Category Archives: The Poet Speaks and Inspires

What do you know about Martin?

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Original Poem, (c) All Rights Reserved

What do you know about Martin?

There was so much more to him than his dream

He spent his life waking up the consciousness of both black and white people

And those descendants from both sides who were stuck in-between


What do you know about Martin?

Did you know how courageous he was, how he stood firm and did not run

In the face of dogs, police, and angry mobs, he practiced what he preached

For he believed that love was more powerful than a hateful heart and a smoking gun


What do you know about Martin?

Of course you probably knew he was a master of speech and oration

He had degrees from Morehouse, Boston University, and Crozier Seminary College

And in 1955, he received a PHD, to show how much he valued education


What do you know about Martin?

What has his legacy taught or inspired you to do?

Are you one of the proud or one of those wondering, what is the big deal?

Are you aware of how his mere living has changed life so dramatically for you?


What do you know about Martin?

Were you aware that he was only 26 when elected first president of the MIA

It was the Montgomery Improvement Association that helped organize the busing boycott

That plucked both he and Rosa Parks from obscurity and sent them both on their fateful way


What do you know about Martin?

Did you know that it was his ability to lead and inspire that gained him a prominent role

In December 1956 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Alabama’s bus segregation laws

But it was Martin who helped motivate the people of Montgomery to keep on walking for a full year prior to that in the rain, sleet, and the cold


What did you learn from Martin?

How much or how little does it take to provoke you?

Does it take something that is life threatening to make you respond with violence?

Or will you go off if someone looks at you wrong or steps on your shoe?


It was during this ‘March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom’ in 1963

That Martin Luther King gave his famous, I have a dream speech

And it is these prophetic words that even 40 years later we reflect back on

For although many have sacrificed their lives, this dream is still beyond our reach


Black and White, Jews, and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics

All are still fighting each other, still fighting to be equal and free

We’ve figured out the part of holding hands and singing the song

But there is still too much injustice, hatred, and disunity


So when you echo the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr

What do you really know about this man and his contributions?

How many strides that he fought for are we in danger of losing?

How many new battles have we stood up for and won?


Martin Luther King put everything on the line for freedom

Even when bombs where thrown into his home with his young baby and new wife

He said if we won’t stand for something we would die for anything

And that is how this great man lived his entire life


And then one day he talked of seeing the mountaintop

And told his brethren he would have to go alone

And at the age of 39, in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated

And God called his faithful and weary servant home


So what do you know about Martin

Do you know all that he did for you?

He said we all can be leaders, because we all can serve

So what kind of service can we expect now from you?


(c) 2007-2010, Barbara S. Talley. ‘What Do You Know About Martin’ is from the upcoming book, Just The Right Words: Special Occasion Poetry, to be Released in 2010.   Barbara is a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and author of six books.   Do not reproduce without express written permission from the author.  To contact Barbara, phone 301.428-4831 or www.thepoetspeaks.com

Learn to Live Today…Today

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Learn to live today…today
And not tomorrow when it becomes yesterday
We spend so much time in our memories or in the future
That we rarely have time to live in today

Today is when and where you live
Yesterday is already over and gone
And you can’t do or undo any actions
Or change anything that you did wrong

But you can live today…today
And today’s actions make new memories
Because the things you do today
Will become tomorrow’s history

Twenty-four golden hours
To live this gift that we call life
To spend with your friends or children
Or your parents or husband or wife

Today is when and where you can live
It’s the only time that is really real
Today you can love, laugh, and listen
Today you can understand; today you can feel

So learn to live more in the present day
By praying, deciding, and carrying out your plan
You can’t relive yesterday or live tomorrow in advance
Today is the only time that you can

The current moment is your only currency
It’s the only time we are creating, don’t you get it; don’t you see!

The current moment is the only time you have power
So focus on this moment, and soon you’ll see results by the hour

And by the day, and the week, the month, and the year
And you’ll realize your dreams one by one and be done with fear
And when you do reflect on your past you will do it with cheer
Because you’ll be grateful for the life that you caused to appear

(c) Barbara S. Talley- “Learn to Live Today…Today’ is an excerpt from her upcoming book, ‘Cheer Up: Poetry to Help You Get Back On Track.’  It will be released early 2010.

Appreciation Goes a Long Way

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Appreciation can go a long way
A simple thank-you can make someone smile
A grateful heart takes root in some easily
Others however, it seems to take a while

It should be a natural instinct
To see our blessings and to appreciate
But most seem to be programmed to see what is wrong
And then blame circumstances, other people, or fate

Appreciation goes a long way
In fact when you’re grateful you attract more blessings to you
And while guilt, anger, blame and fear might get a response
Gratitude makes people want to do even more for you

Gratitude is a virtuous and divine quality
That the spiritual actively seek to cultivate
Who would you rather be around, someone who is always complaining,
or someone who in spite of the tests in life
Always seems to find something for which they can appreciate

Appreciation goes a long way
It brings happiness to both the one who gives it and to the one that receives
Appreciation stems from your clarity of vision
Your inner eye opens and your capacity increases because you believe

You believe in the goodness of others
Your kind and searching eyes are always looking for the best
You are not blind to others faults, but instead
On their goodness is where you choose  to let your focus rest

Appreciation goes a long way
Its antithesis, ingratitude attracts unhappiness and pain
Ungrateful people accomplish nothing from this vice
While the appreciative have so much more that they gain

Appreciation goes a long way
It fosters the development of so many virtues and qualities
Appreciation always brings out the best in you
And it brings out the best in me

(c) 2007-2010, Original Poetry of  Barbara S. Talley (The Poet Speaks)- All Rights Reserved
From the 2010 Book Release, ‘Cheer-Up’- Poetry to Get You Back on Track

I’ll Race Toward the Sun

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One of these days I will grow old

But that day doesn’t have to be soon

Society tells us we must grow old, gray, and useless

But I plan to be singing to a different tune


And I hope and pray that when that day comes

That my most important work will be complete and done

And I won’t be afraid and trying to relive my youth

Instead of dragging my feet, I’ll race toward the sun


The sunset of my life will be joyous

The sunset of my life will be glorious indeed

From the mundane, unimportant, unspiritual ties

I plan to be detached and freed


I’m eating healthier and exercising more

I’m keeping my mind stimulated so it can do what it was created for


I’m not rolling over and letting the aches and pains take over

I’m singing to a different tune these days

I have to let go of familiar foods, customs, and beliefs

I have to consciously choose life and change many of my old ways


Maturing in age is not synonymous to growing old

Or with atrophying, growing weaker and having low energy

This body was designed to live long and help us prosper

But we changed how we thought about our mind and body


Our minds can create the reality we wish to have

Our bodies are temples, powerful beyond compare

There’s so much we can do to preserve them both

But first we must care, then learn and become aware


You must eat right by choosing live whole foods

You must drink plenty of water and get enough sleep

You must exercise and stretch your body and mind

And beware of the company you keep


Because before you can grow old in your body

You must grow old first in your mind

Choose friends carefully because their words have influence

Thoughts multiply and generate more of their kind


One of these days I will mature in age

But I plan to continue to grow wiser each day

By avoiding dead processed foods, caffeine, and drugs

And to listen to what my body has to say


If my body and mind need rest I’ll give it

If it needs raw fresh foods and vitamins I will comply

So that I will be able to live fully up and until

The day that my spirit breaks free and my body dies


I plan to run toward the sunset

And not drag a poor diseased body in tow

I plan to run toward the sunset

And be happy when it’s my time to go


(c) 2007-2010, Original Poetry of  Barbara S. Talley (The Poet Speaks)- All Rights Reserved

From the 2010 Book Release, ‘Cheer-Up’- Poetry to Get You Back on Track

Every Fifteen Seconds

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Every fifteen seconds a woman is abused
According to statistics from the FBI
Some are bruised and battered emotionally and physically and live
Some are not so lucky and from their wounds eventually die

Every fifteen seconds, just think
While I wrote this line another woman was hurt
Abused physically, emotionally, and mentally
Somewhere, right now, another woman is questioning her worth

The victims of domestic violence
Include not only mothers but children too
And a large percentage of the abused boys grow up
And do exactly what they saw their fathers do

And you fathers, how could you betray her trust?
After she bore your children and became your wife
How could you beat the spirit out of her?
To boost your own esteem, how could you ruin her life?

How could you devalue her in the eyes of others
Demeaning her in public and calling her names?
How could you beat her, and then act like you’re sorry
And then convince her that she is to blame?

How could you make her break her ties?
From her confidants, friends and family
We now know that you cut off her lifelines
So that you could hide your brutality

If you live in an abusive relationship
Get help, find a way to escape… a release
Statistics show that abusers don’t just stop abusing
And, unchecked, violence will only increase

Every fifteen seconds, just think
While I wrote this line another woman was hurt
Abused physically, emotionally, and mentally
Somewhere, right now, another woman is questioning her worth

©2009, Barbara S. Talley- www.ThePoetSpeaks.com