A Quiet Day

 This morning I could feel the seasons changing as I slowly got out of bed. Wiping my eyes, I could feel my feet hit the cold bare floor. It was Monday, once I got my clothes ironed I headed for the shower. Seeing that I lived alone, I turned on my radio only to hear that another war in the Middle East was in top headlines. Turning on the water I couldn’t help but think about how long everyone had been fighting over there and that’s when I heard the phone ring. Dripping with water, I rushed to answer.

“Yo, you don’t need to come in today, the office is closed,” Rob, my coworker said on the other end. 

“Wow, I had a whole day to myself,” I thought. After my shower I ate some breakfast then brushed my teeth. I looked at the paper and couldn’t help but feel sorry for all of the blood being shed overseas. After catching up on my news I decided to wash some clothes and read a book. I then did something that I hadn’t done in a long time, I took a nap. In the silence, I took a deep breath and fell to sleep.

This is what peace felt like, this is what the world is depriving itself of.

A Quiet Day

What’s in between War & Peace

 I tried and tried to comprehend human nature. Every lesson I learn I learn by running in circles. After the passing of my mother I’ve been trying and trying to comprehend this life and while watching the fire burn I can still hear that little voice begging me to come to the dark side. On my journey to live amongst the masses in peace I’ve come to learn that the truth hurts more than anything and as I grow older and wiser I’ve come to understand that an enemy can only see things from their perspective but just like the color green it can only be green and no other color. So one might ask, why do leaders fight for power every day leading to more endless wars? In this deep thought one must comprehend two equal forces that in the end must be balanced. Here’s an analogy: A little girl is born near a nuclear plant, she’s born with one arm. Her father blames the nuclear plant and is pressured to do something. This is where it starts; in the wee hours of the night he constantly hears voices, a voice that never leaves him alone as long as he has to care for his daughter. Watching his daughter slowly die her father then goes and takes actions into his own hands. He snaps and straps a bomb to himself and blows up everything around him. Brethren, this is called cause and effect. Natural laws of a scientific equation.

Brethren, this cycle of war is played over and over again. Sadly, for some it’s hard to walk away. It’s hard to turn the other cheek, but in reality just like me, there’s a force that tries to break all of us, but when we snap, it has everything to do with the laws of nature. In the end there is silence and balance, a balance that we all must face, but I assure you that the true God teaches his children to put down their weapons and live in peace. So what stands in the middle of war and peace? A man fighting to decide.

I’m in love with Candace

 After tuning into her podcast I saw the gates of heaven open. Immediately, I couldn’t help but feel her energy, together we could make the world better, apart we could do nothing. As I looked into her eyes my soul attached to hers. I could feel her energy. Together, while holding hands, we left the world behind as we entered the mating room. She began to touch me as I did the same to her. As the room began to heat up we remade an image of ourselves. We were in love.

I found my love Ilhan

 I was lonely until I saw her face. She’s brave and beautiful and speaks what’s on her mind. As I heard her shout and protest I couldn’t help but feel aroused. I was lonely until I found Ilhan. I knew she needed my love as I heard her scream. I found my love Ilhan.

Come home my love, come home and talk to me. Tell me how you truly feel. There’s enough man in me for you, the squad and all of the women in both the Democrat and Republican Party. 

I found my love Ilhan.

Come home to me. Come home.

Be my valentine, I’m stuck in the middle class on a fixed income, but I’ve got plenty of love to give to every American woman even the lesbians. Peace, take me back into the garden, I’ll protect you all from the snake so we can live in harmony for all of eternity. We can populate heaven and earth with better people.

The Literature Group

 Sadly, I didn’t know what else to do. It was the end of February and all I did was work the entire month, no valentines to show love to, just me and a book. I was a bit bored so I took a walk to the local diner down the road, and noticed a few people reading out loud and acting out scenes. They were having a good time so I asked them if I could join. I’d just lost some people dear to me but there was something about this performing arts session that made me feel alive again. The truth is that we were all scarred, we were all lonely and afraid to commit to a serious relationship and this was our outlet. In the midst of wars breaking out and on our last dime, honestly, this group was all that we had left to look forward to. We’d all lost hope in a life with a family and big house, we were ordinary people. Every week we dedicated our time to each other and as we grew older the group grew into an auditorium filled with people laughing and performing, nothing more. It was that simple, we ended the war. We proved to the world that peace is possible.

The Literature Group

The Black History Report

Dear Family and Friends,

So far I’ve invested about 12 hours in video time, 10 hours of research and about $1,200 in money for Black history month and it’s been a sad, but revealing situation. None of the videos seem to be getting any views and we lost a member of the black history team. After seeing black historians die daily I’m starting to believe that either we African Americans don’t care or we’re just ignorant of our own history. I actually thought about going into deep Chicago where Fred Hampton died just to see if it would at least attract people with ADHD. This is all while my friend Ms. Jennings is still trying to revive her business dreams and Ms. White is still trying to pay her rent. I’ve claimed no political affiliation and at the moment belong to no denomination but I’ve always supported people who believe in God and this has been rough. I’ve spent so much time on research this month while being in front of a computer screen that my eyes and face feel numb. I’ve just about memorized every black historical figure and no one seems to care. I’ve received only one sponsorship and the lady that sponsored is just an angel investor that thinks I’m a nice guy for not killing or drugging people at blues parties. So two weeks into black history month I would like to be honest. Maybe I’ll go to church dressed in a rainbow suit with an Afro the size of Jesus’s just to feel some love. I think I’ve over done it, honestly, I’ve been at it so hard that I could’ve sworn when I went to Maryland that I saw Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman waiving at me on the side of the Ocean City bridge. As I close, honestly, I’ve had fun and I’m thankful for the people who did participate in our Black History project this year. I’ll keep you posted on the second half of this year’s Black History project, but like my dad told me kindly, he said, “Brian, they just don’t care,” then he stopped answering my calls.

Rest in peace Jesse, tell Martin and the rest of the lost tribes that I said hello. I’m enjoying learning and taking a deep dive into African American history month. As a man who loves to learn, politicians please keep this month alive. I knew the historians were serious when they took a black slave cabin and put it in a portion of the Freedom Center in Cincinnati Ohio.

Sincerely,

Brian K. West

Goodbye President’s Day

I learned a lot today.

I learned that no matter who’s in office, I still have to work, even if I were to be President.

I learned that my sister probably will never forgive her father who raised me as if I were his own and just like most girls if he were to die she would probably cry alone. The funny thing is that even if he were President she probably still wouldn’t forgive him, honestly she’d probably write a tell all book about him just to kill his political career.

I also learned that as a veteran we find ourselves stuck in an endless cycle of reality that we probably couldn’t escape even if we ourselves were to run for a political office and many of us probably would suffer more if we were to become President. Love for country and fighting for freedom involves a sacrifice that many would rather run from.

I also learned that those desiring to become citizens have four sides. One that knows suffering, one that knows quality, one that wants freedom, and one that is clueless. Sadly, with the stroke of the pen the President has to decide which one he wants to keep in his country at the cost of the tax payer and if he doesn’t keep his word it gets nasty.

I also learned that as a business owner— leadership is a lonely game and at times you don’t know what to feel. Sadly, when you make conscience decisions you get burned and it turns you into a monster that trust no one. You read the Bible over and over again comprehending that Moses may have served one God and the people that he lead may not have had the same God as Moses. In this, you find a little Owl sitting on dollar bills counting pennies comprehending why the founding fathers put in God we trust in their founding creed. I’m assuming the first President voted for this phrase because he may have needed an insurance policy out of this world.

The last thing I learned about as I say goodbye to President’s day is that being an African American is confusing, especially when you know the history. Sadly, since it is black history month and most of the people that I grew up with are either dead, on drugs or in prison, when I hear a speech about a glorious world I get nervous. Honestly, I don’t trust either party, and if they showed up asking for my vote I probably would put a picture of Ben Carson in my window and say he’s my President as I watch them give me a look as if I’ve had brain surgery on a sunny day in a hospital with no air conditioning. As I look in the mirror I’ve come to accept that we Americans love crazy ruthless presidents who make deals while staying warm with our tax dollars as we try and figure it all out. Dollars that many save because we feel that we’ll escape the pit of poverty which in reality is inevitable as long as the preacher keeps telling us we’re all going to hell if we don’t give it to him.

In the end, I guess that’s why a politician okayed the crucifixion of Christ.

I guess wisdom does come with in God we trust.

Goodbye President’s Day.