THE LAST WORDS

                                   Put it down! Don't touch that!
                                   Did I give you permission?
                                   Not until I say so!
                                   Don't even try it
                                   It is not your call
                                   I don't trust your decision, this
                                   Is my handiwork and mine alone.

                                  They stared in silence
                                  Some bowed in agreement
                                  Others, brave souls, huffing and pouting
                                  Didn't want to take this any longer
                                  They muttered under their breath
                                  But with a frown on her face
                                  And a sweep of the hand
                                  She shoved them back,
                                  Those who dared to get in her way,
                                   Stay back, she said
                                  This limelight is not to be shared
                                  Mine are the last words, only my opinion counts.
                               

                                  Her head is swollen, this is unbelievable
                                  Her chest is puffed, "Don't let me burst now"
                                  Where is my crown? Ah!
                                  Tailor-made, just for my head
                                  But a row of diamonds, is exactly what I would like
                                  Here, take it back, add it on and make it perfect!

                                  Hold me before I faint,
                                  I just know they are gonna call my name
                                  And the award goes to ......
                                  My hands are limped, a bad timing
                                  To suck the life out of these limbs
                                  My feet seemed pasted on the ground
                                  I have to get to the stage,
                                  I hear them calling my name
                                  Coming she answered in a weakened voice.


                                   Here good for nothing!  Make yourself handy
                                   Hold me by the hand, hoist me on your shoulders
                                   And take me to that stage for the world to see
                                   I want to tell them about my greatness,
                                   Shoo! out of the way now,
                                   Lest they mistake you for part of this marvel
                                   I will take over now! feet, be steady and firm,
                                   I am mightier than thou.


                                  And she "woke up" to those who gathered around
                                  To cheer on the deserving souls,
                                  Who toiled through breaking tasks and bore
                                   Insults after insults, commands after commands.
                                  "Start again,"  "Unacceptable," she shouted
                                   But her words went unheard
                                   Today, those on whose shoulders she stood
                                   Were given the AWARD OF HUMILITY.


                                    Angry and forlorn, she worked herself in a tizzy
                                    Amidst the sizzling sound of
                                     A deflated ego, you could hear,
                                    I WANT YOU GONE,BANISHED
                                    AND OUT OF MY WAY!
                                    Still making sure she has the last words
                                    Only this time, they fell on deaf ears.

                                                                                                   Brawta





                                                             Questions To Ponder

Introduction: The title "Last Words" has a  double meaning, her words that she claims only matters(commands,insults) and those that she uttered in defeat, which carried no weight,(fell on deaf ears).

1. What is your reaction to such demands, as that of the Egoist portrayed?
2. What was the challenge of the brave souls?  How did they gather steam?
3. Those who served, still met with "this is substandard" Discuss your feelings about the line between passive and proactive behaviors?
4. So the Egoist feigned the need for assistance, "hold me before I faint, I just know they are gonna call my name .."  But she continued to hurl insults "shoo, out of the way now .." Your thoughts?
5. They were pushed aside, practically hidden.  What do you think was the driving force that brought their plight to light?
6. Think of a time you were faced with a similar situation, what did you learn and do to change the effect such rampant insults had on you?
7. The soliloquy of awaiting an award - What do you make of this?
8. And she "woke up" - Was this from a dream? or an unrealistic egotistical journey?

          "My hands are limped ........." Why do you think the Author added this scenario?

          "Fell on deaf ears" - Did the Brave Souls and Bowing members get together? 

                   
                                 

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY

                   Her soul was clenched tight
                   Her body went into a tremor
                   Her lips quivered
                   This is not right
                   And she kept pacing the floor
                   She wants me to do what?
                   She screamed!
                   Pay homage to the devil
                   With all her false accusations!!

                   She pulled you in her game
                   And you became a core supporter
                   Now you have joined forces
                   To send me more insults and shame
                   You have  embraced her lies, oh so lame.
                   There is no justice
                    But I am putting you on notice
                    Your radical movement is way off base
                    And she will leave without my good tidings.

                   And slowly I will begin to mend myself
                   My body will say, Good Riddance
                   To the evil doer and her obnoxious seedy ways.
                   She battled me on every front
                   This warring person altered my life
                   And the lives of many.

                  Poison, Poison, Go away
                  Be done already with your malice, hatred, trash
                  No coronation awaiting you at this juncture
                  Disperse, scat, move along
                  And never look back my way.
   
                                                                    BRAWTA

                 

THE BRIGHT SIDE

                                         Jovial Cassandra has a lovely attitude
                                         Joyful  & full of gratitude
                                         The smile on her face
                                         She wears with grace.


                                          Cassandra is a firm believer
                                          That there is a healer
                                           Who comes to the rescue
                                           Just in the nick of time.


                                          When heavenly Cassandra is around
                                           Dullness rejuvenates
                                           Discord becomes harmonious
                                           She is full of vigor
                                           And oh so glorious.

                                           She charms you with her kindness
                                           Gracious Cassandra, won't you
                                           Stay around?

                                                                                         BRAWTA
                                                                                     

WAITING MY TURN

She took a number

Sat in a chair and fell in a slumber.

Some women shouted in unison,

Today, the wait will be long.

I paid no attention

To all the confusion

'cause I had trouble on my mind.

My heart skip a beat,

It was torture sitting in the heat.

I studied the look on their faces,

If they exited in a daze

Or walked with steady grace

I knew how fate had dealt.

I craned my neck

oh what the heck!

With the women a chattering

I cannot hear beyond all that muttering.

I move closer to the door,

By now the kids are on the floor

The noise is even greater

And the time is so much later.

Sister, they are calling your number,

I went over and shook her out of her slumber,

Walking in a quickened gait

She went to meet her fate.

She exited in haste

As if in a daze.

Sweat is pouring down my face

What will it be in my case?

Now it is my turn

My stomach began to churn.

Heart pounding at a fast pace

I met her face to face.

Just in case

They too were looking

 for Grace or Daze

I took a quick flight

With my head at a great height

Still waiting my turn.

BRAWTA

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

                                                         BEATEN  DOWN


                                                             CHASTISED


                     TRASHED                      BASHED                                     MOCKED



                                                             

                                                            DISSECTED

                     BRANDED                    RIDICULED                                BARRED


                                                            PROVOKED






                     PEEVED                         DRAINED                                       MUTED
                                                       
                                                        DEMORALIZED


                                                               CAGED          

F O R S A K E N

                             We were pining for a new beginning
                              And it looked promising
                              When an offer was laid at our table.
                               Some said, I am not able
                               But others said it was not a bait
                               This has to happen, it is our FATE.

                               Gaining courage, she was the first
                               To step into the unknown
                               Only to meet upon a clown.
                               When she returned, the Blue Print on her face said,
                                "I am beaten down."


                                Demoralized, Agonized, Dismayed & Shocked
                                Her jaws seemed locked.
                                Then she said, "I was mocked"
                                Her stomach tightened
                                Jammed up in a ball of tension
                                And slowly she began to mention
                                What FATE had dealt her.

                                 She shook her head in disbelief
                                 Do you know we are farther away from relief?
                                 This harrowing experience
                                  Was such an inconvenience
                                  And a set back tugging at her soul.
                                  They had such gall
                                   Pinning my back against the wall
                                   There must be redemption
                                   We must settle this gumption.

                                   My shattered heart will be healed
                                   But their deal must be unsealed
                                   I will fight to the bitter end.
                                   And these words I send
                                   To let them know I will never join this CIRCUS

                                                                                        Brawta

UNBROKEN FAITH

Zara Leek stomped into the room with a scowl on her face.  Her medium sized frame suddenly grew to that of a giant,she had brought her inflated ego with her, ready to launch an attack because she was outraged that Faith decided to add more to what she called her over stacked plate.  But Zara the slickster had filled non-essentials on her plate and Faith Firm her leader had began to unravel her scheme,putting her on notice that she would be involved with sensible and defined projects going forward.

The bigger than life person, the great pretender always takes the easy road; she tried to talk her way out of the oncoming projects but Faith was relentless and would not let up.  She wanted this new style of business to take place and planned to feed it, water it, prune it until it was deeply planted.

Zara began to wag her tongue, spreading false rumours but Faith continued to lay out the fixtures on Zara's plate, creating space galore, which left her highly upset.  Zara began to venture out, stalling at times, cooking up reasons why this will not work.  Every step of the way, Unbroken Faith was there to drive home, that these are here to stay.  She knew that a steadfast dose of old fashioned, roll up your sleeves and get to work, will make this project a success.

Although unbroken, Faith cringed at Zara Leek's behavior and penned these words in dismay.

                                  Wagging  Tongues

                                         If you happen to go down

                                         what's called Gossip Lane

                                         You will find them at it again

                                         Another suspecting person has fallen victim.

                                         They will maul you

                                          stab you in the back

                                          Drag you in the mud

                                          Leaving you for dead

                                          And all this using the tongue.

                                          But just as you realized you are trashed

                                          Those same tongues begin to spew out
                                           Sweetness.

                                          You start to crawl out of your sullen state

                                          And their honey dripping words and pasted
                                           Smile.

                                          Let you rise again!

                                          Your gut is telling you

                                          What you hear is not real

                                          They are only dishing honey and spice

                                          To pull you right in.

                                          But you choose to ignore

                                          And foolish you are taken again

                                          Still a victim!

                                          Falling prey to false appearances.

                                                                                            

                                                                                               Brawta