Wrote this poem in 2006 and performed it at the Hands Across Botanic Gardens Peace Day celebrations that NAYA was having to recognize World Peace Day. For more info on World Peace Day or Peace One Day go to: http://www.peaceoneday.org/home.aspx

These words
By DELROY NESTA WILLIAMS

These words speak of youth
Of zeal, of enthusiasm
Cry out from neglect
From inexperience, from pretence
These words speak of truth
Of peace, of brotherhood
Cry out from war
From poverty, from treachery
But these words are strong

These words are formed from loyalty
From warmth, from love, from fraternity
Based on tolerance, on union, on bond
Thrives in diversity
Disturbed by dislike
Suffers because of hate
However these words, move on

These words pierce likes arrows
They cut the heart
Call out for justice
Scream out from conflict
Squeal from being suppressed
Bawling for the oppressed
They shout out for action
Not reactions
And these words carry on

These words need devotion
Need affection
Need to be received
To be embraced
Not displaced
Not erased
Yes, these words go on

These words should be stored
Should be loved
Needs freedom from strife
Thrives where there is life
Needs to be communicated
The message disseminated
These words speak of decisions
They see no conclusion
These words shall forever live on

Started writing a book today, i have the basic idea scribbled down already, just putting meat to the bones. It's called the long road to love and it takes place on a passenger bus. It is not a romantic love story but rather a comedic outlook on the various forms of love intertwinned with social commentary in Dominica (life in Pointe Michel).

I will be posting the chapters on my blog from time to time for review and comments. I'm not sure how long its gonna take to get it done, but i am hoping that by the time i am done that i will have some pertinent comments from readers and also develop a fan base. BTW, im not gonna publish it all on my blog, just selected texts.

"The Long Road to Love" is on its way.

delroy

Cant remember where i got this from but felt the need to share it because i am a proud black west indian/dominican

They take my kindness for weakness.
They take my silence for speechless.
They consider my uniqueness strange.
They call my language slang.
They see my confidence as conceit.
They see my mistakes as defeat.
They consider my success accidental.
They minimize my intelligence to "potential".
My questions mean "I'm unaware".
My advancement is somehow unfair.
Any praise is preferential treatment.
To voice concern is discontentment.
If I stand up for myself, I'm too defensive.
If I don't trust them, I'm too apprehensive.
I'm defiant if I separate.
I'm fake if I assimilate
Yet, constantly I am faced with hate.
My character is constantly under attack.
Pride for my race makes me, "TOO BLACK".
Yet, I can only be me. And, who am I you might ask?
I am that Strong Black Person...
Who stands on the backs of my ancestor's achievements,
with an erect spinepointing to the stars with pride, dignity and respect
which lets the world know,
that I not only possess the ability to play by the rules,
but I can make them as well!

When taken out of context, some of the best inspiration can come from the Hallmark card aisle and television commercials. Case in point, an ad from GMC trucks, which proudly proclaims:"Amateurs work until they get it right. Professionals work until they can't get it wrong."so i've borrowed this line as one of the mottos i live by, the other one i like to read is above my desk at work and it has to do with our greatest fear being the feeling of being powerful beyond measure. there are a few things i live by, this two above and the fact that i should live my life like there is no tomorrow, remind myself that i am on earth for a purpose greater than i can comprehend, that i am a servant of the world who came to leave it better than how i met it, if not then i would have failed on my mission.i believe i was called unto the earth to strive for action, to assist persons from escaping their inner poverty, to free them from self-oppression and other things which keep them from self development, from reaching true potential, i am here to point out not just the obstacles that other people put infront of them, but those that they themselves put to hinder their own progress.i am not perfect in this, for i too am victim of putting obstacles in my way, but it is all a learning process, a process that will take me a lifetime to perfect, a process i am willing to live for, a process i will complete before the good Lord takes me home.Dee