Sunday, September 03, 2006

dream three : make words come alive



What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.


Or does it explode?

- Langston Hughes

Ever since I can remember I have always been into writing, playing with words, letting my emotions out on paper. I loved the shapes of letters. I would write them over and over again to see there curves and linear excellence, combined together to create sounds and meaning, then connected representing a thought so powerful, others could look at these words and bring forth amazing circumstances.

I have a dream...

These words stated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the words stated there after, have inspired and liberated millions of people. I have had many of dreams in my lifetime, some I'm living out now, and some I still have to bring into reality. This is the reason why I am writing down my dreams, here in this blog. In a sense, it is my testimony to the world that I can achieve what I declare.

Another dream I have is to become a published writer. Not in a professional sense, but just have a body of work out there for people to read and admire. In High school, I was the the President of the Poets Society. We would read our poems during lunch every month and include them in our section of the school newspaper. I had a english teacher by the name of Ms. Brock, who was very, ummm... Eccentric woman. Everyone didn't like her because she was very strict, and she would tell you about yourself n a heartbeat! But she always inspired you to better yourself. She always asked for 110% from you at all times, and never excepted anything less! She always said I had a "gift" that I needed to share with the world. I think she said that to all her students, but when it came to writing, I always had in the back of my mind, would Ms. Brock approve?

When I was in college, I still wrote poems, but felt limited. I never could write about my true feelings on who I was as a black gay male. Then I gained enough confidence to write my first gay poem called X-FACTOR. Soon came others, and I had around 20 poems that all personally painted a picture of my life within the Black Gay Culture. I talked about topics from displaying public affection, to dating a man trying to keep me in the house, to my battle with homosexuality and religion. I hope that one day I can continue to add on to these poems, and they will soon see the light of day outside of my computer, and this blog.

I will leave you with this portion of a poem called, Untitled (One Sunday):

"...Lord, you have given me life on earth,
You knew my destiny before my birth.
You blessed me with a beautiful family and friends,
and a spirit that defends, amends, and transcends.
But I ask you lord, what do they see in me?
Am I part of a burning city's debris?
Am I bound by a law you utterly decreed?
Am I part of a time period that didn't belong to me?
What happen to the love you sent to me?"

11 comments:

Ladynay said...

Hmmmmm, not sure how to digest that poem....

Dayne Avery said...

Hey Shawny, that peom by langston brought back memories. I had to perform that in this college play. lol

On your dreams of becomming published I say DO THE DAMN THING. Its an amazing experience and nobody can tell your stories better than you can.

Barney said...

Dreams are our windows to where we need to be...and what we want to accomplish..

Publishing your work will bring a deeper sense of achievment to you.
My Mother published her first poem when she was in her 50's. For all her prior life accomplishments, she told me THAT was one of her biggest.

Just do it Shawn... it will bring something new to your alreayd productive & enriched life!

Ty said...

Do your thang Shawn. I think there is something to think about in Langston's poem. You know my saying, "A loved that hasn't lived will never die". In other words, if you love something and you don't fully explore that, there will always be a longing in your heart. That doesn't only work for relationships but with hobbies that you enjoy as well.

Bougie Black Boy said...

I agree with the folks above: Do it. Just do it. In all of these "dreams" you have been listing on this blog, you're revealing sides of yourself that we didn't know exist. Are these truly your passions? Are these things that you truly enjoy? If so--pursue them. The only person holding us back from pursuing our dreams---is ourselves.

lj said...

You can do whatever you put your mind too.

PS. Good to see you back on da blog.

Anonymous said...

Man, this is AWESOME!!! I must have missed the memo that you were coming back!!! It is like watching a phoenix reborn!!!

DREAMS!!!! So inspiring... one thing I have picked up from you and your blogs is that you are very creative and passionate. Your destiny is waiting to be acheived. Get busy.

fuzzy said...

Interesting to say the least. I try not to back down from my dreams and I try to strive toward the dreams. There may be a slight deviation or a moment of doubt but elf determination has always kept me on my path toward great self achievement.

Do what your heart desires. Perform the unspeakable, do the unthinkable. Do YOU!

life said...

This is a great blog. I love how u put your dreams on here and accomplish them. Keep it up! I'll be back.

ShawnQt said...

Thanks everybody!

What I'm going to do is write a story/series that will be exclusive only to this blog, so that way I can get practice & feedback before I start on a major project that will be published!

Now I just have to come up with a concept!

Ya boy Maurice said...

Post your work.. I will be one of the first to run out and buy some of it. I started writing as a young boy to express my thoughts because I didnt know how to express them. Many of my original works are anger filled... But I know if I ever posted one there would be someone out there that feels the same way.