Jalin’s Book of Poetry 
 ​ What is the meaning of Life? 

Life, a word that is not easily defined.

Upon arrival into the world, we are blind to the unknown.
Our upbringing presents us with different pathways.
Our lives are shaped by our decisions.

We are the sum of experiences that we encounter as we go through life.

Every decision that we make reverberates throughout the entire universe.
My life, today, couldn't sing without the echoes of the past.

Life is most beautiful when we shine in times of darkness,

beautiful when we find our reason for living,
beautiful when we put our differences aside.

What is a life without hardship, without obstacles?

These setbacks is what makes us who we are.
The pain in life is what makes us stronger.

Life, like spring’s flower.

It is unpredictable and could wilt at anytime.
But then the brightest days causes it to bloom.

The meaning of life is the way we choose to mold our lives.

You can live a life of happiness or a life of hardship.
 Rainfall 

The sound of raindrops on the window.

A sound that resonates in my mind and soul.
My mind wanders off into the clouds.
Small drops brining life and irritation
Round fat soul beads
Falling back into the sea seamlessly
Rolling down my face tearlessly
The sound of ambience,
Places me into a state of mind.
A mind of reflection as the silver droplets meet the Earth.
At this moment, time stands still.
My heart sings a slower song.
I forget about the worries of life and intertwine with nature.
I open my eyes to the bigger picture of the world around me.
My soul is fulfilled.
 
Ode written for my sneakers 
Watch my feet as I traverse the asphalt
The stains of countless treks
Splattering the mud like salt
Bringing value to worthless checks

Rips, dents, and ripples

Signs of a long journey never-ending
So rough ahead that it cripples
I can not look down; I am transcending

You can't cover my sole

You can not hinder my stride
I ran too far to pay the toll
And don't ever offer me a ride

Colors and designs of walking hieroglyphics

Preserving the art
For an eternity without specific
Of a young black man’s heart

A monument to the events of a year

Like a book just waiting to be read
Taking me wherever as long as I steer
Until the laces and leather shred

 
 
 
 
 
 
Mother Nature  
She is vivid, vibrant and beautiful
Gazing upon the golden Sun, as it sets, leaves me in awe
Existing longer than humans ever have, yet appears so youthful
Isn’t she quite perfect? With not a single flaw

A bountiful amount of ways to describe her elegance.

Like, staring upon those luminous stars in space
Stunned in silence by their radiance
Compared like beads in sequins on black lace

Those Auroras are works of art, essentially paintings in the sky.

The winter snow is fascinating as it falls slowly,
Presenting immeasurable beauty to one’s eye.
To behold something so pure and so holy

She offers the world amazing, aesthetic pleasure

By any means, her beauty is a treasure

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dreams 
As we lay asleep, we enter a new reality.
Our imagination takes on an adventure.
Why is it that we dream?
Do our past memories shape what we envision when we sleep?

This new realm that we enter is fascinating.

We experience stories that are surreal, even terrifying.
Dreams are hidden stories, locked in the depths of our minds.
Stories that can be only unlocked by us alone.

Our minds contain portals to new destinations.

What is the greater purpose of these envisions?
These places that are far too incomprehensible.

However, these experiences are

Forgotten quite quickly.
We must enjoy them while they last.
As we begin to wake, we depart from these new realities.

 
 
 
 Outer Reaches 

Beyond our planet, who knows what lies.

The Universe is vast and expanding.
A space unknown and an infinite size.
Too astronomical for our understanding.

What wonders exist beyond the stars?

We when look up at the sky,
We observe the beauty of space from afar.
Snapping a permanent memory through the lens of our eyes.

Lightyears away there could be new life.

Who knows? It's all theoretical now

We lived our entire existence, in an incredibly small place

Will we ever comprehend the true magnitude of space?
 Authors 

Don’t be afraid of the dark, Keller.

Mistress, you will open your eyes and ours
Write the words so that we may see
Break free of your silent world

Don’t be afraid of your mind, Poe.

Tell us what troubles you
Altered mindset impacts longer and brings fear forward
Break free of the mold

Don’t be afraid of your skin, Hughes.

Clean up the dirt spread on your name
Color the white pages with words
Your skin is not the story
Differences are the story told

 
 
 The boy’s father 

The boy’s father died with chest

Alone, upon the grass
He is quiet again

So many emotions to constrain

With eyes clear as glass
Death knows his reign

He bets that his last words were profane

That man was full of sass
He is quiet again

A weak pulmonary vein

Tarnished the brass
Death knows his reign

Nothing comforts this pain

Now he lays there a fleshy mass
He is quiet again

Whether it was natural or if he was slain

He wishes that there was a bypass
He is quiet again
Death knows his reign
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Life Signs 
Start, stop, slow, go 
Which one do I follow? 
Which one do I listen to? 
Am I reading this right?  
Missing the point Missing myself 
Have to see the silver lining  
I am here now 
Must be an omen. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motherly Love 

There is this unconditional love that a mother has.

An everlasting love for her children.
A love that could survive the darkest day and weather the strongest storm.
A mother’s love is eternal.

She is a valiant soul in the fiercest situation.

There is nothing that could taint her affection.
Love that grows stronger through pain and sacrifice.
A mother’s love is eternal.

From the moment we’re born, a mother’s love is immense

A mother’s child is her greatest treasure;
The most prominent gift that she has.
A mother’s love is eternal.

A mother’s smile is like a crescent moon.

She has a heart of gold and love in the purest form.
A mother’s love endures the worst situations.
A mother’s love is eternal.
 Small Victories 

How can you contain the spirit?

The balloon rises as rubber touching the air
Squeaking by
But never rubbing the color off

How can you contain the spirit?

The look of curiosity of a boy with fists plunging
Into cereal boxes in search of a toy
Who never loses because it’s free
Trash bins are full and his bowl is empty
But his heart is happy

How can you contain the spirit?

The enjoyment of small victories
Wave away disappointments
 The Greed of Men 
Money attracts the desires of the masses.
Money has created a division in society.
The source of evil dating back to early civilizations.
Money is the embodiment of greed and power to decieve.

The corruption of man into power hungry rulers.

A hunger to always gain, but to never give.

Human hearts filled with greed instead of compassion.

The will to oppress the less fortunate,
created by an obsession for prosperity.
A society in which people are measured by their wealth and not by their character.

The beauties of nature are destroyed by the intent of man.

How long will it take to realize the destruction caused by human desire?
Is it too late to reverse the damage?
 More than words 
Books are gateways to new worlds
Immersing oneself into the story, witnessing it first hand.
Books unlock the pathway to wisdom.
A book allows you to become your own character.
The words on the page become alive
Books are more than just words on paper.

Stories that communicate a plethora of meanings.

We all interact in unique ways.
One book carries an extensive amount of power
The power of knowledge garnished one’s own two hands.
The power to change the world.
Books are more than just words on paper.

Books can speak volumes.

When I open a book,
The room I sit in disappears and I begin to transcend.
I transition to a new dimension of reality.
Books are more than just words on paper.
 My Passion 
Stepping to the line, my heart begins to race.
I love that feeling of butterflies in my stomach.
Running down the lane, my adrenaline pumps
Sprinting as fast as I can.
The dedication to constantly improve.
Racing against my own teammates,
Provides some friendly competition.
All athletes competing towards the same goal,
To cross the line first.
On the track, my worries vanish with the wind.
Time slows down and life becomes quiet.
A bang of the gun and I am off.
 
Fin