2BFREE

Photoshoot paying tribute to the 90s w photographer Martin Eng

i breathe in broken men in the stillness of redemption the perfume of unjaded love is sweet and i am left with tired hands as i pull hope for you calluses attack my flesh and what was once beautiful now laughs with reservation i have become society’s example of the failures to freedom for the spirit of the child is feared we run endless on playgrounds past curfew for seconds disintegrate when those very few dance in immortality the only prison walls they could inflict was the instability of unresolved pain masked in a perfect smile i gave my life force to you among many; until i had none and now sundays repeat throughout the week i share tea with the demons that plague me and drown in velvet rivers to escape the moon writing harmonies in gluttony’s sake with the sun exposing my wounds insolation memorizes the blueprint of my walls while opportunity takes the next freight train away the ground feels good on the soles of my feet but to get as far into the air that holds no boundaries i retreat into safety where i am not seen the irony; for everything i sought was to be understood even when uncertainty came knocking i just want to be without effort i want to be safe and in my safety i want peace i pray for the light to break through the tomb and resurrect into the incarnation of my spirit that was prophesied on the night of the North Star that i shed layers of ego’s quench for gratification and return to the glorious self of my own conviction that i am all i was created to be a child of God walking with hope rooted in faith i am love(d) no fulfillment of voids nor escaping the pain i am here i am present and will dance on the playground again without ever thinking of time and smile at you with no reservation these tired hands are healed. JSR

[Street mural by artist, Joe Lurato]

Mural in Baltimore by the great Ernest Shaw. To me, the true essence of art is disintegrating the senses to raise consciousness as forms of resistance to reclaim power rooted in love. Imagine when kids pass this and ask who these people are. This opens that narrative, which shows the power of the arts--igniting agency and action to break down walls and thrive in resiliency.

you make a dance of darkness look beautiful at night i chase your shadows just as much as i crave your light

Do yo’Self a favor, beautiful people--and check this radiant Artist-Queen, Mereba’s consciously sensible and provoking song, “Bet.” <3

i watch horizons sitting on the scales of justice alone and ponder mornings with you fantasizing nights wishing upon shooting stars that you would wrap me how can something so innocent and pure be tainted yet systems of concrete madness galvanize the beauty of our struggle and so we wait for heaven’s gates to open to drown in the majesty of true love’s fountain the pain of not loving you has turned you into my favorite hello and hardest goodbye JSR

May we fly courageously to the depths of the sea, soar into the unknown space of vulnerability to receive and give real love. A love that transforms you to reach endlessly for hope, a love that makes a dance of fury look beautiful in the light, a love that reminds you of purpose–that you are more than what meets the eye.

“Imperial Dreams” - the name itself captivates you, and is what drew me in my search of the next flick to absorb on Netflix. It centers on the life of 21yo Bambi (played by John Boyega), a rose born outta concrete, with roots so deep--he was bound to make the earth shake--just so he could flourish. Bambi returns home from jail, reunites with his son and through the power of his pen--is determined to leave the streets behind and tell his story to preserve the future of his son while lifting the shadow of others. Yet anything of substance comes with a fight, and we see him battling opposition of the temptress’ plight to “steal, kill, and destroy.” Will he falter or will he rise? Be another statistic or kill the course of demise? Catch it on Netflix to find out. [Directed by Malik Booth]

Enjoy this gem: “We Have Love” by the Arrows~

a poem for my Creator

Photo credit: Phoebe Rudomino

Credit: Artist Shepard Fairey’s artwork for the 2017  Women’s March 

This poem was inspired by one of my students when I taught an expressive arts/poetry class at Juvenile Hall’s maximum security working with the young Kings, 16-18yo. This young King’s heart is gold and despite the neglect and abandonment he’s endured growing up—I saw a fire in him that’s prevalent in the style of his art. He’s an illustrator, graffitist, and up and coming muralist, and I believe with everything in me that he will tell his story through colors, shapes, and mathematical equations encrypted in landscapes that have been and will be blessed by his power. And in his resiliency—he will lift others to fight in courage and strength.