Short excerpt from a work in progress called Cup of Blues and you will notice Saleria from "Cause I Can!" is the main character again... wassup with that?
Running Scales
Saleria loved expressing herself lyrically and poetically. She was a poet until the day she died! She lived on the words of Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez and Maya Angelou. Mostly, she loved to freestyle her performances because she was a natural at it. Her words weaved and molded themselves to those who received her performances. She began reciting poetry at the early age of eleven and performing it throughout her elementary and high school years. Her black long eyelashes smiled as she glanced up at her most recent accomplishment – a Chicago Spoken Word Award. She was the number one Spoken Word Female Artist of 2000 and it felt good. After so many years of working, finally a payoff! Holding the silver and black award shaped like a microphone, she giggled like a little girl. “Ha Ha…” she sing-songed as she laid against the black leather couch in her living room. Composing a new piece was on the agenda for the day. Her light brown hazel eyes danced with excitement as she began to brainstorm a new piece.
She clicked on the digital recorder and spoke into it.
“Beauty of My Man
is the beauty in his soul
and the sweetness in his touch
and he makes me glow
cause this sistah knows
that his love is unconditional.
Beauty of his spirit
is his willingness to give
100% to this partnership
and I give much thanks
and love to the master
for allowing me to have
peace and serenity.
I exhale and thank
once again the master
for allowing my world
to collide with a man
who is true and good
in spirit.”
She paused as she heard the light peal of her telephone ring several times. Quickly running to the kitchen she ran to pick up the phone. Out of breath, she spoke hurriedly, “Hello..”
“Hey boo!” A deep male voice oozed with sensuality. “Hiya doing miss diva!”
Rolling her eyes upward, she toyed with her long black hair, as she tucked one strand behind her earlobe. “Malcolm, what’s up with you?”
“Oh, is that how you treat a person who’s helped to define you? If it wasn’t for me you would’ve still been in the coffeehouses reciting poetry. Now, show me some love.”
“Mal. Come on, stop the madness with all your talks of helping me to succeed. Yes, you did help to expose me to some venues, but you didn’t do the work necessary to help me “blow up”. It was all the fans of my work who did that. They were the ones out in the street doing all the street promotions, showing up at my booksignings in droves, and helping me with all the promotional efforts. They were the ones who basically did all my press kits, called their family and friends and asked people to support my shows at those venues. I do appreciate your exposure but baby, God was the one who blew up this sistah.” Trying to hold down the negativity in her voice she calmly announced, “You know I got the award right?”
“For sho’. That’s why I’m calling. I wanted to congratulate you but you acting all crazy and such. I heard through the grapevine that you might be on the Def Poetry Show. Is that true ?” His slurpy words gave the impression that he had been drinking. “Why don’t you come on out tonight and celebrate?”
In between her gritting teeth, Saleria leaned against her kitchen counter, and shook her head. “Naw. Can’t do it. My best friend and I are going out for dinner tonight. How about next week? Rain check?” She hoped she could get him out of her hair for at least a week. She loved Malcolm, but sometimes, he was a clingy guy who really wanted in on the action, and she wasn’t going to let him.
Acquising, he said, “Okay girl. I’ll chat with you later.”
“Bye, Mal.”
“One love, girl!”
The phone rang again and Saleria cursed, “Dang on hotline!” She let the phone pick up the call because she just wasn’t in the mood. Not today. She just wanted to relax and enjoy her success. Silence is a beautiful thing and that is what she wanted. Walking around her cute little condo, she smiled and said a silent thank you. It had been a real struggle to get herself off the ground as an artist and performer. Like anything in life you had to toll at it. Fifteen years as a freelance writer, teacher, administrative assistant and any other thing she could do while honing her craft was the experience she had. Studying publishing methods and taking writing classes enabled her to really learn more about this thing that she loved. She was glad she listened to her writing mentor Dr. Jones. He knew what he was talking about.
“Just write, baby.” That is what he always said and that is what always worked.
What surprised Saleria was that her work was highlighted – and it went against the normal grain of poetry that won awards. She was not a political poet or a poet who ranted or raved about something. Her work spoke of living, loving, and exhaling in this life. She spoke of loving her black man and of her struggles as a black woman but more from an emotional standpoint. Her poetry was about feelings, not about anything else. She was proud of her work. Even though it was about feelings, everyone felt it. Her performances spoke for themselves. Rich, raw and real. Those are words people used to describe her poetic vibe. She only wanted to give them a cup of her truth – undiluted with today’s bullshit.
(c) 2003 by Pam Osbey
All Rights Reserved
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