Safe

~As we approach our final week of performances
It has become more clear than ever what a gift this play - The Brothers Size - has been~

Such is this gift
That I don't want to let it go
Yet I must

This has been one of those moments that, as an actor, I have craved
The timing has been perfect
It has allowed me to grow and journey
Into the fertile land that is the love between Black Men
A love that I continue
A love that I try to throw against the wall in my work
A love that has pulled me, pushed me, held me, terrified me, kept me
For most of my years
Alive

Such is this gift
That I feel I can't let it go
Yet I think I must

As is the case at the end of every run
One moves on
One lets go and moves forward
With hopefully a little more than when he started

Yet

This play - The Brothers Size
Has brought back to life my best friend who was... is... is...
Elegba
Lil Legba
Legba
Drifting like the moon
Appearing at my window
Like a Glimmer Of moonLight
For a moment
Standing in the early morning air
For a moment
Singing a song
Eating candy
For a moment
Is gone
Is gone?

Such is this gift
That I don't want to let it go
Must I?
Should I?
Dare I?

"Hell to the nah!"
This is one of those gifts that comes along once in a LifeTime!
Once!

So I think I'll keep this one
Sew up this hole in my pocket
And place it there
Safe
Safe

I'll keep this one
Put it in my pocket
Take these pants off
Put them in a secret
Safe
In the moonlight
Safe
From the midnight riders
Safe

Safe!

My Gratitude

A rainy, chilly morning in the Mini Apple.

I miss my kids.

Even though I saw my son's football game yesterday

And relived so many childhood and adolescent memories through the way he played

The way he moved

Even though I saw him

Looked into his eyes

I miss him this morning

I miss his sister

My daughter

Even though we're in the general vicinity of each other

Even thought we "connect" through texts and messages and distant laughter

I miss her

I miss her mind

I miss her heart

I miss her hugs

The way she would rub my head when I wasn't feeling well

And tell me stories until I fell asleep

My STRENGTH and WISDOM

My PRIDE and JOY

I miss you

I miss you both

You are my gratitude

You are my breath

You are my gratitude

You are my breath

You are my gratitude

You are my breath...

Sunday Morning

 Sunday Morning

I've always heard my fellow actors worry, as they come to the end of a job, if they'll ever work again. I suppose I've felt that trepidation at different times also. What I know now, at this point in my 30 year career, is that every opportunity is priceless and absolutely unique. I know that there are no guarantees about that next gig no matter who reminds you that 'you work all the time!' I supposed I'm a little (or maybe a lot) worried today because, once again, as I look down the road I have no real idea of what I'll be doing - nothing tangible, nothing guaranteed. Yet, as I stop to pause, I realize that none of us really knows what's down the road. None of us! And though some may have a clearer idea than I do, I refuse to be consumed by fear and trepidation on this SUNDAY MORNING. Why? Because it's Sunday Morning, and today I'm choosing to be filled with God's Grace; today I'm choosing to be grateful for the job that I DO have; today I choose to be thankful and relish in the blessings that have been gifted to me. I have two amazing teenagers who fill my world with joy. I have the love of a wonderful woman who has my back. I have the gift of creativity that God gave me. I have my health, and yes - I still have a job - I get to go onstage later and spit HOLY WORDS written by one of God's Messengers.  Today, I have it all.

This Sunday morning - I am the most blessed man in the world!