Simply Being

• The sheets felt rough.

• The moon held watch during a 4:am prayer & reflection.

• The electric tea kettle brightened a small corner of my writing room as I ended sun salutations.

• Miles had another nightmare. He prayed softly just before fajr.

• Good morning, Daddy echoes through the house. Brush until the toothbrush lights up. Daddy, I can’t find socks. The ride is nearly peaceful. Daddy, can we stop for donuts before school? No. Daddy, watch me make a bubble world with my tongue! No. Too late.

• It's another day of convincing students, who only see the present, that history and their ability to unpack and extend its lessons will be crucial in helping them shape a sounder future. I get it though…can’t recall the last time I was going through a crisis and consulted the life of Thomas Jefferson.,

• Fear is a broken instrument: Am I the person, man, teacher, and writer? Am I the friend, father-son-brother-uncle, and partner I and those I love would need me to be? played misshapen melodies throughout the day.

• Tonight's wind sounds like it has a running start before it crashes against the house.

• A sprained toe and twisted back caused a more intentional pace. Chasing a five- and seven-year-old around a playground after days of heavy rain was a laughable (and painful) choice.

• ‘The Will to Change’ always reminds me of the complicated history and fuels my desire to continue the internal/external work toward the urgency of black men's mental and emotional emancipation.

• Sometimes, I wanna’ reach out and have God drop peace right into the palm of my hand. I’d hold it carefully and nibble on it for the rest of my years.

• A switch to Xanax helps smooth out the sharpness of it all.

• “In an anti-patriarchal culture, males do not have to prove their value and worth. They know from birth that simply being gives them value, the right to be cherished and loved.” —bell hooks

• Still revising (for publication) a postpartum essay/letter for Granny.

• Everyone is problematic to a cause.

• Everyone is a hero to a cause.

• Ginger & turmeric tea.

With all my heart…Té