The Eve of Hope

78 years ago today, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I alongside his wife Empress Menen in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ever since that time "King Alpha" and "Queen Omega" have been righteous examples for humanity, inspiring the Rastafari movement and all of the great freedom fighters, singers, musicians, and humble servants of the Most High that have united underneath the red, gold and green banner during the last century.

I can only imagine the enthusiasm felt by the Garveyites and the first Rastas like Leonard Howell during the time of Selassie's coronation in 1930. Marcus Garvey's prophecy that said to look toward Africa for a black king came to fruition. Finally Africans at home and abroad had a king of their own that they could acknowledge. Yet this joy wasn't exclusive to Africans alone, people and leaders from nations all around the world knew that this was no ordinary secular king who was crowned (they only had to read the Scriptures and ancient tomes of history). There is no doubt that the life, wisdom and teachings of His Imperial Majesty have continued to inspire generation after generation of people from all colors and creeds, regardless of how they sight up his character.

Now, I don't intend to compare Barack Obama to the personality of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, but I can't help but feel an excitement in this time and recognize this same feeling of excitement in millions of others who share it with me. This "Eve of Hope" as I call it must be something like that moment 78 years ago. However, this time we have the power to elect our leader, we have the opportunity to make a right and proper choice.

I am not one to invest myself in what I&I call "politricks" and I have no faith in politricksters. However, something truly seems different about Barack Obama. It is not because of his racial background and the significance behind that, those are not the measurements of a good leader… it is because for the first time, this man, a regular man with a true, fair, and accessible vision is offering something new to the American people and ultimately to people from all around the world as well. From the very first time I heard Mr. Obama speak, I was moved in such a deep way that I knew this man was an exceptional person and that he could be the answer to America's problems. His intelligence, integrity and determination are a breath of fresh air in the stale room of politics. Obama's leadership and philosophy is what this country needs and I believe in the change that he offers.

It is hard to believe that in only two days from now, we will elect a new president of the United States. I am confident that Americans will make the right choice and I am confident that things in America will begin to change for the better once Barack Obama and his wife Michelle occupy the White House. There are so many naysayers and hatemongers spreading propaganda in order to try and stop this from happening, but the voice of the people is the voice of JAH. Opposition is nothing new, Mussolini had his eyes on Ethiopia even as His Majesty was crowned, and every good and decent leader throughout history has had to fight against evil. But the age of fear is over and hope is on the horizon ready to chase the wicked back into darkness. It is amazing to see the possibility of a black president only a few decades after the Civil Rights Movement and less than 150 years after slavery in America was abolished. It goes to show that good will always prevail and that for the most part Americans are progressive and altruistic people. Imagine now having a leader who can foster those same ideals and restore America's reputation as a beacon of freedom and equality to the world.

Haile Selassie I's titles were King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Elect of God and Defender of the Faith. I hope that on Tuesday night we can dub Mr. Barack Obama as President of the United States, Leader of the Free World, the Elect of the American People, and Defender of the American Dream. Perhaps King Selassie's Coronation on a Sunday, November 2, 1930 is a sign of the future and a benediction for Obama on this Sunday today, November 2, 2008.

Vote on Election Day, Nov. 4th!... JAH Rastafari!

JAHsh

Dull Blade

Dull Blade

Too long I been cutting through this Babylon jungle
Working hard day by day
With all my might I fight for the African struggle
Now it ah go dull my blade
I need a rest so I can strengthen my structure
But Babylon won't behave
I need some time to strengthen my mind
But the system wants to enslave

Too much information
It ah go dull my blade
Too much aggravation
It ah go dull my blade
No time for meditation
It ah go dull my blade
No time for creation
It ah go dull my blade

I need a bredren who can reason 'til seven
So I can sharpen my blade
I need a sistren who will sit down and listen
So I can sharpen my blade
I need to read up the Psalms of David
So I can sharpen my blade
I need to hear the utterance of Selassie
So I can sharpen my blade

And then I will cut and go through
Ready with machete it no matter what they do
Rastaman will cut and go through
Ready, holding steady fighting for me and you
Binghi-man will cut and go through
I won't let the wicked dem make me inna fool
Every day I will cut and go through
Rasta never get weary, I know just what to do

Too long I been cutting through this Babylon jungle
Working hard day by day
With all my might I fight for the Human struggle
Now it ah go dull my blade
I need a rest so I can strengthen my structure
But Babylon won't behave
I need some time to stregthen my mind
But the system wants to enslave

Too much frustration
It ah go dull my blade
Too much temptation
It ah go dull my blade
No time for supplication
It ah go dull my blade
No time for exaltation
It ah go dull my blade

JMC
10/4/08
(c) 2008

JAH Time

We all have our own concept of time and when things should be done; the time to graduate, the time to marry, to have children, the time to accomplish anything under the sun. We live in a world where "time is of the essence", "time is money", "time waits for no one" and "time is the master". It seems like there is no escaping time... it is part of our daily life. Yet sometimes we don't measure up to our ideas of time or our culture's ideas of time and it causes disappointment or distress when we miss out on an opportunity.

Years ago it had been my plan to reach a certain destination close to my heart. Everything was set to go and I literally had the ticket in my hand, but things didn't work out and eventually even things beyond what I had anticipated began to suddenly change. During that time I was upset and didn't really understand why my plans had failed. However, in hindsight I began to consider the reasons behind the change of course and although all my questions were not answered, the way ahead became clearer. Circumstances changed but I believe that it was meant for me to reach this place I had intended to visit; it just had not been the right season.

After so long everything has finally come to fruition, I'm setting off on my journey tomorrow. At last I am going to my destination and the time is right... there are different circumstances, and I am older, a little wiser, more experienced, and perhaps more appreciative. I don't know why it has happened now, all I know is that I am definitely thankful that I have been granted this chance because it is a serious blessing. When one door is closed, another is open. When that door is opened it is our responsibility to seize the opportunity.

In the end, the only time that really matters is JAH Time. We have to free ourselves from our limited view of when things should occur or not occur. With JAH one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. In our human experience we have to wait on JAH patiently to open the doors for us when the right time comes. Seeing this blessing manifest has reminded me to measure my life with JAH Time.

Trinidad and Suriname here I come! Stepping outa Babylon!

JAHsh

Refreshment Course

Sometimes life becomes so busy that everything becomes automated. You rise up in the morning, get ready and go to work. You do the usual things at work and then return home. Even leisure activities that you normally enjoy become routine. All too often, the course we take in life's journey becomes stagnant and dull… nothing stimulates us anymore and we are in dire need of invigoration. This is when life's course needs a refreshment course.

I've been finally enjoying a vacation, time off from my busy schedule as a teacher. A vacation is always welcome, but in my case it couldn't have come at a better time. There are so many things that I haven't had the chance to do lately, such as writing (clearly evident in my shortage of posts), focusing on physical fitness, and most important to me, being in tune spiritually and strengthening my livity. The truth is that I was disappointed because in my heart I was beginning to miss these necessities in my life, but furthermore I was also missing the energy I needed in order to get out of the slump. Every day of monotony took a toll on the senses, so that even reading or listening to inspirational words whether in scripture or from an uplifting reggae tune… didn't seem to inspire. I didn't actually realize my want for these essential things and their simple importance in my life until the dust settled and I was able to get a feel for myself again. Something that really triggered this was when I had the opportunity to come together and reason with a few likeminded people. The experience was like rain water nourishing a seed that had been planted deep within the soul. Once I had it again, I became very aware of its long absence beforehand. Yes, everything does happen for a reason.

Personally, as someone who sights up Rastafari, it is hard for me to find people who share the trod with me during everyday life so I consider it a real blessing when given the chance to just release the vibes. Being able to speak to someone who truly overstands the same things that you do and who can equally contribute to a reasoning is fundamental. It refreshes your purpose and sharpens the mind, like Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Perhaps this was the one ingredient I was missing, the good vibrations to shake it up and circulate the flow. Even a strongly disciplined lifestyle needs a lift every once in awhile, it is the key to natural progression. When something becomes too routine and easy, then it is time to bring things to the next level and when something loses steam, it is time to add more fuel to the fire. I think that is why people are not meant to be solitary, we need one another to learn from, to teach, to uplift. In the words of Burning Spear, "social living is the best."

Now that I finally have the time and the initial battery charge, I hope I can use it properly... collecting the drops of rain into a steady stream of water, so that in turn I may be the tree planted beside it, bearing fruit in due season. One thing is connected to the other, and it must balance out eventually. It is now the season for me to hold a firm meditation, refresh my spirit and continue on my journey. It is now the time to rediscover the world and its beauty, to once again contemplate the magnificence of JAH, and reconfirm my purpose. When we become refreshed, everything becomes so clear again. I can already see and appreciate the many doors opened to me right now, and feel the excitement and optimism that I have as I approach them.

I certainly hope that all of you, those who come across my words, and my family and friends can travel on a refreshment course as well, off the beaten path that has been beating us to mere complacency. Don't let the world suck you dry, you've got to open your third eye. May the Most High guide and protect, and may your hearts be satisfied within.

Live Up,
JAHsh

The Sun Rises In The West

The Sun Rises In The West

Thousands amassed, waiting
For the appointed arrival
Eyes to the sky, they stood
The heavy incense of herbs
And the sound of binghi drums
Words, sent up to the heavens
As a welcome
Please, come

For hundreds of years they suffered
They lived, shackled in gloom
Wailing like the abeng of the Maroon
Many tears had fallen from their eyes
Just like the rain from the grey skies
Even now looming above their heads
But today, it would be different
Today, a sign would reveal
In the flesh, and not news-reel

The time was now at hand
A sudden hush fell on the crowd
In the distance could be heard...
Yes... roaring
As if a chariot led by lions
Was soaring overhead
The dark clouds had parted like curtains
And light shone down
Like the first act of creation

The people stood silent in anticipation
As a giant vessel approached
Marked with paint strokes of
Green, Gold, and Red
The same colors worn on every dread
It made its landing
Thunderous rejoicing shook the hemisphere
For finally, the Lion of Judah was here
Shielding their eyes from the radiance
They could tell... it was really H.I.M.
All their life they have looked to the East
But today the sun rises in the West
And now escorted by elders
He descends the steps

Everything is now so clear
Everything is now so real
This would be their liberation
The day of the Rastaman groundation

JMC
4/21/08
(c) 2008

Groundation Day - Haile Selassie I Visits Jamaica
April 21, 1966

Troubadour

Troubadour

As if emerging from Eden
She was just passing by
Greeting me with a smile
Reflecting a celestial beckoning
Then as her lips parted
I was suddenly questioning
What was this voice I heard
That had my soul so stirred
Her melodies made me pause...
And consider Jerusalem’s hills
Listening to songs of divine glory
Telling me another righteous story
Oh, it was a real true thing
The music that this woman would sing
Her chords coated with affection
She was vying for my attention
And I... I couldn’t bring myself
To go her way
No I couldn’t that day
For I was Rooted
And Grounded
Lord, she was travelling along life’s way
And every note on the guitar she’d play
Just made me feel so sublime
She seemed to be from beyond all time
And yet I couldn’t follow
I had to hold on to my tomorrow
It appeared strange to her
And maybe it was strange to me
But sometimes you have to let life be
Instead of wondering
What might have been
Or what might be
She invited me to dance to the drum
In a gateway city where she was from
To come and move along
And join in her song
But I stood still
While she, kept on
Back on the road she set upon
And me, only my mind chased her
Soon her angelic voice faded
Like swollen echoes dissipated
Off of a canyon floor
So too left this troubadour

JMC
3/26/08
(c) 2008

In Like A Lamb, Out Like A Lion

In Like A Lamb, Out Like A Lion

He went in like a lamb
Forsaken by His people
But guided by JAH hand
His body just a vehicle
Can’t kill the spirit of a man
Rome tried to take it
Yet they can’t overstand

From Golgotha to Addis Ababa
No one can stop the will of JAH
Manifest the Savior and the Conqueror
First come the blood and then the fyah
I&I know, and so it go
In this time, Prophecy reveal
And who can’t hear, must feel
He who is worthy to loose the seven seals
Is the same one that humanity must appeal

He came out like a lion
Appointed and anointed
To rule with a rod of iron
Babylon so disappointed
Now we look toward Zion
Where Selassie I pointed
No more death or crying

Come, Children of the Lamb
Come, Children of the Lion
Together with Love and I-nity
Together troddin’ unto Zion
For it was written, according to His plan
That the Lion shall lie down with the Lamb
It must be, because they’re one in the same
See His hair like wool and His crown like a mane

Yes children, JAH live! Yeshua live! Selassie I live!
More life! Resurrection time, everytime...

JMC
3/23/08
(c) 2008