Heaven's Child

The Gift The Essential Beethoven

A little boy made his way to Heaven
It was only then he discovered he was a man--
Father, he asked, why on earth was I given the brain of a child?

You see there are many things to test man on earth
You were given a huge purpose
To help man understand the significance of life
Sometimes you felt his harsh tones of discrimination
But, I was always there with you
When the world denied you entry
I opened my door
Man can be consumed with how much he is to earn
You were there to serve me
Man doesn't always observe the impact of the simple things
Your smile opened many hearts.

Yes, Father, the boy replied, but why did you choose me?

Why not choose you, the Father replied.
Man makes choices in life
Your parents chose to have you
What a great honor to Me
Your parents valued life.

Some say I occupied space, the boy told the Father

Everyone occupies space the Father responded
Who is to say one's use of space is more significant than another?
It is how one responds to that use of space that is significant
Every droplet contains its own elements
The elements are derived from every component within the universe
The place where the droplet falls is uniquely impacted
Every man that enters the universe is flawed differently
When placed in the company of others, those deficiencies are less apparent
For every life form there is a specific complement
One which strengthens the other

In life there seemed much chaos

There is order to chaos
Learning to swim upstream is every man's challenge
From the inception, life is a navigational course
To enhance the character of man
When one comes to Heaven's door, life will have taken many turns
Some see more straight lines others negotiate curves
Humbleness of heart
Patience in servitude
Grace and understanding
The things which I bore on the cross
You experienced in life
Now that you are here with Me
Cast your eyes upon the world
And view the impact your life has had
You're the dove that carried my song to the world
Bless you son, your work was well done!

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

by Madeleine Graham

Ropa dopa reality
Ripped into Muhammad Ali
Altering the rhythm
Changing the rhyme
Clipped the wings of my butterfly
Stripped of verbal linguistic juice
But not of mind and not of time
Just can't speak that next line
A TKO outside the ring
Sidelined my hero my poetry king
Unfair fight cry I
To a memory I can't let die
For in him see I
The mastermind of verbal lines
Now recall the man
The civil stand
Stood for people
And for lands
No bar holds
Not this man
Philosopher
Painter of the ring
Sure could dance
and knew how to swing
But best of all
Was the joy he'd bring
With verbal language poetic king
Raised the gloves taunting his foe
Better believe you'd feel the blow
And the crowd would listen for the words you know
Float like a butterfly
Sting like a bee
My name's Muhammad Ali
Made the government do a back stand
Never did raise a gun
How everybody listened and knew he'd won
Poetic Painter cast his spell
Upon the famous Howard Cossell
The lights would dim upon the crowd
Ali on stage watch him now
Better dancer than Fred Astaire
Just took it to the ring instead of the chair
Cameras honin' in
To listen to the words upon his win
Ali champion once again
Now quieter times have come his way
But the crowds still listen for the words he will say
Though spoken in softer quieter tones
His eyes speak volumes
And the crowd still applauds
For the man who is loved here and abroad.

Recently, Wilson Jacobs, age 23, a wonderful artist from Lagos, Nigeria did a charcoal commissioned rendering of Muhammad Ali along with a poem I wrote years ago about Muhammad Ali. He used Bristol Strathmore paper and a clear overlay to prevent damage in shipping.

Jacobs many artworks may be seen on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Personally, I connected with Jacobs on LinkedIn.

Vista Visions Art Gallery at the Genesee Valley Mall located in Flint Township, Michigan, currently has the work on display. The frame and matting were accomplished through a grant that art gallery director, Pat Beal was able to secure. The Vista Visions Art Gallery serves those with various disabilities. For many of the artists, the gallery is a wonderful opportunity to feature talents. The gallery is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.
www.thevistacenter.org

The native language of his homeland, Nigeria, is Yoruba, stated Jacobs. He is a self-taught artist who finished high school and has been doing portraits since 2015 although he has been doing artwork since about age 10. "I paint oil, pastels, colored pencils and (I) paint on canvas and fabrics as well. Renderings take about 4 to 5 days to complete. Shipping can be done in about 5 days as well.

I am grateful Jacobs called me to prevent me from cancelling the order. My concern stemmed from the fact he is located in Nigeria. I am glad we connected even though Wal-Mart cautioned me about doing business in Nigeria. Sadly, a few bad apples can make it difficult for individuals like Jacobs, as scams have been operating there.

Wilson accepts Western Union, WorldRemit, and normally Jacobs does direct bank to bank transfers.

Insurrection in China

If ever insurrection were correct
It'd be knockin' at China's door
Where little ones are dyin' at Chinese hands
And Communist philosophy still stands
While mothers cry, while mothers cry
And look at our American President
Shakin' the hands of dictatorship
How can this be, You tell me
Most favored nation, I don't agree
If ever insurrection were correct
It'd be knockin' at China's door
Where little ones are dyin' at Chinese hands
And Communist philosophy still stands
While mothers cry, While mothers cry
Look at Tiananmen Square
And the lives lost there
Most favored nation, I don't agree
How can this be?
You tell me
And who's in the banking now?
Reno tied the hands of Freeh
Now freedom parishes in the name of greed
If ever insurrection were correct
It'd be knockin' at China's door
Where little ones are dyin' at Chinese hands
And Communist philosophy still stands
While mothers cry, while mothers cry
So Clinton rules the American land
And nods in favor of the Communist man
Where's the American ideal?
Sacrificed to the silver serpent
Woven in the red blanket of the babes who will never be
All in the name of greed
If ever insurrection were correct
It'd be knockin' at China's door
Where little ones are dyin' at Chinese hands
And Communist philosophy still stands
While mothers cry, while mothers cry
If we all believed as the Communist do
That women can't provide
So must die
Where children deformed can't breathe a breath
The Einstein's would never have been
Beethoven would never have played
Woolf and Tolstoy would never have written
Michelangelo never painted
Churchill never calmed the seas
And this song would not be
If ever insurrection were correct
It'd be knockin' at China's door
Where little ones are dyin' at Chinese hands
And Communist philosophy still stands
While mother's cry while mother's cry.
But go ahead and wear the RED
And don the blood that is shed
Believe in the Communist Philosophy
And cling to the RED FLAG
Immersed in the blood of babes
But I'll believe in humanity
And civil liberty
I believe in the judgment day
So I'll continue to pray
For insurrection in China
For babes who are dyin'
For mothers who are cryin'
And lives lost in Tiananmen Square
For the Communist in China
Who embrace the blood bath of babes
The RED FLAG must fall
For the freedom of all
And greed must be seen as the green
Silvery serpent slithering in our Garden of Eden
Robbing us of babes
In the season of spring.

Note:  I believe in changing hearts and minds not warfare