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    Beyond an Era: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, And Spoken Word (Volume Two)
    Beyond an Era: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, And Spoken Word (Volume Two)
    Beyond an Era: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, And Spoken Word (Volume Two)
    Ebook185 pages1 hour

    Beyond an Era: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, And Spoken Word (Volume Two)

    By DeJuan Cuffee

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    About this ebook

    Beyond an Era: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Spoken Word (Volume Two) is the second of a three-book trilogy in which the author, DeJuan (Sultan), continues to alter the poetic landscape as we know it. Once again setting the bar high with each poem in this anthology, the author continues to take you on a magical journey in which you’ll get his unique and eloquently stated perspectives on life. There are plenty of highlights to choose from in this book, whether its DeJuan proudly expressing his love and joy for his beautiful daughter, or the very poem he read to his lovely bride at their wedding, the sheer suspense or comedy of his storytelling stanzas with life lessons throughout, or his hip-hop inspired lyricism, from his protest poetry (informative passages revealing the treacheries of institutional racism), to a conscious voice speaking directly to the Black community, Beyond an Era is a collection of poems that will both entertain and enlighten the reader, taking you through a series of emotions, all along merely scratching the surface of what lies beneath.

    Enjoy the ride.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateJan 31, 2017
    ISBN9781483591926
    Beyond an Era: The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, And Spoken Word (Volume Two)

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      Book preview

      Beyond an Era - DeJuan Cuffee

      Author

      Introduction

      Welcome to Beyond an Era, which is volume two of my three book trilogy, The Cure for Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Spoken Word. This is the continuation of my poetry anthology in which I continue to take delight in entertaining and enlightening the reader. Once again there are a wide range of topics and subject matter that I delve into, anything from protest poetry (tackling issues of racism and injustice), family, love and romance, music, sports, Black culture and consciousness, everyday life experiences, social issues, fantasy, and what some like to call hip-hop inspired lyricism, that and much more are all covered in here. Also, like the previous volume the usual personas or alter egos, as I like to call them, are present. You get to hear to from the Sultan, the Don, and of course DeJuan.

      For those who haven’t had the pleasure of being introduced to them previously, here is a brief rundown on the personas.

      DeJuan – This persona is more down to earth, and very humble, and he is the fiery voice of protest poetry you’ll hear throughout this book, especially on issues involving racial discord and the injustices against Black people. He defends the exploited and oppressed, and attacks the oppressor. This is the persona that the audience often relates to the most, in terms of what the poet is trying to get across, his voice is reflective, as he loves to apply life lessons and common sense, and essentially, teach the audience. Also, in this volume, he gives you a glimpse into the loves of his life, his lovely wife Marsha Cuffee, and their beautiful daughter Brooke Cuffee.

      Sultan – Ah yes, the forever confident Sultan, this persona is larger than life, with an ego as wide as the universe, as he likes to say; this persona has the personality at times of a battle MC or rapper, at times using his words as weapons. The Sultan is a huge fan of himself, and swears he is the greatest poet ever, he loves to reference space and aliens to make the point that he is beyond this place (earth), which basically brings home the point that he is not your average cat, he is truly a unique specimen.

      The Don – This persona is the ladies’ man, at times thinking he is God’s gift to women, smooth, fly, and debonair, and a superhero of sorts in the bedroom. Yet another confident persona, but with a hint of vulnerability, and at times displaying class and chivalry. Still the Pure Romanticist Locked in Time, he is often found chasing Julie, his love interest in many a poem. As stated in the previous volume, Julie is not an actual person, she is a combination of experiences involving love, lust, romance, and passion. She evolves over time, her race varies, at times she is a Black woman, other times she is a White woman, and in some cases, she may even be an elf (which was her original depiction) depending on the particular piece of poetry.

      In addition to the various personas, this book introduces another guest author, Christopher Reid (The Mighty Reid), who is featured on two poems in this book, Eve of the First Run and Grapple.

      So, without further ado, enjoy the journey I’m about to take you on, and dine upon the splendid cuisine of poetry displayed on the pages ahead.

      Chapter One: The Saga Continues

      Brooke Madison

      (2015)

      Miracles happen every day,

      so I suppose it is time to put my princess on display,

      her birth filled Marsha and I with such elation,

      a poet by reputation,

      but in all my years of creating,

      everything I’ve ever done or thought falls woefully short

      when compared to this creation,

      that being Brooke’s placement on this planet,

      now I realize there is much more understanding

      and planning in the definition of what a man is,

      and what a Father does,

      unconditional love as I see life through a different set of lenses,

      the layers are present,

      but altered are my dimensions,

      frozen was time when I held her for the first time,

      and no matter how many rehearsed lines or reversed rhymes,

      words cannot describe me feeling like the most fortunate man alive,

      surely being a Father trumps a mere scribe,

      the Sultan only wanted a bride,

      but to one day potentially be a father to one

      most certainly shoves aside all the wasted shrapnel of pride,

      which coincides with ego and my saga having a sequel,

      never have I been prouder,

      never have God’s words been louder,

      than when we birthed Brooke Madison Cuffee into existence,

      all the good decisions and persistence led us here,

      I look forward to our future years,

      as we shoot through fears,

      and float on the joys and happiness this world can bring us,

      a kingdom to sustain us,

      we shall remain just until our maker claims us…

      A tryst named trust,

      God’s timing can’t be rushed,

      what was once deemed immaculate, adjusts,

      now there is personified brilliance and the fate that awaits us,

      won’t say perfection,

      but it is amazing our blessings,

      bad habits become lessons,

      brainwaves provide flashbacks to my adolescent years,

      and now we are here,

      as Brooke smiles and more of her personality appears,

      the playful antics of pleasure that echo about,

      tummy time, nap time,

      as we anticipate each and every utterance

      that comes out of her pretty little mouth,

      hope conquers doubt,

      and with children the potential is limitless,

      no longer will pettiness limit bliss,

      the bigger picture is now a video of sorts,

      excuse me if I refuse to acknowledge the warts,

      positivity in abundance and force,

      Brooke is destiny’s darling,

      sparkling is her fortune,

      perfected portraits by the portion…

      Watching as our Brooke crawls towards another milestone,

      loving the fact that I’m able to communicate my blessing in a poem,

      wisdom roams,

      for my past ignorance I’ve atoned,

      our great fortune wasn’t loaned,

      but given by the almighty,

      a creation made out of love that looks just like me,

      I stumbled upon greatness despite me,

      will Marsha and I have another,

      more than likely,

      the joy of parenthood is indescribable,

      it has no rival,

      you won’t know until you experience it,

      in all seriousness,

      our lives have changed forever,

      another creation now carries that third letter,

      I was once told that as a man

      I have to have a strategic plan so that what God gives me,

      last after I’m gone…

      Close Your Blinds

      (2014)

      The problem with some recovery groups is that some never graduate,

      isn’t it a crime how sex and violence fascinate,

      while your sanity procrastinates,

      idle time masturbates

      until another horrible statistic takes shape,

      in this piece, Superman is choked to death by his own cape,

      and there is no escape

      from a fate being gang-raped into place,

      about as subtle as a pistol shoved in your face,

      the troubling stench of waste

      as fear and terror invade your private space…

      close your blinds,

      or else chaos will shatter your spine,

      close your blinds,

      or risk losing your minds,

      close your blinds,

      maybe no harm will come to your kind,

      close your blinds

      and remain oblivious to the end of times

      Your best friend was murdered over a 05’ Honda Accord,

      as a couple of juveniles formed blazing swords,

      each one as high as Hendrix’s amazing chords,

      heartbreak is the sustaining chorus,

      when it rains it pours,

      now the 5-0 has called for its remaining force,

      the massacre will be plastered all over the local news,

      and rehashed on Facebook, Twitter, and various vocal booths,

      you high and mighty(s) choke on truth,

      safely tucked inside your fabled fortresses

      until you realize the jokes on you,

      crime’s influence saw its way through,

      as the misfortune of further gunplay

      ensured your kids couldn’t enjoy their youth,

      as the radio blasted,

      I’ll make you prove that it’s bulletproof…

      close your blinds,

      or else chaos will shatter your spine,

      close your blinds,

      or risk losing your minds,

      close your blinds,

      maybe no harm will come to your kind,

      close your blinds

      and remain oblivious to the end of times

      Stick another dagger in this one,

      you don’t always need a flowery verse to state wisdom,

      the shit’s dumb,

      all this aimless destruction,

      our gunplay has the Klansmen fucking,

      lusting at the murder rate,

      while other classist eat it up like a burger plate,

      the harshness of life breaks you like a vertebra,

      while these politicians continue to perpetrate,

      like they give a damn,

      to some the word of God may as well be green eggs and ham,

      Enjoying the preview?
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