Saturday

The Voice of Love

I was asked to pen a poem for the birthday celebration of blogger, Love Babz. Initially, I resisted a bit because I'm a bit of an apprehensive poet. I tend to like commentary more and just plain ole "trouble making". Not to mention there are so many others who "make a living" at it. But since I enjoy speaking with her from time to time and trading emails I accepted the call. Initially, I went the easy route and created something whimsical in her comment section, but after reading all the serious offerings, I decided to reach beneath the surface and do the same. So, Babz, let it be known, I flipped the switch for you. And while this is a birthday wish for you, it's also a heartfelt thank you to all the bloggers out there who also move me.


The Voice of Love

when i first heard your voice
my heart was immediately arrested

i had dialed a different location

yet, the familiar chords reminded me of one
who had eloped from the files of my existence

but as i began to partake in your
goodness

i knew u represented a gift of love
sent from on high

we would rewrite history
u and i

heal each others pains
bury each others transgressions

provide each other with a second chance
a better existence than what we lived in the past

that's what happens in this world of ours

celestial citizens of the earth
seeking to be loved
we ultimately collide

providing a soothing balm of compassion
that slowly disintegrates each other's pain.

the voice resident in you

hosts the wisdom of time
reassures me that I can conquer all
lets me know that I am not alone
builds my confidence that all is not lost

when i laugh out loud at something you laid down digitally
I'm reminded that calling you up is just a few key strokes
away

you are there for me night or day
always telling me what you think
always lending your voice

its the medium that connects us
your voice is my choice

the way you laugh
the way you speak
it's all there

both in my mind and in my heart

I must admit
your voice has given me so much

So this time
I'm trying to get it right

This time
I plan on cherishing the love

This time
I won't take love for granted.

This time I admit

I recognize that you are
The voice of love.

Happy Birthday Love Babz

Also, i want to express gratitude and appreciation to all the bloggers who unselfishly give of their voice and aid in my growth (in no particular order). I read so many of you and I don't always get around to leaving a comment. [I'm definitely not providing links today -- sorry -- but I will update my link list soon.]

CapCity
Don @ Minus the Bars
Mizrepresent
Sojourner
Eb The Celeb
Torrance - Raw Dawg Buffalo
Tony Oh!
Ticia
Sharon - Just Write Now
Ced - A New Man
Saadia
Sheletha
Lance (Blogger with no blog)
Shai
KiKi
Nikki
Jali
Sheila
Sheila G
Muze
Jewells
MysTery
Verbal Vixen
Gotta Let It Out
Gecko Girl
-1-
12 Kyle
Jaded Nyer
Slause and Co.
Verbal Vixen
Literary Felonies
Field Negro
Dave J
Lea
DJ Black Adam
Cortney Gee
Lolita
DC
Tabu
Diva's Thoughts
Diva's Opinion
Xavier
Queen of My Castle
Suite B
Denea
Xcentric Pryncess
Femi Gog
What Lola Wants Lola Gets
Pro
The Karrie B
Pocahontas
James Tubman
Smoking Guns
Ecclectic
B More Bap Life
Ms. Behaving
Ms. Puddin'
The Cast of writers at Bloggers' Delight
Pretty Black

Anyone that I may have forgotten, blame it on the head and not the heart.


About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

27 comments:

CapCity said...

Awwww, Rich - u not getting soft on us, r u? ;-) For REAL - this is sweet. Great poem! Much luv for u & all the support u've given as I make my way thru this Blog-Wilderness!

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

My Dearest Fitzgerald,

Still waters run deep! You know I enjoy talking to you and laughing with and planning and plotting the taking over the world with you. It does not feel like we are many miles apart. When you call and I answer it is always the best conversation, the best feeling, the best few minutes of my day.

I love this community that I have stummbed into almost a year ago. I love the way Black folks here in blogsphere keep at it with each other. Raising issues, sharing stories, telling our lives with a rich honesty that is unequaled in our everyday living. We ALL are so connected and in those connections/links we are a real community, transcending time and space.

Thank you. Your friendship is my absolute pleasure. I love you my Friend!

Mizrepresent said...

That was beautiful Rich, (so you are a softy?) lol...just kidding, thanks for the shoutout and the sharing.

Sheletha said...

Watch this video then laugh...

http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=3e3d0c10dd20c61c831a0a40100cb3b3

Rich Fitzgerald said...

I'm not getting soft. I'll be back to my menacing ways next week. Just wanted y'all to know you (in my best Tupac voice) "are appreciated".

Anonymous said...

That's a nice poem you penned for Love Babz.

I so understand you being hesitant. I'm the same way when it comes to being asked. I like to move off of inspiration.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

That was a tight yet terse bit of verse folk, and tell me, how many u got, reads like u got some collection - so SHARE IT


AND THANKS MAN

Shai said...

Nothing wrong with showing softness. Life is a balance of soft and hard.

Thanx for the shout-out.

Don said...

that is some great stuff, rich. whenever i sit and hold my breath my reading poetry then i know its some good stuff. the voice of love is a powerful voice. whether that comes from friends, family, or associates. or even from reading verses and words...it's there.

that had to be written with your wife in mind. had to be. deep.

Don said...

oh, it was actually written for lovebabz. my bad. love the spirit of y'all connection.

Rich Fitzgerald said...

Hey Don, it's funny that it started as one thing and evolved into something else. At first I was actually dealing with the actual auditory voice of Babz (it reminds me of a friend I lost along the way) and then it turned into an appreciation for all the "voices" I encounter as I make rounds on the blogs.

It's always interesting though how people outside of you can pick up something totally different and in some ways make the peom more beautiful than before.

I think I'm overdue for writing something for my wife. I think I'll work on something today.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Keisha "Kitten" Isaacs said...

This was very nice!!!! You shouldn't hold back on your poetry it's very good....let the ink flow & embrace the paper with love. Peace & Blessings

Unknown said...

I'm glad to see that you're still opening your treasure chests and dumping jewels on the table for the rest of us to ogle. Thanks for the appreciation, Rich, and for the subliminal push you gave me a few months ago to raise the bar on my writing. Hopefully, that push will pay off by year's end.

Happy birthday, LoveBabz!

Muze said...

rich!!!

i LOVE this poem!

reminds me of someone ...

didn't know you had skills like that... wow. i'm really impressed. lol.

sorry to sound so surprised. lol.


heal each others pains
bury each others transgressions

provide each other with a second chance
a better existence than what we lived in the past



^^ simply lovely.

Rich Fitzgerald said...

@muze - I guess I've been turning in just average work on the blog. That's how I was in high school. I could have had straight A's, but I could get a "B" without really trying. Even as adults, we are in some ways the child of our past.

Queen of My Castle said...

Wow!!! I am utterly impressed, seriously. A man of many talents, eh? And just when I was thinking about closing the doors to my blog. Funny how people you have never met can pull at your heartstrings...sometimes more than the ones we actually know.

JayBee said...

this has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but i noticed on your profile that you're an entrepreneur. um hum....go on....

Unknown said...

Super, Dynamic Brotha...That's exactly what you are! I can't wait to kick it with you Bruh, you are an amazing gift to the world! Stay Blessed as Andre 3000 sings, " 4 eva, eva, 4 eva, eva, 4 eva, eva!

Don said...

It's always interesting though how people outside of you can pick up something totally different and in some ways make the peom more beautiful than before. Yep. So true. Makes the person responsible for writing the poem, go back and re-read it.

That was a damn good poem you wrote.

Don said...

Oh yeah, I see where you also noticed how the young bloggers avoided the Sheila E. video. Not even knowing how she is dropping str8 up knowledge on 'em.

Anonymous said...

This was a beautiful birthday tribute. Thank you also for the shout out.

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

OOOH I am still in awe of this poem! I LOVE IT and I hope you know I am thrilled to pieces over it! You are my BROTHER!

neshia said...

nice poems

KIKI said...

Dang Rich...got me feelin all warm n fuzzy. But I knew you had skills...

Thanks for the love...and right back atcha!

Tatiana Caldwell said...

Very nice! And thanks for the love! *smiles*

Chari said...

Awwwwwwwwwwssss! :) Thank you too sweetie!

Chari said...
This comment has been removed by the author.