Homage to O'Keeffe's Grey Line

Homage to O'Keeffe's Blue Flower

Homage to O'Keeffe's Music

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see ~ Georgia O'Keeffe ~

Beauty?

In a garden amongst roses
A little daisy like flower sits
She looks in awe and amazement at her beautiful counterparts
What does it feel like to be so beautiful
To have every eye on you
People from all walks of life see you as beautiful without question
She feels invisible and an eyesore
She continues to be watered but not really nurtured
Her job is to make the roses look good
She's alright to look at, but not beautiful
One day someone decides that beauty looks like her
She is picked and taken away to the place where roses go
She's never been so she doesn't know what to expect
She is overwhelmed by this new experience
She begins to feel beautiful
Day after day she feels this way
Days turn into weeks
Weeks turn into months
Months turn into years
And that feeling begins to fade
Especially when she gets a glimpse of her reflection and sees
A daisy like flower
Never a rose

High

Sweet kisses all over the place
Make my heart race
Softly slowly and full of passion
They start up my engine
The feel of your hands on my skin
Cheek, ear, face and chin
Makes me feel desired
My body is on fire
Come here baby and handle the flames
Over and over and over again
I'm intoxicated by your scent
Dreamy sweet and heaven sent
Arms strong hold me close
Heart beating in time with mines
Love making love, it gets me high
Takes me away with wings I can fly
Above all the day to day routine
Living not existing and feeling free
Free to feel the ecstasy and pleasure
Makes struggle and hard work even sweeter
Thanks for the journey into the sky
I'm no longer chasing the high

Who will hear my cry?

Who will hear my cry?

Little girl with a heart that is broken
Holding it together and no words are spoken
Mislabelled and misunderstood
No one knows what's going on in her hood
Dealing with the separation of mommy and daddy
Addition and subtraction seem so petty
No one to talk to
Who will see her point of view
There's more to this child
Beyond her forced smile
Did anyone bother
to ask her mother
Has something changed ?
Is everything ok ?
That just didn't happen back in the day
Her struggles would haunt her for many years
Fueled by anger, frustration, and fears
Determined to be more than what you see
Her purpose is clear
That little girl is free
Free to move on and get educated
To be the voice for the next generation
Of mislabelled  boys and girls
She will be the light in their darkened world
A voice of encouragement and nurturing too
She will embrace them in ALL they go through
Developing trust through test after test
She molds them and helps them to do their best
And see the endless things they can do
When she understands them and the trials they go through
A voice of reason, a cheerleader too
cheering them on
Helping them through
Many of them have graduated
And are college educated
Willing and ready to show the world
When you help the mislabelled boys and girls
They can have a brighter future
They just need to be nurtured


This is dedicated to my SHERO Shawnette Anderson DeRosa para-educator in the Bermuda Public School.
I have seen you go through many trials and triumphs and tears of frustration and pride. You are on the right path, you are and will continue to be a GREAT educator. The students that you have and will continue to embrace, nurture and encourage are blessed. Thank you for inspiring me.


Thank you to all the PARA-EDUCATORS, who in my opinion are the UNSUNG heroes, because of you children have an advocate and extra support, YOU ARE VALUABLE and APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!!!!

As we reflect on 9/11/01

On September 11, 2001 I was at home preparing to go to school (Bermuda College). I had the morning off so I was at home watching Ananda Lewis and the station she was on started to freeze. I decided to turn to the TODAY Show, and that's when I saw it happen. I witnessed the second plane hit the towers, my jaw dropped, I couldn't believe what I had just seen. "What the hell is going on" I heard Katie Couric asked as she too witnessed. I will never forget it. Many lives were changed that day. It is so hard to believe it has been 10 years. I wish peace to those who lost loved ones and who's lives will never be the same. May we all try to honor and love one another more, life is too short, no one is promised tomorrow.
Dawnette Belton  9/11/11


                                                 IN TIMES OF GRIEF

In honor and memory of those lost this fateful day on September 11, 2001;
and for all of us who lost pieces of ourselves and whose lives will never be the same,
we offer this prayer:

Dear God:

You promised me that your comfort would come to me in times of despair.

You promised me that if I would lean on you and call on you, I would find peace.

I come to you now filled with grief and despair at the loss of ____________________ (state the name of the person or the situation).

I am leaning on you for strength.

I am calling on you for understanding.

I am reaching out to your for comfort.

I am depending on you to help me learn how to accept the loss.

Help me, Holy Spirit.

Guide me, Holy Spirit.

Comfort me, Holy Spirit.

Give me peace.  Give me peace.  Give me peace.

Leaning on the promises of God, through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, I am now filled with comfort and peace.

And So It is!

From Every Day I Pray

by Iyanla Vanzant