Winter*2010
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This winter I am entering in to the season of reason, as I embark on the halfway point of my life experience in this realm. At this juncture, I am pondering all that I’ve done, the places I’ve been, the people I’ve had the opportunity to encounter, and asking myself how have these things help define my purpose? An Elder once told me there are three things once gone can never be regained, time already past, opportunity lost, and words, which have left our mouth, can never be taken back. As a Poet, spoken word artist, urban griot, and author, I understand the power of words. Words can impart wisdom, heal wounds, comfort loss, sooth souls, bring about laughter, and evoke love. They can also crush egos, hurt feeling, destroy trust, mislead folk, bear false witness, and ruin friendships. I’ve been guilty of selling wolf tickets that I couldn’t back up , writing checks with my mouth that my a- - couldn’t cash, saying things that I couldn’t take back. Yes, I’ve verbally attacked, made inappropriate, crude, even hurtful comments, and have been just plain off the chain with diarrhea of the mouth! The older I get the more I’ve learn to listen…..listen to my gut feelings, to the little voice in my head that recalls wisdom imparted by an ancestor, and the constructive criticism from anyone who makes a valid point. I’ve also learned to hear more and speak less. In this new season I am committed to thinking about the impact my words will have on all that hear or read them. I will make a conscious effort to speak positively, honestly, and with compassion. In the face of controversy I will choose my words wisely. I will not waste my words to gossip, malign, or assassinate the character of others. I will continue to weave my life experiences and universal truths into a tapestry of word‘s that defined my being as it relates to my culture, my womanhood, and my ancestry. I will craft my words to enlighten, enrich, and encourage others. I will be the voice of my reason! -Na Koikoi Aziza Zenzile Kinteh **************************************
Hycu......
Black pride has its price there is no advance purchase you pay at the door