RENDEZVOUS

Let's meet
At our spot
The one with our initials
Already carved
Into the Universe's memory

It won't forget
That we belong together
No matter how long
It takes us to arrive

And we'll show up
Fueled with esteem
Complete sentences
Ready to punctuate each other
To clarify that we
Are the appropriate marks
To leave on each others' lives

Just the right emphasis
That our hearts need
To sing in eclectic keys
Notes that only we'll be able to hit
Belt the words to our song
In a language we'll create
As our journey unfolds
And we learn our respective
Lyrics
And rhythms
Learn how to hum each other gently
Through the rough days
Back to a peaceful melody
Commemorate the good days
Remix and rewrite them
Into extended versions—
The best versions
Of ourselves—
Playing in the background
Of our union
At all times
So we'll never forget
Who we really are
To remind us that we're
Always more high quality
Than unmastered

So when one of us
Skips a beat
And the other
Botches the bridge
All we'll have to do
Is pause
Tune in to each other
Return to the hook
Together
And let it guide us back
To singing in harmony

So I'll meet you there
No directions needed
The Universe is our DJ
And will lead us
To our sacred space
In the middle
Of the dance floor
Right on cue

©2017 Charlene E. Green
from my book You Betta Write!

WHERE MY STORIES LIVE

People always assume that because of my profession, I graduated from a university. They never ask if I did; they ask where I went. When I tell them I didn't, they're baffled. But how 'bout this: I almost didn't graduate from high school. I had a very big F in a required science class less than 30 days before graduation. And I failed the final. And I still graduated.

I don't use social media to share my most difficult, life-changing stories. They're in my poetry, self-help books, and occasionally my blogs. This graduation story is in my book Building Faith and Character Through Life Challenges, along with other great ones, like when I was nearly paralyzed and how a crucial shift in my belief system and attitude transformed my situation at the last minute and kept me from being wheelchair bound. Or how, 5 years later, to avoid being served eviction papers, I had to literally pack up and clear out my entire apartment alone in under 72hrs, and I had the physical strength and ability to do it. Or how I almost missed out on a major career opportunity because I was considering making a move based on the pressures and fears of my friends and family and not my gut. Thank goodness I honored my spirit!

These are the kinds of things I talk about in my writings. While I'm going through stuff, I say very little, if anything at all, about it publicly. But when I'm on the other side of it and have been victorious, I tell my stories. I use them to encourage people. I invite you to get this book (link with more info below). Get it for yourself; get it for people you care about, who are struggling with hope and victory. Come see how I use faith and determination to win in my life, and lemme show you some ways to do the same in yours.

http://hustledivaspeaks.blogspot.com/2013/06/this-book-has-something-for-everyone.html

GOT MY CD YET?

Here's how you can get my poetry CD, She Is Poetry: Use this link She Is Poetry CD to pay $10, and you'll receive the download link via email (no physical copies at this time). SO simple! Don't have Paypal? No worries! Just choose the option to pay without Paypal!

Here's some of what has been said about it:

"I am enchanted with this poetry CD! This is my first thorough introduction to Charlene Hustle Diva Green and I am in love with her narrative approach to poetry. This collection of poems is spun with intriguing everyday stories that will resonate with the listener like a family painting, familiar and warm. People with a performance poetry ear will enjoy this body of metaphors." ~Nikki Skies—Author, Poet, Actress, Playwright

"I enjoyed the full-bodied work with its melodic comfort, a swig of funk, with a small touch of futuristic aromas. 'Confidence Within' is calm and collected, which was one of my favorite tracks!" ~Shay Ensley—Author, Artist, Entrepreneur

"Hustle Diva speaks with authority. She has a special way of encouraging and nurturing through her poetry, all the while being transparent about her own life lessons." ~Audra Bryant—Actress, Comedienne, Singer/Songwriter 

"I really enjoyed it very much. Your CD reeks 'confidence' and very much a woman who knows what she wants, what she is, and who she is. Happy I purchased. From one poet to another, keep up the good work in spreading the 'word.'" ~Quanda R. Graves—Author, Poet, Entrepreneur

*Includes my signature poem, "Misinformed (If the Shoe Fits)," which you can sample here, if you haven't heard it:

https://www.reverbnation.com/hustlediva/song/2871776-misinformed-if-shoe-fits-produced

START YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH ME!

Hey, everyone! I hope you're all doing well and that your holiday season is starting out right! 

Speaking of holidays ... it's that time of year again. The shopping season is among us, and as many of you know, I have plenty of ways for you to gift people. One of my main products right now is my new line of T-shirts. They're fun, inspirational, and unique. There are two sections: Empowerment Quotes and Haiku. I invite you to peruse the options, and if you haven't already purchased one for yourself, I encourage you to do that, as well as grab something for a friend or loved one. Now is the perfect time to order, as shipping times will increase significantly the closer we get to Christmas. 

BONUS: I've had requests for custom-text shirts, so if you'd like to place an order for a T-shirt from today, 11/5, through Thursday, 11/10 (11:59 p.m., PST), and you'd prefer your own text on it, I'll do it for the regular shirt price from my site (all shirts are the same price) instead of charging the extra fee of ten dollars. Send me a separate email with your text request and font color, and I'll send you a special invoice reflecting your order. After 11/10, you can still order custom shirts, but the extra fee will apply. Here's the direct link to the shirts: http://www.hustledivaspeaks.com/Pages/TSHIRTS.aspx

If you'd rather lift someone's spirits with some great reading material, then by all means check out my selection of poetry and self-help books. Who couldn't use a dose of inspiration, right? Here's the direct link to the books: http://www.hustledivaspeaks.com/Pages/purchase.aspx

Start checking people off your gift list early! Shop with me and avoid the terrible lines and cranky people at the malls, and those overpriced items! If you know people who might be interested in this information, please feel free to forward this email to them.

Enjoy your season, everyone! And thank you, in advance, for your support! 

HIDDEN TRUTH

Your innocent words press heavily
Upon the nerve you hit

The sting of the truth you are unaware
That you have thrown in my face 
Cuts me deep—
But what can I say? 
The truth is the truth....

Funny how a moment of idle chatter and fun
Can suddenly turn into a life-altering epiphany
For one who has so many lessons to learn
Old habits to break
And inner work to tend to

Distracted and disturbed by the sound
Of your voice ringing in my head
Waking me to the error of my ways
Yet shaming me of them, too
Makes my heart feel weighted
Leaves my eyes blurred with tears
But makes me glad you said so
Cuz the bitter dose of reality you fed me
Clearly my life must have sought

Because pressing at the forefront of my brain
Were those same mashed thoughts—
I held them of myself—
But I just said they were mashed—
By excuses, by fear
By a million erroneous beliefs 
That make my head spin
Make me dizzy
Make me damn near insane
And in the end
Debilitate and paralyze me...
I can barely move

It’s hard to breathe when your mind
Is enslaved by the devil’s voice
And your hip is numb and sunken into
The permanent concave imprint
Left in the middle of the bed
Where you lie...
Spiritually dead
Not even enough hope 
To fit underneath a fingernail

Hope
Such a small word
With even bigger meaning
And sometimes I have none

Right now
I can clearly see
The value you will have in my life
Because true friends speak the truths we hide
And force us to grow
Change
And be better
And better I will be 
Because of you

©2005 Charlene E. Green
From Me to You ... Through Mine Eyes: Visual Expressions
www.hustledivaspeaks.com

BLUE HEAT

After Korlah Camille Kafele's post on Facebook:

"Brothas...
Get those engines checked when the light comes on...
Don't procrastinate that tune-up on that truck...
Keep oil in your car and air in your tires...

We need you to make it home...

#terrencecrutcher"

Black men

We need you

We need you to make it

Through these unpromised days

With ease

Smiles on your faces

Goals on your minds

Plans for achievement

In the forefront

Your mental strong

Your will impenetrable

Pushing you to see the light

Be the light

At the end of a tunnel

Filled with

Tricks

Traps

Detours

Injustice

Treacherous heat

In your face

On your back

And I don’t mean the sun

You already know

This kind

Far too well

That Blue Heat

Oppressive 

Toxic

Ill-equipped

To replenish

Nourish

Comfort

Your black skin

Only warmth

You'll ever get

From this heat

Is that

Of your freshly drained blood

As it rivers

From bullet wounds

Drips

From your pounds

Of innocent flesh

Like tears

Pools remorsefully

Around your

Hands-were-up

Mouth-was-closed

Full-compliance

Body

Soaks up your soul

Yes

This is

A sob story

Colorful

Unpretty

A black

Blue

And red story

About how

Every day

No matter how well

You protect yourself

Your armor

Is moot

How

Whenever you make a move

Outside your four walls

It’s clear

That the game

Is rigged

The rules are skewed

You have no control

Over your opponent

Your life

And it’s never really

Your move

Yet it seems like

It’s

Always

Your

Time

We will

Say its name
Blue Heat

Like it keeps forcing us

To say the names

Of all your fallen brothers

Hold it accountable

Shelter you from its wrath

The best we can

Never cease attempting

To extinguish

Its blaze

Black men

We need you

We need you to make it

Home

From these dubious days

Off the game board

Into our arms

Without getting burned

©2016 Charlene E. Green

IT'S TIME TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS ... IN ITS ENTIRETY!

Okay, everyone. We really need to talk about IT'S and ITS. *sigh* This error makes me cringe every time I see it. Please learn the difference between the two words, because they are totally  different. That apostrophe changes the whole game, and it will ruin yours  if you're not using it properly. So, let's review:

IT'S is strictly a contraction for "it is" and "it has." That is all. If you write "it's," you better be saying something in the realm of: It's [It has] been a great day, or It's [It is] gonna rain. That's the extent of "it's," people.

ITS is purely a possessive form of the pronoun "it." There is no apostrophe when indicating possession. When you write "its," you better be saying something in the realm of: The dog keeps chasing its tail. [The tail belongs to the dog.] or The jury has reached its decision. [The decision belongs to the jury, collectively.]

Please, for the love of life, stop writing things like: The sun has lost IT'S glare. What you just said was a contracted form of: The sun has lost it is glare, or The sun has lost it has glare. Or: The dog keeps chasing IT'S tail. (You just said The dog keeps chasing it is [or it has] tail.) The proper word is ITS. Any time you wanna indicate that something belongs to something or someone, using the word IT, you need to say ITS.

And if I see one more meme with incorrect it's and its, I'm gonna scream! I can't take you seriously when you post memes with sayings like: "Everything happens in IT'S own time." Nope, I can't!

Holla at me for those editing and proofreading services that you clearly need if you're making this mistake. www.cegliteraryservices.yolasite.com

Now, IT'S time for me to carry on. This post has reached ITS informational limit.

MY FAVORITE WAY TO HELP WRITERS

Today, I did an awesome Creative Consultation with a woman who has a great project in the making, who was concerned that it had no value for anyone but herself. It has SO much value for others! I'm excited for her to finish it and get it out there! She left feeling totally relieved, excited, and fulfilled, and told me the consult was well worth the money.

I LOVE doing Creative Consultations! They're actually my favorite part of my literary services. I love talking to people about their projects and not only teaching them the ins and outs of putting together a good book, but also brainstorming with them, helping them work through kinks, and getting/keeping things moving so they can get their work published. I could do CCs all day, every day, and never get bored!

If you're working on a literary project or contemplating doing so, and you're stuck about how to move forward, then get with me and let's make that thang happen!

www.cegliteraryservices.yolasite.com

IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF WRITING

I'm a writer first. When people ask me what I do, that's my response. Then I tell them I'm also a [performance] poet, an editor/literary consultant, and a life consultant. People wonder how I got into all the other stuff and how it connects to my writing, and I tell them: Everything I do outside of writing was borne from my writing. I gotta write the poems before I perform them; and I've always been a performer, though not everyone knows that. I went to acting school in the 90s and have always had an interest in public speaking. Editing and literary consulting came after I wrote my first novel, One Man's Treasure, and was an intern for Rosie Milligan and Maxine Thompson between 2004 and 2006, both of whom are accomplished authors and publishers here in Los Angeles. I started my editing business in January 2006. My life-consulting services are based on and constructed from three of my self-help books. It's all a spin-off of writing. It's the trunk of the tree of my career. Everything else ... branches. Were I not in love with writing, none of my other ventures would exist.

You can check out the many ways I can help you, below:

www.cegliteraryservices.yolasite.com

www.hustledivaspeaks.com

www.honorthespirit.com

HAIKU FOR EVERYONE

COMEUPPANCE

Karma's a beast, dressed
to impress, who lures you to
dance, and then shanks you

(c) 2016 Charlene E. Green

HAIKU FOR BLACK LIVES #2

THEIR MOVE

Black lives, pawns in this
tainted chess game, illegal
checkmates shroud the board

(c) 2016 Charlene E. Green

HAIKU FOR BLACK LIVES

GAME OVER

I bet black lives will
matter when none are left to
help them win those sports

(c) 2016 Charlene E. Green

INDEPENDENCE DAY??

HAIKU #2 FOR ‪ALTON STERLING
 
INDEPENDENCE DAY??

So much for Alton's
independence; freedom slayed
by crazed blues' bullets

(c) 2016 Charlene E. Green

FALLEN FELON

HAIKU FOR ALTON STERLING

FALLEN FELON

His past, not the point;
point is, he was not pointing
gun when shot point-blank.

‪
(c) 2016 Charlene E. Green

AFFLICTION

My name
Is Regret

I’m the slickest

Trickiest

Manipulator alive

You think I reside in a space and time

Separate from you

But ohhh, silly rabbit

Didn’t I just say I was the trickiest?

And I ain’t just for kids

My game is tight

I run it on all of you:

Women and men

Boys and girls

I don’t discriminate

My job is to wreak as much havoc

On your psyche

As many times a day

As I can

See, I live in the backyard

Of the intuition you refuse to heed

Where I buoyantly wait

For your train-wreck decisions to play out

Like a string of box-office flops

I’m always packed and ready

To make my ascent

To the height of your emotions

Pitch my tent

Camp out in your cognizance

Hike the trails of your thoughts

Hunt for the frailest of them

Lie in wait …

Then pray

I pray so hard

For you to second-guess yourself

Give in to the pressures of people

And life

And slip into the abyss of situations

That will be the death of your sanity

I bank on you being steeped

Chin deep

In your insecurities

Depleted self-esteem

And lack of faith in your ability

To navigate your storms

Like the uncontrollable force

Of quicksand—

Your financial fears

Need for acceptance and love

Craving for material things

That you mistakenly rely on for joy—

They squeeze you breathless

Sink you

Into a state of panic

Where you can't picture

A healthy way forward

Where you believe you have no choice

But to surrender to inferior options

I'll cheer as you tumble
Down the dark hole

Of sleepless nights

Random outbursts of unruly sobbing

Churning-stomach syndrome

Fear of retaliation

Longing for second chances

Mental and physical tumult—

OH!—

The thought

Of your constant misery

Self-hatred

And endless discomfort

Makes my glands all waterfall

Has me salivating

Like a ravenous wolf

Fangs bared

Anticipation dripping from my tongue

Like fresh tree sap

(((shiver)))

I can

Taste

Every drop

Of the remorse that will hemorrhage

Through the bitter tears

Whose streaks will tattoo your cheeks

In the boldest font

So that every time you look in the mirror

You will be forced

To remember the scenarios you chose

That backfired
The times you cocked your mouth
Emptied its chamber
And annihilated people
With words you can't take back

How you betrayed yourself

Forfeited your happiness

Repeatedly

Cuz cowardice is your addiction

The crack in your brain’s pipeline

Decomposing your faculties

And I will roar in amusement

Beat my chest with arrogance

Revel in the ease of my accomplishment

In the depth of your weakness

Then I will

Smugly make my way

Back to the yard

Where I will kick my feet up

And slumber peacefully

Delighted that your life

Has yet again

Reached a new level

Of inescapable hell

©2016 Charlene E. Green