on demand

objects in the mirror are closer than they appear
dreams bounce on puddles
like soundwaves ripple ears
we huddle in bunches to stay warm
holding close what's known
repressing hunches to leave home
only to return in due time
yet came back to faded signs
and pictures with frayed edges
we hedged bets; averse to happiness itself
never knowing what the future holds
yet melting down hearts like roach clips in the dark
we spark it up for those soulmates seemingly still on the ark
waiting for us to disembark
and hold hands
but the cold hands and feet and days only repel
never quite able to tell the season
or the reason for our being
except that forever is infinite
which is definitely a long while
so the smiles may not hold as much joy
the cheek bones too much to bear for the man-boys
who tried to do what was right
and still got bagged like thieves in the night
so the ski masks came out
ill ice grills framed their mouths
and angst filled the air like sauerkraut
and broken glass
the shards of which we use to claim our place
in the sand
the first of the last
the last of the firsts
chivalry on demand

Moonwalkers

Butterflies gave me hope on rainy days
yet, I'm asking them to change their ways though
Told them to stop making my heart
flutter
Pent-up passion caused me to start stutter-ing
and twisting
my words
And I'm no fan of being tongue-tied

Ao, although no big puns are intended,
this average Joe did say he didn't want to be a player
no mo
Made those former cocoons beat it because
there is no black or white
only invincible gray matter
when nothing else matters otherwise

We struggle to hang on to high hopes
Hanging them on half-charged power lines
unaware of the electricity
casually zapped from our core
Do you remember the times when sweaty palms
meant your SkyTel was blowing up?

Now we make love via text messages

Midnight thrillers on the big-screen of
ritualized romance
dancing below windows and off walls
This pretty young thing found an equal match to rock with
You see, his story was equal parts depth and ambiguity
a dangerous combination of risks, rewards, and reggrets
helped to shape his past, present, and future
but sweat is the stream of life connecting their dots
until that one night in Japan when the blood on the dance floor had them screaming and channeling life's force through their vocal chords

i guess we're all men and women staring blankly in mirrors
still trying to see our true selves through the steam

Revolve, a fundraiser for Project HIP-HOP

Peace family,

I wanted to take a quick moment to say hello to everyone and invite you to an event this Thursday evening. You may or may not know already, but I am a volunteer and board member for an organization by the name of Project HIP-HOP, which is based in Dudley-Square. It is a youth-focused entity that is helping to create a new generation of community-engaged, socially-conscious, and grounded young people. This Thursday, May 28th, Project HIP-HOP will host an event entitled, REVOLVE, at the Boston Foundation's headquarters (75 Arlington Street) from 6 PM until 8:30 PM. The event will feature live music by our resident teen DJs, hors d'oeuvres by Ethnica Catering, and refreshments by Bon Vivant Wine Company.

Project HIP-HOP is not all things to all people; but it means the world to many. It is a safe haven for youth from Dudley Square's bordering neighborhoods. It is a nest for a new breed of community organizing centered around local solutions to local problems with creative thought, feedback, and action by those most affected by the problems and the solutions. It is an experience in itself where youth learn about ways to use hip-hop culture for social change to empower themselves and their communities

To be straight-up, it is indeed a fundraiser, but also a celebration. It will be a time for us to celebrate many occasions. Our Executive Director, Mariama White-Hammond, was recently named a Barr Fellow and will embark upon an extended sabbatical. Filling in for her will be D'Mon Bills, PHH's Deputy Director, who just joined in February and hit the ground running. For the last three years, I have served as the board chairperson. I will be stepping aside as to allow for a fresh leadership perspective. Taking my place as board chairperson is Marc Germain, a good brother who is actually a PHH alumnus. So, in essence, PHH has already come full circle. Two people (Mariama is an alum as well) who were formerly youth leaders are now community leaders committed to fostering a new kind of cycle amongst our people. Not one of tragedy, despair, and struggle; but one of purpose, hope, and integrity.

So, in closing, I am asking you to consider attending the event, but even more importantly, to strongly consider making financial or in-kind donation. I truly believe with my heart and soul in this organization and its impact has been tremendous thus far. But as the saying goes, there is always room for improvement. The young people of this city need to know that the adults do in fact have their backs.

If you would like to learn more Project HIP-HOP, feel free to visit the web site or just ask me. I'm all ears. Take care and stay up.

Peace,
-Eric/POPS

http://www.projecthiphop.org/revolve.html

say goodbye to Mississippi's

Tucked away on a relatively desserted street a few blocks from my crib is was one of the best-kept secrets in town. Mississippi's was a quasi-cafeteria and deli-style restaurant with an open floor-plan and some of the tastiest food in town. The employees were diverse, the food was good, and the environment was quite and serene despite the bustle of the Orange Line mere feet away. A few months back, we got an email saying that a fire had destroyed the building and that rebuilding plans were in the works. Unfortunately, we got an email today saying it's a wrap. They threw up the deuces. Peace out to a hidden gem in the heart of the city. See for yourself:

Dear Friends,

With a great deal of sadness but no regrets I have made the decision not to re-open. After 30 years, it is time to hang up the pots and pans and kiss the cash register goodbye. I'd be lying if I said that I enjoyed every minute of it. The bad things people say about the restaurant business are entirely true. But I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you that I have enjoyed serving you a fine meal at a fair price for as long as I possibly could. It is wonderful to be able to take raw ingredients and turn them into a finished product. Not just any product, but a product that people trust so completely that they will put it in their mouths and savor it, and then come back day after day, week after week, year after year. You did that and I am grateful that you have trusted me so completely. I couldn't have done it without you.

And I couldn't have done it without a loyal and hard working staff. No group works as hard as a restaurant staff. The pressure can be brutal, the work is constant, physically demanding, emotionally challenging and requires nothing short of complete diligence. The reward is not only money because if it were, we wouldn't have anyone to do the job; the pay isn't great. The rewards are primarily an internal sense of accomplishment and the look on the face of a satisfied diner. And yet those workers are frequently overlooked, or worse yet, mistreated by the public. Don't misunderstand me, the thank yous come, but never when the kitchen is overwhelmed, the servers are shorthanded or management is caught off-guard, in other words when the thanks are needed most. The readers of this letter are a notable exception. You are the people who supported Mississippi's even when we let
you down.

I began restaurant work in 1976. I bought Mississippi's in 1981. We moved from Kenmore Square where we were a late hippie hangout to Brigham Circle where we became a Longwood Medical Area catering phenom and finally to Roxbury Crossing where we fit in like a member of the family. It was a sweet progression and our last stop, the facility on Terrace Street is without a doubt the finest place I have ever worked, the most comfortable environment and I like to think that it was one of the many places that make Boston a fine place to live. I have never been in a restaurant whose clientele was so well integrated, racially, ethnically, culturally, economically and professionally. Everyone felt at home at Mississippi's and that was very gratifying. Being the owner of such a place was not my initial intent, it was accidental, but it was a great privilege to be able to treat everyone who came in here with respect. It is true that you get what you give. At 103 Terrace St. I got that respect back in bundles. I am going to miss you and all of my customers dearly.

Mississippi's Restaurant has given me much hope for the future and the opportunity to see how well a multicultural society can work. In its aftermath, I am moving on to a new career. So far, I'm not sure where. My lifelong passions have been reading, writing and editing and many moons ago I graduated from UMass with very high honors and an English degree. I hope that I can use that passion and expertise to contribute to a worthwhile cause among a group of like minded people. If you know of an organization where my skill might be useful, please don't hesitate to call.

I look forward to seeing many of you again, but some of you I might never see again. If you know people who aren't on my mailing list but ought to be, please forward this letter to him or her. To all, thank you, thank you and may God bless you.

Love,
Jim

P.S. I have been referring former clients to other caterers who can meet their needs. If you are looking for a caterer, let me know and I'll put you in contact.

Now wasn't that some of most pure and rawest emotion put to words? Make your vocation your vacation and voila!