meal ticket poetry

please.read

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:56:00 -0700

Let's just read--period. And read critically. And investigate, and not be such passive-aggressive beings.

Read a news story today that is speculative beyond belief. The sad--and realistic--thing is that of the readers, it is guaranteed that over 50% will form biased opinions based on the text, instead of looking into the issue themselves to form a more educated opinion on the subject. We are so quick to receive information of ill repute, and spread it, and form a weak opinion--or no opinion at all, when an opinion is crucial--instead of realizing/caring when/that we've been lied to for the benefit of something perceived to be bigger than/independent of ourselves.

At this very moment, there are learned brothers and sisters fighting for us, screaming for freedom and justice on the behalf of the whole. And the majority of the whole is clueless--or worse, could care less--and has no idea (or again, doesn't care) how its misguided opinion or non-opinion, misguided information or non-information affects us all.

You want peace? Fight for your peace the way you fight over your trinkets and gossip and other illusory trivialities. You want justice? Do yourself justice and research the truth with all of your heart, instead of settling for what is given to you, on the giver's terms.

Read, and read discriminately. Read creatively. Read with purpose. Read and learn like your life depends on it, because your life DOES depend on it--believe it, or not.

Thank [you for] your time.

CJIV

http://cjiv.me/cambridgejiv

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Latin Invasion!

Thu, 05 May 2011 16:41:00 -0700

The Latin Invasion Art Show explores the mythological prophecies of the end of the world. According to Mayan calculations, 2012 is the fall of the Fifth Sun. 2012 is the end of the world as we know it.

Artists are tasked with visualizing what that means to our culture, our way of thinking, the current state of humanity and ultimately, how we plan to celebrate the great history that humanity has enjoyed until this day.

There will be body painted models for artist to draw and photographer to take pictures of. Dozens of paintings from artists all over the US and two great DJ’s spinning Latin Classics and Hip Hop inspired music.

FTP will provide their nutritious delicious food and there will be a full bar of spirits open.
For more information on Latin Invasion and upcoming art shows, please visit: manoamanoartshows.com

May 7
8pm
Cover $5 donation w/Canned Good

Latin Invasion
Before the fall del Quinto Sol (5th Sun)
Meso-American mythology, End of the World Prophecies, Ancient Art, African Art

Vibes by:
DJ Osmose + Sir Nervex

Art by:
Bello AG, Cedrick Wiley, David Quiroz, Ded Safer, Erick Jara, Gerzon Rodriguez, Illie Dawson, Jody Harris, Kimberly Fitzgerald, Lewyn Stewart, Linda Costa,

Makala Fields, Nicole Pritchett, Phyllis Robinson, Wade Harrison, Irene Lavant, Olivia Rado, JD Zapata, Odari Yohannes

Live Models Sandy, Ressa, Santana, Shatara, Kelly Sunshine, Alex Snelling & More!
BodyPaint by DTM, Gerzon Chaos79, Justin Anderson & Erick Jara & Phyllis Adair Robinson
Henna Designs on Deck
Nutrition by FTP Catering
Bar Spirits by Tree of Life Pomegranate Win & OG XO Brandy
Red Carpet Photography by Titus Jamison
plus
PENCIL WARS! winner gets a special prize!!!

percentage of proceeds to benefit:
Action Not Words & Feed The People

KSP (the loft)
675 metropolitan pkwy
Suite-5079 or D-15
Atlanta, GA 30310

DTM-curator
404.695.5769
www.manoamanoartshows.com

A Special Thank You to our Sponsors:
http://www.ogbrandy.com/ http://www.drinktreeoflife.com/
http://www.velocityscreenprint.net/ http://www.djosmose.com/
http://www.marcospita.com/ http://www.luccom.com/
http://www.dacreativegenius.com/ http://dripchemistry.blogspot.com/
http://www.chaos79.com/ http://www.angelwingsmusic.com/
http://www.theaspot.com/ http://www.theactionnotwordsproject.org/
http://www.ftpcatering.com/

Permalink | Leave a comment »

ATLANTA! "Find YOUR Way" to Sumthing Spectacular!

Thu, 05 May 2011 14:32:28 -0700

For details, please visit http://cjiv.me/mKNOQy

Permalink | Leave a comment »

New Year, New Texas Hot Spot

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 13:28:00 -0800

A Poet’s Tribe Collective 701 Aquarena Springs 203 D, San Marcos, TX 78666 Contact: Faylita Hicks, 512-665-3932, ripdamicslam@gmail.com

The Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam competition comes to San Marcos, TX

The Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam is a new weekly cash prize competition that will be premiering January 30, 2010 at the infamous Bar 141 off of 141 E. Hopkins in San Marcos, TX. A poetry slam is a three round, high energy competition where poets perform their original work to be scored by randomly selected judges from the audience. Winners of the slam walk away with cash prizes and the chance to represent the local slam as a team at the national competition to be held in Boston, MA in 2011.

January 30, 2010 will be the kick off show for this exciting event. Featured performers for this event include: Hip Hop group-Riders Against the Storm, Houston group- The Fanatics, New Orleans’ native Symmatree. Confirmed slam poets include 2010 Austin Slam Champ Danny Strack, Killeen Poetry Slam Master Christopher Michael, Spitfest Producer La Love Robinson, Spoken 4 All Producer Stacie Shea, Austin Neo Soul Coach and Slam Master Brian Francis and so many more.

Since 2003, Faylita Hicks has been an active member in Austin’s inspired spoken word community, representing the city on three different slam teams at the national competition. In 2009, she earned the title of Austin Poetry Slam Champion. Planning for the Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam begin in 2010 after being accepted to Texas State’s MFA Creative Writing Program. As the new Slam Master, she is looking forward to bringing the crazy-energy of the slam to the growing city of San Marcos. “I know that San Marcos has a wealth of untapped talent. Rip Da Mic is an opportunity for those talented individuals to let loose in a safe and open minded environment. I want everyone to come through and have the experience of a lifetime!”

This weekly event will feature spoken word artists, local performance groups and visual artists from the local community, as well as special performances by touring artists. Sign up for participation in the poetry slam will begin at 7pm every Sunday at Bar 141. Artists interested in participating should visit www.FAYLITAHICKS.com for more info on how to book with this event.

A Poet’s Tribe Collective is a local production company that strives to provide events and services that inspire the community. For further information about A Poet’s Tribe Collective or The Rip Da Mic Poetry Slam, visit Spoken Word Artist Faylita Hicks’ pagewww.Faylitahicks.webs.com or call 512-665-3932.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

heartbreak haiku – A 21st century Samurai emerges…

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:32:00 -0800

PRESS CONTACT:

Vanessa Conde – Mapola Communications;

305.546.6683; vanessa@mapolacom.com

heartbreak haiku – A 21st century Samurai emerges…

Nuyorican Poet Deborah Magdalena Takes You

Through Her Journey On The Dark Side.

Miami, Florida, December 13, 2010: “ I am not a therapist or psychologist- just a humble poet that invites you to come with me on my personal journey of healing….” The words don’t just jump off the page they singe your skin right down to the core, right down to your soul. The latest expression of poetic love by soulful spoken word poet Deborah Magdalena is a heartfelt and honest account of her battle with the process of relationships and heart break.

As the year winds down to an end Magdalena reflects on the experiences that shook her to the core with an explosion of emotion in this new literary project. “I needed to write heartbreak haikus so that I could live through the love – the shock – the rage – the mourning and the forgiveness that comes with a heart break to be able to truly find the ultimate love – self love – understanding my self worth. “ states Magdalena.

Haiku is a form of traditional Japanese poetry consisting of 17 moras in phrases of five, seven, and five. Each phrase is a unit of sound used in phonology to determine syllable weight. While Haiku are traditionally printed in a single vertical line and cover nature as their subject matter, in the Western world they appear in three lines and may cover diverse subject matters. The Western interpretation of Haiku that examines the human condition is called Senryu.

Using a traditional Asian form of literary interpretation Magdalena takes her poetic skills to new heights adding a different dimension to her repertoire as she breaks ethnic and creative boundaries in order to share her emotions, despair and triumph.

With a passionate foreward by fellow Nuyorican poet Shaggy Flores, this latest translation of work by Magdalena is sure to raise eyebrows and touch your own poetic souls.

For more information visit www.deborahmagdalena.com

**********

Book Avail Online NOW! Only $5 plus shipping and handling

http://www.deborahmagdalena.com/index_files/Page344.htm

BOOK RELEASE AND SPECIAL PERFORMANCES:

DEC 27 2010, 8pm

Mello Mondays - Hosted by HBO's Def Poetry Poet ASIA

Bluster 115 N. 21st Avenue Hollywood, FL

REVIEWS:

"Mixing urban tongue with salsa flare, Deborah Magdalena is the true embodiment of South Florida poetry. If Miami had to be described as an attitude, just point to Deb. With a voice that carries from South Beach to Liberty City, a look that shines from Hialeah to Kendall, and a heart that stretches from Aventura to Homestead, she is beautiful to listen to...beautiful to look at...but more importantly, beautiful to call a friend."

(Asia HBO Def Poetry Jam)

"As a poet and a friend, Deborah Magdalena is best on your side of a knife fight and/or a poetry slam. This chapbook is proof of that." Congratulations Deborah M! Really great work." (Elena Santayana; Hialeah Haikus)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Whether she's hosting a spoken word event, music festival, or playing the role of a santera, a deputy, or a vixen, Deborah Magdalena makes every emotion super real. The Puerto Rican actress/poet - who calls Miami home – was born into a very talented musical family. Sister of Latin Grammy winner Nestor Torres and grandniece of legendary Puerto Rican singer Ruth Fernandez, it was a natural progression for Deborah to amuse friends and family at an early age with her spontaneous comedic sketches and dance numbers.

For the past 10 years she’s focused on her spoken word performances with the goal to not only entertain but inspire self healing with a comedic twist. Deborah bared her poetic soul by independently releasing Spoken Word CDs - Spoken Soul: A Survival Kit of Poetry, and Deborah Magdalena LIVE.

With poetry in one hand and music in the other, Deborah set out to work with kids in after school programs funded by Arts For Learning, and personally authored an original poetic program called After School Zen. A program she taught in front of 200 kids from first to sixth grades.

With a continued poetic force, Deborah was moved by the healing power of the arts in women’s lives, so she founded Spoken Soul Festival in 2008, an annual three day festival that supports women artists. SFF coincides with Women Arts’ international holiday SWAN Day (Support Women Artist Now).

Continually writing, teaching and performing Deborah Magdalena sets out to poetically inspire positive growth and change in women artists and our world’s community as a whole.

www.deborahmagdalena.com

Permalink | Leave a comment »

We Could All Do A Little Better...

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:40:00 -0800

a friend of mine had a bad experience at a poetry event, and reflected on it. her issue was that "your advertisement says the show starts at 8pm, and you don't open the doors until 9:15, and it's cold, and there's no place to sit down, and there is no food or drink, and you've convinced most folks through your ad that it's an open mic when it's really not..." here are my thoughts. i think i touched on all of her points, but i'd love to know your thoughts as well--even if you have similar experiences to add to this one

I will say this much: as a promoter, it can be difficult to set a start time for an event--especially, depending on the size, popularity, and recognition of that event. i've produced shows that are ready to GO at the time i print on the flyer, but i rarely start at that exact time because the audience is mostly always late, for whatever reason.

when you're an indie promoter, and you can only afford to rent a venue for a specific block of time, it's not easy, and pretty disheartening, to have to extend the show an extra hour or so because it's showtime and there are only two or three people in the audience, ready to enjoy the artists--especially when you are paying the artists for their time as well. now, the show could eventually be packed, and everyone could have enjoyed themselves, but starting the show late could mean that the show is cut short, or the show is extended past its end time, which could be grounds for a promoter having to come out of pocket more $$$.

show promotion/production is a business. not making a profit is one thing, as profits are not guaranteed--especially in poetry. but what promoter wants to walk away from a show COMPLETELY in the red? i feel that it's our duty ensure out patrons have a great time, and to ensure our featured artists are fulfilled in their performance and the turnout for that performance. also, i feel that it is our duty to shield our patrons from the business side of things; they just want to have a good time. who attends a show, concerned with how much $$$ the promoter, or the artist, for that matter, is going to earn from his or her endeavor? commonly, who attends a show thinking, "i can't wait to go support Poet X so he can have gas money to get back home, or so he can buy a new pair of shoes, or so he can have a decent breakfast in the morning"? commonly, those are not the foremost thoughts we have when entering an entertaining situation.

tell me if i'm wrong, but the open mic attendee wants some damn good poetry, the concert goer wants an exciting concert experience, the movie goer wants to see an entertaining, memorable, and maybe even thought-provoking, film. who's thinking about whether the guy at the ticket window is getting paid only $7.25 an hour, or nothing at all? not many people, unfortunately. again, we just want to have a good time. i will say that i am not taking up for the promoter in question. and i agree that because of the season, some more comfortable accommodations should have been made. but i also must not fail to acknowledge that there are two sides (sometimes more) to every story.

the bottom line: promoters, step your game up and do your BEST to make your patrons comfortable, and to ensure an enjoyable experience; patrons, try your BEST to work with us, realize that there are multiple dimensions to the production of a show, that you may not care to consider, or visit, at the time, and realize that sometimes you've got to give a little something as a whole, to get what you expect from us. if there's an option to rsvp for a show, then by all means, please do it; that does a lot more for us than you may think--especially, for the small-time promoters. and sure, things happen, plans change. but if you say you're coming, and the show is scheduled for a specific time, then do your best to be there on time for the show. get there early if you can.

a good promoter provides contact information for both him/herself and the venue, and also provides simple directions. if those things are provided, and you still end of getting lost on the way to the event, then whose fault is it that the show is packed and you have to stand up the entire evening, or the tickets are gone, or the show is half over when you finally arrive? can't blame the promoter for that.

i believe that what makes a successful show are good communication, and a proper give-give relationship between the promoter(s), artists, venue and patrons. just to put things into perspective, i've been promoting poetry events for 3 years now, and there was one particular event where, for whatever reason, folks didn't start showing up 'til about an hour after the printed time, and it turned out to be a great show. however, instead of a the 2-hr show i promised, my supporters got a shorter show, for the same entry price, and at the end of the day, did that serve a maximum benefit for either of us? no.

before the show ended, i overheard some of my supporters complaining about the show not staring on time. and as bad as i felt, there was really nothing i could do about it. i can't have my feature artist sharing his/her work for 3 people, just because the other 40 decide to show up an hour later. i like to wait until there is a nice crowd before we begin. i also overheard something else, proliferation of a horrible stereotype applied to poetry events--specifically, black poetry events.

she came late because "everybody knows that [black] poets (she was specifically referring to poets ) never start anything on time."

well, you know what? it's that type of thinking that will not only hinder the progress of some start-up productions, but it may hinder the progress of our craft, and our culture, as well. in all that we do, let's work together. let's foster an attitude of give-give, instead of gimme-gimme, and see how far that will take us.

*and if i may shamelessly plug: THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 7-9P SHARP @ JAVA MONKEY - 425 CHURCH ST. DECATUR, GA 30030 - "Story Time at 84th Street and Boheme Way" FEAT. The Shaman, The Hussy, and FERNANDO! Atliens, TXT me for details if needed (404.789.0928). We'll see YOU there for Story Time!*

** more shameless plugging (because i KNOW you're going to LOVE it!): TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Marks the digital release of my latest book, "Aint No Grits 2nd ed." Read the official review here: http://cjiv.me/gritsreview, and GET YOUR "GRITS" ON TUESDAY! **

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Official Review - Aint No Grits 2nd ed., by Cambridge Jenkins IV (84th and 5th Press)

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:19:00 -0800

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aint No Grits - AVAILABLE NOW!

ODER The Ebook TODAY!

Click HERE To ORDER

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Official Review - Aint No Grits 2nd ed., by Cambridge Jenkins IV

84th and 5th Press

…When the words lie down/and soak into/recycled canopies/of jungles
past,/they reflect what is/nearest to your heart/what frightens the
blood/from you…/

You do not know Cambridge Jenkins IV.

Organic tea leaf, whole cream sweet, hot on the tongue. Frayed edge of
denim stained with red clay, moss and stank of city. Hair like rough
silk, black on gold skin. Lit clove rested on bed of lip and swirl of
silver smoke.

But, when this poet speaks of age and death:

...there on the blue sofa,
body stretched,
arms spread wide...

and warns with the foreboding only genuine devotion can deliver:

There will come
a time when your
vocabluary will fly
away from you
like a mouse hair
in gale-force winds...

the ethos embraces you. And you will remove your shoes and move gently
beyond the first poem in Ain't No Grits, whet for the meal.

Ain't No Grits captures my favorite aesthetic: a petite chorus of
poems seeking to move, breathe, and shift you in your seat. It is not
a large collection bound by glossy covers and gilded-edge text.
Highfalutin metaphor and lines scattered about the white space do not
reside here. It is a handful of poems like winding river ebbing
against the approaching frost.

These poems are Bukowski's Americana--sinewy hands like rope and
whiskey spittle. A pretty girl in a cheap dress folding origami to
leave on the brick wall behind your house. They are gentle and dirty
and pierced with teeth marks.

Ain't No Grits is poet undressing for his most passionate lover -
words; we are staring through the window to his room:

Words are blankets
for the lost-minded
shivering tipsy as
guardians of the night

It is dancing:

...just under the foamy swells
of the cotton fields,
there were cocktails
painted magnificently like
cosmic dust clouds floating

It is fable:

but we never mind
the bees or the ants
or the trees or the family
of possums crossing the road -
their road,
which was clear river,
chunk rock,
clover patch
before highway

It is danger

in freedom
in women on
Periods
in women - period.

It is self portrait:

...southern poets
posing nude
in hotel rooms with
pungent heating
and limp pillows

and hymnal:

falling asleep
with a busted pen
in your hand and
waking to scripture
on your forearm

And when there Ain't No Grits, it is:

the vagabond
at home wherever
there is wash rag
and tooth brush
and ball-point

Simply put, if you are so inclined, it...is...poesis.

You do not know poet Cambridge Jenkins IV. But you will.

- Review by Tzynya Pinchback, author of new release, hussy. For more information: www.tzynyapinchback.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aint No Grits - AVAILABLE NOW!

ODER The Ebook TODAY!

Click HERE To ORDER

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Enough for Everyone. Get YOUR Piece!

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:11:00 -0700

Hey everybody! A dear friend and I have completed and released new projects recently, and we are EXTREMELY excited about them :-)

If you are on facebook, and would like to get in on the action, and help support our new projects, then please continue reading. Also, if you currently have something great that you are promoting, then you may be able to use some the the sharing methods below, for your own projects :-)

And now...

4 ridiculously simple ways to support hussy and Aint No Grits 2nd ed.!

1. **** Mention us in your status message****

Have you read any of our work, watched any of our videos, listened to our audio clips? If so, I'm sure you have an opinion on what you have experienced. Did you like it? Did you love it? Did it move you? If so, then let us know! It's a natural reaction for us to talk about our favorable or unfavorable experiences. If your experience with us is a favoable one, then we would appreciate you sharing the wealth, and talking us up! No one can share a message with your readers like YOU can.

2. **** Share us on your wall****

The facebook wall is a beautiful tool for sharing what's new, what's interesting, what's HOT! When you post something to your wall, you say to your contacts, "Hey, check this out! What are you waiting on? You NEED this in your life right now." The wall function allows you to post links, pictures, video--any form of media you need to share this new, hot thing that your contacts shouldn't take another breath without knowing about first. Below, there are a few big things we have going on, that everyone should know about. Share a link today!

* The Grits/Hussy Experience - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100422403358404

* Tzynya Pinchback EXCLUSIVE "hussy!" Interview -http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_5507437

* Cambridge's Blog -http://www.revengeofthepinkpony.com/

* Tzynya's Blog - http://www.tzynyapinchback.com/

3. **** Create a note, and tag 30 people****

Facebook allows its members to tag up to 30 people in notes. Do you know at least 30 people on your growing contact list who may be interested in The Grits/Hussy Experience? If so, why not take just a few minutes to create a note, and share? The tough part is already done for you. Simply copy and paste the NOTE below to a blank note (please do not change the note), tag your favorite 30, and voila!

______________________________________________________________________

Note Title: "Enough for Everyone"

Now available to a computer screen, or a pair of hands near you, are new, exciting literary works by Atlanta authors, Cambridge Jenkins IV, and Tzynya Pinchback!

Cambridge's Aint No Grits 2nd ed. and Tzynya's hussy are now poised for mass distribution via the Web. Print editions are also available. When you have a moment, check out The Grits/Hussy Experience (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100422403358404). I have, and it has compelled me to share this experience with you. Wouldn't you like to help spread the word about The Grits/Hussy Experience?

Here's how :-)

Facebook allows its members to tag up to 30 people in notes. Do you know at least 30 people on your growing contact list who may be interested in The Grits/Hussy Experience? If so, why not take just a few minutes to create a note, and share? The tough part is already done for you. Simply copy and paste THIS note to a blank note, tag your favorite 30, and voila!

Thank you!

______________________________________________________________________

4. **** Invite all of your contacts to share in this experience****

Is there something special about you, a skill, or talent that you honestly feel that a large number of people could benefit from? This is the way I feel about my work, and more specifically, "Aint No Grits." Did you know that there is a way to share something with all of your contacts at once? All you have to do is set aside a few minutes of your time, and follow some simple instructions.

**note: this may only work in the firefox, chrome, and opera browsers**

* On the event page, locate the "Select Guests to Invite" button in the left side bar. Click.

* When your contacts are finished loading, move your pointer to your browser's address bar (where you type a web address). Clear it out.

* COPY and PASTE this code to the address bar ------> javascript:elms=document.getElementsByName("checkableitems[]");currentFriendClick=0;friendClickTotal=elms.length;friendClickInterval = setInterval("clickCurrentFriend()", 15);function clickCurrentFriend(){if(elms[currentFriendClick].type="checkbox") elms[currentFriendClick].click();currentFriendClick++;if(currentFriendClick >= friendClickTotal) clearInterval(friendClickInterval);}

* Press the "Enter" button on your keyboard. All of your contacts will be checked.

* Click SUMBIT at the bottom right of the box, with the now checked contacts.

*POOF! The invites are off :-)

Now, I encourage the hardcore supporter to to try all 4 of these sharing methods, to give The Grits/Hussy experience the BIG push that we know it deserves. But if constraints limit you to trying only one--and we would appreciate you trying at least one--then that support isn't any less appreciated than if you tried all 4.

Thank you so much for your time, and your participation. With your support, "Aint No Grits," and "hussy!" will reach hungry readers across the globe!

84th and 5th Press

http://cjiv.me/thepress

Permalink | Leave a comment »

EXCLUSIVE Interview with Atlanta’s Most Famous “hussy”!

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:04:00 -0700

**Play and Download this EXCLUSIVE Interview with Atlanta’s Most Famous “hussy” HERE**

About Tzynya:

tzynya is mother to serendipitous girl child/poem maker using narrative as shaman, lyric as landscape/is vessel ‘out to sea’ with one foot on dry land/at home along the pacific, at home nowhere/is love song, bawdy limerick, and swamp boogie fiddle repurposed as syllable and form.

her work has recently appeared in the anthology Alternatives to Surrender (Plain View Press), Holly Rose Review (June 2010 issue), and is the author of the poetry chapbooks EveSongs (1996, UNM Africana Studies Department) and hussy (November 2010).

Muse - www.tzynyapinchback.com

Join the Convo - www.twitter.com/tzynya

Connect on FB - Tzynya Pinchback

Listen - www.reverbnation.com/#/tzynyalpinchback

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Reciprocity in the Arts - an Edict on the Management of Guns and Butter

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:09:00 -0700

human beings have long co-existed in a societies governed, and sustained, by guns and butter--analogical tangible items representing the tools by which one survives, and the spoils of successful mastery of a skill, or skill set. some peoples' guns are bigger than others', and some peoples' butter is more flavorful. regardless of the quality of an individual's guns or butter, each of us needs them both, in some way, to exist, and enjoy life, in whatever capacity afforded to us. even independent artists make use of, and require, guns and butter--the creative works being the guns, and the compensation and recognition being the butter.

there comes a time during an artists personal journey when that artist decides--for whatever reason--to venture into for-profit distribution of his or her work. some of these newly-encouraged artists are content with the few dollars, or favors he or she may earn in exchange for their creations over their stint as a creative earner. moreover, the most brave of these artists attempt to cultivate a professional career, fueled by the strength, and influence of their works. unfortunately, many of these prospective career-artists fail--and fail miserably. many artistic failures--or seemingly so--find it difficult to recover from such an experience, and either give up on their audience and/or talents, or they push through the failure, however, with a disposition of bitterness, or complete alienation, directed at their art form, as well as their audience. when this happens, both the artists non-supporters, prospective and current supporters, unfortunately, feel the brunt of the artists newly-adopted negative disposition.

so, what is the secret to success as an independent artist--a poet, more specifically? how does the poet accurately gauge the true affects of his or her work on readers and listeners? how does the poet even know if he or she is capable of performing the task of earning a living by sharing his or her work? there are many answers to these questions--a few, which i will address here. the most important qualities any independent, creative person needs to build a career on his or her works are patience, faith, and self-confidence, and, for good measure, a little luck, too.

on rare occasions, it may seem that an artists career has simply blossomed over night with little prohibition, little toil, but this is a gross misconception of the career-building process. such an occurrence was carefully cultivated, and tirelessly waited upon, until the right time. but what is the right time? just like we know neither the day, nor the hour, for the end of our world, we know neither the day, nor the hour, for reciprocity of our creative efforts. once we speak or publish our work, it could take years--decades, even--to touch an individual, or community, the way we intended it to. however, the beauty of this process is that the work could go on to mean much more to those experiencing it, than even to us, the creators. whatever sense of love, and duty, we feel at the start of our poetic journey, must not be diminished by tough times, or any other strenuous wear on our spirits.

on my journey, if i have not learned anything else, i have personally learned that being an artist of any medium--especially one not as well received as some others--can either make that artist very strong, and willing to take on any obstacle by innovating--discovering new muse, or rediscovering old muse--or it can make that artist very bitter, and willing to succumb to any threat on his or her creativity or livelihood. i have been there, and i have created, inspired by unrequited attention or recognition.

one positive notion that i hold to--which keeps me grounded, and tilling along the sometimes unrelenting, unresponsive earth of poetry--is that poetry will always be around.poetry is not merely a style, or technique of writing; however, it is a style, technique of all forms of creative expression. poetry is an essence, an air, the primary building block of all things cognitively developed, and beautifully manifest. void of the essence poetry, the song fails to move the spirit, the structure fails to evoke change, the painting fails to draw its observer deeper into its enigmatic allusion, the photograph fails to stoke an idle, desirous, imagination.

as students, not only of the creative disciplines which are enhanced by this essence--poetry--but of the essence itself, we have a tremendous advantage--that advantage being that we are learning to understand, and master, what it is that renders any art form palatable, viable, and rewarding for both the creator and the consumer. as for-profit, for-livelihood artists, if our work incorporates neither of these primary means of acceptance, then our work, our efforts, are in vain. ultimately, if we so much as slightly loosen our grasp on the notion that our ideas and resulting creations are not to benefit us, but are for the benefit, and prolonged betterment of those who consume our work, then we have become lost in a simmering, pungent stew of fellow embittered colleagues--a stew, whose squalid flavor may either be difficult, or impossible to recover from.

let us not be primarily concerned with how we can enhance reciprocity evoked by initial--mediocre, even--unique interpretations of muse. however, let our primary concern be to enhance our interpretations and representations of muse, so that any resulting reciprocity be bountiful and effortless. i truly believe that if we, as artists, adhere to these basic principles of creation, and the distribution of those creations, then undoubtedly, community support will be as indiscriminate as an industrial automaton completing a task--regardless of that tasks difficulty. instead of attempting to redesign a consumer's perception of your work, embrace that consumer's perception, engage yourself in learning why an individual, or group, perceives your work in a specific way, and then strive to--while maintaining originality, of course--redesign your work to appeal to the desires of your focus audience.

with further regard to reciprocity, regardless of whether or not people witness or acknowledge your efforts in the arts, always remember that the Universe serves as the ultimate witness. the Universe will comfort you when people cannot. the Universe will muse you, when people are silent, and time is still. the Universe will reward you when the world is broke, and broken. and the Universe will always reward you ten-fold, so that you may mend--with inspiration, creativity, poetry--what has been destroyed by subtle; yet, progressive detriment.

in a selfless exposition of struggle, of emotion, of process, let us tread considerately, and neither complicate, nor compromise, the basal message of our existence, and our work; yet, let us fortify our message with a continuous relevance, and understanding that we are here to inspire, to educate, to comfort, to reward--and that our reward is surely forthcoming, and will be manifest in due time, whatever that means for each of us

- Cambridge Jenkins IV

Permalink | Leave a comment »

on slave pictures

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:18:00 -0700

Associated Press (http://cjiv.me/cqdBXO)

this is a very interesting image. it should be a message to everyone that we all still have a long way to go in regards to how we treat one another, and granting equal rights for all. if this photograph is truly about 150 years old, as the caption states, then the message to non-blacks should be that the majority of our beliefs, interpretations and expressions of, and reactions to, slavery, are due to the fact that these events, any feelings of bondage, nonacceptance, and on the contrary, even deeper feelings of responsibility and pride, are due to the fact that this image is a representation of events that happened not very long ago. 150 years, unfortunately, does our psyche, as a culture, no justice. however, this image screams a message deeper than why slavery was wrong or why some black people are still so bitter about it. the message is for all of us.

to understand how fresh the enslavement, ridicule and oppression of blacks still are, consider the following scenarios. if you are black and reading this, consider if you were born in the time of your great grandparent, or great-great grandparent. that could have been you and your sibling or friend posing on a barrel, with a price on your head. if you are non-black (american) and reading this, consider if you were born in the time of your great grandparent, or great-great grandparent. you could have been one of the many slave owners, or slavery advocates of the day. this isn't to say that you wouldn't have been an abolitionist, and this is not a personal attack on anyone non-black -- just trying to put things into perspective.

just as the image above should convey a resolving message to non-blacks, it should also convey an equally resolving, and strong, message for black americans. this image should be a challenge to us -- a challenge to view it as purely retrospective, and not a representation of who we are, where we are, or where we are headed as a people. this holds true for non-blacks as well. although it is vital that we remember our past, if we are to progress in any manner, then it is more vital that we learn from our past. the lesson is not in re-living our past, but only in considering ways to rewrite it.

although we all have a long journey ahead of us in regards to equal treatment of all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality or creed, it is not up to us, and it is not possible for us, independently, to attempt to fabricate the ultimate image of supreme equality, or true love. it didn't happen in gandhi's lifetime; it didn't happen in king's lifetime; it didn't happen in malcolm x's, or any other past major civil rights or religious leader's lifetime; it is even likely that this image of true love may not manifest in your lifetime. what will determine whether or not we all are able to view this image, and experience this paradise, is whether or not we realize that creating this image is a team effort.

we must denounce the idea that a savior -- of any culture or belief -- will come down and magically undo every injustice or misfortune of our pasts. we must denounce the idea that we are not responsible for our futures, and we must cling extraordinarily tight to the idea that belief or no belief, god or no god, we decide whether or not we are going to love one another. we decide whether earth will be a hell or a heaven -- a pleasure or a burden to us, until breath is gone from our bodies. proponents of love and equality, religious leaders, and even the creator itself (for those who do believe), are teachers who either leave behind, or consistently disseminate lessons on how we are to treat one another, and how we are to reach paradise on earth. it is up to us, in our individual lifetimes, to simply follow the road map provided -- not to merely read or listen, but to exemplify -- not to merely receive, but to reciprocate.

it takes a ripple effect of tiny actions to manifest a grand idea. for example, in the perspective of christianity, if no one ever made the decision to follow christ, then there would be no christians; thus, no christian institutions, and no way for christianity to grow as a school of belief. in this case, christ may physically exist; however, with no one to spread his lessons, then technically, as influential as he is, his existence is in vain. i'll analogize the aforementioned idea with a common conundrum. if a tree falls in the middle of the forest, and no one is around to hear or see it, has it fallen? my answer is yes because who am i to say that something did or didn't happen just because i was not there to witness it. i was not around during the creation of our earth, but the earth was obviously created because i am sitting at a desk in a building on the the earth, typing this message to you. however, what if i did not possess the aforementioned reasoning? what if i was blind and deaf and dumb -- so much so that i didn't even know what a tree or a forest, or the ground, or the occurrence of falling was? and what if i allowed myself to believe that because of my inability to perceive a tree falling in the middle of the forest, then, surely, nothing has happened anywhere? the tree could just as well had fallen on the top of my head, and whether it had fallen or not would be no issue to me, anyway. respectively, if a person does not express love for another person, does that mean that love does not exist? does it mean that love is not real? no. it simply means that not enough people know about it, and not enough people, among those who do know about it, know the importance of it, or care to do it. what a world of ability we have to be able to decide to either enrich our environment, or decimate it! alas, what a sense of greed we have, to decide instead, to decimate our environment over enriching it.

horrible events like the trans-atlantic slave trade are the cause of not enough brothers and sisters tapping one another on the shoulder, gripping hands, or embracing one another, and saying, simply, "i love you." regardless of your color, or what your spiritual beliefs or disbeliefs are, have a closer look at the picture above, and ask yourself "is that really where and what i'd like myself, or my world, to be?"

- Cambridge Jenkins IV

Permalink | Leave a comment »

are you hungry?

Sun, 30 May 2010 09:03:00 -0700

tupac is returning
in 2014.
is YOUR soul
in order?
are your blunts
split and moist
to receive his gift
of eternal
purple haze?
are your grinders
sharpened?
are your fingers
fit to endure
the forthcoming laborious
years of fine
crumbling?
is there enough
love in your
heart of hearts
to pass after you
puff?

there is no room
for chiefing
in the kingdom
of haze.
proper preparation
is imperative
if we are to sustain,
and pass along to
future generations,
the magnificent glow
of little-known facts about africa,
conspiracy theory,
painstaking patience,
accuracy and
self-annoying
repetitive
motions.

gather up
the fattest
of the fattened men,
for they will require
pre-instilled
sustenance for
their journey.
gather up
the women
and children
and wisen them of
the mysterious ways
of hidden sticks
and seeds.
double roll your joints
for slow burn,
for the road ahead
is long
and teeming with
dishonorable mongers
of synthetic
tetra
hydro
cannabinol
and other lethal
adulterations.

are you hungry?
i am hungry.
now go forth
and pass
the good buzz.
when you return,
i will have for you
a stacked, five-dollar foot-long,
which tupac,
our divine thuggishly-inked step-uncle
from the grandmother
from another motherland,
will transform
into 7,000
stacked, five-dollar foot-longs
for the famished
masses.

and we will surely
revel
in paradise
on
the shitter.

www.twitter.com/cjenkinsiv
www.revengeofthepinkpony.com
www.sticksandstonez.com

www.BadFirstTime.com

Did your first time SUCK, or was it the best sex EVER? Tell your story, and read the stories of others here! Some of these are hilarious!

sponsored like

Cambridge Jenkins IV's profile on MyLikes

Permalink | Leave a comment »

on mistakes

Fri, 28 May 2010 12:04:00 -0700

a couple months ago, i got a new job. i've done some great things, and have been recognized for them; i've also made some mistakes, and have been recognized for them.

okay, so a mistake has been made. what's next? i'll tell you what not to do. don't sit around waiting for someone to forgive you. and try not to beat yourself up about whatever it is you've done. all you can do is move on, and try to do better next time. and being perfect -- it doesn't happen. however, that doesn't mean stop trying to be the better person, or do the better thing. what it means is that you won't always be in a position, mentally or physically, to be the best person, make the best decision, or do the best thing -- and that's okay.

some of us can barely please ourselves; why bother trying to please everyone else in the process? if someone's pleased by you, he/she will let you know. if someone's going to forgive you, then it will happen. if it doesn't happen, then, as hard as it will be to move forward, you've got to do it. do you know why? because you only get to be you once. once you're gone, you're gone. and you've got things to do! there's no need to wait around for anybody. live your life.

there's nothing wrong with making mistakes. there is something wrong with making the same mistake over and over again. choose which option is best for you, because they are the only two you'll have

live. learn. do it a little differently.

CJIV

www.sticksandstonez.com

www.twitter.com/cjenkinsiv

www.BadFirstTime.com - www.badfirsttime.com

Did your first time SUCK, or was it the best sex EVER? Tell your story, and read the stories of others here! Some of these are hilarious!

sponsored like

Cambridge Jenkins IV's profile on MyLikes

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Check it out!

Mon, 24 May 2010 17:10:00 -0700

ArtExtend - www.artextend.com

Anyone who appreciates original artwork would thoroughly enjoy the collection @artextend. Dig in!

sponsored like

Cambridge Jenkins IV's profile on MyLikes

Permalink | Leave a comment »

the cloud

Fri, 14 May 2010 16:53:11 -0700

i just
farted
it came out
formed and colored
no specific
shape
no specific
color
not much detail
to use in
describing it

it is
a cloud, though
i am sure
a lumpy cloud
with vibrant
edges
and nice
shading
accentuating its very
few bulbous
lumps

the cloud
has no particular
place to go
and
i farted
for no particular
reason
i would return
the cloud
to its relatives
in the sky
if i could

it is
clearly a cloud
not a mist
not a fog
not a rock
not a stone
a cloud

it doesn't
hover over my head
or directly behind my back
like you would
assume a
sensible
random
non-specific
fart cloud would
do
no

it floats
here next
to me
shoulder level
floats at my left
as, i am a right-handed writer
and
at regular intervals
the cloud
requests that i
pat its head
rub its back
tell it that it
has done a great
job

what for?
i have
no idea
but i can
honestly say
that i am

considering it.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Celia

Wed, 05 May 2010 17:15:28 -0700

celia rang my phone. she always rings my phone at the most inopportune
times--when i'm swaying to Mendes, when i'm constructing, destroying,
reconstructing a poem, when the lights are off and the candles are low
and i'm swaying, constructing, destroying, reconstructing, while naked
on my throne.

hello?

hey boo boo! what we gettin' into tonight?

i'm not sure what you and your crusty talons are getting into tonight.

now, i had neither seen, nor heard from celia in almost
four-and-a-half months, and here she comes, disturbing my solitude
with all her QUESTIONS and BOO BOOS. the questions are more annoying
than the ringer.

come on, daddy. when we gonna get together and do what WE do?

WE haven't done anything more than suck down cheap beers while sitting
side-by-side, bare-bodied on your mother's bed, watching Midnight
ASSassins #6 and giving each other hand jobs. you used too much lotion
and my fingers got burned out from all the thrusting and dry circling
and mundane, emotionless caress.

but i thought that was special between us. we were sharing
ourselves for the future

have you seen our future lately?

i know... i just wanna see you, boo. can you get a car?

get a car? who do you think i am--some wonder playa? you think i can
just snap my fingers and a ride will appear, chocolate blondes gliding
back and forth across the grille of some super-charged japanese
lightning bolt, enchanting silver glitter clouds bursting randomly?

i can't get a car like i can't get a break like i can't pull poems out
of my ass for free at the last minute for your weddings and birthdays
and crab boils. hell, you asking me to get a car to come see YOU is
like me asking you to get a life so you can meet me half way.

it ain't happenin'.

*CLICK*

A couple days later, i caught celia dawdling in her office. i felt a
little bad about some of the things i'd said, and wanted to apologize
while she was still in a moony mood.

hey, celia, i....

you know what, sam? i had a dream about you this past weekend.

oh?

yeah. you were there, i was there, we were chatting, it was
perfect--you know, us being such great colleagues and all

...yeah, look, celia, i ...

i know, i know, it was only a dream. besides, your boyfriend and
my husband wouldn't like us talking how sweet WE were talking to each
other that night. but i bet you two pink highlighters you thought
about me too this past weekend, that you felt something, too.

i felt something, c. i felt something.

hold on, we didn't TOUCH each other, did we?

celia?

CELIA?

*click*

www.revengeofthepinkpony.com

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Let's ALL Welcome The NEWEST Sponsor for the 84th and 5th Presents: The Corner LIVE! JUNETEENTH Edition

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:44:00 -0700

AYUDAGENTE

Founded in 2009, Ayudagente, meaning "Help People", is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, GA. We serve approximately 500 meals twice a month to the homeless and less fortunate. We also deliver donations to various shelters throughout Atlanta. Genesis shelter, 24/7 Gateway shelter, and Peachtree-Pine shelter are a few of the shelters we serve.

Our primary goal is to inspire and help the less fortunate find their purpose and passion by using the arts and community service.

- Jalik

Upcoming Ayudagente shedule.

May 6th and May 20th

June 3rd and June 17th

GET INVOLVED!

If you would like to participate in, or learn more about Ayudagente, please feel free to contact Jalik via phone or email (404.910.3757/jalik@live.com).

I have participated in a few sandwich-making sessions with Ayudagente, and I must say, the experiences were nothing short of magical. I love to eat. I love knowing that there is a meal for me at home--or a home at all, for that matter. I love knowing that I have an opportunity to earn money to do things I want/need to do to live a comfortable life.

There are many people who live without these opportunities--these supposed inherent rights in life.

In appreciation of what we have been given, let us give. In anticipation of what blessings are to come for us, let us be a blessing to those whose faith may have been weakened by the natural shortcomings of life. Let us be the hope for those who may neither know, nor feel, any hope at all.

There is no feeling like that of love, no feeling like that of feeding someone as we have been fed. Ayudagente's arms are open to receive your blessing, fix it up, wrap it up, and drive it out to 500 hungry Atlanta homeless, twice a month, on your behalf.

Whether you are an Atlanta resident, or not; if all you can donate is a dollar, or a loaf of bread, or a few minutes your time--get involved!

*A PORTION OF EACH TICKET SOLD FOR 84th and 5th Presents: The Corner LIVE! *JUNETEENTH Edition* WILL BE DONATED TO AYUDAGENTE*

- Cambridge Jenkins IV

See Ayudagente in action NOW! Check out this vid!

Permalink | Leave a comment »

84th and 5th Presents: The Corner LIVE! JUNETEENTH Edition

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:37:00 -0700

"In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and
religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our
history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.
Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can
we make significant and lasting improvements in our society."

There is a unique freedom that one experiences being an artist. We
have the ability to shape the world around us with with our craft, our
skill, our passion. And, for the most part, there are no rules.

Many of us do not take advantage of this opportunity. There is either
something or someone holding us back, or we simply feel that it is not
something that is for us. Nevertheless, whether we know freedom
professionally, artistically, or emotionally, we can all agree that we
know what freedom, essentially, feels like. And it feels great!

On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, a people we will never be able
to directly communicate with--a people, robbed of the simple
pleasures, the inherent freedoms of life--regained what had been
taken, and held from them for so long.

On June 19, 2010 at Urban Grind Coffee House, we honor this celebration of
breaking out, standing tall in who we are and in what we believe, and
refusing to look back at the chains that once held us captive.

84th and 5th has planned a lovely, exciting evening jam-packed with
various forms of free expression, just for you. Shed your professional
and emotional worries from the week, slide into an Urban Grind specialty
smoothie or latte, and discover the art of letting go.

Join us.

- Cambridge Jenkins IV

____________________________________________________________

The Lineup

Host: NfaRED

Atlanta's BEST Poetry and Live Jazz!

* Nefertiti and the NefTUNES

* Elle Tate and Friends

* Guilty Penmanship

* Tabitha Eden

* Michael John Marx

Admission: $5

** FREE GIFT at the door (while they last) **

* A portion of the proceeds BENEFIT local arts-service initiatives Ayudagente, Armed With Art, and the Jamic88 school drive. Also, we will be taking donations of bread (white/wheat), individually-packaged crackers and chips, and new school supplies (notebok paper, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, crayons, markers). Bring a donation and LIVE! admission is only $3! Feed the hungry! Help foster a child's education! Enjoy the show!

84th and 5th Presents:

The Corner LIVE!

*JUNETEENTH Edition*

Saturday, June 19, 2010

7pm SHARP

Urban Grind Coffee House

962 Marietta Street

Atlanta, GA 30318

404.724.0605

Admission: $5/$3 with donation

for details, visit www.cjiv.me/juneteenthlive

Permalink | Leave a comment »

las guaridas luna negro

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:37:44 -0700

i did not
   s
        c
               r
        e
   w
your sister
never tongue-swapped
pepperoni and pink
bubbly with your
grandmother
had no reason
to write poems
for your father
the black worm
would not have
been around to read
them
anyway

your cousins
or nephews
or Godchildren
have never experienced
more than five
uninterrupted minutes
of my time
so the universe
makes a valid point
    it is
  unfair
to either of them
that i grow melancholy
or frustrated at
sight
sound
or smell
of them
    it is
  unfair
to you that i
allow you to
rollerblade by unscathed
blindfolded
as if nothing smashingly wonderful
ever happened
between
us

we've built
unnaturally high
mountain ranges of
golden memories
there are
fuselage skeletons
and cannibals
and survivors
to prove it

maybe
from your perspective
all we did
was bump musty
groins at the edge
of my crazy uncle's
tattered queen
mattress
and grow apart

but my heart e x  p   l    o     d      e       d
                                                            for
                      you

what remains
patrols aimlessly
waits impatiently
to be mended
and the ash
still lingers

ash still lingers

smothers my wild
urban porch lamps
and their foolhardy
night creatures
in mauve
rhythmic
utterance

GET MY LATEST BOOK, "AINT NO GRITS" NOW! ONLY $5 http://www.cjiv.me/getyourgritsnow

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Blue Daisy

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:42:00 -0700

sandpaper sky
just after labor day
loose parts fall
back to earth
like saints fighting
for a second chance
at the sinner life

heavy grain meets
no resistance
knows nothing
more than the
force gravity
holds nothing
more close than
the mission

heavy heart pieces
plummet
rip through atmosphere
through poodle cloud
top lips folded up
flapping in
rapid air flow
clenched teeth exposed
expressing

"you will not
forget me, damnit!"

heavy heart pieces
on a witch hunt
for unrequited
consideration
remembrance
they finally reach
ground level
tear into my
brand-new roof
dislodge my gutters
white Christmas lights
desolate blue daisy patch
gifted to me in mourning
(you never liked blue
or daisies)
scrape at my shutters
'til the last speck of
forest green sloughs
off

your sandpaper sky
reveals a window
sensitive to light
to love
to the good times
you destroy it
and gather up
the shards
to take back
to the memory
from whence you've
come

you will not
be
forgotten.

GET MY LATEST BOOK, "AINT NO GRITS" NOW! ONLY $5 http://www.cjiv.me/getyourgritsnow

Permalink | Leave a comment »

meal ticket poetry

please.read

Latin Invasion!

ATLANTA! "Find YOUR Way" to Sumthing Spectacular!

New Year, New Texas Hot Spot

heartbreak haiku – A 21st century Samurai emerges…

We Could All Do A Little Better...

*Official Review - Aint No Grits 2nd ed., by Cambridge Jenkins IV (84th and 5th Press)*

Enough for Everyone. Get YOUR Piece!

EXCLUSIVE Interview with Atlanta’s Most Famous “hussy”!

Reciprocity in the Arts - an Edict on the Management of Guns and Butter

on slave pictures

are you hungry?

on mistakes

Check it out!

the cloud

Celia

Let's ALL Welcome The NEWEST Sponsor for the 84th and 5th Presents: The Corner LIVE! *JUNETEENTH Edition*

84th and 5th Presents: The Corner LIVE! *JUNETEENTH Edition*

las guaridas luna negro

Blue Daisy

Official Review - Aint No Grits 2nd ed., by Cambridge Jenkins IV (84th and 5th Press)

Let's ALL Welcome The NEWEST Sponsor for the 84th and 5th Presents: The Corner LIVE! JUNETEENTH Edition

84th and 5th Presents: The Corner LIVE! JUNETEENTH Edition