Afternoon Something

Afternoon Something::

By: Husam (Sam) Salman

Nuyorikan Soul and anything that has Afro jazz 

The ability to instantly message someone around the world

5:55

The sound of birds singing sweet melodies to one another

The first sip of afternoon tea

The fact that we can be bitchy with one another and know that we are completely kidding

Your #whatever attitude

Taking it up the butt

That look you give me after sex, priceless

Holding someone arm in arm

Achieving your goal of attaining the object of your desire

Satisfaction

The internal cemetery that is the writings of Anaïs Nin 

Driving real fast in your car

That cool breeze of wind on a warm summer day

Lemonade scented with lavender

Cookies

The mental achievement of walking like Anita Applebaum

Strutting like nobody's looking but you know you want everyone to be watching

White leather

A reason to celebrate

Cocktails before dinner

… And you by my side

Monday Ritual

Monday Ritual::

By: Husam (Sam) Salman

Bearded dragon queens that think they are prophetic when they lip-sync  

The crazy homeless woman who stands on the corner yelling at people thinking she's changing the world

Truvada and the belief that you can fuck your way to happiness

AIDs, and the youthful generation that ignores it

Pharmaceutical companies eternal hold on people by administering addictive drugs that require a lifetime of usage

Your #whatever attitude

The unfortunate reality that everyone in America is working for the betterment of themselves only 

The lack of greater community beyond that of neighborhoods or ethnic similarities

Unethical drivers who think mean shit is funny 

Having to deal with unruly heathens who's upbringing didn't teach them the difference between right and wrong and give them a sense of value towards others

Foreigners who moved to the United States…one way or the other...who don't speak English

Bigots

The papering of neighborhoods with racist flyers coming from orange county California...again

The odd fascination people have with goods they can't afford. Thank you Harper's Bazaar 

Pretentious shop workers

Monday mornings 

Decaf

Heiresses & Vagabonds

Heiresses & Vagabonds::

By: Husam (Sam) Salman

That first morning cup of coffee and the buzz that immediately follows. 

The sudden reality that you just went through four green lights in a row during morning rush hour. 

Having your boss greet you in the morning with a smile when he sees you.

The sense of urgency.

The sense of community and feeling like you are a part of a team. 

Communion. 

The satisfaction of completion. 

The joy of being needed. 

The pleasure of being well understood. 

Being able to leave work early because you got there early.

Driving.

Going out to a real underground and hanging out in a subset of classes between heiresses and vagabonds. 

Knowing the difference between right and wrong. 

Being grateful that I was raised with dignity towards others, honor in the work that I do and the pride I have in the world I live in!

Real time television but more importantly the device that records my shows so I can fast forward through commercials. 

Chocolate on or with anything… By itself is cool too!

People who believe in magic and unicorns. 

Unadulterated love. 

Having the power of presence and being. 

A great night sleep. 

Remembering your dreams. 

Lucidly controlling your dreams and finding yourself in the minds of others. 

Astral projection. 

Living in multiple bodies at the same time. 

Reading people's minds and understanding who's doing what with their abilities. 

Understanding why people judge. 

Shame and the power of growth that it retains. 

The mental popcorn of watching older  men behave as Peter Pan. 

Maturity. 

The ability to love reason free and unconditionally. 

The bliss of not being asked, why?

Conversations that are geared around opinion of idea and thought. 

Total inclusiveness and immersion. 

Love. 

Holding hands on a date. 

Going out on dates...like the adults we are. 

The sound of two glasses toasting over a celebration. 

The smell of fecundity and satisfaction. 

The full moon. 

You.

Never a Broken Soul

Never a Broken Soul

By: Husam (Sam) Salman

People made names for us

Your bitter tongues, like whips crack,

Noses turned to the rock from which

You think I came; but bitch, don’t trip!

I ain’t no broken soul!

Do my opinions make you think?

Why do you turn your head in wonder?

Because I stroll like I’m a Vegas pimp?

Rollin’ deep in the banks of infinity.

As sure as the Ho will stroll out at night,

With the confidence of god,

Just hope in high-heels with a tiger in my hips

I will stride out in control.

Don’t trip bitch, I am not a broken hole.

Why you gotta keep taken blows?

Cracken’ jokes to lower glows?

Egos deflating with sagging nose.

Are you waiting for the teardrops?

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Auras falling down like shady lanes.
Are you waiting for me to lose control?

Your razor tongue can cut deep,

You can stare in anguish all you want,

You can exercise your hubristic hate,

As strong as a diamond,

I am still in control!

Do you envy my “likes”?

But are you shocked when you meet me?

Eyes on you, saying sweet serendipities

We both know you were just staring at my ass!

What you ignore, others savor,

I control

I am a vast sirocco,

Creating sandstorms in my tide,

Like the ocean, my span reaches wide

Leaving definition and reside

I rise

Beyond the memories of pasts

I grow

Evicting renters in my head

I clean

Each dawn a day to better yesterday

I will

I share with you the knowledge of those

That came before me,

I am not the ostracized Arab

I am free

I dream

I grow

…because I am not a broken soul!