Performance Poetry

we've made an artform called talking
cause ya can't start running till ya've started walkin'
and here we are

may all that's come before become 'what's been'
so we can exchange experience with vision
to understand in new ways
that these days
are nothing less than living

I’ve even heard myself perform these words for you
Thinking
My voice isn’t this loud. Usually my thoughts are- - - more subtle.

In fact I hadn’t written a word once I had finished
and I hope you benefited, I hope you hadn't grimaced

'Cause I need you to tell me what I’ve said
- as certain words
When sounded together
may construct or destruct
the canvas used by the thoughts in your head

And this is important
Because when I’m done here
I will turn from this poem
i will Rise as who I am in relation

Up here I’m alone
And the question I will to ask is ‘who are you’
To find out ‘who we could be?’
And I hope to have the experience
To exist spiritually in these physical bodies.

- so then -
You can help me paint these walls black
So that chalk drawn thoughts and insights may incite the breezes
winds that pull these thoughts from poems like dust from stones
Shading the contours of our collective perception

‘cause when you asked me how I’ll know I’ve lived a good life
I’ll unfold a day I had stuffed in my wallet and spend it with you

I’ll say
Because I’m able to decide what to do / when to do
with those whom I define love by

- Time will be my currency -

and i will disemvowel a dictionary
so to define a language suitable for the sacred

I will draw maps of the most beautiful places
by watching mountain top sunshine reveal my dreams in the shadow of my profile

for me
This poem is a love song to love
I am the richest me alive
as I’ve chosen to share this experience with you
And I hope like wise
That you spend time like a millionaire
And when you check your watch it’s like
Withdrawing a million dollars ya didn’t know you had

So now that I’ve written something to tell you
Remind me these thoughts

Collect the currency of the good people in your life and check your watch.
Unfold that day that you had stashed away
Write your truth, and step right up.
Because I want to withdraw and deposit at the same stop.
This microphone can be a bank machine
filled With a currency controlled by how we choose to be.
It’s in this time unknown by any watch
That life is lived, so stop the clock.