Untamed Florida

What is this outpouring I have for untamed Florida?

I was thinking because the rock embodies the life of the sea, that this land represents an ancient cycle...What is true of untamed Florida however, is that this land has always been beaten and broken...formed, exposed, and risen to become itself again and again.

Untamed Florida is not young. Untamed Florida is free, open, receptive to what comes...untamed Florida is unafraid of the waves...is cleansed by the sea and ready.

I learn to love, watching the mangroves grow.

She who wades in rough waters...she who wades as the sun is setting, as the moon is rising...as the waters ebb and flow...Beach plants face the horizon with shallow roots and a taste for salt. An intrinsic aptitude, stamina for abrasion...Erosion.

I learn untamed, watching the mangroves grow.

circa 2016

So, What Are You?

I can feel myself on the inside –

Do I have enough creative words?

Is this the mark of depth and genius? Couldn’t I do better?

That which pulls me between a sober minded conservative Christianity – pious devotion – and a wildly liberated homosexual spirituality –

One artist makes smudged marks of charcoal on paper – blow it up

            and it belongs on a gallery wall.

The Artist is falling from her pedestal.

When I said artist – did I mean painter? Did I mean she who stands before an easel and wields the color wheel in expressive gest?

A Wanderer – someone who believes that the aura around the construction paper star on my ceiling promises a pathway to Truth.

This pressure to ‘outward face’ – the contrast and simmering embarrassment as I realize – artists are supposed to be fluid in their expression – their need to make marks –

Or am I the Philosopher? She who is driven by the validation of having uttered a complete thought.  

Ok then –

Sitting on a rock

Breathing the air of the eagles –

            being alone.

Being everyone’s Truth – showing how life is a fleeting novelty – an expansive

            constant.

There is no place small enough.

No simple words

No answers – no rest in knowing.

Can I make you a picture that you will want to hang on your wall?

Can I write you a word that will hold you above the abyss?

Can I pray a prayer that even the rocks can sing?

From I Used To Write Free, 2022-2024

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My religious words – are they an architectural framework for the above ground railroad – the Afrofuture? Linguistic architecture – like the tower of babel –

How is this related to the infamous note On Publishing?

If money is the vehicle – and the black body is the driver – I said The Geoveritas is the map – the path – the way. Amen – It is the road.

And in this way, the composting devotional [will be] a tangible handleable version of The Geoveritas. Perhaps, the basic spiritual rhythm of the philosophy - orienting one’s heart.

Composting is a reflection on how life is horizontal, not vertical. It speaks to the Sun God and cycles. It is love – it is patient and kind. It is not in a hurry. It does not grow angry.

How am I going to find the right words, God? Should I start with the words I already have and try to organize them? Should I figure out a story? See – this is how I thought the religious words might help –they structure what it is I’m trying to say.

Come, let us sit under a tree. Truly, I tell you –

See – everything has in fact already been said – but Negros everywhere still need a word – and they, more importantly, need to know that the word is alive, especially in this hour. A fresh revelation of God. I know I’m not the only one – but, perhaps I can make a unique contribution – there – what is it? What is my point?

And where is my evidence?!

If I can give you God’s words –

A prophet sees.

If I can comfort you on your journey –

If my economic principles help you order your life. Help you see where we must go –

A segregated mind – accept where we have been – like the decomposing leaves…

Devotion denotes Love.

Principles and Mantras

Truth               Comfort

Like a cattle prod – strait is the way and narrow is the gate.

What is the answer to climate change? The household – love the trees around you.

Sanctity of life – learn to see what is alive. Honor the role death plays –

Have the right understanding.

From My Year (2020-21)