A Freestyle Piece: Lukewarm Lullabies - 4/29/11

"Lies are laying down in the bed with us. It's becoming crowded as whatever little goodness you have is being shrouded by your lack of tact. You're not half the speaker you think you are; even a deaf person could hear the desires dripping off your tongue as you spit stories of a steady stay in my heart. Body language speaks volumes, and I've heard it with my eyes. I'm done; keep your lukewarm lullabies."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Stuck On You - 4/29/11

"I still wonder what could've been. The possibilities haunt me to no end. The memories burn as though your presence branded my mind and I've yet to heal. Truth is, there's a difference between moving on and letting go; I've yet to deal. I still hold on to the fantasies I had; there's a freedom I've yet to feel. What I can't get past is that you're supposed to be in my past; you're an open wound time's yet to seal."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: He's In Love Without Knowing - 4/29/11

"Just a young man swimming and hoping, grasping and holding onto any semblance of a location. So patient, yet beginning to worry if he'll drown. The horizon seems distant, and there is no land in sight. But, to attest to his might, he continues to stroke while the sun shines ever-so-bright. The warmth is inviting, almost baiting him to keep going. Working toward her heart, he's in love without knowing."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Don't Overlook A Budding Man - 4/29/11

"Pain was never meant to keep you from making the right selection...it was just life nudging you back in the right direction. Listening to the wrong voices led you astray. Refusing to see things in black and white kept you in the grey. Rose-colored glasses don't show hidden potential for love, they block obvious potential for hurt. Don't overlook a budding man because you want to cultivate one still in the dirt..."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Have You Ever Felt This Sexy Before? - 4/29/11

"Just spend one night with me--only your heart will be undressed. We'll strip away those fears; I'll help you slip out of those destructive patterns. I'll take off the stereotypes you put me in, and we'll share our nude souls. Don't be shy; you have a voluptuous mind, expansive in the right places. Firm and big, your heart's just as alluring. Your walls lie crumbled on the floor: have you ever felt this sexy before?"

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: She Stereotypes Guys - 4/29/11

"I must admit, I find you a bit enigmatic. You have an open mind, but your heart's so stigmatic. So quick to jump to conclusions and project illusions, must you always act first? What good is defense if every time you stymie an advance, you move backwards? All that distance is keeping you away from what you really want. It's difficult to take you seriously with such a silly front..."

-A. Lewis

The NBA Playoffs - 4/19/11

"The Oklahoma City Thunder. An appropriate name: they bring the boom every night. This team presents match-up nightmares that leave opposing coaches sleepless. Kevin Durant is a superstar, no question. He's ready to take that next step and be a champion. His team's crowd is thunderous as well. Can the scariest and most brazen team in the NBA bullrush their way to a title? The quest starts now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Denver Nuggets are just that, a collection of golden nuggets. This team was built with very skilled yet underrated players. However, none of them qualify as 'stars.' Gold shines just as brightly as stars though, as the Nuggets rolled into the Playoffs with their new players. Can this team band together and play well enough to mine a championship out of their efforts? It all begins now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"New look, New York. The acquisitions of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups give the New York Knicks a newfound killer instinct. Amare Stoudemire is a one-man wrecking crew in the paint. This team was built to bring respect back to the Garden. Anthony and Stoudemire are now in prime position for a title. Will they bring swagger and the trophy back to the Big Apple? The quest starts here. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Boston Celtics. What more needs to be said? Much like the Lakers, the Celtics have a reputation that precedes them. When the Big Three came together in '08, they all got what had been pining for: a championship. Now, with different pieces in place, this team is primed to make a final run at a legacy that will place them in the conversation with Celtic teams of the past: trophy #2. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The paragon of pedigree. The Los Angeles Lakers are the original champions and the two-time defending champions. They've had both Hall of Fame coaches and players. Now in the midst of a second three-peat, they come into the Playoffs as a powerful 2-seed. Phil's looking for three-peat number 4, while Kobe's looking to equal His Airness. Will he tie MJ's six rings? It all starts now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Underrated, the New Orleans Hornets sneak into the Playoffs as a 7-seed. This is a team with shooters, rebounders, and playmakers, the ingredients of a champion. Led by perennial superstar Chris Paul, the Hornets can make plays and make them in a hurry. His control of this offense is what can take them all the way. Will Paul join Drew Brees as a hero of the Big Easy? The quest starts here. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Old legs? Experienced minds. The seasoned San Antonio Spurs are about as consistent as they come. The term dynasty has floated around their team for years now, and while they deny it, the rings tell another story. However, none of their core stars are getting any younger, and the conference is catching up. Can Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan deliver one last stand like the Alamo? It begins now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Under the radar. That's the best way to describe the Memphis Grizzlies. However, stars such as Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol would blips on any radar. Another young team in the Playoffs, the Grizzlies are out looking for respect in the tough Western Conference. Most importantly, they are looking for something they couldn't find back in Vancouver: an NBA championship. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Rose City boys are surely budding. The Portland Trailblazers have a young core that is ready to rise and be among the elite in the West. Akin to roses, this team has players that are thorns in opponents' sides. LaMarcus Aldridge and new face Gerald Wallace lead an athletic and versatile team looking to revive the fervor of the Drexler days while capturing the hardware of the Walton days. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"A model of consistency, the Dallas Mavericks have very little to prove. However, they have very much to gain. A ring would provide a final substantiation to the great careers of their stars. Led by perennial all-star Dirk Nowitzki, this venerated crew is out to outdo the other Lone Star team, cap off yet another 50+ win season, and finally earn what they've been striving for: a championship. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Highlight Factory is open yet again. After shocking the world in 2008, the Atlanta Hawks have been steadily improving year after year. Now, with Joe Johnson as the alpha male, Jamal Crawford as the reserve scorer, Josh Smith as the X-factor, and Al Horford as the consistent rebounder, this cast is ready for a new highlight: confetti falling as they bring the trophy home to the Big Peach. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Poof. The Orlando Magic appear in the Eastern Conference Playoffs yet again. Superman has had another stellar season, sending shots into the stands and leaping tall defenders in a single bound. After a mid-season swing of the wand, this team appears ready to run deep into the Playoffs with a revamped roster. Is Disneyworld ready for Dwight to bring a championship home? The cape is donned. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Miami Thrice. The Heatles. No matter the name, the triumvirate of Bosh, Wade, and James is a force to be reckoned with. The King is as determined as ever to validate his throne, and Bosh is ready to be a champion. Flash already has a ring; now he's looking to turn Miami into Titletown. Sexy women? Check. Great weather? Check. Picturesque beaches? Check. Dynasty? The road begins here. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The boys from the birthplace of the Constitution: the 76ers. Emerging from the city of hoagies is the 7-seed, a team with few supporters but a lot of heart. With the resolve of Rocky Balboa and a star in Andre Iguodala, this team is out to shock the world. The current AI is out to do what the last AI, Allen Iverson, did for this team: singlehandedly guide them to the Finals. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The United Center: the house that Michael built. These Chicago Bulls are trying to bring home the gift that MJ bestowed six times upon the Windy City. Led by presumptuous MVP Derrick Rose, this is a team that peaked into the best record and the number one seed in the East. Now is Rose's time to cement himself to be mentioned with, and maybe one day have a statue next to, His Airness. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"And here are the Indiana Pacers. A brash young team with nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Their star, Danny Granger, has been under the radar for years, though he could be described as a poor man's Carmelo. With a nucleus of budding athletic scorers and a chance at a Bulls team that has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight and a number one seed, anything can happen. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

-A. Lewis

Paradigm Shift 2 - 4/16/11

"I always try to make the world better. There's no way to fail. Any time I put a smile on a face, I've spread a little bit of my inner happiness. Any time I give advice, I've shared my inner peace. I give parts of myself to the world so others can be inspired to do the same. If we all shared a piece of our inner goodness rather than coveting it, we'd be more open, more tolerant, and more understanding. Paradigm shift."

-A. Lewis

Paradigm Shift 1 - 4/16/11

"There's nothing wrong with young ladies that seek to 'change' guys. The problem lies in them wanting to change overly flawed and irresponsible guys, rather than trying to improve respectful young men with morals by growing with them and providing more hope for an even brighter future. All we need to change the world is a paradigm shift!"

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: The Sun of Peace - 4/16/11

"When idiosyncrasies become points of bonding, ideological differences become points of constructive discourse, and theological disputes become grounds for collective progression of thought and revision, the world may finally see the sun of peace rise over the dim horizon, casting a vivacious glow of candor and enlightenment to dispel the grim palls of ignorance, fallacy, and intellectual complacency."

-A. Lewis

My Thoughts on the Possible Government Shutdown (before it was averted) - 4/16/11

"We are now witnessing the greatest problem of the American government rear its ugly head: lack of accountability. No matter how inept our politicians may be, they do not feel the effects of their counterproductive bickering. Party victories are societal losses. And now, the government is going to shut down because they won't shut up. Their callous disregard is our increasing struggle. They should lose THEIR checks."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: Let Time Play Matchmaker - 4/16/11

"If you keep looking for love, you just might find it. But what good is the right one if you've mistimed it? It'll be nice to have what you've been needing, but it'll be terrible when you realize it's fleeting. Your meeting wasn't the start of a new path, it was a mere intersection. Coincidentally in the same place, but heading in different directions. Falling early, hurting late; just let Time handpick your mate..."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: The Power of the Mind - 4/16/11

"Should one ever question the power of the mind, find a troubled man. No matter the mental burden, it weighs on him physically. Observe his posture. His shoulders will not be square, his chest will appear sunk in, his head will hang low, and a smile will have to be mustered if it is to appear. It will appear as though a heavy, downward force is affecting him. Our thoughts govern our reality."

-A. Lewis

A Freestyle Piece: I Pray God Breaks My Own - 4/16/11

"'All good things must come to an end' is weighing on your mind, given that we've been having such a good time and I seem to be such a good find. You're terrified that I'm going to change, that as the pieces fall into place they'll be rearranged. However, I am NOTHING like the guys that you've known. I'll see to it that your skills are honed & happiness is grown; if I ever hurt your heart, I pray God breaks my own."

-A. Lewis

A Brief Philosophy: Procrastinating - 4/16/11

"Procrastinating is like choosing to take the escalator instead of the stairs; despite its convenience, doing so leaves you at the mercy of circumstance. If a malfunction occurs, you won't have time to account for it. If you forget something, you can't easily go back for it. Procrastination is a one-way trip with no transfers, unexpected riders (problems), and quality that reflects the trip time, not your potential."

-A. Lewis

A Poem: Detour - 4/11/11

"What a wonderful route. Filled with yeses and calls, a few guesses and falls, but mostly things that would seem enticing. However, it isn't so inviting. The only thing around the bend of commitment is a winding road of entrenchment. Every quick and turn is another added stress, another unrequited effort. It appears as though an Eden-like lea lies just beyond the horizon, but the truth is rather surprising: the only thing awaiting is a precipice. As it turns out, this expedition is an impossible mission. Promises of paradise, exclamations of ecstasy, they all fuel a fantasy that will be no more than a fallacy. 'We should get together' fades into a desert of never, while laughs and smiles only beautify the first few miles. You'll believe that at the end of your trip, you're going to be let in; only to find out you've been lead on toward a dead end. Constant communication and early frequency yield only infrequent pleasantries and late indecency. It all changes with time; the road narrows and gets rougher. Dealing with those who lead you down such roads makes finding love tougher. So, that's why I'm taking a detour. Before you try to string me along, before you realize that you don't like being alone, before you lie and tell me we'll see each other soon, before you smile and make me swoon, I'm turning away. I'll wait for another more promising and more honest path; I'll journey another day."

-A. Lewis

A Practice Poem: The Greatest Gift - 4/11/11

* There were certain things I was trying to accomplish here...certain types of rhetoric and metaphors in play. This was more of an exploration than a poem.

"The amorphous solid. The expressive and sensitive to my stolid. What would I do without it? In times of joy, it serves to intensify. In times of hardship, it serves to mollify. What if I did not have it? I wouldn't be the same. My feelings would be lame; I'd be so lackluster. When things are beginning to get dull, its my summer blockbuster. It becomes whatever I need it to be. Whenever the light wasn't at the end of the tunnel, it was what I needed to see. Without compare, it is the greatest gift in the world. However, it isn't given; it's earned. I've learned that even when the giver is burned, the tables can be turned and disdain can be spurned. She yearns for understanding and compassion. The combinations of those actions can cause the protraction of wings that propel her into the heights of her dreams. Being genuine and honest will bring her back down to earth; she'll fall for such gallantry. Catching her opens the locks of her heart, the manacles of her fear, and the fetters of her past. The fruition of her greatest desire lights her greatest fire and incinerates the hurtful dinner plates left by men that came only for dessert. The meal she offers is alimentary, nourishing the mind, body, and soul. Yet, it has been eschewed because the sweet taste of her essence has been pursued. Just what is this food that goes far beyond the fulfillment of friendship? It is the amorphous solid. The expressive and sensitive to my stolid. The wood to my fire, the pillow when I tire, the solution to whatever I require. It can be anything and means everything. It is the dessert after a robust meal, yet also the treat for when my sweet tooth pines with zeal. It is a driving force in my soul, a catalyst in my heart, a foundation in my mind. It is all of the above; the greatest gift in the world is a woman's love. No matter the undue pain, in her heart it shall remain until a man seeks to understand her and teaches her to feel again. Love is the most transcendent force on the planet; there is no barrier that can withstand it. Reaching her heart may require much effort and work, but her life-improving, soul-soothing, and mind-moving love proves a woman's immeasurable worth."

-A. Lewis

A Remake of Drake's "Fall For Your Type:" "Fall For The Hype" - 4/1/11

**Quick explanation: this is about a guy that falls for a girl that frequently sleeps with "celebrities." He approaches to her in the first verse, talks about how she lied and cheated in the second verse, and how she was done wrong again in the third. The chorus speaks on the lies those guys tell her to sleep with her. Hopefully it makes sense to you. I also kept some of the original lines (and profanity) to maintain the original integrity of the song. Enjoy!**

Won't you, let me, save you from you...
Cuz you know there's something missin', but you just refuse to listen when your friends tell you 'you need to take your time'...
You're starting to feel, like love won't ever find you...
Because you keep on hoping since your legs are always open you'll attract a love that's not out there to find...
Don't run girl, I'm right here girl, change your mind...
Trying to convince yourself it's ok, making the mistake you seem to replay...

I swear you, always fall for the hype, yeah, for the hype...
Tell me why you always fall for the hype...oh ohh ohh, for the hype...
They just always that they play ball...
They just always say they buy it all...
You just can't restrain yourself at all...
You just can't explain yourself at all...
They're deceiving people like you...

Although I shouldn't judge you on the past girl, I feel like I'm competing with them all...
You say that my feelings won't last, girl; I just pray that you don't let me down right now...
But it's too late, 'cuz I'm already gone...
Even with my honesty, you still lied, and again you're all alone...

I swear you, always fall for the hype, yeah, for the hype...
Tell me why you always fall for the hype...oh ohh ohh, for the hype...

Dress hangin' off your shoulder, gettin' colder
Tellin me how he got you hammered just to screw you over
Girl quit playing, you're no victim, you're just saying shit.
Oh you're outside, he put you out, like today and shit?
Oh, wait. No I get it, so he quit it, he's been called a dog before but you still let him hit it.
Damn, damn. No wonder why you never learn your lesson.
Before it ever sinks in, you just start undressin'.
And I heard there's nothing new except for someone new
But how you supposed to find the one when anyone can come on you?
Crying to yourself, but you never listen...
I know it sounded wild when I told you I was different.
I said I would tell you anything you want to know,
Let you meet my friends, then lecture you again about how love comes from within...
But you quickly ran out, despite the time that I invested
Making all the same mistakes that I tried to help correct, but you fall...

I swear you, always fall for the hype, yeah, for the hype...
Tell me why you always fall for the hype...oh ohh ohh, for the hype...
They just always that they play ball...
They just always say they buy it all...
You just can't restrain yourself at all...
You just can't explain yourself at all...
They're deceiving people like you...

-A. Lewis