I'm a descendant of someone bought and sold, and brought in 1619 in what was to become the United States.

If I have a monument in this world, it is my son.

Growing up at my grandmother's table, she always had rice. She might do something as exotic as potatoes or spaghetti, but there was still always rice, just in case you needed a little rice fix.

Depending on who I am talking about or who's talking through me - if the person is a kind of hip-hop, or rhythm and blues person, or if the person is a kind of old-fashion gothic, meaning gothic attitude, then that will determine what form the poem will take.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.

I sustain myself with the love of family.

I'm grateful to be of use. I will not be misused or abused, but I will be of use to anybody.