The Midnight Train

The winter air interrupted the comfort and warmth of the subway train.  It was late, after midnight, when the passengers scurried from the smell of must, mixed perfumes and colognes.  A man tugged his pea coat tighter and moved away from traffic in quick motion.
It was days like this where he missed her touch the most.  In need badly just to see her face again, the thought of her almost too much to bare.  There was nothing more he wanted than heat.  To be near the warmth her soul had to offer.  He remember, for more than a moment, what it felt like to be whole, but shrugged the feeling of admiration away just as quick as the cold air swept past.  And that's what disturbed his mood- the past, the fact that it was all within reach at some point. 


And so he chose to return.. had found his black shiny shoes at the base of her wooden front door.  Ecstasy he didn't budge, a hand placed on the door knob.. he wanted to turn but decided against it.  Upstairs a room was lit.  A room he was familiar with.  He wondered if the walls still echoed with as much passion as they long ago created.  If ever there was a chance it was now...before his mind could think of any more reasons to turn away.  The time was now, his feelings immediate, and his fluttered heartbeats unsteady in anticipation.  


He knocked and held his breath before anymore rings could be created in the winter sky.  The night was perfect for love.  Perfect to touch.  He imagined the smell of a fresh fire burning, the taste of strawberries and vanilla from her lip gloss. And then he realized his knock had gone unanswered. 


He took a final look back at that light in the room and refused to move.  A slight sigh escaped from his lips in between thoughts of desperation and the unknown.  He knocked again, and this time the door opened.. 


No words were necessary.  Her face as lit as a Christmas tree, her eyes fresh with tears as if she remembered.  Before she could speak, before he could apologize an embrace occurred and nothing felt more real and honest.  He went in to kiss her, he wanted so bad to create and express his resentment for walking away so easily that day, with no explanation. 


The thought interrupted, urgency forgotten, the light from upstairs turned down to a romantic level.  That room..but who?  Music played softly... love music.  He wanted love, the music on Que, the moment perfect.  He looked past her shoulder, she unfazed, followed his stare. A reflection.  A voice he'd replay over and over like his regret had spoken.  "Baby.. are you coming back to bed?"  Her beautiful face returned  to face her past lover.  She spoke "It was nice of you to stop bye."  No more words were spoken, chance fading in the back light.  He wanted those unspoken words from moments before to mean something, anything.  


But just as he parted his lips to confess his love, she backed away.  Still sexy and mesmerizing, still with leftover tears that had dropped moments before the interruption.  The door closed.  The passion dead.  The wind screaming the words his heart didn't dare let out.  His moment gone.  His home occupied.  Love, unaware it had passed.  Unreachable, unforgiving.  


By, 
Michelle D. Jones

Everything You Knew

I can't even remember the last time I paid attention to time..
each moment is taken in stride, a slow motion feature, I savor inside..

Frustrated like Nathan McCall, this emotion "Makes Me Wanna Holler"...
It makes so much sense, yet others say.. why bother.

Well maybe it's his chocolate kiss, or when he's gone that I miss..
The way he loves over beats.. that keeps my mind taking trips.

His love she HAS to miss..
Maybe I should thank her for this opportunity of bliss..

He has arms I'd prefer to lay in..
The type of chest you cuddle all day in..

He is mine to persuade, we're taking chances-this is made..
but only because we chose it.

Touching like we've never touched..
Loving like we never lust..
We skip past sheers and laces..

The passion.. unheard of..
They try to understand but.. don't know us.

Secret, so we tried to creep..
Tossing and turning in bed wanting you..
Secrets.. I can't keep.

He is the light of the sun,
He protects the night like the moon..
He is everything I know..
And Everything you knew.


Michelle D. Jones

Excuse Me Sir

Excuse me sir... officer, judge; I said I didn't do it

I didn't beat that man to death and I swear that

I can prove it.

I was at a game in overtime when this crime was

going down.  I know there has to be several other

black tall men around.

The judge looked over to me and said I was the one to blame

he said even if It wasn't you we need someone to name.

It's lynching time around these parts and we need a man

that's black, handcuffed my hands, scuffed my head, then

threw me in the back.

I asked; but isn't this America? The land where everyone's free?

he said I'm sure there's been a mistake you see the free

they look like me.

I looked at my skin then at his and knew one thing was clear

20th Century racism exists, my hearts biggest fear.

They threw me in a cell with men all fighting, crying, to use the phone

all wishing America was a place that they could call a home

But I guess it's not, I know though now I'm just another face

judged soley on my born trait, I bare the negro race.

                                      
 By, Michelle D Jones

Broken 4 Repair

Broken 4 Repair

 

I shall not be the broken spirit

you tried so hard to manipulate.

 

You can send me to the judge

a million times and I'll still look him

in the face and say I am not a

"product" of my upbringing.

 

You can continue to shackle me

and my people, close the gates of freedom,

and deprive me of air, but your chains

will be broken.

 

If not by me, then by another person that

looks just like me, cept' this time they'll

be even bolder & sharper with their speech,

and education, together we'll inch closer

to having a voice.

 

And this time you'll listen and understand

and if you choose not to listen, we'll

continue to come forward, soldiers of our own war

not yours.

 

By, Michelle Jones

Nothing to Offer

I have nothing to offer this man

yet he takes everything I own,

I have nothing to offer-yet he calls my house

his home.

 

For what I had was stripped away

when my last lover left,

just faded memories and the world he left in a mess.

 

I have nothing to offer this man

so strong but shy in lust

not that he wants it anyway, he runs

away from my love.

 

And If I ask him to stay I have nothing left to give,

can't promise him the world, can't promise him kids.

 

I have nothing to offer this man

for he came with nothing at all,

I have nothing to offer this man,

so I won't even call.

All That I Am

Sometimes our hearts leak red blood internally.
It’s mostly when we’ve decided to give up, when all
Faith is thrown out the door, and we don’t have the strength
To run after it.
It’s like knives wounded bandage, it all becomes a Cycle, it’s all a part of the death in the air. I said I want to breathe, but the breath left long Before the wound became a scar. I am not a part of This world and never have I been. I want to be free like the waves on the ocean, a part Of history, a part the Caucasians read. But don’t act like you Understand me, like you’ve understood Civil Rights, because nothing
Is right about you, nor this time, nor your understanding. It’s like trying to escape locked doors, when you have the key In your right pocket. You can’t get to it, the good life I mean, Because the door has thousands of locks, and it would take patience
To figure out which lock fits the key. Who has time to try? I’ve noticed the clock doesn’t stop so I am running out of time
To get to nowhere. Momma needs me, my baby needs me, or maybe it’s all
Just a want. A need is to die for, and everyone is still alive, so I’ve
heard. There’s no need to speak when the words go unnoticed, so I guess I’ll shut up for now. This is the end anyway, all that was around the corner
is Gone from reach, like I’ve gone from you. I have separated and realized I am
all I need to be.

Michelle Jones

Love Flow

Love Flow

Baby, we should just let this love flow,

move to the drum beat and feel the sand between our toes.

Have drinks during the sunset or maybe lunch on the river,

We can kick it at the strip club, I won't get mad when you tip her.

Let's take a drive up the Ave, we can bend a few blocks; cause I love when we ride..

overlook the city in deep discussions, we have nothing to hide.

Put something in the air, relax and welcome the summer breeze,

hold me extra close cause with you there's no need to tease.

We can check out a movie and hold hands, but I like it when you rub,

you can chill with the homies at the bar while I get my dance on at the club.

Tell me all about your life and what it is you dream, then we can create the reality

with many beautiful scenes.

We can hit the park after dark and sit on the swings

while people walk by jealous of our team.

I think we're perfect as lovers, we're the perfect
match,

and to think we do it all with no strings attached.

Familiar Love

I don't wanna go back to that familiar place, where it's cold behind closed doors..

It's a place you say your loving me, but in love only I adore..

Where smiling is a past time and trust has no name,

A place I left in hopes of purity, where love has no shame.

I want a place where forever is a promise and there's no room to worry,

where years will pass between us and we won't be in a hurry.

A place where his touch is soft, and his days aren't filled with anger,

A place we use to know.. before life could ever change us.

I don't want to look back, because when I do, there's appears to be stranger,

someone I only knew inside my fantasies before my heart was tangled.

Where love isn't used or tossed around, but rather kept close,

so that when your name is spoken, it's you I smile from most.

I don't want to be your lover babe, I don't want to be your foe..

so I'm leaving that familiar place and locking every door.

Michelle "Pineapple" Jones

August 8th, 2011.

Sweet Lafayette

This is a poem I wrote about the Lafayette Bride, which leads you to the heart of the East Side in St. Paul. :)




Bring me to a place where children laugh and play 
Under the sun's watch, near jealous moons. 
It's where a smile can shine bright enough to light a path for life. 
Where nations join together, and dreams are created without effort. 

Carry me towards sound and movement, and I'll watch the American people yearn to be placed. 
My sweet Lafayette, no matter how I get lost, or where life takes me, you will always be my connection to home, to my struggle, to my heart. 


Michelle Jones

Street Warrior

A Diamond in the rough, why do I gotta be tough?
We struggle all day, but It's rarely ever enough.
We dream to come up but life just keeps pulling us down..
Can't seem to find my way, I don't think I'll ever be found.

Don't love nobody else, I guess, I'm just tryna' do me..
A lone soldier, got my back go to war with the streets..
I'll never fall back, my nigga I could never relax..
I'll never trust nothing moving if it comes from the gutter.

I think we breathe fear, that's why you see the guns everywhere..
And then we reach for the heaven's cause our homies is there..
Don't shed a tear for me now, I ain't never been scared..
I'm just a product of the street life ain't never been fair.

Cause I'm a Street Warrior...

By,
Michelle D. Jones

Spring Love

Spring Love..

Spring Whispers secret rain to the listening trees, 

as I gaze upon the sky I can't help but think of thee. 

Wanting your arms to comfort me tight, sitting alone in the fear of the night,

I picture you, I imagine my life so beautiful being with you.  

No more pain in my heart cause I know your love is true. 

Hold still and here the rising of my words, for I speak only those I truly feel.

Hoping your words won't be so shy so when you speak to me be real. 

The sun is bright, just like my smile that freezes from the things you do..

so comfortable, not like the morning, but beautiful glades of afternoon. 

Bright with color, but blind, for you've already taken my  heart,

the blushing sun never disappears for we shall never part.  

Spring Love.

By, 

Michelle D. Jones

Give All To Love, My Love

Give All To Love, My Love..

Give all to love, my love and in return you have me,
someone to hold you forever, please set my heart free.

Give credit to love, it's washed away your fears,
has dried up an ocean, that once flowed tears.

Give praise to love, for happiness, no pain,
for days spent together, love making through rain.

Give life to love, for love is life, be true to yourself,
rise high with the kites.

Give truth to your love, no lies, and no games,
be honest with me, do nothing with shame.

Give love to my love.  Stand true with me,
give all to love, my love, for one day we'll be.

By,
Michelle D. Jones

Let Me Know

Let Me Know..

My mind is blank right now.  Running a race of risk to identify your love..
I truly understand as one individual I do not have the power to change you,
but I continue to fight because my heart has power over me.

My breathing is quite. Yet my heart is beating fast.  I see visions of you,
from memories of you, hurting and hurting so bad.  Where are you?
Have you become lost in the mist of another's heart? Or are you blind
to real love?

I try to understand your disappearance, but I can't cope with it
when I breathe you on my pillow every night.
How can one be taught to not remember? Do you want me to forget?

I know I'm wasting my time just thinking of you, it hurts to even say these words..
But if you want me to release your love, my love.. Let me know.

By,
Michelle D. Jones

Still I Stand

Still I Stand..

I've stood on my own through hateful words, dirty looks, and whispering rythems..

been told and replaced in memories of my past, when I thought.. we were past that time. 

I've been followed around in stores, given directions to the wrong way..

you told me right,  I took a left, and still I stand today. 

You think you're powerful sitting back planning your authority over me,

well nobody but God can take my life and set my heart free. 

Yelling at me as if I'm your child, trying to make me feel bad..

I just lift my head and walk away, this world itself makes me sad. 

I've seen repeatedly headlines saying "Slavery's coming back!" 

Say this resolves around every race, but this theme's still based against blacks. 

Can't turn me around and take me back to the "Years" cause their still here:

World lynchings, bodies itching, neighbor rapes, my life's at sake. 

Columbine shootin', drug misusing, K9 biting, equality declining..

Sexual games, I'm going insane, people we're reliving a world that's reliving our shame..

But still I stand. 

You want to support me with your non support and government cheese, 

while my man's been shackled taken away by societies captivities, 

just let them be and set us free.. 

You want me to believe in loose sex and poverty

yeah that's the way of life, 

well my way is God's way he gives the best power eternal life. 

I guess I'll just smile and laugh and when I'm hurt

I'll smile again because life's only good while it lasts..

through the hurt and the pain, and though the struggles the same.. 

Still I Stand. 

By, 

Michelle D. Jones

Love

Love..

Have I questioned love through confusion of my own belief?
Thrown love beyond the clouds with trust to benefit my own relief?

I've questioned loneliness, and sadness and thought of returning back..
until I dreamed of joy and happiness and noticed it's something we lacked.

Though others will return, and I have in the past..
 opened the door and found the repeat of my pain, hoping love would last.

I am proud for not giving up on something in which I believed..
happy with a memory of pain, for a beautiful hearts been freed.

And to my heart breaker, my tears, my lost confused love..
may you find purity through life, be at peace without love.

By,
Michelle D. Jones
Written November 2, 1999

Mama Don't Cry

Mama Don't Cry..

I heard the late night creek of the steps, grabbed my bandanna, moved slowly
from the bed while mama slept.

Heard the phone beep twice and knew it wasn't right,
for him to talk to that woman.. he used his lover tone twice.

Could have sworn I saw yesterday's tears melted into mama's cheeks..
she says, "Everyday is like yesterday and tomorrow's looking weak."

I tried to understand, caught in the middle of the sun..
Hearts burning painfully, cause mama's never won.

Saw him say that he loved her, then blacked the beauty of her eye..
wrestled away her innocence, stole mama's pride.

Then one day mama bled, said "She can't live any more."
disrespected to the gutter, walked over like the floor.

With eyes witnessed, reality's lived, done everything but tried..
to stop the tears from falling down, so mama wouldn't cry.

By,

Michelle D. Jones

A Man's Love

 A Man's Love..

In my eyes your heart is beautiful, but I have ways to show you,
your heart means nothing in my world..

I can take you out, romance you, enhance you and then you'll perform for me
without question and you have NERVE to call me a hoe.

Truthfully life is just life. Our relationship will end before it even begins,
All of a sudden you're in love, while I'm digging your friend.
I know that's cold, but hey.. that's the way a man loves.

Now I'm a tell you this, when you curse at me, stab me, restrict me,
or dismiss me.. that's just another reason for me to disrespect you even more.
You need to check yo self!

I don't care about you.  Yeah maybe now, but never later, so while you're
talking about getting married and having a baby, I'm wishing desperately you would..
disappear.

I am AFRAID of commitment.  More scared of that than a bullet flying at me.
Sometimes I do think about you though, it's usually when I give you a phone call for a**
I am sorry if this hurt you, but ladies I'm real busy being societies image.  Holla Later.
A Man's Love.

By,
Michelle D. Jones

Nympho Girl

Nympho Girl

Slow down girl, close your legs,
he's coming in to ruin your life.
He'll add a burn to your pleasant spot, sizzle your stomach,
and never make you his wife.

The pleasure is good, but not so good, you forget
to have him strap..
either stop right now, and handle your business, or have his kid in your lap.

Is it worth it, no but something's telling me you'll do it anyway.
I know your kind, you'll say he's mine and expect that sucker to stay.

Or maybe it's you that's sizzling and killing, tearing up his world..
you need to think with your head, before the bumps get big and stop
being a nympho girl.

By,
Michelle D. Jones

God Be With Me

God Be With Me..

As I walk through this earth, you have set for me,
please guide my way so I can see.

The bridges I've chosen may not be,
the very next thing that is best for me.

Through word and prayer i can be my best,
please hold me steady while I take the test.

There will be plenty of people to pull me down,
they'll fight, they'll hate, but I'll keep my ground.

Though I can not see you, I know you're there..
to protect my soul when Love's unfair.

When  life is weak and shelters me,
It's then I'll ask..  God be with me.

By,
Michelle D. Jones

Ghetto Home

Ghetto Home

Crack pipes, all night, glass all over the ground.
Punctured lungs prove your depressing life, and you
wonder why the cops come around..

Little kids crying for their mothers, society lured them to the corner,
black dresses, a life taken, the body lifeless at the coroner.

Barefoot, dirty clothes, it doesn't matter how your dressed..
twelve bills, no food in the fridge, a bottle of alcohol is what mama stressed.

And where's daddy? Don't know? Why don't you check next door..
He's probably laid out with your friend's mother, or at the liquor store.

Everyone's educated when present at school..
some learn sexual diseases and little girls play the big boy's fool.

Get pregnant, don't laugh, life's not a game or a lie..
your baby will need you like you needed your mother,
another life left to die.

This life was on the news, some say leave the issue alone..
but I had to show the world the reality of a ghetto home.

By,
Michelle D. Jones

Remember When

Remember When..

Remember when the thought of love was sweet and a simple phone call
made you smile?  When your hopes and dreams with love were high, and you wished he'd
stay awhile..

Remember when he held you tight and the comfort you felt seemed so real?
When his lips caressed against your face, and passion became revealed..

Remember the 1st time the two of you ever made love, when passion and heat
burned inside?
When the feelings you had, ran through your head, to crazy and real to hide..

Remember the time it was him and that girl...and you couldn't believe your eyes?
For all the things he said to you appeared to be a lie..

Remember crying all night, long walks to calm you down?
Advise you didn't want to hear from your friends...
When all you wanted was happiness inside, and for pain to come
to an end...

Remember when you finally realized that one day love could end?
And as soon as it ends, your heart will mend, and love begins again...
Remember when?

By,
Michelle D. Jones

Can Anybody Hear Me?

Can Anybody Hear Me?

I have never had a forgetful face,
but yet you can not recognize me.
I live in the dark of the day, near the oceans whispers,
I see you can not hear them either.

I live for beauty, uncommon of my times, but yet,
I am not seen as an individual so I seek those uncommon of nature.

I feign for Love's music.  Although love is not a full guarantee of satisfaction,
for it may not last as long as the wind,  it comes and goes as often as a storm.
I know love.  I know love like the ocean's sand, warm with little obstacles of tears and believe me
when I say I've created a flood.

I have never had eyes that were blind, so why treat me in a way you know I will never forget?
Your heart is playing tricks with you.
I live after the streets are calm, and the rain begins, and before the sun can dry
and the moon is full.  You appoint me as the star, far beyond light.
I am the person you cannot hear.

By,
Michelle D. Jones
Written February 2000

90's Love

90's Love

You hit me with a disease on the day I thought you loved me,
yeah you loved me, but you loved her too.
You abused me yesterday and held me today, and even though
I knew it was wrong, It's in my nature to take you back.

You impregnated me, then left me with no money, no car,
but I still allow you to spend the night in my bed.
When you cheated on me and told me you were sorry,
I believed you faithfully, as any fool would.

When the telephone rang at night, she asked to speak to you.
I rolled my eyes though said nothing, scared that you would leave..
I still believed.

I begged you to leave your other girls alone,
you punched me in my mouth and I...
accepted the abuse as your way of saying no.

I hope the women of the new millennium will be smarter than I was.


By, Michelle D. Jones
Written January 03, 2000