Newark, NJ on the Rise

Mural by Malik

Whitaker-Hardaway


Newark, NJ on the rise

A silent silhouette against the sky

Daring to ascend from the ashes of

Racism

Political opportunism

Violence  

And economic uncertainty

Presently soaring in a restorative reality

in search of a promising prosperity

Newark, NJ on the rise

A silent silhouette against the sky

Whitney Houston

Sarah Vaughn

The voices of a multitude of angels sing on...

Soothing the hearts of the people

Bebop-ing through despair

Bending the flat five into thoughts that care

Scatting hope into the air

Newark, NJ on the rise

A silent silhouette against the sky

Amiri Baraka writer extraordinaire

Dared to defy the establishment

And now a new torch of hope burns bright
Shining light on New Jersey's largest city
Demonstrations...collaborations...unity...prayer
Prayer for Newark and Newark's new mayor...
The honorable Ras Baraka

Newark, NJ on the rise

A silent silhouette against the sky

Urban hot spot shouts
Stop the school to prison pipeline
Stop the decimation of public education

Youthful voices

Heads held high...proclaim to the sky

That justice will prevail

The people will not fail

Newark, NJ on the rise

A silent silhouette against the sky

Community activism fires up complacency

Calling for all to stand up in  solidarity

To confront social issues to push for that breakthrough
To have freedom in the new millennium
Freedom from mass incarceration…

Freedom from self annihilation

Freedom from bullets of bigotry

Newark, NJ on the rise
A silent silhouette against the sky

Newark's artistic legacy trumpets self determination...

Kuchichagulia!..Singing...swinging
Dancing...prancing...painting across the horizon
We will not die but but live
To sound the call to all…

The call for liberation…the call for the emancipation

Of the many beautiful minds currently suspended in time.

Newark, NJ on the rise

Newark, NJ on the rise
Newark, NJ on the rise
A silent silhouette against the sky

When I Lift My Eyes to the Sky

When I lift my eyes to the sky the magnificence of colors in creation soothe my troubled soul. Swimming in turmoil through turbulent waters navigating the human condition wiping away the dilemma of days lost in the rapid passing of time.  Hours devoured pursuing a flat line of self-serving deeds…combative aggressive types intensify the hype vicious in their pursuit of power. Greed the cataclysmic seed to success reigns…yet the fortissimo sound of unified voices harmonizes hope.

When I lift my eyes to the sky the magnificence of colors in creation soothe my troubled soul.  News of the day rocks reason in a season taunted by hostility.  Demonic voices destroy tenuous threads of sanity.  The rata tat tat of assault rifles signify the right to bear arms while babies crying with fear who want  mother love…papa love…family love…wail and weep drowning in a sea of retribution…yet gurgling music tones sing “Joy cometh in the morning!”

When I lift my eyes to the sky the magnificence of colors in creation soothe my troubled soul. War ravages the earth.  Cultures clash…civil war erupts…ideologies abruptly declare the right to eradicate with hate ideals of difference. Poison toxins contaminate breath…bombs explode…bullets mock life laughing at resistance mowed down in the name of dogma…yet a peace encompasses the universe tolling a bell of love that cuts through strife heralding the fragility of life.

When I lift my eyes to the sky the magnificence of colors in creation soothe my troubled soul.

Who is this Jesus?

All over the world people have heard this name

There is no doubt about his fame

He came to earth as a symbol of love

Sent to us from God above

Assigned by his Father a difficult mission

He sacrificed his life for sin remission

He was beaten and bruised for our evil ways

Yet his spirit of love lives on today

Who is this Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?

God gave us Ten Commandments to live by

Moral standards to apply to our lives

“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy…”

The day to worship God and him only

Thou shalt not kill…thou shalt not steal

Don’t lie on people…keep it real

No adultery…no envy of others

Show love to your neighbor…your sisters…your brothers

Who is this Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?

But man could not keep the royal law

So God sent Jesus to be an example for all

Starting with his miraculous birth

He went on to perform many miracles on earth

He healed the sick…gave sight to the blind

And invited all to his table to dine

He fed a multitude with one fish and some bread

And even brought loved ones back from the dead

Who is this Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?

Religious leaders in their jealousy

Had him tried for blasphemy

He was tried convicted and crucified

Defeated the grave and came back alive

Now through Him we can have eternal life

He gives us peace in the midst of strife

He gives us joy in the place of heartache

And continuous victory over our mistakes

Who is this Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?

 When we are depressed and can find no comfort

Jesus is there to ease our hurt

When we are shackled with an addiction

Jesus becomes our restoration

When we are in jail locked away

Jesus frees our spirit each and every day

When bad health has beaten us down

It’s in Jesus our healing can be found

Who is this Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?

No one is perfect…we’ve all done wrong

Yet to Jesus we all belong

We confess to Him the sins we did

And in the name of Jesus God will forgive

Jesus is the hope for humanity

He sacrificed his life to set our souls free

He knocks at the door of our hearts

So let Him in and he’ll never depart!

Who is this Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?