LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES
the poet tree of Strainj
by
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My hood is so noisy I’ve heard car horns honking, the sound of no patience Helicopters hovering over my house, the sound of surveillance I’ve heard a man thrown in the back of a police car, the sound of freedom gone A little boy talking back to his mother, the sound of a fatherless home I’ve heard ambulance sirens, the sound of an accident A landlords knock on the door go unanswered, the sound of no rent I’ve heard the homeless ask for food, the sound of people in need Two guys plotting on robbing a barber shop, the sound of greed I’ve heard high school drop outs brag on how good they used to ball, the sound of not making it Gun shoots letting off around the corner, the sound of hatred I heard my homie got his 3rd strike, the sound of a lesson unlearned More gun shots from around the corner the sound of hatred returned I’ve heard a man sadly tell his wife and kids there losing the house, the sound of being laid off A 13 year old girl saying she’s pregnant, the sound of innocence lost I’ve heard some guys ditch school to smoke blunts, the sound of time wasting A preacher whooping and hollering in church, the sound of interpretation I’ve heard a woman in front of a motel offer sex for money, the sound of a heart where no love has been planted A close friend speak on committing suicide, the sound of life being taken for granted I’ve heard local politicians address the community, the sound of lies Foster children abused by foster parents, the sound of abandoned cries I’ve heard kids run and Yale with happiness, the sound of the ice cream truck hitting the block The same crack head everyday begging for money at the gas station, the sound of a habit that won’t stop I’ve heard blacks and Mexicans argue, the sound of two in the same boat trying to sink each other I’ve heard a women weep at her son’s funeral, the sound of a childless mother And in 92 I even heard a whole city get looted and set to fire, the sound of a L.A. riot! I've heard damn near everything in my hood... except for peace and quite
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About the Book
“LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES” is the most conscientious yet simplistic reflection of society's cascade written in poetic rhyme that an author can ever give a reader. The script in this book is written with bold honestly often in contemporary street lingo relevant to the writer's environmental influences that help seed these pieces. With subject matter ranging from substance abuse, child abandonment and rape to self esteem, materialism and racism, this book is a refreshing and much needed read in these dismal times of witch we live in. Strainj is constantly told by admirers that he “writes poetry for people that don't even like poetry”witch is probably why the common unartsy are attracted to Strainj's poetry so much. There is a very strong inspirational feel about these poems, relating to many walks of life, they're street corner at the same time office building, church pew at the same time park bench, tears at the same time smiles... all in harmony and promoting mental and spiritual ascension. All strainj asks is that you read this book with an open heart and mind, in other words... LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES.
About the Author
The question was posed, “what qualifies you to write this book of poetry?”my reply was, just like the notable greats Rabindranath Tagore, Rumi, Mark Twain, Langston Hughes and William Shakespeare often called the greatest writer and poet in the English language, I have no academic degrees or professional certifications in writing free verse, poetics or formal poetry. The world is my classroom and the life experiences of my self and others are my teachers earning me degrees in wisdom and understanding, making the heartfelt, thought provoking, sincerity of my poetry self certifying. My name Strainj (pronounced strange) meaning unusual or unfamiliarity is only fitting due to my emotionally moving, conscious/street style of writing and delivery. For the last few years I've been reciting my poems throughout Compton, Watts and my own hometown of Los Angeles receiving undeniable acceptance, that's why I'm so animated about releasing my first book of poetry and sharing words of light to all looking for change or as my slogan goes”from the mansions of the mind to the projects of the heart, let the principals of this script and your understanding of it never part”-Strainj poet/spoken word artist.