Sonnet #21 for February

DREAM WIZARD

I love the way you take over my dreams

In them you say all things I want to hear

My sleep goes to ’nother level, it seems

When you step on scene, nightmares disappear

We are a fairytale inside my head

All laughter, love and hugs, words candy sweet

No toss ’n’ turning, contentment instead

Cold nights don’t matter cuz you bring the heat

This kind of head trip I want on replay

Let’s get syndication crackin’ post haste

Energized when I rise to start my day

Time away from you while ’wake hate to waste

Countdown to bedtime, I anticipate

Affair in Dreamland sure to titillate

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #20 for February

STRIVE

Great way to love self is stay true to word

Always attempt to see commitments kept

Self-esteem lowers when tasks are deferred

Don’t conjure up excuses to accept

Empowerment ensues when you exert

Effort to tackle all matters at hand

Never let ego cause you to divert

Push past its mind games; show you’re in command

Life can be challenging, sometimes you’ll find

May not be able to get it all done

No need to feel defeat, kindly remind

You did the best you could do, so you won

Solid impression of self is top goal

Build it through taking good care of your soul

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #19 for February

POTENTIAL

You have a bad habit of coming in

And ripping apart lives of those in sight

Dealing with you it seems no one can win

They run opposite direction in fright

Maybe it’s due to your abusive past

Traits picked up from those in charge of rearing

Foster system where so many amassed

Lack of care left you in state of fearing

Now only side you can show is the worst

Cuz no one capitalized on your best

Undivided attention is main thirst

Hoping it will cure your soul’s deep unrest

Somewhere within lies a trapped heart of gold

To invite love into life you must mold

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #18 for February

MISSION

She sings like butterfly, solely self-taught

Bring you to tears, captivate with rare voice

Since baby, belting out tunes she was caught

All who listen overcome with rejoice

Even with all due praise she did receive

Parents failed to encourage singing dream

Industry will corrupt her, they believe

Pushed hard to come up with new career scheme

Aiming to please those who gave her this life

She strayed from chosen route burning in heart

Only to find spirit teeming with strife

Since forcing self to divorce from her art

Unable to keep up painful charade

Remarried true path for which she was made

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #17 for February

GRATITUDE WALK

Feeling so fortunate that I’m bestowed

With the senses I sometimes fail to praise

Race through life, time for gratefulness reload

Focus on wonderment, wipe out malaise

Strolling down street get whiff of rosemary

Jasmine creeps in and my nose is enthralled

Poppies in bloom such glamor they carry

My eyes so bedazzled, journey is stalled

Hear birds tweeting such a passionate song

Dogs bark in yards protecting owners’ wealth

Feel comfy shoes support feet through walk long

Sense perception great boost for mental health

So many simple pleasures we ignore

Keep faculties primed for gifts to adore

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #16 for February

CLUELESS

Young teenage couple, what’chu gonna do

With that baby you both swore not to make?

So full of lust, careless, now you two rue

Bun in oven with eight months left to bake

Foolhardy ones, thinking you’d be exempt

From “oops” moment just because of first time

No prophylactic in use to preempt

Sperm and egg, mom and dad fate before prime

This is what happens when guidance is nil

Kids running wild and loose, unschooled, naïve

Urgent facts no one around to instill

Too late now, blemished future left to grieve

Hope that one time was worth all that’s ahead

Good luck with ease keeping child clothed and fed

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #15 for February

PRIDE

Precious black girls, let’s talk about your hair

How society’s got you steeped in shame

About its texture, length, coil, please beware

Your lack of self-love’s the name of their game

Let’s discuss color of your superb skin

Personalized hue, no clone, it’s unique

Never look upon your shade with chagrin

Pigment you're blessed with is full of mystique

Almost no way to embrace history

With so many countering its allure

Drowned out by schools that keep truth mystery

Beauty's always been your name; this is sure

Seek those who'll help you affirm culture's gift

Walk with head high, rocking perception shift

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green 

Sonnet #14 for February

FLY

Precious black boys, teach yourselves how to sew

Learn how to tailor your minds at young age

More crucial for the world's needs than you know

Life without your talents would cause outrage

Though your divine wings are by birthright strong

Rivals' hatred cuts deep; damage is sure

If clipped by their wrath, it won’t be too long

Before your ease of soar is made obscure

Prioritize mission to guard your flight

Master mending skills, keep spirit well placed

Longer you stay wounded makes their days bright

Stitch up quick, hit sky, show splendor with haste

Best recipe for revenge is surprise

On faces when no matter what you rise

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #13 for February

SINGLE SERVING

There’s not enough of me to go around

I was not created to spread self thin

When you get hold of me you’ll see you found

All-in-one package, true treasure within

I’m the missing piece of puzzle you need

To close gap in the space where your heart broke

Nutrient-filled caring is what I’ll feed

Spiritual high it’s sure to evoke

My type of loving is not to be shared

You’ll want to hoard these rare morsels of me

Your needs and my contents perfectly paired

Make you feel so fancy, act bourgeoisie

No need to rush, savor flavor at will

Hunger pangs of soul I completely kill

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #12 for February

LEMON LAW

I love the lemonade you make of life’s

Lemons, turning bitter-tasting trials sweet

You acknowledge that you’ll encounter strife

Mentally prepared to endure the heat

Honest with self when frustrations are high

But refuse to drown in pity and woes

Instead push shoulders back, lift head to sky

Pray for some sugar to balance tart blows

Firm faith always on hand to pull you through

Blocking out haters’ negativity

Anticipating peace, victories new

Keep eyes on prize is your proclivity

You’re expert on laws of how to create

Perfect drink to ensure praiseworthy fate

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #11 for February

WALK ON BY

You think you know how to walk in my shoes

Better than I do; your judgment is large

Let me crack your face; hear this shocking news

With your weak foundation you can’t take charge

Barely striding smoothly on your own path

But got the nerve to be directing me

I’m attempting not to serve you my wrath

Got me about to shriek like a banshee

I did not ask for your wack conclusions

Approaching like psychic with crystal ball

You need to clear up those grand delusions

Tend to your own unlaced shoes ’fore you fall

Quit making my life your freaking campaign

Or my foot in your ass you will obtain

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #10 for February

JEKYLL AND HYDE

Social media’s the mask of your choice

Thankful you found the perfect hiding place

For brandishing of your inflated voice

Posting pics of fake cheesy grin on face

Non-supportive household shunned you in youth

Treated you like your existence was trite

No surprise you began to act uncouth

Lack of decorum worsening sad plight

Thought you could fool all those who knew you well

Game of Charades an embarrassing joke

You should have known it would be hell to sell

Such a farce of self to discerning folk

Nobody’s buying; deactivate spiel

Take hiatus till you learn to be real 

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green   

Sonnet #9 for February

POWER COUPLE

They formed alliance when they converged hearts

Life’s pokes and jabs would never damage them

Both born into dysfunction off the charts

A pathway these two determined to stem

Odd couple, no doubt; some thought they would fail

Confidence always reigned in their merging

Strong friendship between them, neither would bail

Regardless of people’s frequent urging

Anytime outsiders tried to encroach

And wreck their concrete foundation of love

They had the chutzpah to quickly reproach

Firmly united just like hand in glove

Guarding a relationship takes teamwork

Stay ready for the bond breakers that lurk

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Butterfly Free

Sonnet #8 for February

DO YOU

Sometimes all that’s needed is sunny day

To let soothing rays burn clouds from cold heart

Life’s filled with so much confusion and gray

Steal away moments to garner fresh start

Have you ever dared play hooky on life

Packed mental bags and checked out for a while

Purposely left behind all of your strife

So that fresh perspective you can compile?

Can’t wait for your boss, lover, fam, or friends

To give permission to tend to your needs

Have your back first or control of life ends

Pencil-in putting self first with good deeds

You are in charge of loving yourself best

When you do, for peace you’ll no longer quest

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #7 for February

CARDIOLOGY

Normally I’d say don’t play with my heart

But I’m convinced that you deserve a pass

You came with special tactics from the start

Your type of game is amusement in mass

When you gaze at me in that sexy way

My heart dances to a jovial beat

Comedy you bring tickles it all day

Making my cares finally take back seat

Your hands envelop me and my heart skips

Like a buoyant child on schoolyard playground

Each time you smile it does cartwheels and flips

This frolicsome love is mighty profound

You in my life is like lifelong recess

My ticker’s free of drama and distress

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #6 for February

NEARSIGHTED

Come utilize my eyes as telescope

Revel in this grandiose close-up view

Spectacular scene, my mission’s to rope

You into perceiving yourself anew

Insight informs me that you’ve been misled

By the direction of their detoured thought  

Making you question your breathtaking stead

Time to excavate the folly they taught

Modify lens, aggrandize your luster

Here comes the climactic part of the show

My vantage point be that belief buster

Force you to see what you should long ago

Transform the strength of your vista from here

Delusions about your worth disappear

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #5 for February

SAFETY NET

Hand me your stress at the end of the night

Turn to me in place of others around

Let me be haven to your covert plight

Show you just how much you’re truly renowned

Don’t you ever tire of putting on airs?

Faking the funk so you won’t lose your cool?

They couldn’t care less about your affairs

Talk behind your back and call you a fool

What I deliver is true peace of mind

Safe place to examine your heart's decay

Enclosed in my arms where you can unwind

No filter needed for what you display

I’m the vessel for your overflowed cup

Always on post when you need lifting up

Copyright 2014
Charlene E. Green

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Next month will mark 11 years since I moved to L.A. from the Bay Area. When I arrived, I had a movie script, a half-written novel (One Man's Treasure), and the dream to be a successful writer. Yesterday, I published for the 13th time (books). When I look back at this journey, I'm amazed at all I've done and been through to get to this point. I didn't even start publishing until 2007 because I spent the first 4 years here stuck at my 9-5, dying a horrifically slow, painful spiritual death. I chose to resign at the end of 2006 to save my mental and physical health (NO joke), and so I could properly nurture my life's mission as a writer. But between the day I set foot here, and now, I've encountered more challenges than in my entire life. I had two major surgeries 3 years apart, one of them saving me from paralysis; I've lost all my major possessions; been homeless; endured the Universal System of Income (which means getting up every day not knowing when or from where income will appear); and stood up confidently in the face of being ignored and rejected in my career, and people's "encouragement" to get off my path and do something else because [clearly, to them] it wasn't working out. But through all of that, I have always done what I came to L.A. (and into this world) to do: write, create, and make a difference in people's lives while doing so. I can honestly, and proudly, say I've accomplished that feat, with much more to come.

A lot of what I've written over the years has derived from the lessons I've learned in the past decade. My sincere intention is for my words to teach and inspire (even my fictional novels are set up to do that). I invite you all to view and partake in what I've created. Yes, I write because I love it, but I publish for the public. My standards are very high for myself, so when I do, I take great pains to ensure that it's always my best at the time. Not all of my content makes it into the books. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me along the way. You've confirmed that I'm doing my job properly, and well. My appreciation for you runs deep.

What I've learned the most is how serious I am about my craft. Nothing has kept me from it. Nothing. This is what doing a life mission is about. You find ways to keep it pushing, no matter what. I'm thankful for everything I've gone through and learned, because it's only solidified me in my work, not deterred me from it. I couldn't be prouder of myself.

You'll find the links to my work below.

Poetry/Motivational Speaking

Editing/Consulting

Novels

Sonnet #4 for February

WAR-TORN

The only thing that gets him through the day

Is pondering being with them again

The void in his soul tends to always stay

Attached to questions that begin with ‘when’?

Like when will he be able to call home

To hear the details of wife and kids' lives

He makes sure to pack them into his dome

To ward off crazy thoughts till he arrives

And when will wife’s letters finally come

The wait has been so long he wants to scream

As months fly by his heart begins to numb

Her silence is crushing his self-esteem

Trying to stay strong is killing the fight

He’d planned to use to serve his country right

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #3 for February

NO OFFENSE

You’re cool to be with but my bestie is

Someone I know I cannot live without

Whenever needed, she’s there in a whiz

My number one fan that I'm proud to tout

There was a time when I did not know her

Like I do now because I would only

Rely on others by thinking they were

The best cure for moments I was lonely

Soon our lives changed and they were not around

And I noticed she was still by my side

Solid as rock with devotion abound

I realized then she would not be denied

There’s nobody better; now I can see

The friend who has all that I need is me

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #2 for February

MAMA KNEW

The stress of her world is almost too much

Day after day she fights feelings of shame

She planned a life that she almost could touch

Now things are ruined and won’t be the same

                     

At first the pressure wasn’t very strong

Seemed as if it was all under control

He showed his true colors before too long

Suddenly he was always on patrol

She and the kids can barely make a move

Without his questions and suspicious craze

Feels like she always has something to prove

It's been a nightmare getting through the days

If she had acted on mama’s advice

Maybe she wouldn’t be paying this price

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #1 for February

STAYING OR GOING

I know the truth you keep trying to hide

The look in your eyes tells all I should know

If just this once by your heart you’d abide

The strength of our love would most surely grow

We have been at this weak game for so long

I am not sure how much more I can take

You insist that what you’re feeling is wrong

I fear that our bond is about to break

You’ve got to stop listening to your friends

They have no knowledge of how our thing flows

If you refuse to make sure this game ends

You’ll have to live with the fate that you chose

My time is precious; please don’t be confused

I love you but won't let it be abused

Copyright 2014
Charlene E. Green

Haiku #1 for February

I TRIED TO TELL YOU

Sleep on me if you
want, but when you wake up, don't
ask me where I've been

Copyright 2014
Charlene E. Green

Be sure to check out my new poetry book, available for purchase now!