Listen with Your Eyes: The Poet Tree of Strainj

By Strainj

LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES is the most conscientious yet simplistic reflection of society's cascade written in poetic rhyme that an author can ever give a reader. The script in this book is written with bold honestly often in contemporary street lingo relevant to the writer's environmental influences that help seed these pieces. With subject matter ranging from substance abuse, child abandonment and rape to self esteem, materialism and racism, this book is a refreshing and much needed read in these dismal times of witch we live in. Strainj is constantly told by admirers that he writes poetry for people that don't even like poetrywitch is probably why the common unartsy are attracted to Strainj's poetry so much. There is a very strong inspirational feel about these poems, relating to many walks of life, they're street corner at the same time office building, church pew at the same time park bench, tears at the same time smiles... all in harmony and promoting mental and spiritual ascension. All strainj asks is that you read this book with an open heart and mind, in other words... LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463430634

Strainj

The question was posed, “what qualifies you to write this book of poetry?”my reply was, just like the notable greats Rabindranath Tagore, Rumi, Mark Twain, Langston Hughes and William Shakespeare often called the greatest writer and poet in the English language, I have no academic degrees or professional certifications in writing free verse, poetics or formal poetry. The world is my classroom and the life experiences of my self and others are my teachers earning me degrees in wisdom and understanding, making the heartfelt, thought provoking, sincerity of my poetry self certifying. My name Strainj (pronounced strange) meaning unusual or unfamiliarity is only fitting due to my emotionally moving, conscious/street style of writing and delivery. For the last few years I've been reciting my poems throughout Compton, Watts and my own hometown of Los Angeles receiving undeniable acceptance, that's why I'm so animated about releasing my first book of poetry and sharing words of light to all looking for change or as my slogan goes”from the mansions of the mind to the projects of the heart, let the principals of this script and your understanding of it never part”-Strainj poet/spoken word artist.

Book preview

© 2011 by Strainj. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/30/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4634-3065-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-3064-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-3063-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011911250

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

INNER-DUCTION

First I would like to thank you sincerely for buying this book. The intent of this Collection of poetry is to be like a match, that when read is striking that match, and when felt is using that lit match to light the candle within. The candle that’s flam of illuminating light will inspire you to know the most high Creator of all at the same time know yourself, never separate one from all because all is one, notice and take heed to life’s lessons, learn how to Truly give and receive love, know your place in this spiritual war for it is a spiritual war not flesh and to always seek wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Every poem in this book was a seed planted by relationships intimate and surface with people I’ve came across in life, be it family friends or a short conversation with a complete stranger passing by. Seeds of experiences and confession’s watered by my heart and soul that grew into a tree bearing fruits of poetry, ripened and carefully picked by my imagination and consciousness. Enjoy. In humility I serve you,

—STRAINJ

CONTENTS

MY HOOD IS SO NOISY

DEAR SELF

WANTS THAT FEEL LIKE NEEDS

THE WORLDS GREATEST COSTUME PARTY

US AND A.I.D.S.

YOUR BEST FRIEND

THEY’RE LOOKING, THEY’RE LISTENING

THE DOOR

DO I LOVE GOD

GIVE

UNWELCOMELY TOUCHED

THE LIFE OF A CERTIN RAIN DROP

ALL THE NEVERS

THINGS I DO AND DON’T HAVE

THE RELIGION OF MONEY

WATCH YAH MOUTH, THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

THE BOOK OF LIFE

A REMINDER CALLED CHILDREN

THE DAY THE SKY TALKED AND I LISTENED

A BIRTHDAY POEM

LEARNING TO WALK ON WATER

THE RACE THAT NOBODY WINS

THOSE 3 WORDS

I WONDER… .

THE LONG OVERDUE FATHER AND SON TALK

STAR CHILD

LIAR, LIAR SOUL ON FIRE

MISS CIGARETTES

I AM A POET

WILL YOU MARRY ME (THE PROPOSAL)

COME INSIDE

FROM EARTH, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN… .

DAMN A SLAM

DRESS CODE

ABDUCTED BY ALIENS

BEAUTIFULLY UGLY

HELPING TOMORROW TODAY

DISTRACTIONS

FOOD FIGHT

CITY OF SYLLABLES

REALIZING YOU’RE A TRUE GIFT

UNSCRATCHABLE ITCH

JUNETEENTH ?

OVER SEXXXED DRIVE

A GOOD MAN

DRAMA QUEEN

WHERE CAN THE ESSENCE OF A BLACK WOMAN BE FOUND?

LOST ANGEL LESS

FINDING PERFECTION

YOU AIN’T GONE BUT YOU STILL AIN’T HERE

EMOTIONS

TIME

NOT AGAIN

My hood is so noisy

I’ve heard car horns honking, the sound of no patience

Helicopters hovering over my house, the sound of surveillance

I’ve heard a man thrown in the back of a police car, the sound of freedom gone

A little boy talking back to his mother, the sound of a fatherless home

I’ve heard ambulance sirens, the sound of an accident

A landlords knock on the door go unanswered, the sound of no rent

I’ve heard the homeless ask for food, the sound of people in need

Two guys plotting on robbing a barber shop, the sound of greed

I’ve heard high school drop outs brag on how good they used to ball, the sound of not making it

Gunshots letting off around the corner, the sound of hatred

I heard my homie got his 3rd strike, the sound of a lesson unlearned

More gunshots from around the corner the sound of hatred returned

I have heard a man sadly tell his wife and kids they are losing the house, the sound of being laid off

A 12-year-old girl saying she’s pregnant, the sound of innocence lost

I’ve heard some guys ditch school to smoke blunts, the sound of time wasting

A preacher whooping and hollering in church, the sound of interpretation

I’ve heard a woman in front of a motel offer sex for money, the sound of a heart where no love has been planted

A close friend speak on committing suicide, the sound of life being taken for granted

I’ve heard local politicians address the community, the sound of lies

Foster children abused by foster parents, the sound of abandoned cries

I’ve heard kids run and Yell with happiness, the sound of the ice cream truck hitting the block

The same crack head everyday begging for money at the gas station, the sound of a habit that won’t stop

I’ve heard blacks and Mexicans fight, the sound of two in the same boat trying to sink each other

I’ve heard a women weep at her son’s funeral, the sound of a childless mother

And in 92 I even heard a whole city get looted and set to fire, the sound of a L.A. Riot

I done heard damn near everything in my hood, except for peace and quiet…

DEAR SELF

(a suicide letter)

Staring in the mirror I see…

Dear Self,

Nobody knows you better than me,

And all the things other wouldn’t believe

That only came out when all the rest would leave,

And I grieve cause we one in the same,

Yet from two different worlds, it’s kind of hard to explain,

And irritating like a splinter!

Because I can’t seem to forget things I ain’t trying to remember,

The games I’d played my selfish ways,

Unlearned lessons from mistakes I made,

The family I used! The friends I abused!

Dear Self, what’s to come of us two?

Cause all I see is a lifetime full of scars,

Man! How did I let you take me this far?

We’re a walking contradiction,

Dear Self, you keep my mind slipping,

And lately I’ve been feeling so ashamed of