in angst or anticipation;
We signed in trust and dedication,
With faith in Him as an omnipotent medication
We are prepared for any and every occasion
And you can rest knowing I can't be wrested from you, no matter the persuasion.
I could've said all of this in three simple words, but I wanted to be clear
Whether you're gone for minutes or months, your home is always here
If a task be daunting, a possibility be haunting, we stand without fear
For if down goes it all, and everything should fall, in a sea of despair, love is the pier.
Within our hearts is the power to fly beyond the sky, I put nothing above you
Within me is the power to put it simply: I love you.

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Internal Weathering - 4/26/10 (from 4/24/10)

"As sure as the temperature outside affects the interior of your home, the gusts of rumors and the heat waves of slander and libel shall have an impact on your peace of mind and character, lest you not have the central heating & air of a strong will and steady backbone."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Hate,The Snake in the Grass - 4/26/10 (from 4/24/10)

"Any person you don't truly love, you have the capacity to hate. This is why we must love our brethren, for if we don't, we may come to dislike or even hate them. Love is a bond forged through intents to make one another happy; hate is a slithering snake that lies in the fickle lea of your caprices, waiting for consistent iniquitous thoughts towards an individual. Then you are susceptible to its venom: abhorrence."

-A. Lewis

A Poem: [Lo]st [Ve]il: The Pen Dies - 4/22/10

There lies a pen.
Dead, no ink left within.
It would seem someone had something to say
Yet a mouth is silent, while a soul is in disarray.

The pen lies still, as does the scribe
The room is chilled, as is the vibe
A cold hold is descending upon the wrist of the writer
While thoughts hit like the fist of a fighter.

Ink is normally the medium of expression
Yet now, his thoughts meet severe repression
They clamor at his skull, desperately wanting liberation
But all they receive is due consideration.

Each idea is brilliant, more than good enough to be written
But mum is the man whose mind is smitten
Every piece seems to be of a puzzle that represents her
Clouds of wonder cluster together; a storm will soon occur.

Thunderous roars seep from his deepest depths
Lightning-fast lines keep crossing his mind, right and left
Rain now is beginning to well up in his eyes
Oh how his heart speaks as he cries.

The pain and agony now leaks from his soul
He'd rather not weep, but he has no control
All of these emotions were pent up
It would be so much easier if he could pick his pen up.

But it is dead; a casualty of life
He strove to kill his feelings, his pen to be the knife
Poem after poem, ream after ream
He wrote and wrote, but did not say what it was to mean.

These poems were not fiery condemnations
They were filled with lively contemplations
Thoughts of if he was in love, and did she know
Queries on whether he'd tell her, and how it would go.

His feelings spanned enough pages to litter the floor
Yet after all he wrote, he still held more
Now unearthed, his true feelings beamed brightly
He began to understand why he thought of her nightly.

He was a victim of theft, reeling from the effects
Left to mull over what happened and ponder what's next
The pen still lies, a sign of collateral damage
All he can do now is await the return of the vanished.

-A. Lewis

A Love Letter to the Black Woman - 4/20/10 (from 1/18/10)

My dear Black woman...

You are appreciated far beyond words. I stand tall like the pyramids of our homeland...but your love represents the hands that built me. All that I am is because of you. You show me what poise is, through dealing with me day in and day out...what strength is by tolerating me at my worst...what compassion is by holding me when I am weak...what honesty is when you tell me I can't...and what love is when you still tell me I can. Your love is that which sustains me... for no matter what, you are right beside me. Through better or worse, sickness or health, you are there. Africa was made from beauty...so many different people, great resources, various landscapes, and a myriad of animals. And you are a microcosm. Your brown skin and black hair are like dirt and rock, shielding the world from your effulgent diamond-like soul. Your intelligence is second to none, as from you came the hieroglyphics, the alphabet, and more. The light within you shines through your beauty. Your hourglass shape is so befitting, as you are a timeless work of art. You are Africa, you are the motherland, you are my heart, you are QUEEN. And I love you more than you could begin to fathom. Thank you for being the wonder of nature that you are.

Love,

The Black Man

-A. Lewis

A Philosophy: Death, Youth, and Innocence - 4/20/10 (from 1/22/10)

This note is comprised of pieces of a conversation I had with my good brougham Carlton Wilburn. Honestly, I was just kinda rattling off these thoughts to him. lol. But he was a good listener, for sure. It all started with a status of his, speaking on how young people believe they're invincible. Then he said that it could just have easily been one of us...


But that's the way life goes. Youth provides a veil of invincibility. It's necessary though...a child dealing with mortality loses its innocence. And that's the honest truth...can you imagine being 7, wishing you could be an astronaut, while wondering every night if you'll wake up? Part of growth involves blind life...oblivious to bills, wars, death, and all that, a child's mind grows...and innocence is what fosters that growth. That's why Santa is important, as well as other lies of that nature. Innocence is an integral part of our young lives. The world is constantly doling out lessons, whether we are prepared or not. However, in youth, we cannot handle those lessons; our brains are not yet developed enough nor filled with enough knowledge to comprehend them. And so, innocence insulates from it all...we may notice that we start eating apple-o's instead of Apple Jacks, but we are spared from the truth of the recession. We notice a mark on mommy's face, but we are spared from the truth of domestic violence. Of course, this constant immunity is what formulates our feeling of invincibility. Once we begin to mature, we believe that trend will continue...and one of three things happens. One, some of us don't grow up. We hold on to innocence and become immature people. Two, we believe we are invincible, free from the ills of the world until one hits RIGHT at home. Three, we accept the transformation and begin transitioning to adulthood.

Maturation is TRULY nothing more than our innocence transforming...becoming not what shields us, but what acclimates us to the world. Think about it: when people say you're so mature, what are they talking about? How accepting of the world you are at your age. A mature person is someone that is used to the flow of the world, and has adjusted accordingly, despite being young. To be an adult is not to be devoid of innocence, but rather to have it in a different light. Innocence held a light to your heart in your youth, keeping it from darkness. In adulthood, it IS the light of your heart, keeping you happy and joyful as you hold your childhood instances near and dear. People that become consumed in adulthood are those that let their innocence die...they don't have that light, so they become mindless people just going through the motions. Work, eat, sleep, repeat. Hold on to it too much and you won't properly mature; you'll start clinging to it, trying not to 'grow up,' as though it can be stopped. It can't. Life is about how you transition...and many of those transitions require the evolution of your innocence.

Carlton then said that he hates when people say they're going to change then renege(the proper spelling of the Spades term re-nig) on it, because you can't run from who you are.

It is my personal belief that the truth and reality are one and the same. People that run from reality are liars. People that run from the truth live in a dream world. Either way it goes, you're running from something that is all around you...and will always come to light. If you're not living in reality(truth), then how can you be your true self? You can't. People who are true to themselves are real. It's as simple as that. The interchangeability of those two terms puts many things into perspective. A lie is not truth, thus it is not real. Someone who refuses to see the truth refuses to see what's real. A great example is the feeling of invincibility, which is unreal, coming from being spared the truth, aka reality.

I hope this was able to shed some light on a few things for you all, and I also hope this helps you understand things about yourself as well as other people. All I can do is give you my thoughts; the rest is up to you. I leave you with what I posted on the page I gave the link for...just some words for those that have been affected by this, as well as anyone that has been affected any death as of late. I most sincerely appreciate your time.



"There is no way to replace a love lost...many people spend lifetimes trying to, with no success. Every void in our lives is an opportunity for a new patch, a new addition to the quilt of memories that we build. While not having that person in your life is difficult, you now have the chance to treasure him/her in a way that you couldn't before...they can now become a part of you. All the memories, all the laughs, that can all come together in your mind, and in your heart. And when you think of that person, you'll feel him/her. They'll become one of the lights of your life now. I'm sorry for your loss, I hope this helps you in any way."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Innocence - 4/20/10

"Innocence is the sparkle in a child's eye that knows not the darkness it shall need to pierce in order to shine. This light illuminates the recesses of the mind, stimulating creativity; the aura of this light is one's comfort zone. The desire to further the aura is ambition, to fear it's retraction is to be close-minded. Knowledge is fuel to the fire, and maturation is its growth."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Personal Restraints - 4/20/10 (from 4/19/10)

"We live with our own restraints because they allow us only a certain amount of room to exist in. It creates a margin for error, parameters for all emotions and understanding. In short, we keep our perspective contained. This is only because the idea of life's flow coming at us freely is intimidating; however, the flow will never drown you. All that flows is all He knows, so any current is one He chose."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: The Pursuit of Happiness - 4/20/10 (from 4/18/10)

"One of, if not the greatest of the flaws of the human mind is the innate feeling of the need to attain happiness. Behind that impetus alone, women will lower themselves to nothing, and men will behave like neanderthals. You do not attempt to become sad, angry, fearful, or anxious, so why attempt to be happy? Emotions are currents in the flow of life; they occur naturally, and without fail."

-A. Lewis

A Poem: Black Man. - 4/16/10

All I want to do is provide for my family.
My work ethic is unquestionable.
There is nothing I won't do, no place I won't go,
No mountain I won't climb, no talent I won't show.
They are my priority.
This should make me a great man, yet I'm mired in inferiority.
My work ethic was used against me,
By a man who was all but unfriendly.
There was nothing I wouldn't do...
I could only sleep from night to the settling of dew.
My days were spent slaving for mere safety
I'd ask for Him to at least save my family, if He couldn't save me.
If I had to dance for an additional ration, so be it;
I cried in the rain to mask the pain, so no one would see it.
I simply did what I had to do to provide.
I am the foundation of my family...


All I want to do is let my light shine.
I come from a lineage of greatness
But I look at myself and say 'I hate this.'
Darker than those with power
One look at me and their children cower
I have talents galore and an expansive mind
I am strong and willful, yet viewed as unrefined.
Everything I innovate seems to be wonderful,
Helpful and avant-garde to say the least
But when I open my mouth,
It's as though 'roar' says 'the beast.'
I need not say but a word to receive a whipping like none other
Even though my words could help the world, including my white brother.
I've led movements and led nations
But now my kind are simple abominations...
Yet we still shine...


All I want to do is follow God.
That was my goal from the beginning.
From pyramids to pilgrimage,
Religion was to be at the heart of my people and I.
Yet, under the guise of religion, we were stolen away,
Sold away, killed away,
Anything to put distance between us.
That's because they'd seen us
Us as a cohesive unit 'under God.'
Such strength was rather odd
So they razed our bonds
And disconnected children from their parents...
Even through screams that would tear the larynx
They continued; their plan was apparent.
With no pillars, our values were to fall
Leaving us to wallow in despair with no hope at all
But our prayers became pillars...


All I want to do is uplift my brethren.
Wherever I may go, my people shall come.
I will not rise without them,
I can only fall without them.
Togetherness is a strength with no limitation
But one can be fooled by prestidigitation
A trick here, a gift there
Appeasement can do many things.
For a man struggling, he'll take what a hand brings.
Give a few one thing, give a few another
At some point, one will wonder why he's not as special as his brother
And as his sister runs off with some affluent mister,
He'll wonder why Lady Luck only kissed her.
But it's no surprise...
Just another veil over your eyes...
The glitter is blinding you
Yet the brotherhood still binds you...

Now let me make this clear.

All I wanted to do was provide for my family.
So I was coerced into doing everything for nothing.
Slaving in fields, watching men get killed,
Crying over a man selling away my loving.

All I wanted to do was let my light shine.
I did, but it was observed and duplicated
My ideas were stolen, sold then, replicated
All while I was left with an empty mind and emptier pockets.

All I wanted to do was follow God.
I hummed his tunes and my voice was heard,
I was paid to jump, dance, and sing the Word
Yet I forgot it was about him and not the money...so I'm left with sin.

All I wanted to do was uplift my brethren.
But I had to snitch on them to get anywhere
I had to give my sisters away as sex toys, which I couldn't bear
By the time I got to the top, the bottom was a divided mess.

My values have been filled with graft
My brothers and sisters are fast-tracked down the wrong path
To save them is to commit suicide
Yet saving yourself separates you from them...could you decide?
Is the choice to much for your mind to bear?
Would it hurt to know that to many, your life is neither here nor there?
Could you stand knowing that helping your own mind
Would only bring dissent from your own kind?
Is it possible, even in the farther corners of your understanding,
To be able to fathom that your future is under planning?
That everything you do or plan to do is subject to the caprice
Of a man whose compassion is emaciated, but whose contempt is obese?
That your people live in obliviousness of their own plight
That they live in blindness to their own light
With not even so much as an inkling of their own rite
Simply because they've become desensitized to wanting more than just alright?

Please, please. Take your time.
Look deeply into your mind.
Try to grasp that as best you can
I've already got it, so powerful is the mind of a Black man.

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Afraid of Love - 4/15/10

"Questions have become dominant...uncertainty prominent...and it seems that even in my dreams, the two are incontinent...every thought exacerbates the growing doubts...I'm fighting what I feel, and I'm losing bouts...I've yet to peg you, so you remain mysterious...my head is spinning something serious, I've become delirious...unlike ones from the past, you might really last...so I'm fearing 'us'..."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Mistake Street - 4/15/10 (from 4/14/10)

"Initial mistakes are abrupt turns down rough streets on the journey of life. The Universe will send you down these streets so that you know not to take them again, and to learn what is down them. Repeated mistakes are voluntary, however. If you choose to continue going down the same street, it's your choice, and yours alone; just know that the rough side of town is full of dead ends..."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Men, Boys, and N*ggas - 4/15/10 (from 4/13/10)

"A man is, a man does. A boy tries, a boy is because. A n*gga can't, a n*gga won't. A man will, even when he won't. A boy deceives, a n*gga lies. A man speaks, with truth in his eyes. A man's word is bond, his show of care. Even if he has to move Heaven, he'll be there. A boy is fickle, a n*gga is undependable. A man is so supportive, he cannot be expendable. A man is, and lives like a proud son of God."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Pressing Buttons - 4/15/10 (from 4/13/10)

"Most often in this world, the buttons that are pressed are protuberant and or bright. Next time yours are pressed, the fault cannot be singly placed; while people are wrong to push them, ask yourself why they're so overt and tempting. Buttons are also pressed because people like to see reactions; function of self should be active, not reactive. If they press a button to no avail, they’ll leave it alone."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Put Downs - 4/15/10 (from 4/13/10)

"You can only be put down if you allow yourself to be placed. If the foundation of your self-esteem is not concrete and solid, it is then easy for someone to penetrate it, lift what underdeveloped structure is above it, and place it where they choose. For a confident individual, the edifice is a tall and intricate temple of love and respect for self, encumbered with the immense weight of self-determination."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Sticks and Stones - 4/11/10

"We must understand the power of our words. One sly remark could be the atomic bomb that levels a young lady's self-esteem. One rumor could be the missile that shoots a young lady's confidence out of the sky. One lie could be the pernicious bullet that ends the last stand of a young man's heart. Choose your weapons (words) wisely; you never know who's wounded, a war veteran, or flat out belligerent."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Coming of Age - 4/11/10 (from 4/9/10)

"The true coming of age for a man is when he can successfully subjugate his ego. It is at that point, even moreso than when he gains control of his carnal desires, that he makes himself a positive contributor to the world. He will make better decisions, be a better person to deal with, and will most importantly treat women better. He will understand that he is special by spirit, not by merit."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: The Need for Affection - 4/8/10

"The need for affection is the most beguiling impetus on the planet. The mind, with help from society, paints affection to be the light of the world, life's greatest joy. And so, we chase it...we whore ourselves, stay in abusive relationships, sell ourselves short, do any and everything for it. The depiction is true, but we are oblivious to the fact that the affection must be of and from self."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Truth and Lies - 4/8/10 (from 4/7/10)

"If the truth is a tragedy and lies are a travesty, what's left in between? If the truth hurts and lies can do worse, how do you say what you mean? One hurts in the present, the other in the future. Both cut deeply, so what's the suture? It is said that time will heal. But does time undo the hand that life will deal? No, but it's a start on the right track. The truth may hit you, but a lie will stab you in the back."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Countdown to Love - 4/8/10 (from 4/7/10)

"Girl, I'll work 5 then another 5 fingers to the bone...just for (4) you to say that you'll call my love home...I speak the same 3 words to (2) you every day...you're my number 1 and that's how it needs to stay. Yes, numbers are infinite but I was only interested in 10...once they were received, I believed I'd never be single again...I got you, and need nothing more...you're who I was saving my loving for..."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: River of Consciousness - 4/8/10 (from 4/6/10)

"Holding on to the past creates a dam-like effect on the flow of the Universe. When you finally let this grip go, the flow moves forward, washing away what was, rushing in what is, and bringing forth what is to come. The flow may wash away deep sediments. This process is called change. The washing away of soot is pain...the more you lose, the wider your banks, which is the expansion of your mind."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Love or In Love - 4/8/10 (from 4/5/10)

“Love takes effort, not work. It is one thing to put in time, energy, and dedication, but another to labor. Work always takes place in relationships where 'love' and 'in love' are confused. To love someone is to have a deep spiritual affection; to be in love is to have a deep spiritual connection. Trying to turn affection into a connection alone is a futile task, more taxing than that of Atlas.”

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Distant Lover - 4/8/10 (from 4/5/10)

"It's said that absence makes the heart fonder...then it's no wonder...that as you wander in a place yonder...I'm left with only the wonder of love to ponder...you not here leaves things not clear...you now seem so dear...and I fear that without you here...your voice may be the only pleasant thing I long to hear...my love, you have no peer...compared to your love, possessions seem so mere..."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Outcomes - 4/1/10

"A fearful person believes that the negative outcomes of an action outnumber and outweigh the positive outcomes of said action. A hopeful person believes that the positive outcomes of an action outnumber and outweigh the negative outcomes of said action. A happy person simply is such because they believe that any outcome of an action is infinitely better than the outcome of no action: nothing."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Progress Begets Progress - 4/1/10

"The Universe flows. What you put into it, is what you get back. When you emit fear, you get limited opportunities in return. When you desire something, yet hold yourself from it, you are given glimpses of it. This is not punishment, but encouragement. If you have limited opportunities, you are compelled to take one. When you see that glimpse, you go for it. The flow is self-replenishing; progress begets progress."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Savior - 4/1/10 (from 3/31/10)

"Attention has killed honesty...lies have killed kindness...you're trying to see what's behind my every line, not noticing your blindness...you've traded trust for suspicion...every time I speak, for your heart I have to seek, it's like a mission...you're used to players, but love is no game...you've been hurt, but with progress comes pain...you've become an object...I want to save what soul you haven't lost yet..."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Walls, and the Mind - 4/1/10 (from 3/31/10)

"Walls are not always ends, but can be means for a turn, a shift. The journey to success is not about simply overcoming obstacles, but also being able to use your mind to circumvent them. There are times when being clever will beat being inventive, and that is how a mind becomes more precise."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: The Flexible Property of Truth - 4/1/10 (from 3/31/10)

"The truth is flexible; this is to see who shall bend it, and who shan't. For those who bend it, there is reward: reality is bent at a caprice, to one's desire. This may become addictive, as one may become enthralled with creating their own rendition of reality. However, the truth is unbreakable; so when bent, it snaps back. The more one lies, the harder reality comes back to raze your house of cards."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Shape Success - 4/1/10 (from 3/30/10)

"The difference between success and failure is geometric: to fail is to meet an end, or truncation rather, on a journey to success. All shapes beyond circles have ends. So, no matter how many skills, talents, or whatever you may possess, you will still have 'sides,' which could at any time be the means to an end, a failure. Success comes from being well-rounded, constantly curving and changing to be better."

-A. Lewis

Dating Advice - 4/1/10 (from 3/29/10)

"You cannot tie down a free spirit. No matter what you have to offer, the spirit is free until it decides to calm down. When a person offers you material, they have no substance. There is no love without friendship; if you get to know someone with only the intent to be in a relationship, friendship will lack, which will mean you're building a future on nothing but dreams."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Interconnectedness - 4/1/10 (from 3/29/10)

"We are all connected through God. The bonds that lie between us are affected by our relationships with one another. A bond will contract if not tended to, yet will extend if there is a need backed by care. Hatred is the weakening of a bond, the ignorance of its purpose; friendship is the strengthening of a bond, a function of its purpose; love is the growth of a bond, the culmination of its purpose."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: He Made You - 4/1/10 (from 3/28/10)

"Your face was made for my eyes to ingest...your body was made for me to caress...your mind was made to intrigue me...your soul was made to complete me...your personality was made to complement mine...your love was made to complement time...I believe you were handcrafted by He...made in his image, detailed for me...my belief is the truth, no secondguessing...you must be of Him, you're a blessing."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Defenestrated Dreamer - 4/1/10 (from 3/28/10)

"I sometimes feel like I've been thrown out of a window...I'm high because I'm above the rest, and fly because I'm among the best...the rush of the win is as refreshing as the gusts of the wind...the solitude is pleasing, and the altitude can be freezing, but that's only when the pen and tongue stop emitting that heat...but one can only wonder when I'll touch the ground; where will I land, what will be found?"

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Chasing Love - 4/1/10 (from 3/26/10)

"Chasing love is a losing game...it's a heated battle, one can get lost in the flame...no matter who you are, the burns are bound to scar, and you won't feel the same...since you didn't get it right, you fill with spite, and block the lane...you'll trip many others and go through many lovers until someone stops to help...that's how you win, you let someone in, all while humbling yourself ."

-A. Lewis