Man of the Year

This has to be it/I feel like some top shelf shit/Just give me a little bit/Bit of time to myself/Let it marinate/Hope that I'm not too late/I've been waiting on this moment/I must be God sent/My dear/I must be the man of the year/To time to vent/So many places I went/And I'm still going/Check out the way I'm moving/You like my groove/I too like the way you move/I'm coming with a thresh/Hard and fresh/Must I say it again/I could care less if it rain/A lot of this off the top/The top of my brain/Damn I feel good/In such a good mood/It's just me/Can't you see/It's just Tae/This who I be/Did you hear what I say/True/True to me/I won't change, I like me/A little derange/Maybe just strange/So what I like science/Eat Twizzlers/And enjoy Oreo Blizzards/Fantasy of being a wizard/Turn weak dudes into lizards/Sorry/You can't stop me, this my party/Yes, I am the man of the year/No need to fear/Wipe your face, no tear/Here have a beer/You with the man of the year/So sincere/Listen to me in your ear/Live life...

Writer's Block

I got writer's block/so many words off the dock/Watch as words pass me by/I try/so hard/to please your appeal/hoping you feel/what I have to reveal/continue to read/hoping what I said/is the motivation you need/These words bleed/pain, joy and happiness/Letting go stress/feel the force/My words are the source/Giving inspiration/Inspiring creation/I'm uplifting a nation/Mad frustration/building foundation/life's a celebration/My thougts spin/My words reach deep to your skin/Leaving with a grin/think of all the places you been/and what you haven't seen/sound nice/I give peace/free of charge/Smile/You like my style/Versatile/Imagination Worthwhile/I got writer's block/I watch the clock/Take a walk/I hear a knock/ Who could be/Let me see/What do you know/Guess who came through/ready to put on a show/it's my flow/ready to let it blow

Times

Four eyed little nigga/just gotten bigger/Back in elementary/I can remember completing who imma be/rocking starter jackets/moms hid it in the closet/gang affiliated/but wasn't associated/Think about my lows/nobody knows/I used think life blows/a beautiful rose/I see her glows/Thanks mom/you my number one/I love you a ton/your first son/Thanks for what you've done/We had problems/but not Debbie and Eminem/Your baby boy gone make it/Through all this shit/I can't quit/I'll make way/I pray/that skies not grey/evil spirits stay away/your boy won't astray/Keep faith in Allah and I will be okay

Go Ahead, Make My Day

I'm feeling like Clint Eastwood/Haters wish they could/Go ahead, make my day/Pardon me what you say/Tae ain't shit/But you mad that I refuse to quit/For you it's torment/I'm just trying to represent/It's only a matter of time/Before all this is mine/I could care less for your neglect/It's about the respect/As long I can connect/To the misdirect/I'm bringing enlightenment/I'm heaven sent...

'Brain decline' begins at age 27

"Mental powers start to dwindle at 27 after peaking at 22, marking the start of old age, US research suggests." (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7945569.stm)

That's a whole lot of bullshit! My brain will continue to grow because I think timeless. Sounds like a bunch of old lab rats upset. - Dante Cross

A Day in the Sun

Today is a such a beautiful day, the sun is out, my breath is fresh and I think I got through one of my shorties. I was talking to the little homie about what he wants to do in life, being that he's sixteen. He states all he wants to do is "chill" and wait on the next thing to happen. I grew intrigued by his comment. So, I asked what does he want out of life. Reluctantly, he replies he just wants money.

I wonder what happened to today's generation's ambition. Is it so gone into materialistic objects that substance does not matter?

Anyways, back the my story. I explained to the kid that he's not gone to get far if he lives his life without a plan, and expecting the moment to live out itself for him. You got to give you goals a agenda/schedule. Because, just "chilling" will only result to time wasted.

A Moment

Damn I'm so high/I must think I can fly/Grab skittles out the sky/I think I took the blue pill/I'm head over the hill/Trapped in the Matrix/My mind just too complex/Maybe that's why I smoke/It the only time I can let my thoughts soak/I've tried to stop weed smoking/But I love this feeling when stroking/Feel so good/I be in such a good mood/So much makes sense/Never too tense/I can let it all out/So much I can talk about/I feel like a modern day hippie/I'm okay poppy/Your boy grown/Don't frown/I feel closer to you/When I blow too/So many people I've met/And I don't have cold sweats/The colors/The flavors/All so attractive/I become retroactive/I wanna hear some old school/I'm not a fool/Just laying cool/By the pool/Listening to some Jimi/Grooving and doing the shimmy/My imagination/Has found an inspiration/I have so much motivation/Artistic/Optimistic/About life/I move swift/My dreams come true/So much we go through/All problems go away/I love to just lay/Take time to think/Before I put my words in ink/I'm thinking about the color pink/The lady I saw I gave her a wink

Encounter with Beauty

Oh how you make feel/You make me feel so good/I feel like a whole new person/How you give life a whole new reason/You create a beautiful uplift/Such a fulfillment/I want to gracefully fly through the sky/My Cleopatra you've grown into/Words from you sound so true/Things come so brand new/An attraction I became drawn/Hypnotized by your smile, I undergone/For I cannot get this picture out my mind/Loving the way you walked so strong in the wind/Such an appeal/Surely you are a woman of steel/I glance/Stopping you to check out your stance/Pondering what can I do for a chance/To show you true romance/I'm digging the you mind/Both our thoughts become entwined/Intelligent/That accent/I like when you talk/Your walk/Such like a lady/Beautiful/No doubt about that/Into you I am/Sweet like a yam/Anxious I become/Twirling my thumbs/Impatient I grow/Just to see your glow/Original and new/I had no clue/I would run into you/You are indeed/A queen

Flying with Beauty

So beautiful, gotta be careful. Don't let this one pass you by. She got a bad smile that'll make grown man cry. Joy you want to bring, her mind you want to be inside. This may be the your opportunity, full of intensity, she got modisty. What's her name? Could it be Destiny, Hope or Belle. She looks so innocent but coulde be dangerous, Justice is blind but so is love. Fuck it what the hell, approach her what you gotta loose? You just want to know her name, and maybe she might want to know you. You only live once, go for it.

Freestyle

Right now I feel fantastic/This feeling could not be held in a plastic/Starring so far into the stars/Wishing I could touchdown on Mars/Maybe slizzard/Enjoying some Twizzlers/I love life/And I wonder why yall look so shife/Appreciate everything I have/I could be living out of a grave/So I smile/Stroll for a mile/My toughts grow strong/I decide to write a poem/But I have waited too long/I figure I write a song/Yes, I have made mistakes/And caused heart aches/But I am not perfect/For my thoughts have been misdirect/So many chances I have been granted/I move through a bit slanted/But things still come out enchanted/I run through my mind/How could I have been so blind/The answer was right in front of me/All along it was me/Now I can really see/This is whom I be/Free/Just Tae/Cool and smooth like sway/Of the ocean and sea/Standing tall, clean and strong like a tree/Persue your dreams/Shine like the sun's beams/Wanting to hear my name through the people's screams/My words shall flow down the streams/Replinishing/Refreshing/I know who I am/I think I passed the exam/Thank you/For this I knew/What all is true/I make my debut/I present to the world/Dante Cross/But you can call me Tae

Mind Sex

Hey how you doingsweet thing/ I want to put something on your brain/ Nothing too complex/ This here is mind sex/ And all I ask is you listen/ I got some word action/ Ready for you to inject/ No need for objects/ These words lead to your cerebral cortex/ No spells, not a hex/ Just straight mind sex/ Leaving you trembling, sinking like a shipwreck/ No need for latex/ But be cautious/ Because I can send your mind through a circus/ And it'll be a bonus if I cause you to burst/ You're a goddess/So gorgeous/ I like your moves, so gracious/ I might have to praise Jesus/ I make a promise/ To keep only the realness/ No need to be nervous/ Notice, what I speak is painless/ For you, I give full service/ It's about us - Tonight will be X-Mas/ My words will lift you from the surface/ A pull that'll have you weightless/ Feel the wholeness/ Taste the sweetness/ Nothing too complex/ Just mind sex

Mind Wonder

I take a moment to reflect
Pondering about the people
I too feel your pain
Clueless night in the cold rain
Wondering if we'll ever surpass
As I star out the glass
So many thoughts run through my mind
Why is so hard to comprehend
I feel this energy
Only thing running through my mind is why
Confusion we experience
Times have grown intense
Whom to trust, whom not trust
We heard it all before
But so many of our voices have been ignored
These times have grown into a complex struggle
Being so advance you'll think time would be simple
I guess we had it all wrong
Oh so long
Its taking to get it right
Each day will continue to be a fight

Dear Self

Dear Self,

I wonder how it is possible we still surviving this journey. It was like it was just yesterday, June 23, 1986, I Bruce Lee my way out of my mother's womb. A little boy born into a world with so much strife. Remembering the good times and bad times throughout our life. From those crazy days moms worked hard alone to raise a young black boy (I love you Ma'), riding in the limo with my gangstress Grandmother (she always kept it Grade-A) and the pots of coke, feds taking away a little boy's father and uncles (must visit Uncle Kenny and Chris). My family been through too much, self, but still how we surpass it; it must be the love and the hearts we have to never quit.

I was listening to Scarface in his song Never, and his last few lines struck me with deligh and had me thinking. "I'll never talk a nigga down, do your thing. Never hate a dude for trying, that's insane. Get your motherfucking money, that's the thing dawg. Too many homies dying young."

Self, I was at a lost of words for how I wanted to present my words to my peers about respect and jealousy. Recently, I have been seeing a lot of disrespect and jealousy going on within our generation that has left a bad taste on my soul. It just does not make any sense to me why another could knock another for staying grounded or even just shining. Whatever, happened to congradulating that person for their accomplishments. Better yet, whatever happened to getting down that person and learning also how to shine. Jealousy, I see is the number one killer amongst our people. Why they mad I live in my own world and play by own rules? I got to make me happy and be true to my essence, Self. I look into the mirror and I see the pain and happiness flowing through my eyes.

Growing up pro-black, proper and trapped between two worlds of the hood and being in the burbs. Self, there is just so much I want to express, but I cannot find all of the words. Just know, we battled so much and I owe to you, Self. You taught me how to believe in me and always keep that motivational drive, for it'll be your inspiring drive called ambition.

Self, I still find it hard forgiving myself of all the dirt I have done. From hearts I have broken and the drugs I have pushed to my peers just to pay a college tution. This mission that is destined to me will I achieve or will fail, and end up another motherfucka that could have been. These nightmares I have, have me restless in the late night.

Self, all I ever want to do is give my city hope and pride, So many, talk shit about Milwaukee, but only if they knew the history and gave us our chance, they will see Creme City has a heart and not to be fucked with. I change so much in my life, Self, to give those little kids living in boarded houses and within the systems with no family something to look up to, and to inform them that they are not alone and they will shine.

There is much I could write on about, Self, but I rather let time and my actions tell my stories and teaching. I just want to thank you, Self, for your stories and teachings has taught me so much. Thank you for the people you have put in my direction and the people you have directed me to. Those words from Brother Munir still stick to my ribs, "Your life will only be measured by how much you measure it. If you for put a limit on it that is as far it will go, but if you make it unlimited you will go so far then you could ever believe. Salaam little Brother Abdul-Rauf." Most definitely, I thank you, Self, for still filling me.

Sincerly,

Dante

P.S.
My life is eternity because my mind is on a whole another level of living.

Venting...

I laugh when you hate/The rest of yall lightweight/No need to debate/Yes! I am GREAT/And I didn't expect you to relate/This just not in your trait/Respect this and be happy to congratulate/Don't desecrate/I got salvation/All about foundation/Giving the shorties motivation/Coming from bad locations/And going through bad situations/Hold your head up little brother/I know it builds frustration/All it takes is a little dedication/Soon you'll be out of desperation/Stay away from imitation/Get your education/And change this generation/Hold your head shorty

Speak Your Mind

Never be afraid to speak to your mind. I encourage that we speak our minds, for that is the reason the First Amendment was created. However, know what you want to say and how you want to say it. For no one wants to listen to an ass talking out his ass. So, think before you speak, be able to back up your statements and stand by what you say.

After the Sunset

I recently attended my first Ijtema and was requested to write a short piece about my experience relating to Islam Ahmadiyyat. I agreed and thought to myself, “What shall I write about?” Then it occurred to me, “I will write a piece on what is Islam to me and why I choose to live my life through Islam.” I am writing this passage out of the inspiration and desire to please God and the hope of bettering the world and myself. Therefore, before I begin this piece, let me start out with saying, “Peace, in the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds…”

There is a passage in the Holy Qur’an that I cherish dearly. It states, ‘Did you then think We had created you without purpose, and that you would not be brought back to Us?’ (chapter 23: verse 116). I take great inspiration from this verse because I grew up in a world where so many things seemed hopeless and false. Although I was blessed with many opportunities as a child, I came from a family where faith was not strong and drugs had taken over my elders’ lives. As a result our values lacked balance and structure. There was no one around that we could look up to as a leader, someone who could guide the young in our family. My mother had to play the role of both a mother and a father, and did a good job in both roles.

As much as people hate hearing it, the absence of a positive father figure in the African-American households has a huge impact. I felt this absence, but I was also in search of my own balance and growth. I was angry and depressed at many things inside, and spent my entire life striving to keep my focus on finding the truth and being successful in life. I could feel that I need something to lift my soul.

Years ago, as an adolescent, I read about a man that really intrigued me. There were short passages in our school’s history books on a man whose analysis of Blacks in America - and America itself - was considered too radical and out of control. He was known for quotes such as, “By Any Means Necessary” and “We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us.” I grew very interested in the life of this man - Malcolm X.

I read his autobiography, and realized that my life was very similar to Malcolm’s. Like Malcolm, I was in search of answers to better my community and my knowledge, and to find a path that will make me better. I questioned everything because nothing made sense. I felt games were being played on my life and the lives of others in society, especially through religion. I did not feel free growing up in a system that controlled and affected the lives of my family and peers. I felt as if I were locked-down in a societal prison.

I attended the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) church as a child. My mother would send me to this church for thirteen years of my life. I learned a lot from attending the church as A.M.E. was the first major religious denomination in the Western World that had its origin in sociological rather than theological beliefs and differences. However, I was still discouraged due to the history of Christianity and the New World slave trade.

I found Holy Qur’an as a book full of inspiration, motivation, and facts on life. The further on I read the more life began to make sense. I was able to answer my own questions. Everything in this book was common sense and there is no other book like it. The Holy Qur’an is not a book of fairy tales, it is a manual that focuses on God and develops your spirituality. Once I read the Holy Qur’an and X’s autobiography, I felt as if I were being taken back home spiritually.

The more I have studied, the more experiences I have gained, and the more people I have met, I have come to the conclusion that Islam is the true guidance. It gives us knowledge, tolerance, respect, love, paradise, freedom, unity, universality, spirituality and Allah. Islam is not a religion; it is a way of life. Some may disagree with me, but to me this is Islam.

Through Islam, I have become anxious to learn and seek the truth. Islam taught me the importance of education, and the difference between institutionalized knowledge and universal knowledge. I have become more in-tune with my soul and myself. I gained the true knowledge on why our bodies are temples. It is through Islam that I see women as spiritually equal to men, and to be respected.

Islam has also contributed to my love of traveling. Ever since I have entered Islam, I have met some interesting and intelligent people. Islam attracts and unites intellectual, universal, and caring people that are in search of spiritual development.

No matter what your race is, what land you are from, what language you speak, or what your struggle is, Islam is the REAL REVOLUTION. It teaches you how to love others and most of all how to love yourself. I have had tough times in my life and have made numerous mistakes. However, Islam taught me to get up, not to even think about failing. Through Islam, it is impossible to fail.

Leave the Past

Too many people today are dwelling on the past too much. How do you expect to live the present if you are still complaining about the past, and how do you expect to step towards the future if you have not changed your present thought?

What I am pointing out is if you are tired of the struggles today resulted from you/our past, GET UP and CHANGE IT. There were lots of great leaders in our past history, but that does not mean it ended with them. Everyone of those leaders, outspoken persons were human. They bled and cried just as we do, but they took a stand. The reason we are not moving forward into the future because we are dwelling and complaining instead of taking a stand. We are the people and every last official or tax payers job is under our control. We decide whom we want to manage our systems to our needs, not control it; there's a difference.

In conclusion, take a stand and change you present because "you are what you want the world to be." (Ghandi)

The Start of the Uplift

'Up' is to move towards a higher place; from a lower to a higher position/degree. 'Lift' is to bring a higher position or rise power or influence. To elevate the mood. "Uplift" means to lift up,' it's that simple. However, it's deeper then just lifting up. Uplift is to raise to a higher moral, social or cultural level.

The purpose of this blog I am creating to elevate the mood of my peers, no matter what race, ethnicity, age, religion/spirituality, etc. are you. Today, times are different. Technologhy changed, people train-of-thought changing, politics changing, moreover, a new generation of people.

Today's generation of people are lost and upset. So, I am making it my mission to motivate and inform my peers. In addition, I am setting out elevate the moods of people to a higher within themselves. It is time we start discovering ourselves, build awarness, create change and gain knowledge of ourselves. This is a movement!