First Tracks of the Bur Words Campaign is Out!!!!

Both the Song and Spoken Word Poem for the first week of the Bur Word Campaign are now out on reverberation. I will keep all of you updated on where else you will be able to find them at. I will also be sure to let all those who are either living or visiting in the Pittsburgh area know where they can find me performing @ this week.


The Movement Continues...
- Rhetorical Artz

Rhetorical Artz- Sewer Slang

It's time to get rid of the sewer slang in hip-hop. That's the mission.

The Movement Continues...
- Rhetorical Artz

Pacing Himself

He’s already traveled miles in his thoughts...

all while pacing around the kitchen counter enough times to cut through the tile. As outsiders, try to enter the private amusement park in his mind, banging on the gates, uttering the password “dude what are you doing.” Little do they know that this password is a false code, given to those who are forever branded as trespassers.

He is a master of disguise, hiding behind a mask of secrecy that secretly he himself has never fully seen behind.

Sometimes he finds it just fine. Most of the time he finds it just plain frustrating; infuriating that over half the pesticide

pill-filled places

fumigating in his brain

are left unknown to him.

But these places within are not all unknown; he has seen snapshots of some them. Whenever in the light of a bus ride down 5th avenue, or on a fire-walk upon the coals of his neighborhood block, or even under the single flame of his own company, the light sometimes shines at just the right angle to make out blurry faces of clarity.

Those moments are extravagant, exceeding rational roadblocks of social demands; the man made road-maps that fail to tap into the tapestry of his masterful secrecy.

These moments matter, their meaningfulness only able to be measured by the treasure of golden threaded insight and intuition, interwoven into the fabric of his being.

He has the heart of an honest priest, repeatedly marrying comedy and philosophy together in a holy matrimony that goes against the church of conformity.

He breaks past the limitation of any infj personality profile, or Standard Assessment Test on file, meanwhile making up his own exam, which he has titled “There’s nothing wrong with me Adam...it's not autism, I’m just a bossman, okay.”

"Okay Pete...hey Pete?

Did you know you stand as one of the biggest examples of being an honest to God individual that I know who does desire structure, but is willing to go with the flow as well?"

I sometimes fail to tell him that I understand; that I comprehend why he must defend against the endless onslaughts of outsiders; how when his mind is questing through questions, often pacing is the only way he can pace himself

in any way, shape, or form.

Instead

we fight each other like we're on that histories channel show Vikings,

But Despite This, the router of Truth he and I both pursue will always keep us connected as brothers in the same beautiful struggle, so that during times of triumphs and troubles he will be able to remember that here ,on this world wide web called reality, lies those...who know why he’s pacing...will not judge him for it...and will love him because of it

Because that's  his rhythm

His version a of whistle while he works

So take your tiiiiimmmmeee peter

It's okay

Live life at your own speed

Just make sure

that you remember

To pace yourself along way

Jaw Drop is a duo between Rhetorical Artz(me) and Langston Kelly, two Speak Life Storytellers and Dress Down artists. In early 2011, this happened.

The Movement Continues...

- Rhetorical Artz

Graduating

The day of Duquesne University's commencement ceremony
I stood up with my fellow class of 2011 graduates,
united together in a state of relief, excitement, and fear of what’s to come.

Speeches are given on how commencement is a celebration of beginnings, not endings; on how making this world a more loving place is just as important as finding a profession within this currently uncertain marketplace; that we’ve been given the educational tools needed to succeed both financially and spiritually, in this economy.

One would think that after hearing these inspiring speeches, that their would only be an air of hope for the quickly coming future of life after college, which their most certainly was. Yet as I try to breath this air of hope in, I can’t help but feel the urge to hold my breath, cause what comes next after academics, is a bit scary. When the dean of my liberal arts college declares us official graduates of Duquesne University, I watch in awe as not one graduate, including myself, throws their hats in the air to celebrate.

I can tell you, that the reason why my hat didn’t leave my head was because I feared that if it did, it would confirm the fact that the roof of college was no longer over me; that I would cease to have my university meal plan to put food on the table; that I was no longer a kid in the eyes of world I knew, as if I was ever still considered a child- by anyone other than my parents- after turning 18.

So I hid under that cap and gown, for just a little bit longer, hoping to become a little bit stronger before having to take it off; before having to move out into the world with no big job prospects, or overarching security nets; before having to face the good and bad consequences of not holding a socially normal career in mind, but a calling. A calling, which tells me that in time, these words of inspiring stories that I weave will conceive a child who symbolizes the birth of the loving world that I believe to be here... somewhere...waiting to be found.

So somehow, I’ll have to move forward, away from my history here in academia, and take on all the responsibilities of the “real world” while remaining the idealistic dreamer that I am, and sometimes, I wonder if I can. As I walk out of the commencement ceremony, that walking wonder turns into a running worry that I won’t be able to do so, transforming my walk out of the commencement hall into a mad dash clear across to the other side of campus, where when I’m finally far enough, I sit down and take a deep breath...finally filling my lungs with an air of hope for what’s coming after this.

I am reminded of the quote that states, “you learn by looking back, but you live by looking forward.” And at that moment, I realize that I’ve spent enough time learning about how hard this world has been. I’ve learned enough about how difficult it is to make a dream a reality, and how many people never make it trying to strike out on their own. I’ve even been well educated on the statistic of people who go back home to live with their parents after 4 years because of the lack of jobs available that are even remotely connected to the major they chose to pursue during their college career. I’ve been informed enough, and I’m done learning this stuff.

For there comes a time in a persons life when they can no longer learn anything new about how the world has been, but instead have to take their college degree in life and choose how they want their world to be and it’s time to for us...or at least for me...to graduate.

Path of the Slam Poet

Attention fellow slam poets,
I suggest that if you've chosen to take the path
of stepping up onto-this-stage
that you don't do so to just "perform"
but that you instead approach the mic
with the intent to confess

To confess while understanding
that though this crowd may be your priest
here to hear your confessions
and this stage is may be your confession booth
that this mic...
is a direct connection to God
in which you don't need the priest to applaud
for your voice to be heard

So my fellow sinners
of slam poetry
when you step up on this stage
when you step into this confession booth
just be honest...

Cause many don't get the opportunity to worship in a sanctuary
where one can communicate the Truth within their conscience
and have it be received
by somebody

Yet it seems some who do get the chance
never advance towards it
because they don't truly believe
in the higher power
within the words that they weave
turning the opportunity into a chance
that they forfeit

But you slam poets...
are not one of those some
your not even one of the many

What you are is a part to an equation
that equals a sum of spiritual food for plenty

A soulful sum
filled with numbers of experiences, ideas, and adventures
that eventually will venture onto this stage
as a book
that always worth reading
with every page
a story worth seeing
that only you can show us

So my fellow storytelling sinners
of slam poetry
when you step up onto this stage
when you step into this confession booth
when you step back into the story
of what your currently living or have already lived
don't just give a performance that aims to please
instead please aim to express...

To arm yourself to ready, aim, and fire whatever word bullets you've wanted to release from the gun in your chest
but before you do
be sure to fill each bullet with the gun powder of authenticity
so every adjective, noun, vowel, and verb
that reaches the vicinity of your mouth
will form words that count

Words that bounce and ricochet
off the walls of your heart and mind
to penetrate the hearts and minds of mankind
forcing them to bleed out
bloody words of authenticity as well

So my fellow gun-slinging, storytelling, sinners
of slam poetry
don't just perform for us...

Cause the truth is
that while we may say we really want a performance
want we really need is to be washed over with your artistic integrity

and while we may appear to be asking for a show
what we truly plead for is to be redeemed from the sin
of our worlds dishonesty

So on this path of the slam poet...
recognize that the slam poetry you say here
for ears who can hear
and what your words reveal
to eyes that aren't sealed
offers not just yourself but all of us
an everlasting opportunity to come together as a spiritual community

So confess
express
and be honest
but never ever repent
for this...
is the poetic path you've chosen

The movement continues...
Rhetorical Artz

Oppositional Attitude

Sometimes I just want to cry
til I die
So I laugh
and laugh lively

Sometimes I just want to sit
and pretend I don’t exist
So I stand and raise my hands

Sometimes the world get me so down
that I want to give up
with a frown
So I smile
bigger than the happiest child

Acting in opposition is something I've been doing for a while

And I think the reason why is because growing up
I began to notice that when people wanted something
they often never got it
But when people wanted nothing
that something seemed to always be want they got

Personally
this didn't happen to me all the time
just enough that I began to see a trend

A trend I saw many of my family and friends follow...
willingly
Which I really couldn't understand
at first

Cause it just seemed so weird to me
to see someone who wanted peace
to be acting mad
or who wanted joy
to be acting sad
or who wanted goodness
to be acting bad

I mean if they really wanted those things
then why the heck would go and do
the reverse?

But then I grew a tad bit
And as I did I had to admit
that I had come to understand it more

What I came to understand is that
insanity is defined as doing the same things
expecting different results
but ultimately
getting the same ones

Which would mean sanity
is doing different things
expecting the same results
but ultimately
getting different ones

So then doing something
in way that’s completely different from what your expecting
and getting completely different results
is better than doing the same thing
over and over again,
but getting
none...
of what you expected


Which told me that basically
somewhere down the timeline
humanity must have joined forces with insanity

Because it is insane
to walk around being cruel, or upset, or depressed
And expect to ever get anything less
than that

Yet...
people do all of these things
thinking that somehow
that will be rewarded
with kindness, or peace, or joyfulness

Look
I’m not saying that I haven’t done any of this
nor that I won’t do it ever again
What I’m sayin is that I have
and continue to hold
an attitude of opposition
against insanities transmission

Cause without an attitude of opposition
I don't see how anyone could live in a world
insisting
On holding one another through a grip of hatred
or kissing fellow human beings with lips of cruelty
Without having some means
of resisting it

So I laugh
even when I feel like I want to cry
And I live
even when I everything in me wants to die
And when the voice of despair
tells me I should just sit
and cease to exist
I stand-up
and raise my hand
in a fist

Cause otherwise how can tell my future children
much less my own inner child
that when everything in life that comes around
seems to be trying to pull you down
That smiling...
is still okay

Because sanity is defined as doing different things
while expecting the same results
but doing them anyway

So I implore you
although I don’t know you
Or necessary relate to what you've been through
Please...
don’t give in the whim of this messed up world
But to that oppositional attitude
of wisdom within you...
be true

The Movement Continues...
- Rhetorical Artz

Walking: Not of this World

A role model of mine said to learn to be in the world but not of it
I think of that as I walk the world today in awe of what’s beneath my feet
and everything well above it

There’s a purpose for today's walk
as I am in search of a summit
Where I can submit whatever in my life amiss
before what is amiss in my life makes me plummet

And it’s in the process of finding my way to this summit
that the world began to honestly admit
the way that some people today exist


The first thing the world showed me was a women
walking out of her apartment dressed to impress her fellow worker bees
As she walks by I say good morning and hi
but she is to busy
and in to much of a hurry
to even look me in the eye and reply
So instead of saying hi
she gives me a slight apathetic wave
and continues on her way into the maze of the rat race.

Now did I miss something or is something out of place?
Maybe for to long my mind has been in outer-space
cause it seems out of this world to me
that she was in such a state that she couldn’t stop and elevate her eyes to mine
and find it within her to smile and say “good morning, good day,”
or in any other way conveys the slightest value of another persons existence

Our interaction was only a few seconds
but those few seconds made stop a second
and listen to a world that beckons to be heard
thus as I continued onward
I made a point listen to the worlds words


Because a role model of mine said to learn to be in the world but not of it
I think of that as I walk the world today
in awe of what’s beneath my feet and everything well above it

There’s a purpose for today's walk as I am in search of a summit
Where I can submit
whatever in my life amiss
before what is amiss in my life
makes me plummet

And it’s in the process of
finding my way to this summit
that the world began to admit
the way that some people today exist


The next thing this world showed me was a man of about 5.3,
who woke up angry that he had to clean a pool
instead of being in school
and you could tell by the look in his face that this wasn’t cool

Yet he was not drowning so much in his pity party drool
that he couldn’t stop smile and open the pool for me.

Oh sorry their is a gap in the story, lets me go back and fill that in:
After fighting Rudmongors through the forest of apartmentia,
crossing the plains of pissoffius,
and flying on top of a dragon up to mt. Poolantis
I arrived at the submit where the Pool Orgor Guarding the Gaint gate,
after explaining my epic journey,
let me in, enabling me to begin to write the worlds words down.

So flash forward to now

Now this guy had been cleaning and fixing this overflowing pool since 5 this morning
while we are all snoring
picking and pulling out it’s dirt and leaves
while relieving it of an overabundance in water

I guess it’s not always true that the early bird catches the worm
because not a single worm of wisdom or revelation squirmed in this worthless water
So why even bother go to work?

The truth hit me in a flash so fast that it hurt

That this guy had to do what he had to do,
to do what it was he wanted to do
Thus for the sake of his dreams and goals
he was glad to do anything
to get everything
and that’s when everything came full circle

that this guy, and that woman, as well as me
are in the same world just trying to be
something

And it wasn’t that that saw me and saw nothing
but that her dreams and goals
were gathered together in where she was going
in that moment

That’s why instead of using the energy to say hey to me,
she was using that energy
to prepare herself for where she was going to be eventually
which may not be where she necessarily wants to be right now in her life...

Or shoot,
maybe she just didn’t notice me saying hi!

But regardless...
It was on this road to the submit I saw darkness,
but upon arrival to that summit I saw light
A darkness came from within the world,
but the light was not of it
for the light that lit the light bulb of this bright idea came from a place well above this

So as I come down from the summit to submit to you these words
I hope you receive them in the world
but not of it
In a way you never before,
have heard...

The Movement Continues...
- Rhetorical Artz

Waving

I stand in the ocean waters of a Florida beach
one arm wide open
the other arm...
waving
waiting for that special wave to wash me in

I'm body surfing
and when your body's surfing
it can't just take any old wave
it has the be the right one

that comes in at the right time


In the past
whenever I would go body surfing at the beach
their was a feeling I got
just before the right wave would rise up

from the stomach of the sea
so when I saw it
I didn't have to wait and determine
if the wave was great or not
I just knew


Cause when I would body surf
I could close my eyes and connect with the ocean
as I became one with the water
and in that moment
me and the Ocean were married
and the waves
were our sons and daughters
and the clouds
became my rich step-father
that would shower us with money
whenever we were broke
so that our family wouldn't evaporate
due to a bad economy


When I would body surf
I could open my mind and connect with the ocean
as I became one with the water
when that moment came
me and the Ocean were married
raising tidal waves of sons and daughters
who would wash me away
in the joy of seeing them grow
as they'd go into the lands of their adult lives
submerging the world in smiles, love, and laughter
giving boats of people hopes something to float on
even those who were land locked
in the feeling that all was lost


All this at the cost...
of a couple early gray hairs


So I stand here
one arm wide open
with the other arm
waving
waiting for the day that I can marry the Ocean
and open wide
with all our passion and emotion inside
waves of sons and daughters
given from the heavens above


It hasn't happen yet
but when it does come
and I get that feeling that the family body of water
of my wife, daughters, and sons are approaching

I'll stand there
one arm wide open
and with the other arm
waving...

The Movement Continues...
- Rhetorical Artz

The Unquestioning Mind of a Miracle

People of the west,
please stop asking so many questions...

Because true miracles happens to those who shape them
When we were born,
we were given a dogie bags from heaven
filled with leftovers from the fruits of the spirit
that we had already eaten and inherited

as the Maker of those miracles manifested
into those spiritual fruits within us a body of clay
clay crafted within us
so that we could shape miracles into our day-to-day

Yet instead of using it we started abusing this gift
as we drift through an analysis paralysis of trying to perceive the process of how Miracle happens

believing that we can consciously capture it, master it
and bottle it into a top selling self-help book for only 9.99

People of the west,
please stop asking so many questions...

Because blessings happen in disguise
like masked vigilantes
and to ask a vigilante to remove it's mask
is to move it towards death itself
thus becoming the architect
of it's destruction

We are an obstruction to justice
The justice of blessings bliss
And no it's not just some outside circumstance
outside of our control
it's just us that are doing this

and it's a crime
a crime worthy of capital punishment...
for the heart

Cause blessings in disguise are the arteries that keep blood pumping into the heart
keeping it alive
and trying to find out the human hideout
in which they hide
is like doing an open heart survey
and tearing the heart apart
all out of an unbridled scientific curiosity of where it was
in this world
that Blessings began to start

People of the west,
please stop asking so many question...

I'm not saying to stop asking questions altogether
just to stop asking so many
Cause now-a-days
it's become more as if were holding some Q&A session
with a preconceived agenda of asking and answering questions
that will contain something
that was never meant to be contained here
that will explain something
that was never meant to be explained here
that will clarify something
that was never meant to be made clear
here, on earth...

I'll answer this one question for you...
by saying Miracles DO happen...
But the biggest one of all...
didn't happen here first

The Movement Continues...
- Rhetorical Artz