K e n

What Pulls Us - Ken Kemp
Like the rolling columns of waves
that march up out the sea
the fall winds that conspire
to smother a helpless tree
and drowsy clouds that warily inch
beneath a sun of blinding glee
what pulls you
pulls me
with hands seen only
by those who dream eternally
shaping us, like clay
from what we naively were
into who, on this day
we could not help but be
kk - originally authored 12/01/06
The poem above aptly describes the juncture before which i now stand.--------------------------------------
Who am I?
- I write whatever I feel compelled to share.
- I'm crafting and compiling work that'll accompany applications for grad school.
- Not a fan of: police, briefs, guns, bigotry, ignorance, cubicles, cloudy days, flying, materialism (which I'm guilty of), pretension, politicians, crack, apathy, poverty (materially and intellectually), fast food, racial profiling, buying cds, beverages with high fructose corn syrup, dress codes, hormone-infused meat, cheap tequila, popping bottles, prudes, condoms, talking on the phone, smudges on my new timbz, authority, bongs, bouncers, taxis, lethargy, soft core porn, organized religion, talk (hate) radio, sunglasses worn indoors, bad breath, vapid people, stagnancy, insipid ideas, flat asses, police, police, police, police..
- I am a fan of: water, depth, honesty, warmth, profound words, positive vibes, weed (not too much of a smoker, but I am a fan of the herb), defiance of authority, fidel castro, resistance, dunks, beats by primo, white noise, 65 degrees temperature, danny glover, outcasts, fresh construction timbz (so long as you don't step on them), welcome smiles, creativity, thoughtful passion, fall weather, a good kisser, a freak, medium rare hamburgers, naked juice drinks (specifically Mighty Mango), walking, stone ruination ipa beer, critical thinking, a desire for positive and progressive change, humility..
..
- Back in school, taking writing courses, hoping to be enrolled in a full-fledged grad program soon.
- Was working on a screenplay with my good friend Mighty Casey. Still hope to complete it, though i've only managed to rewrite the first act. When time is available, I suppose. Or, when I manage to organize my projects.
- I like taking long walks. I'm weird like that. Could have something to do with the fact that my license is suspended until July 2008. There's an embarrassing (painful, too..lol) story behind that.
- I have a problem with buying things I don't need, namely dunks, am90s/95s, and premium denim (now I'm a nudie head). I definitely have a sneaker addiction. I'm constantly arguing with my wallet about it, and I usually win each fight.
- I have a drinking problem. Weekends (Friday and Saturday) see me drink to excess, past the point of enjoyment, usually succumbing to behavior that results in embarrassing displays. While I love beer (not a fan of hard liquor) -- with good reason, mind you -- I do wish that I were capable of slowing down my intake. My drinking has, at times, divorced me from those I care for -- one of whom is irreconcilably lost. Is it an indulgence inherited from my father, a man struggling with alcohol? I don't know. I do hope that it's a problem I'm able to tackle before I become a father.
- I have a deep appreciation of music by positive people. Honestly, as Phonte of Little Brother put so eloquently:
"I love hip-hop. I just hate the niggas in it."
I appeciate artists who're aware of their surroundings and the impact their words have on listening ears. I don't care for music that promotes the disintegration of my community: the denigration of women; criminality without consequences (I'm no saint, and have certainly done my fair share of dirt, but every action has a reaction. I'm tired of music that glorifies the struggle that many of my brothers are enduring); and the reinforcement of stereotypes that paint the predominantly black and latino denizens of america's cities as mindless robots given to debasing themselves for pennies. Does this mean I only listen to that which falls under the category of "conscious"? No, of course not. Positivity exists in negativity, the former a result of our collective reaction to the latter. However, there has to be a balance, some reflection of the moral equilibrium that underscores the challenges we face -- in society, and within ourselves.
- I can't deny that I lust after females, of all shades and personalities. But only one woman in my life has ever managed to summon from me a genuine feeling of what I imagine "love" to be like. That feeling is still there, just as raw now as it was when it first took hold. I'm always open to friendship, and I've been guilty of taking certain liberties with the friendships I've formed with some of the women in my life, but I'm not capable of giving myself to anyone else. Just being honest.
- As you can see, I'm a walking contradiction, in many respects -- given to both positive and negative behavior. I'm human, and I always will be. If you think you know me, you probably don't.
*****For those in need of Editing/Proofreading services, which I'm now providing on a freelance basis, send me a msg. Rates are negotiable but affordable. Whether it's a grant proposal or just simple correspondence, turnaround will be to your satisfaction, with results that are always unquestioned in their quality. I can also be reached by email @ [email protected]*****
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