Welcome to the Light A Candle in the Dark website. Light A Candle in the Dark is a poetry website created to share my poetry and the poetry of others who have a love for reading and writing poetry. It is a place where poetry is loosely defined. It's a simple joy of the written or spoken word. It is not a forum for discussing technique or the contents of the poetry posted herein.
Welcome and enjoy!
Pat (aka P. Newman-Harris)
He came unto his own, but they knew him not.
Tho, miracle after miracle he performed
He was rebuked and scorned
No one knows the hurt.
No one knows the pain
that comes from being rejected
again and again.
They would not
believe.
Such love they could not conceive.
His ways were higher,
His understanding greater.
Though the intent of man’s heart, he could see,
He chose not to forsake his destiny.
He carried the burden of the world to save the lost
He paid the cost
On Calvary's cross
Oh what cost he paid
That we might be saved.
He didn't have to let it be
He chose to die for you and me
No one could ever love us more
No one could ever love us more
He came unto his own, but they knew him not.
Tho, miracle after miracle he performed
He was rebuked and scorned
No one knows the hurt.
No one knows the pain
That comes from being rejected again and again.
Though the intent of man’s heart, he could foresee,
He chose not to forsake his destiny.
He carried the burden of the world to save the lost
He paid the cost
On Calvary
He died for you and for me No one could love us more. Surely, no one could love us more.
When I think of my people's history
I think of the years spent in captivity
I think of the wasted creativity
The torture, the pain, the agony.
I think of how they worked from sunup to sundown
With sweat streaming down
I think of the dreams and desires that lie in unkempt graves.
I think of the souls no one was able to save.
I think of a people's unheard cries
I think of those forced to watch as others died.
I think of the stripes that ripped the backs of young and old alike.
I think of those lost under the cover of night.
I think of damaged spirits, unspoken words,
And blocked determinations
I think of the cost to a nation
I think of a people who didn't know how to be free
Once they were set free
Then, I know the price exacted by slavery.
Do you know the price others paid for you to be free?
If it had not been for those who have gone before,
There would never have been an open door.
Did you know there was a day when black people couldn’t be taught to read and write?
Imagine what that must have been like.
Taking away that privilege was a method of control.
Without knowledge a person is destined to lose his soul.
For our people, knowledge was the key to opportunity,
It was ultimately the light that guided the way to our forefathers being free.
The same holds true today.
Yet, the knowledge that can be ours some of us choose to throw away.
That’s why so many of us live with our backs against the wall
Having barely enough strength to crawl.
Black men’s desires and dreams are being sent to an early grave
As with their last breath they rant and rave
About how the white man is holding them back.
Did the white man tell them to smoke crack?
Today every opportunity we have gained is slowly being snatched back.
Some are too complacent to realize the subtle attack.
Yes, I know they put the drugs all over our community
So they could be accessed freely.
Ultimately, the decision to live right is ours to make.
We have the wisdom to realize that drugs don’t give, they take.
They take your home, your wife,
Sometimes they even take your life.
Are you willing to pay such a price?
No one in his right mind would willingly surrender his life?
Have you ever considered this?
Wasted opportunities are opportunities you willingly miss.
Do you realize that you are guilty of ingratitude?
Check your attitude.
Are your actions saying thank you to those who paved the way
Or are you throwing it all away?
There will come a day when what little we have will be stripped away.
We must prepare for that day.
We can’t do it without preparing our mind.
There will be no welfare line.
We won’t have anything to fall back on in our time of need.
So please, take heed.
This is a dog eat dog world and only the strong will survive.
If you don’t have what it takes to make it through, you will be eaten alive.
It’s true God will open doors,
But he can’t make us walk through the open doors.
We have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way.
We can’t afford to throw anything away.
Each and every window of opportunity was obtained through the blood, sweat and tears of those who have gone before.
I personally, will always thank them for opening those doors
By trying to help others see the importance of making their dreams come true
How about you?
copyright by P. Newman-Harris
Martin Luther King Jr. - - If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause and say, "Here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well."
I went to a memorial service for a woman who was like family.
As I listened to her family talk about her life,
how she helped them, inspired them, taught and instructed them
throughout their life, I thought, this is how it should be.
Here was a lady that led an ordinary life, yet she had
influenced those around her tremendously. She poured
into the lives of three generations. In so doing, she not only blessed
her family, she left them with the gift of her life as a legacy.
That was echoed in the words of her children as they reflected
on her words and related the things they had experienced through her.
Surely, her work on this earth was complete, but it will live on long
after she has gone. She didn't have a great fortune to leave her family, but
what she left was far more valuable to them. It is somethat that time
will never erase.
Each of us can reflect on things our mother or father has said or done.
Some influenced us positively others negatively. As parents,
grandparents, god mothers and fathers, Aunts, Uncles, older sisters
and brothers, we have an awesome responsibility to our family.
What we say and do does matter. It matters now and it will matter
long after we are gone. So it is I ask, what will your legacy be?
What Will
Your Legacy Be?
When we look back on your life, what will we see?
What will your legacy be? Will your memory live on Long after you are gone? Will you have lived in such a way That someone has something good to say? We have a dream to fulfill, A foundation to build Will you leave behind A useful design? Will your life be a tapestry For generations to be? Will your children respect what you have left? Will they be able to follow in your steps, Run with your shadow, And learn all there is to know? Will your life be an open book For anyone who wants to take a look? Are you building a foundation that is secure, One that will endure? You don’t have to be a Queen or a King To make your life count for something. You don’t have to be a Rosa Parks. To leave your mark. When we look back on your life what will we see? What will your legacy be? Is your life so set apart That it can change someone’s heart? Whose life will you have changed for the good? Can someone be proud to stand where you stood? Can your children walk in your steps Without regrets? Will your words still speak Will they inspire someone who grows weak? Will your teachings live on Long after you are gone? Will your prayers see your family through the trying years? Can they draw on your wisdom and your strength when you are no
longer here? If someone drinks from your cup Will they be lifted up, Challenged, and inspired To go to a higher place? Can they take your baton and win the race? So again I ask, Are you creating a history that will last? From generation To generation Because as it is so shall it forever be Your family’s legacy. When we look back on your life, what will we see? What will your legacy be?
It's so easy to become discouraged and lose sight of your dream. Always remember that it is your dream and as long as you believe in you, you will see your dream through.
Young boy,
Young girl,
One day,
You will change the world
To make your dreams come true
You gotta believe in you.
It doesn't mater what people say
God can make a way out of no way.
If you have a dream to pursue
Don't let others discourage you.
Just because I can't see your dream
Doesn't mean it cannot be.
It may be more than I can see
To me it may seem like a waste of time,
But your dream is not mine
Through the winds of doubt
You must persevere
You can't run away
And disappear
The way may be cloudy,
But soon it will become clear.
That's when you know your dream is near.
Others may say it isn't so.
If you believe, you will know
You can see your dreams through.
One day you will break through.
Your dreams will come true
Just believe in you.
Copyright P. Newman-Harris
Saturday, February 16, 2013
A salute to my black brothers.
We celebrate you, we celebrate your history.
I would like to share this poem, "A Poetic Letter to the African American Man"
by Stacey Evans, poet (taken from her book Real Soul Food copyright 1995.
This is for the African American Man.
He is a husband, a father, my brother, cousin,
uncle, nephew and friend. Let it be said that
you are loved. You are appreciated in deed.
Your struggle, the blood, sweat and tears
have not gone unnoticed. If I could stand
in proxy and ask forgiveness on behalf of
every woman who has hurt, disrespected,
degraded and taken advantage of you, I would.
If it helps any, I do.
Your counterpart, the African American Woman
has had to discover and rediscover her role
individually as well as how she relates to you.
Affirmation is what you desire. Support and
comfort is what you crave and yet there is
conflict and constant division.
We desire to see you take your rightful place in
our homes, society and relationships.
Glory to God for a mighty black man of God, for
he that is seeking God's direction and purpose
for his own life is a man who will know his
rightful place and he will see the wives,
mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, nieces, and
friends become less and less complex.
Often misunderstood you are. How we long to
know your mind, heart, your feelings, fears,
hurts and triumphs.
We want to help you realize your dreams.
The key word is help, not take, intimidate, or
discourage you from those dreams.
I love you very much African American Man.
I love you for who God created you to be, not
what society said you must be.
I want to know you, help me know you.
I want to love, encourage and uphold you.
Help me to do all three. Oh, how I desire to see you rebuild
what centuries and years have tried to tear down.
I support you, I salute you, I pray for you and yes,
I love you African American Man.
**********************************************
Beautiful Black Nubian King
byPatricia Newman-Harris &
Joel Williams
Black, bold and beautiful, My
Black Nubian King,
It is for you that my heart sings Though others seem not to know
your true worth I know God had a purpose for
putting you here on earth It is by your side I will abide I am your Nubian Queen and we were
meant to reign supreme You are of royal birth Sent to rule the earth Above others you tower When you use your God-given power You were ordained to lead others
to truth, but Have you put that gift to use? Meant to be the head and not the
tail You were never meant to be rotting
away in jail. It is your strength that others
fear. They know the reason you are here. That is why they try to keep you
in check By placing a foot upon your neck Why do you wander the world lost? Is it all a part of slavery’s
cost? You were stolen long ago. A horrible part of history, yes, I
know. You were bought and sold all for a
price. But God is your anti-theft device. Because of him, the lost can be
found And things can be turned around The sleeping can open their eyes And one day rise No longer should your power be
bridled No longer should your gifts be
idled No longer should these things be
hidden deep inside Next to your sense of pride You may have lost track of where
you are supposed to go, but The inherent power within your
veins has never ceased to flow Your eyes have not seen, Nor can your mind dream Of the blessings you will redeem
My Nubian King, Begin to stand tall God will never allow you to fall Begin to walk in pride There is no time to hide. You are of royal birth It is time to fulfill your purpose
here on earth When you begin to walk in the
authority that is yours to claim The world will never be the same. I am your Nubian Queen Wondrous things in you I have
always seen My Black Nubian King That is why it is you that my
heart sings
Through the degradation of slavery,
They endured.
Their lives were not their own,
But they endured.
When their families were ripped apart,
They endured.
Nothing broke their will.
Nothing broke their spirit.
Nothing broke their determination.
Through it all,
They endured.
We must remember their strength,
Their determination,
Through it all,
We must remember their strength,
Their determination,
Dwells within us.
Ever time we are paralyzed by fear,
Remember,
When we become weak,
Remember,
When we feel the desire to quit.
Remember,
Every time we grow discouraged
Remember.
Every time we are knocked to our knees.
Remember.
We must get up,
Stand up.
We can't surrender to defeat.
Stand on your feet.
Keep striving,
Keep believing.
Stand your ground,
Amidst strong winds,
Just like those to whom we are kin.
It is your duty and mine.
To leave something behind.
Because, through it all,
They endured.
They Endured is part of a collection of poems
from You Can Live Your Dreams published on Lulu.com
TO THE LEGENDS OF OUR PAST
To our ancestors,
Our spiritual intercessors,
To the legends of our past Thank you for allowing us to walk a clearer path. As we travel the hallowed halls of time. Memories of you always come to mind. To the pioneers that blazed freedom’s trail, That, through faith, prevailed. To those such as Abraham Lincoln, Who wrote proclamations, Declarations And Civil Rights Bills Trying to cure society’s ills. To those who fought to right the world’s wrongs, To eradicate, Racial injustice, bigotry and hate. You sacrificed, You paid the price. To those who carried the burden of race. Died for being in the wrong place. To Martin and John, Malcolm and Medgar, To Rosa Parks Who sparked The flame igniting this country’s emancipation From the bonds of discrimination. To Jane Pittman, Harriet
Tubman, W.E.B. Dubois and George Washington Carver, To the firsts at schools such as Yale, West Point and
Harvard, To those who paid their dues trying to integrate segregated
schools, To our musicians who sang and played jazz, gospel and blues, From Billie Holiday To Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Pearl Bailey, Louis Armstrong and Tommie
Dorsey, To Bo Jingles, the Nicholas Brothers, Sammie Davis Jr. And all those who came into the back To tap and perform their act. To the pioneers of movies, television and radio. To Hattie McDaniel, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker And Lena Horn That took America by storm And paved the way for the Halle Berry’s And Oprah Winfrey’s of today. To those men who pioneered the fields of biology, Geology and Astronomy. To the legends of music, literature and poetry, Without you there would be no record of our history. To the legends that led this country in sports Like football, baseball, basketball, boxing, track and on
the courts, To athletes like Arthur Ashe, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Jackie Robinson and to the Jack Jackson’s of our past That taught us how to play with class. To those for whom justice was blind. To those who fought on the front lines and stepped on mines, Commanded the sea and commandeered the skies. To brave black men Like the Tuskegee Air Men, Who soared the clouds And made us proud. You sacrificed, You paid the price. We can never thank you enough. No, we can never thank you enough. To all those that died with unfulfilled dreams and wishes Wanting to do more than clean toilets and wash dishes. To my brother’s and sisters born on African soil That died on slave ships and were thrown away with America’s spoils. To those who survived to be enslaved and chained, Sold and renamed for America’s gain. To those who awakened at the rooster’s crow Working to repay a debt they never owed. To the many slaves Buried in unmarked graves. To those who died hanging from a tree Never knowing what it meant to be free.
From the great men to the unsung heroes That this world will never know. To the legends of our past, Because of you the path is clearer, The vision nearer Than ever before. You led us to the door. Now our dreams are ours to conceive Because of you we can believe. You endure the pain You suffered the blame. We can never thank you enough. No, we can never than you enough. We celebrate your creativity We thank you for our history. To the legends of our past. Thank you for creating a clearer path. To the pioneers that blazed freedom’s trail That through faith prevailed. You sacrificed, You paid the price. We can never than you enough. No we can never thank you enough. To our ancestors, Our spiritual intercessors, To the legends of our past Thank you for allowing us to walk a clearer path.
