ePoetry

melvin green

Bio

Melvin Green was born in Phoenix City, Alabama, the second of six children. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the United States Army and fought in the Vietnam War. After being discharged from the service, Melvin's life rapidly descended in a downward spiral.

The author fought a long battle with drugs during his troubled 22-year journey, which led to incarceration and a stay in a mental institution.

Now in his eleventh year of sobriety, his need for drugs has been replaced by a healthy outlook and positive attitude about life. Writing this book reflects that attitude. Mr. Green received his degree with honors from Sojourner Douglass College,and stresses the importance of higher learning. He is the proud father of a daughter with entrepreneurial aspirations who is also actively pursuing a college education.

His ability to articulate believable characters with strong voices was derived in part through years of channeling excess energy into writing poetry, and also about his own experiences and diligent studies.

Mr. Green's first publication was a book of poetry titled Inside/Out. Twisted Fate is his first novel.

Start With Yourself

When I was young and free and my imagination
Had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As
I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world
Would not change, so I shortened my sights some-
what and decided to change only my country
But it, too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt,
I settled for changing only my family,
Those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize:
If I had only changed myself first, then by example,
My family may have changed as well.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I would
Then have been able to better my country and,

Directions
Which way are you going?
There are seven different ways to go.
You can go up, or
you can go down.
You can go to your left, or
you can go to your right.
You can go forward, or
you can go backward.
The last way, most people forget all about.
That way is within.
After one learns to be centered,
one’s balance allows him/her to go harmoniously in all directions.
From the inside out!

How Will I Know?
I wonder how will I know when I’m
moving in the right direction?
That is when a voice deep down within
me said……. “You will know.”
“How will I know?” I asked the voice.
“Well, people will know because your face will glow.
Your family will know, because they will witness you grow.
I know because I told you so, and …
you will know because everything will flow.”

Please Don’t Ask
Please don’t ask me how I’m feeling on the inside -
I’ll probably tell you a lie.
Please don’t ask me how I’m feeling deep down inside -
My response would probably be . . . “I’m just fine!”
You see, I’m more comfortable talking about outside stuff like work and football games. Football games and work. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!
Please don’t pay attention to the hurt in my eyes ‘cause you might see the pain deep down in my soul…
No! Don’t hug me right now, you would be too close to my broken heart.
I’m hiding out right now with my best facemask that I have. So, please don’t ask me how I fell deep down inside.

Extensions of Me
I am not my job.
My job is only an extension of me.
I am not my education.
My education is only the value I
place on learning.
I am not who you say I am.
I am who I am.
My mate does not define who I am.
She is an extension of me as
I am an extension of her.
I am not my friends nor
are my friends, I, but they
are an extension of who I am.
So! You ask, who am I? Well,
The Good Book says you can tell
A tree by the fruit it bears.
So, if you pay real close attention to
all of my extensions (fruits) you will
know who I am, because they are
all reflections of me.
You see, I am who I am!!!

Letting Go
In order for us to have new things come into
our lives gracefully, we must first learn how
to accept letting go of the old things, and
furthermore, be thankful for the opportunity
to have shared them during our lifetime.

Friday the 13th
Today is Friday the 13th!
So!?
What is that supposed to mean?
That tomorrow is the 14th?

Voices From Grandmothers, Mothers,
Wives, Sisters, and Daughters
Grandmother
Grandchile, thangs ain’t like dey uset’ be. Your grandaddy didn’t have much of an edumacation, but he sho’ wore the pants round dis house. He uset’ work from sun up to sun down. Twas’ a mighty hard workin’ man.
Work was plentiful back ‘den. Nowadays dere’s no work no mo’ fer nobody.
Seem like ain’t no body wearin de pants. No ‘spect no mo’. Nobodys knows who’s to wash dee dishes and whos to take out de garbeach. So, granchile, just bite down on your lip real haard and ask de Lawd to help yah.
A Mother
My son, don’t you know I need you? Ever since I felt you in my stomach
I secretly wished for a boy. I wanted to witness you grow from a baby to a man. My son, where have you gone?
A Wife
My man, I married you because I love you and I need you to help me raise our family. Where are you? On the corner? In jail? In the hospital?
Or maybe dead? Please come back home to me and your family. We need you!
A Sister
My brother, I remember while we were growing up, we had so much fun together. You were always stronger than me, and the was O.K. because you were my brother. We often shared things together. Oh how I miss those tender moments. My brother, where are you? I would like to talk to you again. I will wait patiently for your return. I have faith in you because you are my brother.

Daughter
Daddy, why is it I only see you around the first of the month? Where are you during the other days? Daddy, you know you can tell me anything.
You know I will believe you ‘cause you are my daddy. Daddy, if I
promise to give you all of my allowance money, will you come by to visit with me more often? Daddy, I love you so much, we all do. Please let us know that you also love us. We will all be
awaiting your answer.
The Absent Male
(Please buy the book and read his response-Thanks!)

Love
Love is giving one’s self
To another, completely, without
Expecting anything in return…
Love is receiving another’s Love,
With open arms, knowing in you heart
There are no hidden motives, and that
you are worthy of the gift.
Love is reciprocal with the distractions
Being less important than the actual act
of giving and receiving. You know what?
“I Love You!” Inside…Out
You can’t lead where you don’t go.
You can’t teach what you don’t know.
You can’t be what you are not.
And you sho’ can’t give away
What you ain’t got.
And that’s what this book
Simply expresses throughout;
It’s all about the inside/out.

Inside…Out
You can’t lead where you don’t go.
You can’t teach what you don’t know.
You can’t be what you are not.
And you sho’ can’t give away
What you ain’t got.
And that’s what this book
Simply expresses throughout;
It’s all about the inside/out.

Disclaimer: Only intended for entertainment only

back home

A Subsidiary of Royce Enterprises, Inc.

Easton, MD 21601