Pressed up on his lips another sheet
of black paper for tobacco
he's back and he's in the need
and he fills it up with green and needs a mixture of the leaves
so he can live again
a toke for every token hope and dream
he left
on a note that he wrote last week
in the hope that he'd know some peace/
the only piece that's on these streets shoot bullets & steal dreams
so he bought one - some courage for his streets
so that the gutter doesn't shut him up just shudders at his feet
he turns to reach and spark his trees with a flint
and at that minute blew in ancient spirit speaking the wind
the breeze was shedding leaves from the trees
and the spirit noted
that those with the deepest roots do not break but only lean
they do not to crack but show that opposites attract
'cause further the streets push
you the further you'll snap back
he tipped his snap back, scratched his head
and grabbed his mac from his backpack
played this track back…
and sparked it up
//
Ten gallon drums are filled with flames
as we heat our palms
shadows play games on our faces
and she's the queens of hearts
she's been flirting with the weather
causes a storm to pass
she sells an ounce an hour and now it's
about a quarter past
It's the wild wild west like it's Kool moe dee
and her kids won't let her forget
she owes the school more fees.
she checks in the window
black stockings
but no lace
in case they decide to take from her more than what they've paid
she knows the streets are her prison
and these men are her guards
they keep her stuck in the system
the local bars are well, her bars
in lock down for the money
she notices his rolling smokes with black papers
-thought it was funny
he says - he needs loving so he doesn't break under the weight
of temptation of drugs blow in under the radar of the state
she says she tastes better anyway
their shit is bitter - calls the baby sitter as they set off to his place.
//
She's Making money
he is trying to make love
it's as close as both their hearts have ever come to being touched
he feels her breathe
and the surface of her skin
as he looks her in the eye & whispers how could this be a sin?
she licks a tear from the corner of his eye
before it falls and he decides to disguise his pain with pride
like every other man she's ever liked
they're all just trying to find a way
to lay their weapons down at night
he treats her like a lady
shows her body some respect
mama said
"how u treat a woman
is how god will judge you in the end"
and he never forgot it
though his touch felt foreign
she also felt so at home
that even the money became forgotten
lost in the moment,
the shackles flew like birds
they were free
and it felt like they were the centre of the earth
until they finished
and fell back to the centre of a curse
she fills her purse.
and he smokes away his hurt
This album by Kenyan electronic producer rPH and poet Kins of Spade reflects on the impact of religion in their lives and society. Bandcamp New & Notable May 12, 2023
Poet Douglas Kearney and composer/producer/drummer Val Jeanty link up for a a compelling LP that feels like the written word come to life. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 30, 2021