tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73266351741993084132011-12-05T00:23:03.803-08:00This wonderful little space is a journey in writing.Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-45243862339088003872011-12-04T23:23:00.000-08:002011-12-05T00:23:03.821-08:00

"The only joy in your life comes from your little children," declared the unexpected voice on the other end of technology that would turn out to be a lifeline for Kayla. She stood in her pristine kitchen, freshly scrubbed to a Hollywood shine, and cried a river of tears. How could The Voice, unheard in years, step into her existence and reveal the truth of her days without having stepped in

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-64301277510561235732011-10-30T09:09:00.001-07:002011-10-30T09:09:23.384-07:00

What am I without the words swirling around my mind, waiting for a chance to burst forth and explode on paper?  I am the essence of the letters that form words and the words that form sentences and the sentences that form paragraphs and the paragraphs that form papers and the papers that form books and the books that transform lives.  I am all that exists within the pages, eagerly turned, hungry,

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-51004129370891340312011-09-12T12:01:00.000-07:002011-09-12T12:01:27.269-07:00

How could sunshine smile on me, comfort me with your glow When in just moments, there would be destruction my world did not know My heart jolts and almost skips a beat I look at the TV and can almost feel the heat The rumble and the deafening screams It is still early on a Tuesday morning, this all must be a horrible dream Will my soul ever settle down again Can't the heavens just open up, pour

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-66689877898548704592011-04-01T16:13:00.000-07:002011-04-01T16:13:17.639-07:00

Remembering you through the window of my soul Thinking of your smile that makes my life whole In memory of my late son, Cory, He'd be 29 today

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-36628306318281284912011-03-15T05:27:00.000-07:002011-03-15T05:27:32.260-07:00

Broken hearts like shattered glass staring through a window pane of clouded dreams asking why Broken hearts like broken beds looking through a lens of reigned in hope Wondering when

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-55052828521214209852011-01-01T15:55:00.000-08:002011-01-01T15:56:24.268-08:00

The sun shines on a new day, turning a page of a new year I looked at that sun and thought of long ago and tomorrow and know that you will be in the wind, shining like the first moon Rushing across the waters that stretch across the seas you eyes twinkle and dance amid the stars of a new decade sky yet the air breathed is beyond one or two and is tomorrow The midnight sky and the moonlit night,

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-6943124399034313122010-12-10T08:15:00.000-08:002010-12-10T08:15:38.747-08:00

I loved you with my whole heart, from the moment you made it jump when I first saw your frame We grew and laughed and shared and explored My heart expanded more than the capacity to contain the exuberance of joy that is you I loved you with my everything And it wasn't enough

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-8274011129375036782010-11-29T10:23:00.000-08:002010-11-29T10:23:22.677-08:00

you killed me almost as sure as taking knife to heart or gun to head years and years and years of suffering untouched waiting you slaughtered me

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-82984784980050328152010-11-29T08:01:00.000-08:002010-11-29T08:01:24.582-08:00

Sometimes it feels like carrying around a suitcase full of empty promises gathering dust and fight moths

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-33865144898172002172010-11-26T23:30:00.000-08:002010-11-26T23:30:07.461-08:00

To touch and be touched is life A baby feels touch and knows security, needs met, learns connection A child feels touch and knows acceptance, love, learns assurance A woman feels touch and knows intimacy, connection, learns love To touch and be touched is living Without it...there is no life Without it...there is no living I am without touch

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-4720400759498344292010-11-21T18:31:00.000-08:002010-11-21T18:31:50.274-08:00

One night with the king changes all the other nights forever For the king touches and soothes and whispers He calls the flowers from the fields, the pink and yellow and white One night in the house of the king in a land of oceans and the heart blooms eternally

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-87912376399288366802010-04-15T05:47:00.000-07:002010-04-15T05:47:35.813-07:00

Just open your hand and let them come in. Hold them in your palm and think about tomorrow. Then open your hand and let them blow like petals in the wind. Let the swirls or air carry them to fertile ground, planted for another day. Tomorrow, reach out your hand and touch the tree that is memory Feel it's strong trunks and see the roots deep in fertile ground. The soil of love nourishes the

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-76683900831807679602010-04-02T12:48:00.000-07:002010-04-02T12:48:11.605-07:00

Last night I had a dream of ships passing in the wind All along the ocean blue the ships were sailing, two by two Passing along side by side capturing waves in water wide Last night I dreamed of ships crossing the rounded point Gliding down the gulf of life

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-7361290479681317092009-12-03T09:25:00.000-08:002009-12-03T09:25:05.991-08:00

You asked me to sing your song And my voice searches for your melody You sent me to your heart With a Tender word reached through time You made my heart jump When you sang a song beyond tomorrow into yesterday

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-74117951377146403792009-11-17T05:32:00.000-08:002009-11-17T05:32:36.889-08:00

In the measure of my soul, there is only space for you The handbreadth of time is where we exist Universe can not hold the width and height and depth Memory fills the being to overflowing unable to contain In the east and west of my spirit where the ruler lies

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-9713971584404533152009-11-16T18:50:00.000-08:002009-12-03T08:23:05.210-08:00

I drank a coffee and thought of you As the liquid cascaded down the inside of my soul The warmth of your memory filled my spirit I drank a hot apple cider and remembered a place Where sunshine rises over the water and casts a smiling glo Today I drank a cup of coffee and thought of you...and it is good

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-60071698357868810412009-07-25T08:58:00.000-07:002009-07-25T09:00:29.564-07:00

Yesterday you were the note in my heart's lyricYesterday I could not sing without your rhythm in my soulYesterday we were a string on the bow of love's symphonyYesterday ends and the song is unsung

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-30228781299801221002009-07-07T09:29:00.000-07:002009-07-07T09:44:27.385-07:00

Featuring an up and coming young poet.In this roomI learned that the key to my futureIs the struggles of my pastRight in this roomI learned that every one of my ancestors' beatingsWaz for me to be freeThis dayI learned even though we have a long way to goNever let your culture dieThe drums my ancestors beatBeats in our heartsThe love our ancestors gaveStill survives on this landWe as African

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-10455936131937930372009-06-29T18:21:00.000-07:002009-06-29T18:22:40.225-07:00

I woke up this morning and thoughts of you flooded my mind like the sunlight streaming through the window.There is a piece of my heart that belongs solely to you, you hold it forever.When I go to sleep tonight and the moon kisses my brow, I will close my eyes and see your face.You are my forever

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-27883713515871413302009-06-29T09:25:00.000-07:002009-06-29T11:14:26.544-07:00

I am pleased to welcome Janet Riehl to my blog today. We sat down to chat, writer to writer, about her recent work and more about some of the feelings behind the work. I met Janet Grace Riehl through an open mic sponsored by the St. Louis Writers Guild. St. Louis is sort of a small town, and so our paths continued to cross as writers. Today I’m one of the hosts on Janet’s two-month internet tour

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-75969734672560066592009-06-26T19:50:00.000-07:002009-06-26T19:56:19.935-07:00

Hold my hand when my breath whispers the end of the story. Stay beside me and stroke my hair when my real me says it is time.Lean down and let your kiss gently caress my cheek when my eyes close forever.Touch my arm and let me feel the essence of our life when my spirit journeys away.

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-63308598139089126632009-05-10T13:03:00.000-07:002009-05-10T13:05:52.710-07:00

Looking out the window at the tall green tree, makes me wonder if you even notice meThe other day you gave me a glimpse of your face, a moment of your timeThen without notice you were gone, off to another without reference to weI'm not trying to bother you or even to whineJust wondering as the tree sways to and froAre we together or should I just pack my bags and go?

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-90737047691411208882009-04-06T12:45:00.000-07:002009-04-06T12:48:33.787-07:00

Give you time you asked meHow much time do you needWhat about when time runs outWhen will you be finishedGive me time to show what you mean to meTaken from the Minnie Ripperton songWhat you asked me so long agoI've waited years, waited all day longHow much time until you become we Give you time until time runs outAll the years of waitingI just want to scream and shoutThere is no more timeTime ran

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-27529598401909627482009-03-26T21:02:00.000-07:002009-04-02T09:57:09.446-07:00

May you always yearn for her like sunrise desires morningMay you crave him so deeply like moon hungers for nightMay you thirst for his touch like desert gulps the rainMay you delight in her embrace like snow dances in winterMay your today fill you to overflowing like wet covers the oceanMay you dance the lovers dance like shadow twirls the nightMay you always love written for my cousin Thom and

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-63489534355614147072009-03-22T05:00:00.000-07:002009-03-22T05:04:37.707-07:00

The other day I thought about sunshineAnd it was youRemembering the warmth of your embraceKnowing the solace of your presenceFeeling the glow in your welcomeWanting the heat of your embraceThe other day I thought about sunshineAnd it was you

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-50289279287362232212009-03-08T15:36:00.000-07:002009-03-08T15:38:22.836-07:00

The rage I feel is like a fire in my soulIt burns a red and yellow flickering threatening to consume meIt refuses to cool down despite the watering of my tears

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-26911271984502767292009-03-02T06:33:00.000-08:002009-03-26T21:36:36.985-07:00

When tomorrow was yesterday and the hope was realI looked in your eyes and saw waves of time standing stillWhen today was tomorrow and the canvass yet unmarkedI held your hand and painted our dreams come truewhen yesterday was today and we lived in dashed memoriesI touched your face and wove together remnants of maybeWhen tomorrow is forever and holds the threads of our foreverI kiss your lips

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-53589299730874348872009-02-24T08:29:00.001-08:002009-02-24T08:31:41.223-08:00

I look in the mirror and I see this woman staring back at meWho are youMy sister, meI look in the mirror and see many women, many years, many lives and I wonderIs this meWho is this I see when I look out at tears and smiles, love and joy, pain and peaceAll my sisters and meLooking at me the sizes and shapes and the colors and cultures and it is trueYou are my sister and you are me

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-43699728656522400672009-02-08T15:40:00.000-08:002009-02-08T15:56:00.211-08:00

There was a primal scream so loud is shattered the chandelier overhead.Fists pummelled the stiff body lying in repose on the velvet cushions inside the polished mahogany.Utterances of anguish emerged from many decades of compliant silence.Unanswered prayers now to be buried in the heavy chamber of clay.Fury burned the eyes were widows tears should rest.Strong limbs enveloped heaving frame pulling

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-64196659078105466912009-02-02T11:19:00.001-08:002009-02-02T11:19:52.937-08:00

God SaidThen Light CameLight to shine in the dark corner of memory where memory lurked in the shadowLight to coax out the heart tucked deep in the treasure chest of yesterdayLight to search for the jewel buried deep in the blanket of treasuresGod saidThen Light CameLight to guide the path to promise of the ever afterLight to guide the feet to the giddy tomorrowLight to touch the hand that reaches

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-32756139729208860082009-01-05T08:32:00.000-08:002009-01-05T08:46:37.680-08:00

My heart bleeds for my sons and daughters.My heart bleeds for the lost sons and daughters of my mothers and mothers and fathers and fathers.I look at the exposed parts and the swagger and the long shirts like a nightgown and the hats askew and I weep for the sons of my loins.I look at the tight tight and the low low and the shake for notice and I weep for the daughters of my womb.My eyes scan the

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326635174199308413.post-55605046327444572222008-11-11T15:13:00.001-08:002008-11-11T15:13:33.586-08:00

She imagined the scene a thousand times. He would wake up, grab his work-out bag, walk out, get in his car, drive down the street. She would stay in bed, engulfed in the cocoon of the early morning moonlight. The down-alternative comforter would keep away the chill that shimmied down to her toes. It was early fall and the cold that was her friend wasn't because of the weather. He had been a

Taye' Foster Bradshawnoreply@blogger.com1