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Check out my new children's picture book, Scary, Scary Sasha, which features a young African-American girl who learns how to overcome her fears. It's a fun and humorous read for children ages 4 to 7 and adults. Great for reading in the classroom and at home. Available at Birds-Love.com and Amazon.com.

I made a mistake in saying that Dr. Suess shouldn't be taken seriously. I meant to say that his poetry was intentionally whimsical and full of internal rhymes to create a musical sound that actually appeals to children when they are being read to aloud, which all poetry should be read aloud in my opinion. As far as rappers, the intent is to remain in the pocket and on beat. What's interesting though is how very close to using meter most rappers come without probably ever knowing anything about it. Rappers also don't force rhymes. The rhyme is often very natural and in many instances they use multisyllabic rhymes which is always considered impressive. I honestly think if rappers became aware of technique it would hurt their ability to freestyle. No one wants to sit and count syllables and feet to make sure they aren't running over line length. Rap is poetry however. I consider a form of free verse, which often has elements of meter. Rakim is definitely a lyrical genius. I mean look at how easily this flows: I take 7 emcees put 'em in a line And add 7 more brothers who think they can rhyme Well, it'll take 7 more before I go for mine Now that's 21 emcees ate up at the same time Look at how natural those rhymes are! There isn't any inverted syntax to force the rhyme. Me and Eric B was coolin' at the PaladiumSeen a all-world cover girl, I said 'Hey lady I'mSorry if You're in a rush - Don't let me hold ya upOr interveen or interrupt, butYou got the look - I wanna get to know ya betterI had to let her know - but yo, I didn't sweat her I don't do a lot of writing about poetry because I love the craft so much that I tend to go overboard in discussions and I'm not half as bad as some older poets I know. I do enjoy just reading the artform and Shirley I truly hope I haven't overwhelmed you with my critique and discussion.

After living in a fifteen year, first marriage, nightmare, God blessed me with the man who would show me A whole new World--our theme song. I wrote this poem for him and all the good men who worship their beautiful women. Loving Him Being with a man, the only way I can... This man for me is special and kind. The man I see is top of the line. He's beautiful, he's pleasant, he's smart and sweet. He's sensuous, he's sexy, the man is complete. He is always considerate of my deepest feelings, careful never to hurt me--even in bad dealings. He and I have just the right stuff, I love him so much, I just can't get enough. He holds me tight and kisses me when I cry. He's beside me at night when my day has gone by. His smile is that of the brightest sunshine, no doubt in my heart this man is all mine. He allows me to win all the arguments and fights, even though he knows I'm wrong and he's right. He loves me, he likes--he says he always will. A thing 'til death parts us is our greatest deal. He's good to me--he cooks and feeds me in bed. His intentions are sincere, he's even better than I've said. He gives me great advice to use as I may. This man is the best, what more can I say? Shirley G. Perry-Church to my man! 1993

This is so beautiful Mrs. Church!!

DOWN SOUTH BENEATH THE SOUTHERN SUN.THERE ARE MANY SLAVE GRAVE YARDS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED,FORGOTTEN AND ABANDONED..AROUND THE SLAVES GRAVE YARDS,THERE ARE SPANISH MOSS COVERED TREES..AROUND AND UPON THE HEAD STONES,DEAD LEAVES..BRIAR,DEAD GRASS WITHIN THE GRAVE YARDS,NO FLOWERS BLOOM. ARE THE SLAVES IN HEAVEN'S LIGHT,,OR IN DARKNESS ENTOMBED//ARE THE SLAVES SPIRITS TOGETHER OR IS EACH ALONE//ARE THEY IN CALM SILENCE,OR DO THEY WEEP AND MOAN/THE SEASONS,DAY AND NIGHT,RAIN AND SUNSHINE,THE LONG HOURS/NO ONE BRINGS THEM PRAYERS OR FLOWERS....DO THE SOULS OF SLAVES RISE TOGETHER AND BEGIN WANDERING///WHY THEIR PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN THEM,WILL THEY BE FOREVER WONDERING.//////

LISTENING AND OBSERVING THE RAIN,THEN I BEGIN TO SEEK...ANOTHER TOPIC FOR BLACK HISTORY,TO THE YOUNG I WILL SPEAK...PONDERING,BLACK INVENTORS,SCIENTIST WORLD WAR SOLDIERS OR DOCTORS UNTIL...I BEGIN OBSERVING THE HAUNTING PHOTOGRAPH OF EMMETT TILL...TIME WITH RELATIVES,HIS MOTHER SENT HIM DOWN SOUTH..SO MANY BLACK PEOPLE KILLED IN MISSISSIPPI,BY THE DEVIL'S MOUTH..HE WS ENJOYING TIME WITH FAMILY,THEN HE WAS LYING SILENT AND STILLL.ENVISIONING,AS I OBSERVE THE HAUNTING PHOTOGRAPH OF EMMETT TILL.....FROM MISSISSIPPI BACK TO CHICAGO,HIS BODY HIS MOTHER DID RETRIEVE...LONG LINES MANY PEOPLE SEEING HIM,COULD NOT BELIEVE...HOW HE LLOKED HIS MOTHER DID NOT WANT TO CONCEAL..ENVISIONIG,AS I OBSERVE THE HAUNTING PHOTOGRAPH OF EMMETT TILL...HE WAS BEATEN,EYE DUG OUT,THEN HE WAS SHOT BY THE DEMONS HANDS...THROWN INTO THE TALLAHATCHIE RIVER,AROUND HIS NECK A 70 POUND COTTON GIN FAN....BEATING HIM,KILLING HIM,SURE THE DEMONS GOT A THRILL..ENVISIONING AS I OBSERVE THE HAUNTING PHOTOGRAPH OF EMMETT TILL..THE CHICAGO STREET GANGS HAVE BLACK COMMUNITY SO CONFINED..SEEING EMMETT TILL PHOTOGRAPH COULD THEY ENVISION HIS SAVAGE KILLING IN THEIR MIND.//.THEIR OWN PEOPLE WOULD THEY STOP HAVING THE URGE TO KILL.ENVISIONING THE HAUNTING PHOTOGRAPH OF EMMETT TILL..THE RAPPERS LYRICS,SEX,DRUGS,GANGS,GLAMOUR SELF DESTRUCTON ,COMMUNITY DEVASTATION..FORGETTING SLAVERY, LYNCHINGS,HANGINGS,CHURCH BOMBINGS AND THE WHITE MAN'S PLAN FOR BLACK RACE ANNIHILATION...SEEING EMMET TILL PHOTOGRAPH COULD THEY RAP A SONG THAT WOULD BRING A CHILL.//ENVISIONING AS I OBSERVETHE HAUNTING PHOTOGRAPH OF EMMETT TILL...THE BLACK YOUTH,BLACK HISTORY KNOWLEDGE AND AMBITION IN THEIR MINDS THEY MUST OBTAIN..DESPITE THE GHETTO AND POLITICAL RACIST SCHEMES THAT HAVE TEM IN DETAIN.SEEING EMMETT TILL PHOTOGRAPH WOULD IT BRING A MEANING FOR THEM TO FEEL//..ENVISIONING AS I OBSERVE THE HAUNTING PHOTOGRAPH OF EMMETT TILL../..