Insufficient

Almost good
isn't good enough
no one says, oh remember her, her poem was almost accepted into the journal.

And when you push
but you don't push through
there are no medals won, you lose, no matter how hard you pushed.

People say it isn't about winning
sometimes it's just about finishing
but I could finish a million poems, and if none are read, finishing didn't matter.

I'm just not good enough
Insufficient

...Just thinking

Peeking Out

Photographer: Tia L. Clarke

Writer's Delight

for Donnielle ~that Mackey friend of mine~

don't stifle
just grow
let it flow
like tears
kiss cheeks
trickle words
onto pages
blank ones
can't speak

tell the color
of rage
love
hope
trust

Trust you

"everything I write is shitty"
pity won't do
you can only
do you

writers write
cause it's a need
feed on it
fill up
put on a few pounds
haven't written in days
malnourished now

Project Speak

Addressed constantly
by politicians
who undress us
Detest us
do anything to
Defy us
Deny us
freedom of speech
if it’s against them
just men
making
Super human promises
Dismissed
after elected
neglected
Youngsters infected
PLP! FNM!
too young to vote
but look at them
followers of Christie and Ingraham
at ten
Cause my mom is
my dad is
born this
rallied together
crowd filled with mirth
brain dead
from birth
they know
no better

Trained to keep quiet
government knows best
but I look around
and the country’s
still a mess
Take a chance
think...
politicians
prey on the weak
so I’m invested
in Project Speak

©Tia L. Clarke 2008

Church Top

Photographer: Tia L. Clarke

Right

....my try @ spokenword; I've done it b4. Let's try it again.

I wanna write

I wanna write
something
that will make
make the Heathens
say Preach sister
make the Christians
say Oh Hell yes
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
that fills me up inside
fills me to the brim
and on trying days
bring hope
where it's grim
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
that makes men
understand
women
makes mothers
understand
children
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
that makes the weak
strong
and the strong crumble
the arrogant humble
and a confident man
mumble
in awe of me
my grace
my abilities
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
that opens doors
speaks to the masses
exceed barriers
stop putting people
in classes
cause we're
all created
in the image of him
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
for the children
without parents
to parents who lost
children
touch their
hearts
open their minds
there must be
better times
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
that is melodic
that can
make even the
tone deaf
sound like they
can sing
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
that will make
my parents proud
my boyfriend smile
my friends glow
even though
they knew
I had the talent
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
when it rains
when it shines
when the paper
runs outta lines
I wanna write

I wanna write
something
cause I can
cause I want
cause I need
to write
nothings
ever been
so right
in the morning
in the night
in my sleep
nothing feels
more right

I wanna write...

©Tia L. Clarke 2008

Water Tower

Photographer: Tia L. Clarke

Red Eyes

I've been
down this road before

Promised myself
the last time
was the last

Tears rob
the white of my eye
trickling for
another guy

All night tears
can't believe
my
red eyes

Disguised
as an old friend
not so nice
to have you back

Loose
as you
frolic on
my face

Salty
I remember
this taste
DEFEAT

Another man
has me beat
crying
red eyes

Christ
Crisis
Cries...
red eyes

Thorns
now in the crown
that I wore
for nearly
two years

Snare
tears
like
a run in a stocking

Waterfall
defaming me
nothing purifying
about you
I doubt you
know
how I cry
over you.

I love you
you said you love me too
but it's just not that simple
Maybe I'm too simple

In my simplicity
you tricked me
to love you
Now you wanna leave.

I heave
at the thought of it
threw up in my mouth
just a little bit
sick
tired
of ...

Going down this road
Caloused feet
Corned toes
Red Eyes

©Tia L. Clarke 2008

Ears Wide Shut

He can't change
through my tears,
so...
he'll change
through the fear
of losing me

too complacent
comfortable
confident
of the fact that I'll never leave
that it is he
who I need
but its my fault
cause I planted that seed
and as you reap what you sow
I've stifled my growth
I've planted the tears
that has caused me to bleed

those seeds
he feeds...
my blood
I bleed
have I quenched your thrist
is my flesh enough
too hard to digest
my flesh
is tough

I had to
have to
have
alligator skin
but my love
for you
cut me
I had to
have to
let you in

But change
will come
behold the power
of MY tongue

if my tears can't change you
something will

©Tia L. Clarke 2008

My Views Count Too

Thought for the Day

I can not stand people who are overly opinionated and think they are always right.

Here's a note: SHUT YOUR MOUTH

LISTEN TO SOMEONE ELSE FOR A CHANGE

I have no problem with you having views, we all have them. Just for goodness sake give someone else a chance to talk. Your thoughts, feelings and beliefs are not the only ones that need to be respected.

....jus lettin ya kno...

Cat and Mouse

He doesn't care...
I won't
I don't

Sick of being school girl
school crush
crushing me

Weak,
meek as a lamb
spent
bent
to please him

Must change

Tonight
it was ordained
for me
to see
I'm chasing he
that is not
for me.

© Tia L. Clarke 2008

My Big Cuz

Photographer: Tia L. Clarke

C.O.B's Parking FEES?? ~comments & reactions~

Students at the College of The Bahamas (COB) have mixed views about the introduction of parking fees.

The proposal suggests that students be charged an additional $10 to $15 per semester for parking, according to COB Estates Administrator, Anthony Burrows.

Since news of the proposal was uncovered this semester rumors flooded the campus of when the proposal will come into effect. But according to Director of Security, Wellington Francis, parking fees are not implemented as yet. Francis said, “[The proposal] was drafted early this year and sent out for recommendation and approval…the [college] president in conjunction with the council [are] reviewing it for a final document and they will announce when the approval will be given for execution.”

However, execution of the proposal is not the only concern for students. Since construction started on the library a quarter of the student parking lot has been eliminated, which has caused problems. The proposal for parking fees has raised many eyebrows given that the college currently does not have sufficient parking.

While standing in a congested parking lot, Gail Hanna, business marketing major, questioned how officials can charge for parking when there is not adequate space being provided for students now. Hanna said, “Some days I have to park on the curb and outside the fence praying people don’t hit my car. I wouldn’t pay that fee. It makes no sense. I feel like I’ll be paying for the same lack of service.”

When questioned about a solution for insufficient parking, Burrows said, “We will never have sufficient parking spaces so every student could find a place to park.” According to Burrows the proposal is solely to better serve students.

Students said that they want and need better service. One of those on board for better service, Rhenard Miller, a senior at COB, understood the need for parking fees and agreed with the proposal. He said that credits being available at $300 are reasonable and if the college needs to find other means of income without making the prices of credits unreasonably high then students need to understand.

Miller said, “COB is a public institution, and credit’s [aren’t] cheap, so I understand they need to make money for the institution, but it is obvious we need a larger parking lot but the fee wouldn’t bother me, add it to my bill.” He said that students also need to take into consideration the costs incurred during the construction of the new student parking lot, located in the back of the T Block.

According to Burrows the new parking lot estimated over $200,000. He said the decals that would be provided are also expensive. However, Burrows said charging students an additional fee for parking is not intended to recuperate any funds incurred during the construction of the new parking lot.

“Decals [aren’t] expensive. They are just a sticker to put on your car” said Taeva Romain, a former C.O.B student now attending Florida Memorial University. Romain said he was not surprised that an official would call decals expensive but concerned that decals would be needed at all. He said, “At my school if you don’t have a parking decal security checks your ID and you are allowed to park. Once you’re registered to COB you should be able to park. What they should do is enforce security so that parking spots are not taken up by those who are not students of the institution

“COB students pay enough fees for services they don’t receive…the college doesn’t need more money, they need to manage current funds better.”

Though the many COB students said they dread the day they will have to pay parking fees, Francis said, “As it stands, I do not feel that plan will come into play any time soon.”

Painful

Pile the pain on
pour it down
my blouse
pain lives here
loves this house

©Tia L. Clarke 2008

Gyration

Rusty cowbells clang
like trash cans on collection day.
Rattlin’ The Serpent’s tale
stories of my family’s history
No closed legs
unwed teenage mothers
Our plague
spreads like a forest fire.

Bang! Bang! Bang!
Vibrate the city
Bang on her goat skin drum.
Glued to the street,
Full round caramel breasts
bounce to the beat
Feel the heat
The Serpent slithers near her feet.

“Ghost move”
to the back yard party,
dark as nightmares.
The Serpent stares.

Heart racing,
Loud panting,
Music playing…
“I have a hang over,”
from those damned rusty cowbells.

Victory
she made
Her first child
to the music of K.B.
and continues
our family’s
legacy.

Music is My People

©copyright Tia L. Clarke 2007