She tosses her hair
flowing in the
late summer's winds
as free as she wants to be.
With eyes closed
and a tilted head,
poised -- towards the sky,
a squinting smile
glimmering
in the fainting sun,
arms dangling,
welcoming the dawn of dusk;
and glowing --
from
the beauty within.
Shabazz Wilson
9-17-08
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Campfire
Campfire
Under the moon,
I sang and
roasted marshmellows
just like everybody else.
Then, with a big crackle
and a spark,
I noticed the flames
dancing in the air
and jumping,
trying to reach the sky.
When I looked up
to take my eyes off
of the intense light,
I saw many stars,
and finally realized,
that those are the sparks
of the fire.
Shabazz Malik
Under the moon,
I sang and
roasted marshmellows
just like everybody else.
Then, with a big crackle
and a spark,
I noticed the flames
dancing in the air
and jumping,
trying to reach the sky.
When I looked up
to take my eyes off
of the intense light,
I saw many stars,
and finally realized,
that those are the sparks
of the fire.
Shabazz Malik
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
New Hampshire & Independence Day
There's something about a state who's motto is "Live Free or Die." There's something about being in the woods, partying, socializing, and just being with friends. There's something about being in America on Independence Day, and proudly and boisterously saying the 'Pledge of Allegiance', and including "under God", without the fear of getting lectured or castrated. There's something about seeing the display of Old Glory, and honoring the Colors, and all that it stands for. There's something about hearing TAPS to honor our fallen heroes. There's something about clinging to our guns and religion, and respecting those who might not. There's something about proudly displaying love for America, what it stands for, and its potential, without hearing how evil America is.
And the irony is, it's not about who yells the loudest, knows the most American history, have the most guns, wears the most red, white and blue, waves the flag with the most vigour, or any of that. It's about freedom: being willing to die for that freedom; sacrificing for that freedom; taking advantage of that freedom, honoring that freedom, and being grateful for that freedom. No one politician, political party, or special interest group is the end all-be all of that freedom. It is instead, the individuals who make up the whole. So what is freedom?
Freedom is what you make of it. It comes from no human, but from the Creator. It's the ability to love, to hate, to question, to express, to worship or not to worship, to envision, to die for, to live for, to be, and is the way to be.
Shabazz Malik Wilson
And the irony is, it's not about who yells the loudest, knows the most American history, have the most guns, wears the most red, white and blue, waves the flag with the most vigour, or any of that. It's about freedom: being willing to die for that freedom; sacrificing for that freedom; taking advantage of that freedom, honoring that freedom, and being grateful for that freedom. No one politician, political party, or special interest group is the end all-be all of that freedom. It is instead, the individuals who make up the whole. So what is freedom?
Freedom is what you make of it. It comes from no human, but from the Creator. It's the ability to love, to hate, to question, to express, to worship or not to worship, to envision, to die for, to live for, to be, and is the way to be.
Shabazz Malik Wilson
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Falafel
Browned golden,
balled, chick pea fava treats:
beaten, battered, rolled,
fried with pride
and perfection.
Nubian delights,
and that Middle Eastern flair,
fast food favorite
with tahini.
A touch of greenery,
coriander cumin, parsely
on the inside,
with a side of couscous
and cucumbers.
And the American kind:
A rhapsody of the
latte liberal,
veggie preachin,
thumb nosed,
eat-a-pita
mind,
still browned golden,
beaten, battered, rolled,
for the bourgeois,
and fried with pride
and perfection,
and so good,
in their buddha bellies.
Shabazz Wilson
balled, chick pea fava treats:
beaten, battered, rolled,
fried with pride
and perfection.
Nubian delights,
and that Middle Eastern flair,
fast food favorite
with tahini.
A touch of greenery,
coriander cumin, parsely
on the inside,
with a side of couscous
and cucumbers.
And the American kind:
A rhapsody of the
latte liberal,
veggie preachin,
thumb nosed,
eat-a-pita
mind,
still browned golden,
beaten, battered, rolled,
for the bourgeois,
and fried with pride
and perfection,
and so good,
in their buddha bellies.
Shabazz Wilson
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Calling
His voice is becoming
increasingly louder now,
not literally,
but through the words
of others.
Too many coincidences
are happening,
to ignore
and to put off
any longer,
the Calling
that's been
apparent for so long.
Too young.
Too stupid.
Too scared
to notice
and listen,
to the words
of others,
in the Calling
that's been put forth.
For years
I've rejected
how to heed
the messages,
and the Way
to answer.
But now
is the time.
And more than ever,
the path is clear
for what needs to be done.
Now is the time:
to reflect,
to fast,
to pray,
to reconcile
and to sacrifice,
to prepare,
and to act;
to heed
the Calling.
It's time
to go
to the land
of my spiritual birth,
and relearn
and remember,
what I have learned,
and hopefully
spawn and awaken,
an old stubborn spirit,
to the Calling
of His voice,
and the words
of others.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Shabazz Wilson
increasingly louder now,
not literally,
but through the words
of others.
Too many coincidences
are happening,
to ignore
and to put off
any longer,
the Calling
that's been
apparent for so long.
Too young.
Too stupid.
Too scared
to notice
and listen,
to the words
of others,
in the Calling
that's been put forth.
For years
I've rejected
how to heed
the messages,
and the Way
to answer.
But now
is the time.
And more than ever,
the path is clear
for what needs to be done.
Now is the time:
to reflect,
to fast,
to pray,
to reconcile
and to sacrifice,
to prepare,
and to act;
to heed
the Calling.
It's time
to go
to the land
of my spiritual birth,
and relearn
and remember,
what I have learned,
and hopefully
spawn and awaken,
an old stubborn spirit,
to the Calling
of His voice,
and the words
of others.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Shabazz Wilson
Thursday, May 29, 2008
California Gay Marriage
For me, it's really a matter of definition. Last week, the California Supreme Court cleared the path, which allows for gay marriage.
Marriage to me, is religious. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman, sanctioned by a holy and religious body. That's it. A Civil Union is a union between two people: man/woman or same sex. So with my definition, even if a man and a woman were to get 'married', or form a union in a non-religious setting (i.e. court, Justice of the Peace), it's not a marriage, but a Civil Union. So, marriage = religious ceremony sanctioned by a religious body (i.e. Church, Synagogue, Mosque, Temple, etc.). Civil Union = civic (i.e. State) ceremony that is non-religious. Even if two people call themselves 'religious', but don't get married in a religious setting, then it's still a Union.
With that being said, I see nothing wrong with two people who love each other forming a Civil Union. As a philosophical conservative libertarian, I believe primarily in the right of the individual. I'm as repulsed and annoyed of a heterosexual couple making out and disrobing each other in public, just as I am with a homosexual couple doing the same. It's private, and I don't want to see an X-rated display (PDA is ok, but within reason).
Yes, we hear the conservatives and traditionalists screaming to the high heavens how this is the end of America, and how God will punish, etc. They point to the same Biblical verses to support their point. Fine. But in reviewing those arguments, look at the context in which they were written. They basically refer to making idolotrous sacrifices by using sex (homo and hetero) as sacrifices. Sex without responsibility, or the non-acceptance or realization of that responsibility, is just as sinful and evil in the eyes of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Not to get into that here, but I find it hard to believe that a God who is supposed to be loving, will send someone to Hell because they happen to be attracted to the same sex, and want to form a union and/or family. And that's a main point: FAMILY. There are families lead by homosexual couples who are just as wholesome and positive, as heterosexual couples.
I challenge any 'conservative' on this. Tell me how gay 'marriage' will lead to the detriment of society? As long as an agenda is not pushed on me, just as I don't want any religious agendas pushed on me, I'm fine with it. If these gay couples pay their taxes, contribute to society, not break any laws, and live lives as productive, good American citizens, then what's the problem? Just as we need to respect those who may be different than the majority (i.e. heterosexuals), then the minority (homosexuals) need to respect the majority.
I'm not excited about the gay marriage rulings in California or Massachusetts. Nor am I actively pushing for a constitutional amendment either. No amendment should be instituted in the Constitution excluding someone's rights. People pushing for a Constitutional ammendment to me is like pushing a religious agenda. Gay 'marriage' is inevitable. And if this is somehow leading to our society's detriment, and if God damns this, then leave that up to God and the couples. And here's another point: such is between God and the individual.
Shabazz Wilson
Marriage to me, is religious. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman, sanctioned by a holy and religious body. That's it. A Civil Union is a union between two people: man/woman or same sex. So with my definition, even if a man and a woman were to get 'married', or form a union in a non-religious setting (i.e. court, Justice of the Peace), it's not a marriage, but a Civil Union. So, marriage = religious ceremony sanctioned by a religious body (i.e. Church, Synagogue, Mosque, Temple, etc.). Civil Union = civic (i.e. State) ceremony that is non-religious. Even if two people call themselves 'religious', but don't get married in a religious setting, then it's still a Union.
With that being said, I see nothing wrong with two people who love each other forming a Civil Union. As a philosophical conservative libertarian, I believe primarily in the right of the individual. I'm as repulsed and annoyed of a heterosexual couple making out and disrobing each other in public, just as I am with a homosexual couple doing the same. It's private, and I don't want to see an X-rated display (PDA is ok, but within reason).
Yes, we hear the conservatives and traditionalists screaming to the high heavens how this is the end of America, and how God will punish, etc. They point to the same Biblical verses to support their point. Fine. But in reviewing those arguments, look at the context in which they were written. They basically refer to making idolotrous sacrifices by using sex (homo and hetero) as sacrifices. Sex without responsibility, or the non-acceptance or realization of that responsibility, is just as sinful and evil in the eyes of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Not to get into that here, but I find it hard to believe that a God who is supposed to be loving, will send someone to Hell because they happen to be attracted to the same sex, and want to form a union and/or family. And that's a main point: FAMILY. There are families lead by homosexual couples who are just as wholesome and positive, as heterosexual couples.
I challenge any 'conservative' on this. Tell me how gay 'marriage' will lead to the detriment of society? As long as an agenda is not pushed on me, just as I don't want any religious agendas pushed on me, I'm fine with it. If these gay couples pay their taxes, contribute to society, not break any laws, and live lives as productive, good American citizens, then what's the problem? Just as we need to respect those who may be different than the majority (i.e. heterosexuals), then the minority (homosexuals) need to respect the majority.
I'm not excited about the gay marriage rulings in California or Massachusetts. Nor am I actively pushing for a constitutional amendment either. No amendment should be instituted in the Constitution excluding someone's rights. People pushing for a Constitutional ammendment to me is like pushing a religious agenda. Gay 'marriage' is inevitable. And if this is somehow leading to our society's detriment, and if God damns this, then leave that up to God and the couples. And here's another point: such is between God and the individual.
Shabazz Wilson
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A Calling & a Reflection
This morning I felt the Spirit,
and was overcome with emotion.
Seemingly, for no apparent reason,
then again, there's always a reason,
that I was called in quiet solitude,
to reflect and pray, and listen.
The days are longer now,
and my daily routines become everyday now,
motions that seem to have little to no meaning,
seems to have some meaning to someone somehow.
I've so often lately, actually for some years now,
taken my Self for granted.
I come alive here and there,
and reflect, and live and just be,
but always seem to take my Self,
and everyday for granted.
Of course I'm grateful, always grateful,
for having, when others do not.
But it's time now.
Sometimes when I listen,
He speaks to me,
in the most unassuming, unordinary,
and unexpecting ways.
An old colleague
saw me at the gas station,
and thanked me for helping her friend.
I'm only a therapist, and nothing more than that.
I don't expect thank yous. I don't expect much from what I do.
But today,
for some reason,
He's been calling.
He's been calling for some time,
and I've been to stubborn,
too scared,
too ornery to listen.
Years ago,
I ceremoniously knelt,
and then laid on my stomach,
arms spread,
in the accompaniment of a few,
as I was robed
and hooded,
and made an oath,
in the place
of my spiritual birth,
to Something Other:
to love,
to serve,
and to serve unconditionally,
to the Greater Glory...
But now is the time.
As I re-learn to appreciate,
the deeper meaning
of His calling,
expecting nothing,
giving of Self,
and rededicating
my oath,
of service,
in love,
to the Greater Glory...
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Shabazz Wilson
and was overcome with emotion.
Seemingly, for no apparent reason,
then again, there's always a reason,
that I was called in quiet solitude,
to reflect and pray, and listen.
The days are longer now,
and my daily routines become everyday now,
motions that seem to have little to no meaning,
seems to have some meaning to someone somehow.
I've so often lately, actually for some years now,
taken my Self for granted.
I come alive here and there,
and reflect, and live and just be,
but always seem to take my Self,
and everyday for granted.
Of course I'm grateful, always grateful,
for having, when others do not.
But it's time now.
Sometimes when I listen,
He speaks to me,
in the most unassuming, unordinary,
and unexpecting ways.
An old colleague
saw me at the gas station,
and thanked me for helping her friend.
I'm only a therapist, and nothing more than that.
I don't expect thank yous. I don't expect much from what I do.
But today,
for some reason,
He's been calling.
He's been calling for some time,
and I've been to stubborn,
too scared,
too ornery to listen.
Years ago,
I ceremoniously knelt,
and then laid on my stomach,
arms spread,
in the accompaniment of a few,
as I was robed
and hooded,
and made an oath,
in the place
of my spiritual birth,
to Something Other:
to love,
to serve,
and to serve unconditionally,
to the Greater Glory...
But now is the time.
As I re-learn to appreciate,
the deeper meaning
of His calling,
expecting nothing,
giving of Self,
and rededicating
my oath,
of service,
in love,
to the Greater Glory...
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Shabazz Wilson
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