A Sweet Heart: The Flavor of Realness

What if the blink of an eye was worth 75 years?  What would you want to hold onto before your next blink?  Would it be something tangible or would it be the untouchable thrill of success?  Respect, maybe?

As I continue to awaken and my age grows, my memories have much greater value.  Memories of what I once deemed as “the best of times,” lose their significance when the other people involved no longer share the bridge of communication when times get real.  Na mean?  So, if I had one blink left, I would hold onto a friendship cultivated in a garage that was converted into a candy store.

You see, a lot like the rhythm of a haiku, a union between two people can be ambiguous to the casual observer, however, within what may appear to be an unorthodox union, every syllable or action has a profound significance that can only be felt by those privy to its intended meaning.

Rochelle was a teenage girl on a mission.  She calculated, packaged and distributed licorice whips, Now & Laters, and Charms lollipops in the truest entrepreneurial fashion.  As a frequent customer of her establishment, I embraced my addiction to the edible sweets displayed on a foldout table, acting as a service counter.  But it was her sweet heart that compelled an adolescent Mann to remain long after our $.75 transaction had been finalized.

Her place of business gave me a reason to share her space.  At times her older brothers would chase or literally carry me out of her store.  To no avail, I always came back more determined than before.  It just felt right being around her.  There were levels to our friendship and I made the early efforts to keep climbing.  Then somehow, I became the person that no longer shared the bridge of communication.  SMH.

Decades later, the sweetness of that diligent teenage Sista continues to feed my addiction.  Jolly Ranchers, Hershey’s Kisses and Hot Chocolate are merely metaphorical attributes of the rush Rochelle infuses into my existence. The taste of our reconnection makes me a better Mann, indeed.  And her sweetness will not permit me to stop blinking.  Feel me?

Chelle, I am humbled by the reconstruction of the bridge that brings me closer to you, the proprietess of my fix.  To many, our friendship is a haiku that frustrates more than it teaches.  Their fog surrounds us but the expression of our friendship is crystal clear to me and your extended hand is met with the most sincere gesture of gratitude.  With every blink that remains, your life will always be the unforgettable sweetness that made my existence taste-worthy.

 

Much love to you on your special day.

Happy Born Day, Ma!!

US,

Lump

NP 4Life

Copyright © 2015 by Leroy Elwood Mann

The Rising Temperature of Progression: an End Game Objective

I can remember the sound of the teakettle coming from my grandmother’s kitchen.  You could hear that whistle blowing from anywhere in the house.  The kettle’s high frequency indicated the temperature of the water was sufficed.  If your preference was tea or coffee, the hot water was ready for the transition.  It was time to make the next move.

Living on North Carolina’s death row for 18 years has felt like a ‘stand still’ of an existence.  A lot like holding that tea/coffee cup and never hearing the high pitch of the anticipated transition.  It is only natural to wonder if your next breath has any relevance; if there is anything in your cup worth savoring?

Chess master, Eugene Brown is bringing the heat to an environment where living beyond a dismal circumstance is nothing more than a spark of some far-fetched fantasy.  Long before he entered the halls of North Carolina’s ‘death house,’ Mr. Brown was using the game of chess as a megaphone to communicate life to children in desperate need of a positive transition.

At a time where our juvenile justice system has tagged some children as future criminals rather than reach out to them as future citizens, Mr. Brown has given them a reason to think before they make their next move.  His vision on both sides of the concrete walls transcends into a blue flame igniting ambition through the understanding of 64 squares.

The men of North Carolina’s death row have words that counter their propelled deployment as societal throwaways.  And, we champion this Chess master of men for the position of,

National Prison Chess Ambassador.

John D. McNeil said:

“He is a pioneer as to transcending prison life to conscious chess moves.”

Nathaniel Fair said:

“He is well versed in chess, and his prison background makes him a great spokesperson on behalf of prisoners.”

Warren Gregory said:

“It’s long overdue considering his experiences and accomplishments.  I feel he is more than qualified.”

Being condemned to die could never be a smooth transition.  It was a painful experience for me, on the brink of turning 29.  There is a deeper hurt for my comrades who have endured reproof as mere teenagers.  Are we now living in a society that allows principals and parents to only deal with one set of kids, and call the police on another set of kids?

William C. Gregory said:

“He knows prison life.  Who else better to represent us?  Mr. Brown is sincere about chess.  I have learned that my choices have repercussions, now that I understand life through the 64 squares.”

Darrell W. Maness said:

“The first time I heard Mr. Brown speak, I knew he was a special individual with tons of knowledge – not only for prisoners, but free people as well.  He is one of those people that come along every so often that wants to make a difference for the benefit of the ‘underdogs.’ Mr. Brown would be an excellent choice for the underrated post that brings relevance to the lives of death row prisoners.  He is a genuine voice for the voiceless.”

Living on death row is a torturous journey that seems endless.  We are men pushing through life’s end game.

Jamie L. Smith said:

“You can’t begin to understand this struggle unless you’ve walked a mile in out shoes.  Mr. Brown has walked more than a mile, which makes him more than qualified for this position.  The game of chess is a challenging universal meeting of the minds.  Knowledge is always a work in progress.”

J. Dushame Murrell said:

“To be diplomatic anytime you consider the delicacies that incriminate prison, it is necessary to understand the environment before judging an institution that plays a corrective role accepted by society.  To ‘Think b4 U Move’ is a motto that empathizes and resonates with any culture or class of people.  Mr. Eugene Brown personifies a discipline we all need to experience.  It is never too late to reason.  Even the face of incarceration needs a role model.”

The temperature continues to rise, and our cups are filled with purpose.

Your Move,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2015 by Leroy Elwood Mann