I’m in the process of compiling content for the PIOUS website, which will feature details on when and where you can get your very own copy when its released. The website will also have lots of background info on the novel, book club questions, a discussion section, and a playlist. That’s right, my novel has a playlist.
When I was writing PIOUS, every chapter had a least one song to accompany the tone. Lately, the song that sort of captures the tone of the whole book has been playing in my head on repeat and I thought I would share it in advance here. It’s a moody tune by The Black Keys from their latest album, Brothers.
Take a listen.
These blood red eyes
Don’t see so good
But what’s worse is if they could
Would I change my ways?
Oh… and PIOUS, a novel by Kenn Bivins is coming soon.
Anathemas and shadows and veins coursing lead
He’s looming and lurking and nigh-inspiring dread
Duplicitous and suspicious, I wish that he were dead
He’s like some matured fictional monster come from under my bed
Mondays find me restless and these days ask for peace
Wednesdays leave me torn while next days find my knees
And Saturdays ramblings to God and His returned calls to me
Despite my incapacity of articulating barring eloquence of speech
Mirrors are mere reflections while perspective is above par
I am my only devil, I am my only scar.
Cast him down in the hole and cover him in tar
Still wherever I go, there also is my bête noire.
….
*bête noire is referring to one that is particularly disliked or that is to be avoided.
Nas and Damian Marley released a new collaboration, Distant Relatives, today and I haven’t enjoyed an album this much in quite a while. Production, lyrics, heart, and all around positive vibes – I ‘m loving this one enough to urge you to buy it for yourself. Click here to sample some of the songs. Check out these lyrics of Damian’s from the track entitled, “Strong Will Continue.” This stuff is amazing.
“No man live for ever
but never say never
every goody want better
just be a go getter
and always be clever
in every endeavor
now trust in thy god
for drastic measure
your birthright to pleasure
from your naval swing severed
the land and the treasure
work for whatever
just say don’ be a beggar
the alpha omega
well bless every soul
no matter which you name prefer
the immortal stepper
we live in every skin
no matter which color, letter
we never let way don’t no care which kinda weather
your destined to rise like the son of Rebecca
don’t stop for a second
every man reckon
it sure would be good to be there
whether Zion or Mecca
when the gates are finally closed
and the saints go marching in.”
As I’m in the process of putting together promotional material and articles for my upcoming novel, PIOUS, I came across the bookmarks that I’d accumulated during research and preparation to accurately depict the story I wanted to tell. It’s interesting to see this collection of links now and I can’t help but wonder what the casual observer might think to see them, so here they are. If anything, it’s an unofficial teaser to PIOUS – available soon online and in bookstores.
Is justice colorblind? Or does it treat those who are attractive, favorably? You be the judge.
ABC News’ segment What Would you Do? featured a story where they staged a black and white male actor and a white female actress of the same age and dress in a scenario where they appear to be stealing a bike from a public place in plain sight. What do you think happened? Would you have stopped them?
Why or why not?
view black and white male below or click here:
“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” – Tenneva Jordan*
* Unfortunately, I was not able to confirm who Tenneva Jordan is when I discovered this amazing quote.
I’m not a fan of ignorance – not even when ignorance comes in vacuum-packed, personal-sized, pretty packages that seemingly harm no one. I guess it’s just one of my pet peeves that some people choose to look the other way rather than question the what, where, or why behind something.
Cinco de Mayo or for you non-Spanish majors, the 5th of May, is upon us. It is not Mexico’s Independence Day which is in fact September 16. Cinco de Mayo is not a federal Mexican holiday at all. Its first observance actually began in the state of California. That’s right. The U S of A. To this day, the festivities include indulgence in traditional Mexican food, drink, music, and dance.
The why behind the celebration dates back to a history that is rife with Mexico’s refusal to make interest payments to France. The French’s decision to invade and occupy Mexico was initially successful, but the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 in the city of Puebla found the French defeated by Mexico’s fervor.
On September 16, 1862, President Juárez declared that the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla would be a national holiday, regarded as “Battle of Puebla Day” or “Battle of Cinco de Mayo”. Although today it is recognized in some countries as a day of Mexican heritage celebration, it is not a federal holiday in Mexico.
Meanwhile in the U S of A on Cinco de Mayo, the ignorant take time from bashing, banning, and blaming people of Mexican descent to “celebrate” Mexican heritage. They articulate this “honor” through debauchery, Mexican food, and an overabundance of alcohol while perpetuating the stereotype of sombreros and big mustaches. (sigh) I digress.
For the rest of us, we salute the fervor and heritage of both Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Actually it’s mostly me, Kenn, who is back from the nether-reaches of real life but my ever loyal sidekicks are never far behind.
I’m back to frequent (at least 3 times a week) blogging so I look forward to our exchanges. My novel, PIOUS, will be coming out pretty soon and I have some very exciting things to share leading up to that experience. Cover art, release date, and book website to be revealed soon.
He slides his tongue along the inside of his bloodied bottom lip as his mouth fills with the salty realization that the truth was there before him all the while, in soft focus on the periphery of his vision.
Picture me, or you for that matter, suspended in mid-air. Suspended for a mere split second where the aperture chose to forever immortalize me. There I am. Or there you are. Are you flying or falling?
As you finger the edge of your half-filled or almost emptied glass, thinking on this, I’m stuck in mid-air wondering too. In this moment, I have no answers and will settle for being occupied with the curiosity of the albino geckos that have begun to gather outside my door awaiting their dinner of insects drawn to artificial light.
I’m living in the here and now that is today,
While the hope of tomorrow urges me forward.
Yesterday is SO… yesterday.
Embryos with a bloodied nose
Paraplegics with painted toes
Diaspora with no where to go
And stranger fruits have yet to be exposed
History books’ lies and conflicting refrains
Exaggerated heroism amidst talks of change
White slave traders while Africa is to blame
Calling for justice yet a prideful disdain
Shackles of iron and a kum ba ya repose
Chains of metal while concrete spawns a rose
Cords of rope and no longer borrowed clothes
Why all the alarm when you just keep hitting “doze?”
kenn.
16 years ago or January 19, 1994, my namesake and firstborn graced the world with his pale yellow face. Before he was old enough to do much more than eat and poop and cry (sometimes in that order), he taught me something extraordinary – how to love unconditionally.
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