Foreword

We have always kept our words clean. There is no misogyny or

degradation of women. Yunus was exposed to poetry as a child; by his

poetic dad. His father often took him to poetry readings and

workshops. "in Yunus’s words: "I decided to write my first poem due to

the boring conventional stories. We have set a lifelong goal to be

heard globally. We are lost poets on the providence plantation.

November 3, 2010 the voters decided to hold the name of

plantation after 376 years. No change and the game remains the

same. Thank you for finding us and please share these lost poems, ideas

and stories with your family and friends. Once the messages are spread

throughout the land we will become lost and found by you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

lost poets

Yunus Quddus poems (1995 -2011)

So amazing...........................................................................1

Words from my heart...........................................................2

Lyrical..................................................................................3

Bad at math..........................................................................3

I am the one.........................................................................4

Seven...................................................................................5

Soldier (unedited)................................................................6

Mr. Wilson............................................................................8

Green...................................................................................9

Lost without you................................................................10

Black Men Can Fly............................................................12

Illy Philly............................................................................14

Twenty Dollars...................................................................15

Dreams...............................................................................16

ALI JAMAL'S POEMS (1979 – 2011)

Negros in Holy clothes......................................................17

Ayesha means Love...........................................................19

love dance..........................................................................20

(Ode to Kenny Gamble) Luqman's Vision.........................21

I’m going to Mecca............................................................22

Aunt Wadiya loved us........................................................23

Attack on Iraq part 1..........................................................24

Straight jacket....................................................................25

The Sad Little Boy.............................................................27

The hate that hate creates..................................................28

Poem for Ummi (my mother)............................................30

Grandma (Death Watch for Sister Minnie)........................31

ISRI after the flood............................................................32

So Amazing

It’s so amazing how I survived in Philly

So amazing only once I smoked a Philly

Only once stuck up at gun point in Philly

So amazing that I survived there really

Cause Philly gets illy

And the brotherly love is lost the same as a closed dove from harsh winter

How amazing 15 years in some of the worst parts

And west Philly is where it would all start

Each part finding a comfort zone where I could clap

take the ball to the rack

But don’t talk Smack cause you might get clapped and left on some tracks

Even those kids picking your pocket at 10 carry the mack

Give them some advice I think not

Praying to live to make my next salat.

Just because I could play ball and a little tall.

Didn’t have beef with thugs or drug dealer at all.

Well only once this cat pulled out the chrome 45

Said, “ we ain’t going to fight be prepared to die”

I remember one park you could see the shame and sorrow

So many fight and live lost in G-town un happy hollow.

So amazing

that I still love it death with all the trial and tribulations.

To deal with the pain

all my lost hommies and soldiers I break down in prostration.

Sending up a prayer to keep the graves light and spacious.

Especially the ones who where atheist

The love and pain of my childhood in Philly grips me tenaciously

Every time I visit it all becomes so real to me.

Light a light switch

I have to make a switch when I ride through Philly in a new or used whip

Almost as if I never left with my guard up

moves cautiously calculated.

The lord looked over me like sun over a raisin.

And to look where I came from to where I am it is so amazing.

1

Words from my heart

She is the apex of emotions

Her divine presence

Gives pleasure to all senses

Her voice an unwritten poem

Blessing ears when she speaks

I’m dazzled like kids making bubbles fly off tops of daddy’s shoulder

Dazzled like standing in clear water watching fish glide through legs

Dazzled like shooting stars after fireworks of first kisses

like angels appearing

God has opened the gates to heaven

And this angel made chin drop to chest

With her unparalleled divine beauty

That comes once

Every generation

Every millennium

Every eternity

Capturing attention like an eclipse

In a room of 1,000 people

Without her

I am alone

Her exuberant glow makes me realize

Loving her is my new religion

I worship and will sacrifice life to follow you

The pursuit of my dreams

That one soul mate

Showing the way

To a straight path

She has arrived

Providing the road to travel together

I pray to God every night

To remain in shoes of the one chosen as her lover

I thank God every day for answering that prayer

Waking up and seeing her next me…..I give thanks

For allowing us to meet, and exist, together, as one

When I kiss her lips my soul dips into the fountain of youth

Because she is from heavens highest Zenith

Sent as a blessing for me on earth we are beautiful together

2

Lyrical

I’m lyrical

spiritual

inclined to leave minds in labyrinths of melodic maze miracles.

In the laboratory

lacing my lyrics on very high ladders

to leave rappers

and poetic laborers lost.

Lately these lazy loafers like to ride the beat.

So I wrote this piece to loan you some lines

to add to your wack rhymes before they leave your lips.

Stop littering

and lowering

my listeners learning with your loads of lies.

Lessening their chances to U-Haul themselves to better locations

I’m doing nothing but blessing your mind

with the lyrical

spiritual

inclined to leave minds in labyrinths of melodic mazed miracles

In the laboratory

lacing my lyrics on high ladders

to leave rappers and poetic laborers

lost.....

Bad at Math

Math makes me cry

contemplate suicide.

Want to drink some bleach.

Math I hate math

wish I could skip this and go to the beach.

E equals MC square..

who the heck cares..

that's not relevant to my career.

Sitting in class lost.

Might as well not be there.

And no aid to pay my way.

Paved my own way.

Paid my own way.

3

Sometime I feel like Kanye.

Might as well drop out.

But if my GPA goes any lower I am getting kick out anyway.

Plus I got that late registration

three years I have been waiting

Contemplating

Anticipating

trying to save up money to pay this school miscalculations.

Interest is accumulating.

Pushing my dreams further into fantasy.

In reality

it’s got me defeated psychologically.

Bad at math just like my dad

but hoping unlike him I can just pass

I feel like McNabb

stuck in the pocket

forced to pass..

unlike McNabb

I couldn't pass and I failed that math class....

I hate math.

I am the one

I am the one changing people perspectives

Negative to righteous

Follow the leader

Greatness

Preacher in face

Relentless

Jehovah witness hungry

Empty stomach tank

I am the one

Saving souls

Changing lives

Stick shift

Real quick

Rap, poetry and acting

To get the money

2008

The time is now

Or sit with panhandlers asking for change

I am the one

Far from fame

4

Close to failure

Jumping on tops of buildings

Screaming at tops of lungs

Sometimes people hate to listen

Back flip off the stage when I am spitting……

I am the one

Inherited strong backbones

Break weak rappers bones

Hungry

Craving a calzone

Sick of ramen when I’m home

Brokenness I don’t condone

Throw meat on these bones

Before my name engraves a gravestone

One minute, put them in a zone

Dangerous with microphones

Kicking cats off thrones

There are many poets

But I am the one

Seven

seven levels of heaven

seven levels of hell

seven people signing the open mic list

and there's only one to make sure the other 6 don’t fail

five players on the floor

with two subs equals seven

seven hoagies that cost

four bucks a piece going into eleven

I got seven brothers and sisters to visit on seven different trips

the girl packed seven outfits for a three day trip

seven lines crossing Mr. Wilson

writing seven different poems for seven different women

and the outcome

seven numbers

seven phone calls to make to go on seven different dates

seven hugs and kisses from each one of the seven mistresses

when all I ever needed was one

taking one soul mate out of the seven

seven people trying to read my shirt

while hitting my first seven shots in a row

seven lost souls

5

still stuck on what a h o a g i e  is

it’s a seven letter word

the same as a G R I N D E R bro

as you listen and hear the seven prophets flow....

this may seem confusing

to a simple minded fellow

but I wrote this on the third Monday of the seventh

but wait……….

thinking of a shape that I can create

for this one I may let all of you reading the lost poets book participate

cause if you were reading the whole poem

I just made seven mistakes

seven eternal sins that close seven pearly gates

seven closed pearly gates

Leaving me

on the first level of hell of the seventh

as my flesh is burned off in seven seconds

I’m still stuck in my ways

for the love of the number seven.

Soldier (unedited)

If you grew up in the ghetto…you’re a soldier

Dropped out of school

Went to jail

Read the dictionary to lead your people

Malcolm X…you’re a soldier

This is for supermarket cashiers catching buses everyday

And getting disrespected by kids

Listen to this poem and I pray for your days to be easier

You earned your stripes

If you’re going to school every day

no idea of what u want out of life

You’re a soldier

For children eating Ramen noodles,

breakfast, dinner and free school lunch

You’re a soldier

For my classmate in a wheelchair…singing his heart out

You’re a soldier

And that kid is in all my classes

taught me not to complain about a bad life or sore legs

So let’s have a moment of silence for our handicap soldiers….

6

for the poets

doing art for love and sleeping on neighbors couches

you’re my hero’s…

and we were born soldiers

for men and women with HIV

still pursuing your masters degrees

it takes four years

when you have only got three years to live

you’re a soldier

and whoever gave it to you is a coward yellow belly

If you believe in yourself and follow dreams to outer space

You’re a soldier

If you’re the only one seeing the glass windows at the top of the church

Where a little boy wants to escape to grow

don’t be afraid to throw a rock

Pull back on your slingshot and let him out

Find the soldier inside of yourself

Don’t let the haters block your aim

Their scared of your potential…..

For the premature babies

Keep kicking…keep breathing…keep fighting..

Don’t join the military

Don’t follow the crowd

Realize your greatness…and know we were born to be AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH SOLDIERS!!!!!

7

Mr. Wilson

Versatility

to go into any setting or situation and adapt like a chameleon.

Creativity

to create 3 new philosophical pieces the day before the event.

My desires helps me to hold expressions

thoughts in the back burner of left or right ventricle of brain.

Well I’m right handed but use my left all the time

so maybe both of my ventricles are both working overtime

Like beats and words breaking you down at the same time

I'll leave it up to you to decide

What side you think is being used?

Maybe I am just a freak of nature

shooting Mr. Wilson with the left or right hand

Mr. Wilson

a dear friend of mine who has 7 crossing lines coming across himself.

Quiet as a monk

only speaking when in motion, in heat or on fire completely.

Cuff, swish and Bong!

Three words in our 12 year relationship.

Though I love Mr. Wilson more than Tom Hanks

I too lost Mr. Wilson a few times…………

The first time was my lack of appreciation,

another person took you away

while I played with another that had a better texture

The second time I got jumped

It was ten of them and one of me I’m sorry baby

The third time

you slipped away and took a ride with an 89 Buick Park Avenue

ending our friendship

The fourth time

We had a big argument

I lost my temper and kicked you right in the face

for not following my directions

letting some other player manipulate you in his hands like silly putty.

The fifth time was one of the best I ever had.

We spent so much time together.

I had to learn how to touch you right with the left hand.

7 days a week we went out to do the same thing.

1,000 dribbles on the left hand.

1,000 a day keep the turnovers and steal away

Well that’s what my coach used to say.

The sixth time

I remember holding you in between my legs

8

Waiting for the orange line train.

Waiting in a city where you have a million ball players

trying to master one guards killer crossover

Which is nice, but can you shoot?

Can you finish?

Got the million dollar move with a ten cent finish

Wondering why when tryouts come

16 names are posted you are the one eliminated from the list

The seventh time

I remember loosing you

I never tried to get you back

plus it was beginning to be too expensive to start over

well maybe I was just being too cheap.

Would you spend 20 dollars to hang out with me?

Would you spend 20 dollars to hang out with me?

I didn’t think so

I love you anyway though……….MR WILSON

GREEN

Health spirituality and life

The God color

Inhale the trees this shade is spiritual

It keeps me calm

While relaxing people around me from being violent

Cause I am a man of peace

So relax

Don’t be afraid

I was born in Martin Luther King philosophies

But raised in El Hajj Malik Shabazz

Loving all my people

That’s why I write

To keep from knocking someone’s head off

From the frustration of having all these colors in my blood

Black African American Cherokee Indian

Poetry

a universal religion

I was raised this way

To understand what my colors represent

But some are born followers

Going with what they see the masses doing

So if one million people said

9

“The color is now GREEN”

Would you only embrace that shade

I hope not…

There are few shades that I attached to my life

So I will remain GREEN….

The truth is often around you

But seldom respected

God sends signs to those that reflect

So I respect the earth by emulating the pace of a turtle

Walking for hundreds of years of oppression and disrespect

By others who point

Unaware that eventually this turtle will cross that finish line

The same time it took for me to ascribe these words at this turtle pace

In the end....

This will beat everything fluffy pink rabbit rappers can throw together in a hot minute

Sometimes I ask myself ma, what’s wrong with these poets?

Brainwashed, beaten and bamboozled.

Playing the game of life

What happened to honesty?

and core family values in Philadelphia Germantown unhappy hollow?

When we didn’t have Heineken bottles smothering our blacktops

I bet on a basketball game and lost

Paying the debt late,

but coming a few shades short of what they were looking for…

I never knew that a person’s life could be put at stake

For a mere measly three dollars

GREEN….

Lost without you

(unedited)

When music is at its best you can get lost.

I am lost without you Auntie.

pushing repeat to play that John Legend 50 times

searching for music to lose myself

began to write

think

Lost

sitting in my car at pier

reminisce aunt was a mother to me.

Aunt was there more than women who bore me

It hurts and I hold the tears…

remember saw father cry……

10

for Uncle Rashid’s funeral

auntie I hold my emotions inside and never let anyone see me.

Going to the closet and locking myself in the dark

bursting out in tears wishing you where still here.

Wishing I would not be left with that faint picture

the last time I saw you before God took your soul.

The picture of seeing you the last day

Had to return to Rhode Island.

Why did four days past until I visited you on the fifth day.

I remember I was in a bad mood

you and my father drove me crazy,

became your personal taxi.

Sorry for the way I treated you both,

Sorry for not spending more time,

that nine hour drive was rough.

Sorry for how you own children treated you spoiled apples.

I love you with all the heart I have left…..

Aunt Amina we never even got to see the funeral

Someone’s selfish idea to move you away to Wisconsin.

Given two day to get there at last minute notice

TWO DAYS!!!

after the lord gates where opened for you.

I pray you made it…….

When music is at its best you can get lost.

The same way I am lost without you Auntie.

When music is at its best you can get lost.

The same way I am lost without you Auntie

All the sweet things you did when we were kids.

Allowing us to stay in the suburbs to change our mentality.

an introduction to a different way of life.

You drive 500 miles to pick up me , IBRAHIM and RASHIDA

Then drove nine hours back.

We never needed clothes

Buying extra food for us,

Three that you adopted

took under your Waupelani drive ceilings.

I was a ball and chain

Waiting to obey every desire or request

Scratch your hair

Rub your feet

Help with the laundry and I hate doing laundry

Put the trash out

Go to the store and buy a fresh pack of Newport 100’s.

Not knowing every stick was taking 100 hours off of your lifetime.

11

May the Lord bless you for your Midas touched heart

I have not forgotten…..

I want to be a perfect child for you

Counterbalancing cousin’s treatment.

Gave them everything

Paying the rent late a few times

So we could play Nintendo’s Super Mario

The happiest moment in my childhood where spent being around you.

And the rest with my poetic father hustling talent

Hustling poetry at Zanzibar blue, warm daddies and Brave New World

If you could see me now you would be so proud.

Aunt Amina I could go on about you endlessly,

one day I will see you

we have a lot of catching up to do.

I love you and I am lost without you….

When music is at its best you can get lost.

The same way I am lost with you

Black Men Can Fly

My name is Yunus Abdul Quddus

That means

Jonah the Holy prophet

three words

giving me three strikes before leaving the terminal

three strikes before leaving the ground

infected since birth

Family inherited disease

Black, male, and Muslim

Tired of holding tongue

Current times these beliefs are frowned upon

Through all this I persevere

Use three again to F-L-Y

Focus Life on Yards

Take off the runaway and fly

Intending not to land again

Average everyday people don’t overcome obstacles

Brothers spread arms apart

Opening ventricles and injecting positivity

Replacing the vocals as thrust

Take off

Like Tuskegee airman

12

Fly over racism

stereotypes

Oppression and negative stigmas

placed upon us

Still not convinced that this skin was designed to endure all climates

No matter the turbulence

We can rise Ms. Angelo

Above and beyond

We survive, we recover

they feed me feces for breakfast

Said, “it matches your skin perfect negro”

this Nubian warrior took that trash and turned it into treasure

Just like a fly

Got right into it

Garnered the minerals and vitamins

to gain enough strength to fly

Leaving this unholy land they enslaved us in

we close our eyes to look into the soul

Runways are no longer necessary

But they keep asking me

“a yo man don’t you need fuel.”

Don’t you need fuel to fly?

No ignorantdamus

opposite of Nostradamus

I only need natural inspiration

Driven by a vision to help this world

Opening closed mental doors

Placing light within hearts

To set my people free

Reading....acquiring knowledge

To take my place in the cloud with these great aviators

F

Fredrick Douglas

L

Langston Hughes

Y

Yusef Komunyaka

Focus Life on Yards

Black men can fly

This poem was inspired by Napoleon X. Never in my life have I written directly how I felt about the history or struggle of my people and plight of the black man as a muslim in America

13

Illy Philly

Illy Philly

only one had made it past twenty-one

only one in my neighborhood that never held a gun

I've seen plenty of them

they held them right to my face

calling out G-Town

but I am not Rob Base

poetry

is what got me out of that place

I couldn't fight too well

but I could write too well

my name's all in the neighborhood

just like mail

six-three pedigree

epitome of the city

Illy Philly that's my heart

I can't survive off of art

but if I do

you know I've got to have the best part

and if I do

you know I've got to throw the best dart

Tyrese, where you at?

Tobias, where you at?

Albert, my boy is strung out on crack

I can't leave him like that

Zachary, you know I won't leave you like that

Don't worry

Daddy is going to find his way back

I fell off

14

but now it's time for a comeback

Ishaq quarterback

and I always make the catch man

I'm trying to get out of this trap man

and that's how I am ending this track man

I am going to be a success

That's why name is Yunus

Twenty Dollars

Can’t manage.

tired of that mayonnaise sandwich

So hungry

Breakfast peanut butter no jelly

Eureka!

I took chocolate Godiva from a teacher…….

Group home..

That’s how I eat

Blood sugar low

feeling very weak

situation bleak

paycheck every two weeks

ear hustling to put that food in my beak

empty plates

stomach pains I really hate

don’t complain to me I know you just ate

crabmeat I see

You have that shrimp on your plate

God please help me

I’m a struggling deadbeat with problems on repeat

I can’t breathe if you don’t but a book or CD

it only cost five dollars

I don’t mean to badger

but the anger makes me madder then the mad hatter

poets stand up

change your plans up

before we die slowly like smokers and cancer.

I got twenty dollars left

I don’t know what to do

Child support wants the money and Uncle Sam too

15

DREAMS

I’m dreaming

That I can see the sun

From the moment when my hood life days had begun

Now I am thinking’ hopefully that I can raise my son

She lies to him everyday

But your dad would never run

I can’t give up man, it’s RI until’ I die

Or until he can see the truth behinds the lies

Speak your name in the booth

That’s how I’m honoring my fruit

And the biggest mistake

That any person can make

Is having parents split living in different states

Two jobs everyday

So he has a full plate

Eat a bowl of cup-of-noodles

So my son will have steak

Whatever the endeavor going to make things better

Rock a twenty dollar coat

He got the feathers trapped by leather

People plot and scheme

But God knows my dream

I’m Spike Lee, just trying to do the right thing

Shocked to see my boy joined BM’s team

Now he’s lost in the sauce and whipped by the cream

Snakes and sunbeams

It’s OK! Cause’ one day homie you gona’ get the same thing.

The family man never had a family plan

Call United Way, cause ten years they was giving’ you a hand

I still forgave you man

I know God got a plan and I GOT DREAMS!!!

16

Poem's From Ali's Jamal Greatest Hits Release Spring 2010

Negros in Holy Clothes

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

Jigg with you the whole year through

it's enough to make a man enter Bellevue

ask them why and all they say is, “Brother Allah planned it that way”

Well frankly, I'm tired of niggers jugging with me

all in the name of decree

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

back biting, backstabbing, scheming and grabbing

Masquerade as your friend

and steady try to do you in

in a manner of a treacherous Bedouin

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

Some impress you as strong converts

and proclaim from Islam they never desert

We better Muslims than those from oversees

But really their actions manifest spiritual heart disease

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

Come Ramadan what piety they put on

saying, “Let’s let bygones be bygones”

“Brother, forgive and overlook

cause I don't want no thulumat (oppression-wrongdoing) written in my book

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

My new theme is: “Nobody knows the troubles I've seen”

Niggers is making a Nightmare out of my dream.

Let me borrow a line

from a Poet of another time

to buttress this rhyme

“You can take niggers outta' the Dunya

but, you can't take the Dunya outta' niggers”

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

It's enough to make you blue

knowing what believers go through

at the Negros in Holy Clothes

who get on my nerves and add to my woes

Of sisters I won't even speak

knowing some a little more sweet

17

still out in the street

Some sisters wearing head to toe veils

are no holier than the Holy Grail

Some sisters are not only Pest

but show symptoms of mannishness

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

Fall into a financial slump

and they treat you like a chump

saying, “Look punk, you gotta' pay the cost to be the boss

cause I ain't gonna share my welfare no time nowhere”

Those gifted with acid tongues

should have their necks rung

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

Try to get closer to your Lord and their abuse makes you want to pick up a sword

Holy, Holy, Holy Allah take me away from Yee!

Now the Old Folks say

there's more devil in church than out

and I believe this without a shadow of a doubt

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

Cause conflict

behave like derelicts

put you in a trick

break the golden rule

act like fools

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

want for you brother what you want for yourself

Ikwani-Muslimeen gets to be Ikwani-Musli-Me-Myself & I

Someday we colored folks will get it together

Maybe next decade

Maybe next Generation

Maybe Century

Or maybe next Millennium

until then

Negros in Holy Clothes

get on my nerves and add to my woes

© written 1979 by Ali Jamal

18

AYESHA MEAN LOVE (1999)

Love for ayesha...love ahhh...ahhhh sing..ayesha ayesha ayesha ayesha ayesha means love.

I’ve been beat out of the hand of a woman by another man...I’ve been beat out of the

hand of a woman by another woman...but I’ve never been beat out for the hand by the

angel of death...I reclaim my refrain from desert days..alameekhalibidouniquma" my

world is empty without you eternally. I say this earnestly...I am devastated...I am

alienated……...chorus... sing..ayesha ayesha ayesha means love I am agitated. I am

ingratiated at this space you vacated. I’m not merry and gay at the

lady that got away. In June there was a double dose of gloom. Number one female

companion married someone else. I was besides myself. Number two female companion

was taken by the angel of death mashaallah. It’s part of the trauma and ongoing drama of

love.

sing..ayesha ayesha ayesha means love

I lament you never got to be my habibi. I never knew your kiss or experienced marital

bliss. Endlessly I will reminisce. I tried to build a bridge to your heart. The fire would not

start, so I had to depart. Love is not tart. Between marriages you I did pursue. The last

guy flew away eight months to the day. Though married you were harried and told

“ Sister you sickly and old.” In a manner bold I told you, “ Sister in my eyes you’re a star

and I’ll take you as you are.” Isn’t that loves mar? Look Miss! It’s like this “ blind,

cripple, or crazy 18 – 80.” You chided me “ brother ALI our friendship has lasted longer

and is stronger than any of your marriages.” Relationships may sever but friendship last

forever. This is love’s endeavor. I guess I’ll see you in the next life and I pray you’ll be

my wife.

19

THE LOVE DANCE (1999)

Do the love dance make romance; Do the love dance take a chance

Do the love dance make romance; Do the love dance take a chance.

The love that you lost was not without cost. He hurt you and then desert you. He could

not savor your sweet flavor. So Allah did you a favor. I come as your savior. You’re in

better stead; him you did not really need. Let me make you believe in the power of love.

I’ll remove the hurt you feel. I want to make sure you heal. Hopefully your heart I’ll steal.

I’ll do this with intense zeal. I want to show you a love that’s real, really real.

Do the love dance make romance; Do the love dance take a chance

Do the love dance make romance; Do the love dance take a chance

Your emotions I'll peel my love is flowing good at growing guaranteed to get you going.

A seed I pray to be sowing. You got my eyes glowing. Just so you'll be knowing my

feelings are showing. All the same I feel no shame at this pursuit game. Your heart I'll

tame not leaving you bane. Your life will be forever changed for the power of love fan

the flame. I want to stay with you until I’m walking with a cane. Falling in love is insane.

I'll erase away your pain. Open your heart & let the loving start let the sadness depart I

can mend your broken heart. My Love is tart.

Do the love dance make romance; Do the love dance take a chance

My love is smart I adore you & adjure you to drop the defenses Let me enter your heart

in a loving advance. Let's take a chance at a new found romance. Let's do the love

dance. What will my love do for you? ………………The love dance.

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LUQMAN'S VISION(ODE TO KENNY GAMBLE) 1998

Jamaludeen Tacuma & ALI: "Wow! brother do you see the beautiful community we have

here now? Yea! There's a lot of beautiful changes going down. Brother Luqman told me

about 5 years ago: " You get a picture in your mind; a vision & with ALLAH'S help you

can make it come true". I hear you. Luqman's Vision community in transition;

Luqman's vision making the right decision

A vision is a picture in your mind, something in real life to find. I picture a neighborhood

were the people are good; knock on wood. A place where the streets are clean and the

setting serene. A block or blocks that are safe; a warm, loving, space A Community of

Mosques & Churches & no one is left in the Lurches. The components of community are

all there the folks really care. The merchants have adequate stores; No tolerance for

Drug Dealers & Corner Paramours.

Luqman's Vision community in transition;

Luqman's vision making the right decision

Facilities are provided for the youth; Elderly; & infants in due difference. I envision a

place where the homeless are housed the Needy will be fed. People will feel safe in

their beds. A loving atmosphere where troubles are shed. Dreams come true; yes they

do, & can happen to you when you're young at heart. For that line I can thank old blue

eyed Frank. "O ye people! Arise & share the vision of Luqman the Wise. A.K.A; KG the

DJ. His visions are AOK He's showing us the way; for we've got a message in our

Music. Not a Viper, but a Visionary Pied Piper. Lead us to greater Glory.

End of our story.

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IM GOING TO MAKKA (1998)

I’m going to Makka; I’m going to Makka. To seek my piece in the Middle East

I’m going to Makka; I’m going to Makka. To visit the house of Allah. I gotta go to Bait-

ul-Allah. I’m going to Makka; I’m going to Makka. Running around the Kaaba. Doing

the seven circuit Tawaf; won’t be alone when im kissing the black stone. I’m going to

Makka; I’m going to Makka. I’ll do the saee between Safa and Marwa. Take a drink from

the well of ZAM-ZAM. I’m going to Makka; I’m going to Makka. My spirits complete

I’ve done an Umraa, next I will visit Holy City of Madina. In Hajj season I’ve got a

reason to stop at Arafat, Muzdalifaz Mina at that. Pick up the pebbles and stone the three

Jamurats. I’m going to Makka; I’m going to Makka. Subhanaallah, walhamddulilah.

Allah Akbar, La Ill Laha Ill-Allah. I’m going to Makka; I’m going to Makka. O’ Allah

this sanctuary is thy sanctuary; this city is thy city. This slave is thy slave. I hear the call

to prayer and feel honoured to once again be here. I come here with innumerable sin.

Only to hope I receive cleansing from Allah my friend. The journey here though long and

arduous is a thrilling sight, as I watch the birds over the Kabba in flight. As we approach

Makka I say, “ Labayk; Allahumma Labbak, Labbayky, La Sharika Labbaykh Innal

Hamda Ni Mat Tul Mulk La sharikah Lak

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AUNT Wadiya Loved Us (1997)

Aunt Wadiya loved us placed no one above us

Aunt Wadiya loved us placed no one above us

I still see her pretty and brown

Fun to be around

I am remiss, as I reminisce

I led the Janaza (funeral) prayer

We placed her in the grave

She was ALLAH’s (gods) slave

Death is intensely grave

Aunt Wadiya or wah-wah as we called her

All the little kids loved her

She served them cookies and milk

Read stories and played with them

She was our friend

Aunt Wadiya was loving; nurturing and kind

In her peace you could find

She was a shoulder you could cry on

She was an aunt you could rely on

You could tell her things you wouldn’t or couldn’t tell mom

Wadiya tell you to hold on to Allah and pray

In-sha-allah the problem will go away

She sympathize and relieve your traumatized soul

Gave profound advice to help you through life

As a little boy I did taunt that she was my favorite aunt

She had a long fuse and would never abuse

Aunt Wadiya would make you laugh even during a difficult task

When you felt down she’d lift you up

I cried on her shoulder about a long lost love problem for six months or so

Finally, Aunt Wadiya said: DAH, DAH, DAH

It’s time to get a violin and sing me a sad song

It hit me what she was saying

We laughed and dismissed the subject

Stop crying the blues and move on with life

The last nine months of her life she fought the ravages of cancer

Whittling down to 85 pounds

She was charitable and involved with family and friends

Well loved

Well needed

Well heeded

Hate to see her go

We loved her so……..

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Attack on Iraq

It’s a fact that I’m black and George Bush did attack Bagdad Iraq. I’m not going to send my sons to die in the desert jack. It’s a fact that Sadam Hussein; did make the kingdom of Kuwait into his 19th state. 19 years after the due date January 15, cruise missiles, smart bombs, laser beams landed at his gate. Adding to my pain is Sadam Hussein not at all insane. The quest for power is his game. The misery index grows and were it stops only Allah knows. You gave your word not to hurt the Kurds. America has a hookup with the Jews. How can you lose with the stuff they use? Intifada has longevity stronger than the Battle Of Granada. Intifada I find is gaining momentum in Palestine. They hope to win in time. B52’s carpet bombing, the missle cruise. Patriots to complete this devilish forget me not. In the evening we hear a dud; it’s a falling skud landing on Riyadh with a dud. They also fall on tel-aviv. Will the troops ever leave? The question asked by many a man on the street contrary to what the king and his companions. Oh! My life is replete as I read from hadith. A great war will start in the east and continue until thee arrival of the beast. Why must us; the us play the worlds police at home they can’t keep the peace as drug lords rule the ghetto streets. In the last days; man will kill his fellow man and not know why? As Uncle Sam say: " die nigger die!" the brainwashed TV audience swallows the lie. The war won’t start being a drag until Dover del overflows with body bags. In my holy book I read! Don’t kill women, children, old people, and noncombatants. Don’t destroy crops, houses, and trees unless it’s a necessity. Although it may be an utmost desire, don’t punish anyone with fire. Saddam's new song: " I don’t want to set the world on fire; I just want to start a flame in these parts. If I have but one desire it’s just I yearn to see tel_aviv and Riyadh burn." Oh! Sadam Hussein you cauterize and maim. Causes fellow human beings needless pain as George Bush stand tall; on the innocents bombs fall.

War is really a mother, causing babies to suffer. I race through my mind and remember a line from all quiet on the western front. “ Old men start wars; young men go out to fight them.”

George Bush in the middle east can’t win. For 5000 years. Empires rise and empires fall.

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Still the Western War Lords don’t heed the call. Many mighty nations have sunken to degradation. The Assyrians Philistines; Babylonians; Romans; Greek. Just a few do I speak. The Turks, British, French their empires did cinch. America will engender the hatred of Arab honor sacred. There will arisen the chosen one long awaited. George Bush heralds the coming of The New World Order. While thousands die like lambs being led to slaughter. All for the sake of law and order. A thousand refugees run to the Jordan Iraq border. Gorbachev doesn’t get involved with a problem he can’t solve. The Russians learned their lesson when the Afghans they started messing. If this poem seems rambling and confused. What’s the use? As a new crusade begins the U.S. plunges into a war without win. Sounds like Vietnam all over again. People I’m unable to dissuade, so I end my rambling tirade

Straight Jacket

What I can’t hack is

The fact is

You’re in a straight jacket.

You viciously attack everyone else’s stack.

Dig this black.

There’s no compulsion in Islam.

Understand brother man.

If you make a thousand rakats, or pray a whole lot.

Why not?

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But when you try to force me to make 1,000 rakats

I will say stop.

In the least you’re behaving like a priest.

No middleman between me and Allah.

Check this out akh!

I’m not down with the haqq, akh.

Stop making me bop to your tune.

Don’t shove stuff down my throat as you gloat

Guys like you stifle all the good and pretty things that make my heart sing.

Your imposition involves deprivation

Privation and alienation.

The way you see life is full of strife

Art is haram

Poetry is haram.

Music is haram.

TV is haram.

The world is haram.

Do me a favor.

Take a deep breath.

Hold it in your chest for ten minutes.

Get my idea?

The shaykh said this.

The shaykh said that.

The shaykh sermon was real fat.

You must not break with the shaykh.

I thought there was no priesthood in Islam

You have the right to pick and choose.

Win or lose.

Then make an independent decision on daleel.

Not how the shakyh feels.

be a part of the community.

Don’t destroy our unity.

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Allah’s with all who submit to him.

Life you’ll find is not a bind.

If you stop being so narrow of mind

All things come in time.

The lord I worship is full of grace and controls this vast space.

Not limited to any time or place.

So get out of my face.

Be sure friend at life’s end.

We all will come before him.

Bare

Naked

alone and on our own

No collective exemptions.

Only individual redemption.

You can’t bear my burdens.

I cannot bear yours.

What are you a minister living large.

Who died and left you in charge?

God gave you a brain to think ,decide, then act……. Get out of straights; jack

SAD LITTLE BOY 1991

O sad little boy, why do you look so sad. You should be happy and glad. Are you

sad because your dad is going away; not very long will he stay. Abu; why you

going away from us, don’t you love us anymore? Why sure, I go to make a better

place for us; in a neighborhood not so rough. A place where you won’t be picked

on for being Muslim, Male and Black. A place with new friends and a big house; I

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know you’ll like that. Now I look at the portrait of the sad little boy. In his face is

no joy. I’ve been here a little over a month and haven’t lost my spunk. Remember

always if nobody else do Bu-Bu loves you. Show Abu you care and keep up your

prayers. Say an extra duaa for me. Keep up your homework and study hard. Please

don’t mess up the backyard. Tell me son about what’s going on at home when you

write. Think of me morning, noon and night. Does Aunt Wadiya still call at fajr

time? Does Yunus go around saying silly rhymes? Is Ibrahim still bossy, does

Rashida go around trying to look glossy? Do you get a beating before going to bed

at night? Does Ramadan cry when you turn off the light? Does Hassan Khabir go

around saying let’s fight: let’s fight. I love you all my sons; 5, 4, 3, 2, and number

1. In-sha-Allah I should be home in the spring and I’ll have a new song to sing. As

I close I want you to know and remember always if nobody else do……………

Bu- Bu loves you.

THE HATE THAT HATE CREATES

I once knew a man

He was an Englishman

He was a fiend

who had no friends

His claim to fame is hating everyone I name

Nobody is greater than a player hater

He hated the sky

He hated the desert trees

he hated local lizards and hates the red sea

He hates the desert sand and the black man

He hates fat people and hates me

He even hates the holy see

he hate Muslims ...black and white

Detests my spiritual insight.

My preachment sends him to flight.

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He's an English Archie Bunker type

He hates the Royal Family

He hates Pakistanis

He hates Bengalis and Filipinis

He's a real Houdini

Oh! He like booze

He ain't jiving, he likes scuba diving

He likes swimming

And he likes black women

He likes John Lee Hooker.

He's a Blues Music Onlooker.

He hates Christian,

He hates Hindus and he hates Jews

And don’t like Zinji's or Jingli's

He hates sweet men

He even hates his girlfriend

He also hates children

Hates our school

Hates all the rules

Good Lordly he hates the Saudi's

He don't hob knob with people at the job

Hates the Queen

He hates spring

He hates the bells that ring

He's all by himself

because he hates everybody else

I could go on wrangling about his hates until dawn

but then within me hate will spawn

My country TIS' of thee

Him I pity…………..…for this is the hate……..that hate creates.

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POEM FOR UMMI MY MOTHER

Today is anniversary of sorts.

March 15th I report; momma died

Beware of the ides of March!!!

I just couldn't cry

I just couldn't cry.

It's been a year and still no tears

Tears well not in my eyes

I do feel a little glad and relieved

you died as you believed

Muslim

Allah's friend

No I shan't grieve

You were happy to leave

The last few years were full of suffering and pain

it was my impression of clinical depression

You spoke of yearning to be with your spouse and return to Allah

Who wants to live forever anyway; anyway?

Many times you quote the hadith.

"oh! Allah give me life as long as it’s good for me

give me death when it is better for me”

Your life was a celebration with many triumphs

I miss you

wish you could have stayed

another thousand days

you left behind; no other mother in kind

May Allah rest you

all the best to you

as salaamu alaikum ummi...

peace be upon you…..I promise to pray for you

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Grandma (Death Watch for Sister Minnie)

I sit here in a hospital chair waiting for a lady old & rare; I stare. The death watch for

Sister Minnie / Maryam. Grandma is almost gone. While she's dying ;I'm trying to

reconcile her file. Why is she in the Nursing home all alone? We should have done

more; we could have done more; Old age is a bore. Not every day; nor every Sunday

did I go to the Nursing Home. Days I went she was alone; I didn’t sign the Ledger--to

be Fledging my chest. Is the best look; the best took of Granny? How often did we go

to see Granny. It pains me when I see a shell of a woman wasting away; day by day.

So strong & flourishing in another time; subject for another rhyme. My memory seizes

me in times of Glee; Yesteryear how dear. She gave her all to her family. She was

always there and proved she cared. Says my mother: "Grandma is doing what we all

must one day do." We Celebrate a Great Lady; Mrs. Minnie Walker. She was a Talker;

Mrs. Walker; but with profound wisdom. I remember the time she told one relative

"Go on back home to your wife blood is thicker than dirt. That other girl is dirt compared

to your wife." Ali You's my Oldest Grandson. Set a good example for your younger

Cousins. Finish High School; go on to College. Stop talking so much. don't be a

Whoremonger. Whatever you do don't broadcast Yo' Business. Be Sweet & discreet.

People respect that way better. It's not what you do, but the way do it. As a Man it took

40 years to apply her advice. She was so nice. Some Creeps Usurped my right to lead

her Funeral Prayer. I spoke on it right there. At 87 she became Muslim; At 97 she

journeyed to Heaven. Birth; Life; Death; Infinity; on to Divinity. The culmination of an

Eventual Journey. She's traversed the many stages of Life’s' pages. The ink has written;

the Pen is Dry. Now all you got to' do is try. Grandma loved us all; as we say Good-bye.

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ISRI After The Flood

Beware of the Ides of March. Actually the ends of March. 3/30/2010 our story begins. In New England winter snow is followed by Spring Rain. It's a pain. Islamic School of Rhode Island was beset by a flood. Floors; Doors; & Desk covered with Mud. Materials & equipment lost at an incredible cost. The Fitna was Tempest Tost. Floods, earthquakes, & rain are within Allahs' domain. He gives and He removes pain.

ISRI was challenged by tragedy into a state of dislocation. They rebuild & renewed at various locations. Raised now to a higher station. Moving forward & progressing with staunch determination. The students & Staff have not abandoned the task. Bely the past; The die is not cast. Allah has our future before us & we know he adores us.

ISRI Mission is submission to Allah; and the Journey is not far. Prepare with Education to contribute to this nation. Remove your anxiety & join American society. Tanfiru; struggle, strive, & go forth: Stay the course. A new day; A new play. ALLAH says: "Be sure we shall test you with fear & hunger, loss in goods; lives & fruits of this Dunya; But patiently persevere & say"Inna Lilahi wa Inna Ilayhi Rajiun--Reject Gloom". To ALLAH we belong & to him is our return. We all must practice & learn.

So this night let our hearts take flight. Good words are spoken & the pocketbooks must open. Get on the go & get with the flow; so our school will grow. To ISRI I say: "Get in where you fit in & don't lose the will to win. As this poems ends I say: "Offer ye no excuse--Give up the faloose. YA! Habib! Your money WE NEED!"

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