1. (Chapter 1: Diversity) The Short Stories

"The Greatest Poem Ever Told"

The wind blows from the Heavens as I sit here reading the literature passed down from the "Dead Poets Society" with a fine glass of ancient grapes...I laugh as Dante vividly describes how hot it is in the "Inferno"...yeah...love can burn the shit out of you ....but... a life in sin can also provide everlasting heat...at least...that's what vacation bible school taught me… even though I cheated in class...this made "Psalm 23" by the Psalmist hard to believe because I drank and smoked on so many trees...oh the elevation… but I digress...On this night Homer took me to "The Iliad" right after Shakespeare had me amazed with the "Sonnet 18"...my eyes stay tired but Langston asked me...What happens to a dream deferred?...the cool breeze smacked my reality and there was no answer to this question ...I'm only a mere mortal you guys....I'm only a mere mortal you guys ....so allow me the opportunity to share your stanzas with today's poets who knows no history...your writings are my history...can I join you Edgar as my fingers turn from "The Raven" to "Amazing Grace" by this guy called John Newton who was also a member… of the society that I would love to reside in forever… remember me guys....remember me as I remember "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelo or "Fog" by Carl Sandburg...man....the fog outside makes it hard for me to read "Requiem" but I push my eyes deeper into the page....deeper into immortality...deeper into "When I Consider How My Light Is Spent" by John Milton ...I sip the fresh grapes again and feel a slight buzz....oh hell....I'm almost drunk but sober enough to know that "Jordan" by George Herbert is a work of genius...I'm a genius because I'm not afraid to day dream.....I relax and think about how Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Hayden and Phyllis Wheatley would have viewed my Abstract World.....would they induct me....would they allow me in the Harlem Renaissance....would Henry Wadsworth Longfellow or Robert Frost allow me in their fraternity....I want to belong....I want to be a Poet....I want to be a name that lives on through words that capture the souls of all readers....just as the Dead Poets who continue to bless my spirit...continue to influence my pen and pad......continue to preach creativity...I got up and walked into the lobby… ran into Nikki Giovanni… who told me to never stop writing.....never stop the path to my destiny and a forgotten poet....you will never be......a forgotten poet.....you will never be......

107. “JESUS” (Chapter 4)

 By Anthony Chavon Hanes

To praise and worship you is never enough for the gift you provide me with… at 6am every morning… I awake to a day that has never been seen…Out the window I see a scene that is beautiful each time my eyes are open…its called life…its called existence…therefore I pray with persistence and humbleness…BLESSINGS…I know its not a mistake… and I never take for granted your mercy…your grace…I paced to the living room to grab some scripture…I challenge your scripture but I know its prescription  medicine to so many ills…non believers…face so many ills…I challenge the way man taint your laws but “JESUS”…you are my closet brother…my dearest friend…I read somewhere that you look just like me…your hair…similar to my grain…your height…we see eye to eye…you died…I live…therefore I reside on this side of Heaven facing Hell and dark angels…I want to be your favorite angel…I know my wings are only partially spread…I’m defiant but you love me nevertheless…to second guess your word has always been my personal conflict…when I drop to my knees…you solve most of my conflicts…”JESUS”…what really happened on that 3^rd day…I will ask that until my hair is gray…from Genesis to Revelation…I had a revelation…10 years ago I read with hesitation…some say Hell is waiting…this is my issue “JESUS”…I know you never told your disciples to spread the gospel through fear…here today…this is what they do…As you view this…know one thing is true…I will meditate to your vision until I can meditate no longer…your love…it maketh me stronger…the strongest vitamin could never mend my soul in comparison to the way you hold me… in your arms…I rest….in your arms…I have the shield of the father and the strength of the holy ghost…As I raise my hands to thee…I know that you are the King of Kings…no man can ever wear your crown…they tried…they died…There is only one red carpet and one star…not Hollywood…but heaven…that is the walk of fame…hall of fame and movie premier that I would like to attend…”JESUS”…at that time we can share a poem together…share a prayer together and…live in peace forever..