THE YOUNG ONES ARE RUNNING OUT THE CLOSET LIKE YOUNG SWIMMERS JUMPING OFF THE BOAT DOCKS INTO THE CHERAW STATE PARK WATERS TOTALLY UNAWARE OF THE STRONG UNDER CURRENTS BOLD, BLUNT, AND OUTSPOKEN THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN SWIM IN DEEP, DARK WATERS WITHOUT THE ADVICE OF THOSE WHO HAVE LEARN TO FLOW WITH THE CURRENTS BABIES, HAVE YOU NOTICED THE BODIES WASHING ASHORE? LIFE WILL FLIP, TOSS, TWIRL, AND TWIST YOU LIKE A SCHOOL OF FRY IMAGINE BACK STROKING WITH NO LIFE JACKET

And here I am with nothing but a street vendor’s stand An African, a black man, an American With well over 400 years of front-line experience They still won’t give a brotha a chance What do you want to be when you grow up? I don’t know! What the ….? Four years of hard study and high ass tuition They have the audacity to want me in the kitchen Back door deals and gentrification You still want to deny discrimination. Today, war scars and college degrees Tomorrow, foreclosures a

Dirty baby strollers Yelling babies Air Jordans Matching boxers/fitted caps Dirty finger nails True Religion jeans Fake nails/cheap weaves Ebonics Spanglish Tramp stamps Less clothes/more tattoos Dark weed-smoking lips Hot Sauce/Ketchup-soaked French fries and chicken wings © Aron Prince 2015

My brother, cousins, and I hated pickin’ cucumbers Filling large baskets, watching out for snakes, consumed our summers From early in the morning into the hot sun For 3 dollars, a Red Rock soda, and a Honey bun That’s right; Mr. Willie Gaine Rose was my worst enemy So I thought; I now realize he was showing me dignity You see, my maternal grandfather was from South Carolina His life experiences gave him a real steel jaw With Black skin, a 3rd grade education, and natural tale

AS I WALKED ALONG THE SHORE, I NOTICED SOMETHING RIDING THE WAVES. WHAT IS THAT? I ASK. MMM! IT LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF SOMETHING. WAIT! I SEE MORE PIECES. IRONICALLY, I FEEL MY CHEST. SOMETHING IS MISSING! OMG! IT’S MY BROKEN HEART! © Aron Prince 2011

“Change” CHANGE your mind CHANGE your vocabulary CHANGE your tone CHANGE your perception CHANGE your style of dress CHANGE your hairstyle CHANGE your makeup CHANGE your attitude CHANGE your education CHANGE your occupation CHANGE your outlook CHANGE your residence CHANGE your diet CHANGE your exercise CHANGE your action CHANGE your reaction © Aron Prince 2008

“VOICE” IT IS SO AMAZING HOW SOMEONE’S DEATH SPEAKS LOUDER THAN THEIR VOICE

When they stop talking about you, then you will no longer matter to them. © Aron Prince 2016

“Dirt” Getting dirty will remind you of the fact that we all came from dirt. © Aron Prince 2016

HAIKU #3 EDUCATION TIP: NEVER MIND THE PLANTATION; BUILD YOUR OWN NATION © Aron Prince 2016

HAIKU #2 A Recipe for World Peace & Tolerance: SLOW TO ANGER QUICK TO LOVE © Aron Prince 2016

HAIKU #1 Do not allow minor issues become major problems in your life! © Aron Prince 2016

The Water Didn’t Help! At the age of thirteen, I made one of the most important decisions of my life. On Sunday, April 27, 1980 I had decided I wanted to be baptized at Gregg Avenue Church of Christ in Florence, South Carolina. I remember people clapping when I walked up to the front row seat when the minister had called out for anyone who wanted to come to Christ. Something deep down inside of me told me to get up. I was nervous when I stepped into the baptismal pool and ins

“Something” It is soft. It is hard. It is short. It is long. It is thin. It is thick. It is weak. It is strong. It is light. It is dark. It is down. It is up. Hmmm, what is it? SOMETHING Like what? LOVE! © Aron Prince 2009

“My Straight Brothas” HERE IS MY OPEN LETTER TO MY STRAIGHT BROTHAS WHO HAVE HELP ME OVER THE YEARS TO KEEP IT TOGETHER I WANT TO THANK OUR CREATOR FOR YOUR LOVE AND RESPECT FOR IT’S NOT MY SEXUALITY BUT MY PERSON THAT YOU PROTECT WHILE LISTENING TO ANTHONY HAMILTON AND LYFE JENNINGS I KEEP THINKING OF OUR FRIENDSHIP BEGINNINGS SOME OF YOU GUYS WERE MY WORST ENEMIES NOW WE LAUGH AND WATCH FOOTBALL ON TV SOME OF YOU CONSIDER ME YOUR FASHION CONSULTANT WHILE THE REST OF YOU WAN

“Give You (Daddy)” YOU ALWAYS SAID I NEED TO MAN UP YET FOR ME YOU NEVER STOOD UP BUYING ME TOYS AND THINGS YET I NEVER KNEW YOUR REAL NAME YOU GAVE ME FIRST TASTE OF BEER BUT I NEEDED YOU RIGHT HERE © Aron Prince 2013

“BIRD CAGE” MY WINGS ARE STRONG, YET THEY ARE WEAK DON’T TELL ANYONE, BUT, I NEVER LEARN TO FLY I AM AFRAID OF FALLING OUT OF THE SKY I PECK THE WINGS OF OTHER BIRDS I AM JEALOUS WHILE I ATE AND SLEPT, THEY LEARN OH NO, I AM TRAPPED IN THE CAGE © Aron Prince 2013

“20/20” TWENTY YEARS AGO HE WAS BORN TWENTY YEARS LATER HE WAS DEAD THEY PAID MORE ATTENTION TO WHAT HE HAD WORN AND LESS TO WHAT HE HAD SAID © Aron Prince 2011

“Pink Tie” MY TIE IS PINK MY TEARS ARE RED FATHERLESS CHILD DAD IS DEAD © Aron Prince 2018

New York, NY June 7, 2011 Mr. Samuel William Eaves Heaven Dear Mr. Eaves, Mr. Eaves, I am writing to you today because I know the post office in Heaven is open 24/7 and God will make sure you get my letter. I was very upset when I received the news of your passing. Realistically speaking, I knew you would leave one day. I was determined to learn to beat you more in the game of Checkers. I was like a kid on Christmas morning with my rare wins. Perhaps one day we will play agai