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Charles D. Spann
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I was born and raised in Newark NJ. I was married at the ripe age of 22, and from that Marriage produced my pride and joy, Tajiana Denae Spann. That’s my major accomplishment, and most important contribution to this chaotic world. Because what her daddy doesn’t do to bring some sense of freedom to the lives of many, hopefully his daughter will.
I graduated from Barringer High School in 1985, Senior Class President, Student member of the Newark BD of Education, (policy review committee). I attended New Jersey Institute of Technology, Upward Bound, I then Attended Montclair State when it was a College, now it’s a University. I, with the determination to be different, and free, created an original black Greek organization on my campus. Phi Delta Psi was the fraternity brought to our campus by myself, as President and co-founder, it was one of my greatest achievements, because the traditional black Greek organizations were dead set against us succeeding, and we did. We were the largest Black Greek organization on our campus at the time, with 12 members, strong black (and Latino) men and women. Who all, in some capacity are now contributors to the fibers of American society.
I served my country in the United States Airforce. Upon leaving the armed forces, I began to delve into the deeper layers of my personality and accept myself for me. I was Editor and contributor to A local magazine “Springfield Avenue”, and finally a self-published author of “Strutting and Spreading my Wings”, a chapbook of poetry. I released a single “Sensual”, on a Rite Area records compilation, and performed in several local venues, under the wings of my musical mentor, Mike Otero (DJ Phaze). I must say that I’m well on my way to achieving my own Soulful Balance, and in my beliefs that is a mixture of that house music that takes you there, a vocal delivery with feeling, and now get this, Spoken word with meaning and definition… I hope you pick the book or CD up when they become available, and when you hear it in the club, ride the wave.
I’m Currently in the process of creating my piece of history. The beginning consists of a spoken word CD and a book of poetry.
Throughout this process your feed back will be greatly appreciated. I may post certain pieces of tracks on this site, and will definitely share some of my verse so check in from time to time and let a brother know what you feel
Lemme leave you with a poem or two.. holla back and lemme know what you feel when you read it.. aight..
The Unemployed Poet
Charles D. Spann
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How Am I doing?
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| When I saw you on the street Discreetly passing by You parlayed a simple question And I paused to ponder why Did you really desire an answer To your perplexing yet personal phrase? Or is this one of the many rituals That mundanely fills your days Don’t ask me how I’m doing And then just keep on stepping Didn’t mama eva tell ya, What ya asking well ya gettting The truth and the whole truth Is all I’ve got to say And after I release these truths You can be on your way All in all today I’m fine Ain’t got too much on my mind. |
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@2003
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Yeah, I’m fine. God is good. I’ve finally learned enough to be intelligent enough to know, I’ll never know everything.
Through the words expressed in my poetry, and the way in which I speak it, from the first poem I’ve ever written. Circa 1974.
A black man is a proud man
He is rich and prosperous in many ways
Stay strong black man
Hold on to your dreams.
One would be able to get to know ME. The inner me, the layers of me, the morals I hold dear, the depths of my emotions. I have learned several lessons in my 36 years and am well on the way to achieving some sort of understanding of this thing we call life. But that journey is never ending. As long as that is an actualization, then I am still learning.
Me, who I am, well there are a lot of labels, that may be applied,
Straight, bi, gay
Depends on the day
Rich or poor
Don’t know anymore Honest or a liar
Depends on the fire
Ugly or cute
That depends on you
Dependable or unreliable
Depends on who’s desirable
Father or dead beat dad
Don’t get this father mad
Committed or single
Depends on where I mingle |
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Life lessons
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| 1). Many people have uttered the ridiculous notion, that in life if you have one friend, you’re lucky. I tend to disagree. I have many FRIENDS. People who love and accept me for whom and what I am, as they see me. People who have the ability to be real, trusting, trustworthy, dependable, critical, comical, and most of all accessible to feeling life and allowing me to feel it as well.
2). I know with out a doubt that what you put out comes back to you, negative or positive. Sometimes you just have to make the right choice, no matter how hard it may be, but when choosing, just know right is right and wrong is wrong.
3). Nothing in life will ever work out until you love yourself. Self-love is only second to the love of God.
4). The value of affecting and shaping the life of a child is immeasurable
5). Family is the key to success
6). Stay true to your beliefs, don’t let society dictate who you are
7). Rules are necessary to eliminate chaos, but some rules are meant to be broken
8). Nothing and no-one is and are what they seem
9). The way we perceive ourselves is very different than the way we are perceived by others.
10). God is good
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#1
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Come with me
Come far, far away
From you r place of present
From the state of this day
Relieve a time long lost, forgot
The crack of a whip
On a black boy hot!
Bend with me with prickly hands
And sift the minerals from the sands
Pillage the land and rape the seas
Yes men have done all these things
Hateful devils with crucifixes, crucifying
Smiling pretending, discreetly beguiling
Place that noose around your neck
Stand upon Lincoln memorial steps
Can you tell me about your dream?
Or does it all seem surreal
Waking facing that morning sun
That’ll come back round to greet your son
It’s come around and around
Till happiness can’t be found in clowns
It’s changed, and shall change again
For better or worse let change begin.
Come with me
Come far, far away
From your place of present
From the state of this day
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#2
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Mega madness, dis here shit
Making me mad, shaking my head
Wondering who’s legit
Backstabbing brother, yeah my boy
Dick all up in my girl
Ain’t too much that’s right
In this here screwed up world
Ignance, yeah, niggas
Just don’t give a damn
Walking around in hundred dollah boots
Wit fifty cents
And wanna shake my hand
Yo bro
I don’t think so
I got bigga plans
Bout to go up the hill,
Get lifted
You can’t groove to my jam
You can’t feel me
Hear me
Be me
See me
Cause you’re drifting
From this land
And all it’s broken promises
To yet another black man, damn |
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#3
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In the middle of the night
I lay alone
Staring at the ceiling
Listening for the phone
I wanna call
But are you home?
For your loving
I’ve got a Jones
It goes deeper and deeper
It’s sweeter than sweet
Licking that body
From ya head to ya feet
Kissing and grabbing
Holding you tight
Sharing our bodies
All through the night
Watching your hands
Grab hold to the sheet
Seeing you smile
While I nibble you feet
Yeah that’s me
Lost in space
Picturing the beauty
Dreaming bout ya face
All alone
No one there
In the dark
On a lonely night
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