Legacy: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, And Spoken Word (Volume Three)

By DeJuan Cuffee

Legacy: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Spoken Word (Volume Three) is the third and final book of the "Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Spoken Word" trilogy in which the author, DeJuan Cuffee (Sultan), continues to alter the poetic landscape as we know it. Once again setting the bar high with each poem in this anthology, the author continues to take you on a fascinating journey in which you will get his unique and eloquently stated perspectives on social issues such as racism and politics, themes on love, sex, and romance, well thought out pieces on Black culture and consciousness, as well as everyday life experiences. Other enjoyable reads throughout the book include cautionary tales filled with dramatic storytelling stanzas, pieces on the author's love for his family, music, and sports, or timely inspirational quotes of hope, and reflective passages providing valuable lessons, all delivered with passion and hip-hop inspired lyricism throughout.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543940268

Book preview

Black Sultan Productions

Legacy: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Spoken Word (Volume Three)

Copyright © 2018 by DeJuan A. Cuffee

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018901862

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Photography: Pixel Me Photography

The models on the book cover are DeJuan, Marsha, Brooke, and Kennedy Cuffee.

Please respect the fact that this is art, and it is meant to entertain the reader. Though there are several opinion pieces in this book, in no way, shape, or form does all the poetry entailed within, depict or allude to the lifestyle, mindset, or actual character of the author.

Print ISBN: 978-1-54394-025-1

eBook ISBN: 978-1-54394-026-8

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter One: Life Worth Living

Kennedy Olivia (2017)

Race Track (The Prequel) (2017)

Savor the Love (2017)

Duck Tales Volume One (The Breakup) (2017)

A Cool Breeze (2012)

Hang’em High (2016)

Malice in the Making (2011)

Harmless Observations from the Offspring (2016)

Admirer II (Not for the Faint of Heart) (2011)

Hypocrite (2017)

Auditions II (2016)

Long Flight of Stairs (2014)

It’s Just Different (Part II) (2016)

A Vision I Had (2013)

Ordinary Reasons (2017)

Germ (Sometime in the 80’s) (2012)

Not Your Typical Love Song (2017)

Professional (2012)

Planet Zudo Until Infinity (Flashbacks) (2017)

Across Space and Time (2017)

Chapter Two: Black Fist

Black Superhero (2016)

Officially Yours (2009)

Gunfire II (2016)

Jimi (Hear My Train a Comin’) (2016)

P.S.A. From Your Friendly Neighborhood Blackman (2013)

Redlining (2017)

Breakthrough (2013)

Nightmare I Had (2013)

X (2014)

Birth of a Nation (featuring Agent Orange and Sellout) (2016)

Slow Pokes (2017)

In Other News (2013)

Sheep (2017)

Just Passing By (2014)

Distractions (2012)

Spades (2017)

Hate (2015)

Imagine That (2017)

Chocolate Intoxicant (featuring The Don) (2017)

Thank You (2017)

Intermission

Planetary Visions

Chapter Three: Flow’s Final Frontier

Orgasm (2017)

International Flow (2014)

Kill Your Idols (2015)

Throwback Love Exchange (2016)

American Nightmare - High School Opera (2011)

Clones of Love, Julie oh Julie (2007)

Appetizers II (2017)

Follow Me (2013)

Candy Lady (2017)

Propaganda II (2004)

Rock ‘n’ Roll Girlfriend (2016)

Fake Noises Out of Blood (2008)

Even in his Youth (Redux) (2012)

Passing Phase (2013)

Kid Gloves (2012)

Still (2017)

Impurity the Prequel (2007)

Wake Up (2014)

Monitor the Moans (2003)

Common Denominator (2017)

Chapter Four: The Greatest

My Two Cents (2017)

Tag Team Champions (Sultan meets The Don) (2012)

Mikey’s Last Stand (2016)

Oh Veracious Venus (2001)

Washed Away (2008)

Tootie (2017)

Heed the Word (2012)

Excerpts from a Real Horror Show (Alien Hybrids) (2014)

Super Bowl Rundown

(Originally written in 2014, updated in 2017)

An Inspiration (2008)

Snapshot (2017)

Time on My Hands (2014)

Resuscitation (2008)

Ole Reliable (2016)

Strangers (2017)

Free-Flow (2011)

The Man Next Door (2011)

Yep, That Was Him (2017)

Is it a Conspiracy? (2017)

Homesick for Planet Zudo (2017)

Chapter Five: Goodbye for Now

Hearts Connected (Love Potion No. 1) (2011)

No Peer (2017)

Malnourished (2012)

She (The Final Act) (2017)

Planet Zudo Model 7050 Crept In (2009)

Natural Selection (2018)

Freaky Perhaps (2004)

If You Want It Bad, You Get It Bad (2013)

Get Your Mind Right (2017)

Poetaster II (Time Machine Restored) (2018)

Scenarios (2011)

High School High Jinx aka I Can’t be Your Lover (2015)

Strobe Light (2013)

Energy Sucking Vampires (ESV) (2013)

Wide Open (2012)

Hidden Agenda (2013)

1963 (A Short Story) (2017)

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (2016)

REDRUM (2012)

Momentary Lapses in Rhyme (2015)

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Thank you, God, for giving me this platform once again, without you none of this is possible. If it wasn’t for your grace, your mercy, and your love, I wouldn’t be here today. I thank you for my peace of mind, I thank you for my good health, I thank you for my beautiful family, and all the many blessings that come with my family. I would like to thank the love of my life, my beautiful wife, Marsha Cuffee; you are my best friend, my soulmate, my companion, and my number one fan, I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, thank you. I’d like to thank our beautiful daughters, Brooke Cuffee and Kennedy Cuffee, I love you both, you are my biggest inspiration and motivation, God certainly blessed us with you two, being your Father is the most important thing I could ever be or accomplish, priceless, oh, and I can’t wait until you are old enough to read what your Daddy created. I like to thank my Pops and Mom, John and Carolyn Minifee, thanks for raising me to be the man that I am, you both taught me so many lessons in life, I hope I’ve made you proud, I love you dearly, my younger brother Chris Minifee, I love you and miss you dearly, remember us playing video games, and debating the best MCs, hold your head up brother, I hope to see you sooner versus later.

My legendary crew, the Horsemen, I miss all of you, wish we could spend more time, my cousin Chris aka The Mighty Reid, my former partner in rhyme, we crafted some masterpieces in poetry, miss our talks, you were always hip to the coolest music, you are still a positive influence, Nate, you are my brother from across the street, I miss those drives to ODU every morning, our love for Japanese anime, and of course D&D, without which, my imagination wouldn’t be what it is today, my cousin Don aka Dr. Xotica, a poet in his own right, as well as a master photographer, miss those talks about football, those classic debates, and our love for quality music, Chris You Don’t Smoke, Vaughn, man, we used to run the streets, good times, You getting one? I remember those pick-up games of basketball we used to play, Derrick (Cool D), it’s been too long brother; you were with me in high school, you saw my whole process take shape, miss those conversations; you all are still a huge influence on me, more than you will ever know.

Thanks to my family, cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, and those of you that have read and commented on my poetry, I appreciate that, thank you for the motivation. I love you all. Special shout out to Cassie, thanks for your support cousin—always appreciate your wisdom, Angel, Debra (Aunt Debbie), Najah, thanks for your support cousin, Nadirah, thanks for your support cousin—keep grinding, Kee Cuffee, Carl (King Carl), who said Black men couldn’t be kings? Nick, Carl Williams, Uncle Bruce, when are we going to work on that book Uncle? Karen Bennett (Kitty), Sam and Samantha Reid, Shirl McInnis Gary, Dorinda, Maysunn (thanks for being an amazing mother to my nephews), James Mitchell, Elizabeth Menefee, always appreciate your feedback, Tara Smith, Halim (one focused, talented brother, look forward to catching up with you).

To my friends, you know who you are, those that have read my poetry, shared their poetry with me, and written poetry with me, and those whose paths I’ve crossed, and been made better because of it, thanks for continuing to inspire me. Falasha (Sista Soulja), you are an inspiration—keep shining, Michelle Hammock (always a pleasure catching up on the latest shows and gossip), Cora Scott (Karmel Poet), Sharon (Poetry) Evans (focused, gifted sista), Flenardo (super talented poet), Deyanira (dope flow), the supremely talented Kisha (Word Xpress), you’re an inspiration, the gifted Dwight Pope, Marc Lacy (a legend in these parts), Remington Steele (Don’t let him fool Ya), and the entire Art-N-Soul crew, Bret (Castor Troy), you saw some of my best work as it was being created—rock on brother, Tamieka Ayanechi, looking forward to your book, James Mitchell, Francisco (The master barber), thanks for giving me a fresh cut every week, LaRonda Conley, thanks for your support, Tony Morgan, Nakia Wells-Redman (keep shining), James Redman, Gary Malone, Frank Chase Jr, Kesia Nelson, Janique Muckelvene, Sabrina Wren, Kim Bellamy, Donnisia Tibbs, Pat Trishvision Brown, Angela Monger, Linus, Tiffany Miles, Sarah Annerton at Pixel Me Photography, Kenneth Cole, Jason Eversoll, Ricque (rock on brother, good times), Kevin Smith, Jermaine Jordan, and Ed Hazley, we go at it talking sports and Hip-Hop, Pat (Nu Mee), keep dropping that fire, Chandra Williams, and last but certainly not least, Bishop Charles Rodgers, thanks for presiding over our wedding ceremony several years ago.

Special shout out to my cousin and fellow Horseman, Chris (The Mighty Reid) on the poetry piece you contributed to, we wrote that piece many years ago brother, those were some good times. Also, a special shout out to Sharon (Poetry) Evans and the two pieces of poetry we collaborated on, I enjoyed the journey, and look forward to reading your book (don’t keep me waiting too long).

Thank you for anyone who has purchased any of my books, and thank you to everyone who has encouraged me, and supported me along the way, I truly appreciate it.

Once again, this book is dedicated to all of those that have suffered and lost their lives unjustly, and to their loved ones that are left behind to pick up the pieces, I dedicate this to you. Whether you are a victim of war, disease, racism and bigotry, hatred, domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, poverty, economic hardship, or the like, this is dedicated to you. I speak out against the oppressors, my words are for the underdogs, and the people without a voice, please let my words scream for you.

Thank you.

DeJuan Cuffee (Sultan)

Introduction

Welcome to Legacy, which is volume three of my three-book trilogy, The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Spoken Word. Legacy is the first book under the Black Sultan Productions moniker, being the third and final volume, this is the culmination of my poetry anthology, in which I continue to take delight in inspiring, entertaining, and enlightening the reader. Once again, there are a wide range of topics and subject matter that I delve into, anything from protest poetry (tackling issues of institutional racism), my love for my family, and Black culture and consciousness. I dabble in love, sex, and romance, and my love for great music. I touch on everyday life experiences, social issues, and much more; all accomplished with a reflective voice, and what I (as well as others) like to call hip-hop inspired lyricism. Like the previous volumes the usual personas or alter egos, as I like to call them, are present. You get to hear from the Sultan, the Don, and of course DeJuan. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of being introduced to them previously, here is a brief rundown on the personas.

DeJuan – This persona is down to earth, and very humble, and he is the fiery voice of protest poetry you’ll hear throughout this book, especially on issues involving racial discord and the injustices against Black people. He defends the exploited and oppressed, and attacks the oppressor; his, is often times the voice of hope. This is the persona that the audience often relates to the most, in terms of what the poet is trying to get across, his voice is often reflective, as he loves to apply life lessons, common sense, and essentially, teach the audience. In addition, he continues to give you a glimpse into the loves of his life, his lovely wife Marsha Cuffee, and their beautiful daughters Brooke and Kennedy Cuffee.

Sultan – The forever confident Sultan, it is this persona that really kick started this whole notion that I could actually write books of poetry. This persona is larger than life, with an ego as wide as the universe, as he likes to say; this persona has the personality at times of a battle MC or rapper, at times using his words as weapons. Though he provides plenty of inspiration with his quotes, the Sultan is a huge fan of himself, and swears he is the greatest poet to ever step foot on this planet. He loves to reference space and aliens to make the point that he is beyond this place (earth), which brings home his point that he is not your average cat, he is truly a unique specimen.

The Don – This persona is the ladies’ man, at times thinking he is God’s gift to women, smooth, fly, and debonair, and a superhero of sorts in the bedroom. Yet another confident persona, but with a hint of vulnerability, and at times displaying class and chivalry. Still the Pure Romanticist Locked in Time, he is often found chasing Julie, his love interest in many a poem. As stated in the previous volume, Julie is not an actual person, she is a combination of experiences involving love, lust, romance, and passion. She evolves over time, her race varies, at times she is a Black woman, other times she is a White woman, and in some cases, she may even be an elf (which was her original depiction) depending on the particular piece of poetry.

In addition to the various personas, this book reunites you with Christopher Reid The Mighty Reid, a guest author in the previous volume, in this book he is featured on one poem, Impurity the Prequel. Another guest author featured in this book is Sharon Poetry Evans; she is featured on two poems, Malice in the Making, and Hearts Connected.

Without further ado, enjoy the journey I’m about to take you on, and dine upon the splendid cuisine of poetry displayed on the pages ahead.

Chapter One:

Life Worth Living

Kennedy Olivia

(2017)

Another miracle to thank God for,

His loving grace has blessed us more and more,

Another princess set to soar,

A Team Cuffee encore,

Epic moments in store,

My legacy to the core…

I can make rhymes,

Create super hype lines,

But my greatest creation

Is when me and Marsha combined

To add another child

With the same last name as mine,

A gift to mankind,

Our second daughter,

The baby princess,

Our prayers answered as heaven stands at attention,

We see God in multiple dimensions,

A miracle every time

The name Kennedy Olivia Cuffee

Is mentioned,

No second guessing

As we teach both of our blessings

Life lessons,

These past few years I’ve experienced joys

That are indescribable,

Parenthood’s evolving cycle,

Being a father is the greatest title

I could ever hold,

Ensuring our children are never cold,

Kids are wonders beyond explaining,

A balance worth maintaining,

As priceless as peace,

Kennedy is perfection

From all of that hair,

All the way down to her feet,

Looking like her big sister,

Brooke,

Almost pass as twins,

Once again,

My whole earth shook

When Kennedy arrived,

Futures transcribed,

Dreams of being around to father two beautiful brides,

But I slow down,

So, I can enjoy the ride,

So much joy to come…

I vow to make y’all proud,

Doing what God will allow,

I stand at the precipice of proud,

I imagine it multiplies

Just