Why do you write?

I write for myself as therapy.  It's just a lot of thoughts and words in my head that I need to get out.  A number of my poems are about the same thing. I have a tendency to obsess over things.  Writing helps me not take it out on the people around me.  My mind is crazy.

What influences your poetry?

Everything, from love to family to shady politics.  Friends, life, death, and everything in between.  I influence my poetry.  Other poets, such as Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Frost, and all Def Poets.  If I hear something I think is really cool or different I try to twist it my own way.

If you were to name a genre for your poetry, what would it be?

I don't know if I could categorize myself.  A few of them are meant to be performance pieces.  Others meant to be read and absorbed...

Why is "Mind Reader" your favorite poem?

I really like Mind Reader because of how I felt when I wrote it.  I had a feeling of complete satisfaction and the words poured out of me like water.  It was something I hadn't felt before.  I couldn't sleep until I wrote it. 

If you could lead a fulfilling life artistically, what would that entail?

All I'm worried about is having enough money to live off of, and a little left over to buy shoes and go interesting places.  If people are able to relate to my poetry and have a desire to go back and read the same ones over and over again then I feel like I have achieved success.  I want something I've written to be someone's favorite piece.

Who are some of your favorite poets and why?

I really love Nikki Giovanni because of her rhythm and her subject matter.  She writes about everything under the sun with such brilliance.  I can read something of hers over and over again and extract more meaning out of it each time. 

Who are some of your favorite musicians, rappers or singers and why?

I like sooo much music!!  I can't even start.  I love a little bit of everything. Music is easy to relate to, it relaxes me.  And if I have to name a few artists I like I'd say DJ Quik, Jill Scott
and Musiq Soulchild.

Name some of your favorite books and why are they your favorite?

My all time favorite book is This Much I know is True by Wally Lamb.  Read it and you will see why. It's just a really good book about a guy coming into his own and figuring his life out and all the secrets he was denied privy to.  I can't express it.  All I can ever say is that is the best book I've ever read.

What do you think of graffiti as an art form?

I think it's great when it's actually artistically driven.  It makes me smile to see graffiti on freeways and bridges because I know it took so much to make it happen.

What kind of art and movies do you pay attention to? Name some.

I pay attention to everything.  A jack of all genres but a master of none.  I love comedy.  Napoleon Dynamite, SuperBad.  I loved Spanglish, and Maria Full of Grace.  Pans Labyrinth.  Art wise I like photography, contemporary architecture.  I like simple lines, bold colors, interesting composition. 

How did growing up in Watts effect your words?

I can't really call it. In many ways I suppose, but I haven't really thought about it.  I mean the fact that it has affected my mentality at all has a direct affect on my writing.

Watts is a city known nationwide, largely for the 1967 riots. How would you describe the culture of Watts today?

Watts is… a place where everyone is on a constant hustle to survive.  I left for a little while, and I came back and nothing had changed except the number of businesses and houses went up.  Check cashing, fast food, smoke shops, insurance salesmen.  No vacant lot is going undeveloped...People are constantly moving in and hardly moving out.  Times are still hard.  People are still struggling.

Has living in Watts effected your personality?

The things you have to watch out for are different. I wasn't allowed to go past the white gate two houses down, never to either end of the block.  Random shootings, helicopters EVERY night, barking dogs, clanking shopping carts on trash day, no male guests due to gang activity, no guests at all actually, weed in the ice cream cart that the Hispanic man used to push down the street. 

Describe your fashion sense?

I buy and wear what I like.  I know what the current fashions are but at the end of the day I try to look presentable and that's pretty much it.

How many pairs of shoes do you own and what kinds? Describe a shoe that would grab your eye.

I don't really know... I wear about five.  And like four pairs of heels for when I go out.  I like all kinds of shoes.

Do you plan on making your art a business?

Like I said before all I'm interested in is relating to people.  If it makes me money, then
that's great, but it's not my goal.

You said you want to make enough money to live off of. What kind of career are you pursuing?

Im pursuing a career in being a student, because until I graduate all I will have are endless paycheck to paycheck jobs.  Get back to me in a couple of years.

Do you like lipstick? Why?

Lipstick…. I have worn it before…I don't very often.  I don't hate it, but clear gloss goes with everything and everyone.

Is traveling and seeing the world a good thing? Why?

Who would say no!!?  I think it's amazing.  It opens your mind and makes you aware of how each individual is part of such a large whole. 

Describe your politics.

I hate politics!  But I'm for a government that is fair, and pays the most respect to the fundamental principles that it was founded on.  Such a loaded question…

What's your idea of a good time?

Listening to music that makes me feel good, dancing, writing, having a heart to heart with someone I care about.  Being silly, hanging with family.  Long car rides, club nights, deep stimulating conversation, funny movies, not having to window shop, getting dressed up, laughing until my cheeks hurt, learning new things…

Would you ever go bungee cord jumping?

Yeah, I'd probably freak out when I was supposed to jump but I don't think I'd back down.

How many times have you had your heart broken?

Tons! But not only by guys.  By family, friends, society, myself.

How did you learn about the classic writers? Were you self-taught or did you have good teachers?

I just heard random quotes and poems and researched more of their works.  I learned a little bit in school but I learned more on my own by listening to other poets.

couldnt even tell you not to stop
before you kept going
see i tried being coy
but i was starting to annoy
myself.
i gave in
every whim
me and him
we commit sin
these lips
in a permanent grin
the morning after

see the smoke cleared
we bypassed each other
for two years
after those words had spontaneously combusted
see we spoke this into existence
left it an incomplete sentence
dot dot dot
and a friend request later
you happened to make it on my list of things to do

and i know its wrong to want you
let alone this rendezvous
im reluctant to even dream you
as if the choice were mine

and this isnt the first time
the first time monica mosied onto the scene
in my multiple personality cast
of lies and scheme
not the first time
steam came from the green
and im not talkin bout pesos
not the monster but what he grows
kneegrows nose grows
call me pinocchio
with the tangled web i weave

and nicole dont feel dirty
not a river cried from me
cuz after years of use and abuse
this sweet plymouth rock just landed on thee
like he handed it to me
said do what u please
and i am

cuz i couldnt even tell him not to stop
before he kept going
and u can call it ho-ing
but im young
and im bomb
but the nanas better
and he knows it
and he shows it

i dare not trip
cuz we were chosen
our souls hand picked from
a brothel where this ho found a husband
when they were crushin
steam came from the green
the C.R.E.A.M.
and the heat
well it came to me
my knees got weak
my octave peaked
my heart didnt beat

and i couldnt even tell you not to stop before you kept goin
and im jonesin'

There's this ghetto bird
That keeps me up at night
Wondering which one of our brothers
Has fallen victim
To its propellor of death
They say
Not to follow the light
But like moths to a flame
We are singed by our curiousities
We can't get no satisfaction
This ghetto bird
Or shall I say
This urban bird
This keen watchful eye
Of our inner city communities
What do u want from we
Are u looking for me
Cuz I'm up
Can't sleep
Smoking this weed
Please
Just let us be
Ghetto bird
Your back again?
What do we need to do then
That will let you
Let us
Sleep peacefully...

He loves me
He loves me not
He loves me
So sweetly like a kiss
On the collarbone
Not the only one I've known
But the only one I'm knowing
Suddenly this passion turns passive
I hear the doors slamming
Emptying what had filled me previously
He loves me not
It hurts so bad
That it doesn't feel good
Feeling pain I wouldn't wish on
My non exsistent enemies
So blind I can't see who's hurting me
But u open my eyes when u kiss me gently
Whispering apologies
And that pain turns to passion
I'm asking not to stop
He loves mE
So sweetly
Filling my empty soul
With his honey
His touch on calluses
Though a result of him
Are soothing
He's moving me
To the wonders I seek...
But the love
Slips so suddenly
To oceanic abyss depth
And it covers me
Leaving me breathless
This honey is sickening
He loves me not
Its making me weak
I'm grasping for his reach
But he leaves
But I'm drenched in this ocean
This honey so sweet
And it becomes me
And then he loves me
Rose petals falling
from his tongue
With every word he speaks
Now he wishes
to forever have me
But this moment
Ends quickly
As soon as I'm ready
To show some reciprocity
The ground falls from
Beneath me
And if only he saw
What I see
This seesaw
wouldn't switch so quickly
But
He loves me not.

VIRTUES

Patience
a virtue
That can hurt u
Cuz wit some shit like this
You need
To check ur expectations
At the door
You need to keep your hopes
On the floor
You gotta wait for more
But who wants to do that
Patience
A virtue
To learn
You must have it to earn
All the good things in life
Time heals all wounds
Yet it slips away
Like sand through an hourglass
Don't know how long I can last
Debating
Whether waiting
Is right for me
Patience a virtue that can hurt u
Its A feeling that can end
While ur waiting for something to begin
Before it actually bends
To your liking
Your fighting
Not to instead be bent
Before flighting
Patience
A virtue that
Can turn you cold
You try to be bold
But it puts you in purgatory
You want to tell your story
But you know
Its you
and you alone
That condones this ongoing drone
Patience
A virtue that can learn you
And turn you into
Lonely...