this is the first time i've ever written' under this catagory. those of you who read me know i usually do realtionships or philosophy... but not today...anway...

this is a poem about my daughter Stepahnie and just what she means to me. she's 18 or 19 9forgive i forget), but anway here's what i have to say about her. she's been a jewel, honor's all the way...she moved out on her own just the other day...got her own place...seekin' her own space...a place in time...findin her own rhyme. this may not be poetry, but to me, it's to her and that's for sure...thank you and i love you...that be true ...no matter what you do or who you are...i love you for who you be...see... you be special to me!

for Christmas in 2001
my daughter Stephanie
(that daughter of a run & gun)
gave to me
a very special present
as you will see
as if it ain't evident

it was the first X-mas
after my ex and i
gave it our last try
we were divorced
and of course
i wanted to cry
although i knew why
it was just
a must
i was barely gettin' by
each day i could only try

now Stephanie
she be
alot like me
with her own creativity
so what does she give's to me
(she had no money, that's ok honey)
that's the Deal
she give's me a by-circle wheel
you may say "no big deal"
but i can tell you
i will tell you true
it helped me to heal
to feel again
to begin again


'cause within' that wheel
on each spoke
were picture's of me
and them
back then

one of me when i was younger
still had that hunger
4 of them when they were babies
all three
and 1 of the 2
that were older
bolder
standin' back to back
hands in the air
with that familiar stare
their hand's like pistols
like maybe's
they be like me's
daughter's of a gun
son of a gun
still on the run
back when life was fun

and above my head
(although i didn't see 'till today)
was the lead, the weight
the balance
there on my shoulders
as i grow olders
it couldn't have been bolders

the balance to the wheel
that be real
that be the deal

and around each picture
if you can picture
there in your mind
were hand made frames
of crepe paper
with stars & stripes
and wavy lines
each did shines
ain't it the shames
ain't it mighty fines

so inside the wheel
inside the circle
there was the deal
it was real
and i still feel
each spoke
and each un-spoken

the wheel was the deal
a tokin'
of love

of all of the good & the bad
of all of the above

the happy & the sad

for Christmas one year
my daughter gave me love
i still hold it so dear
it does bring a tear

don't you know
inside the wheel

that was the Deal
that was Real