Category Archives: Ethinicity

A Healing Elixir: the Sound of You

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Walk towards the Dark and into the Light.

Liquid love energy flowing like a run-on sentence, an infinite sentence, words that never stop, but sound so sweet … keep going …

… the sound of you flowing through me ...

You feel like something that has been buried deep

down inside of me that I’ve been wanting to show for so long, so
when I saw you, I knew exactly who you were

I had dreamt about you many many times before, felt you in my core

When I laid across your solar plexus,
felt the pulse in your Kemetic Black skin

When I saw you up against the Sun, I remembered

I knew I would grow to be as strong as you, my light would shine as bright

I only just had to wake up and embrace the strength, the power

When I heard your voice,
water ran down my legs like I was giving birth

I was born in this water

When you touched me,

I was burned with the lava of your movement, tattooed

your energy fused with mine to form the nectar of the divine,
you made my pituitary gland itch,
my seventh cervical vertebrae derailed
an osmosis of a matrix, I developed a twitch

Something started and something ended
It all happened so suddenly…
                                                                               …but gradually, yet fast enough and slow enough for me to be at peace with it, to enjoy it…

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This is what it felt like when I remembered a part of myself that was lost.
I wanted to grasp it, while letting it be free,

while watching it grow, while nurturing it.
This is what friendship is,
a remembering of who I was in another life.
That’s you.

Come home.

For all the black, brown, yellow, and red people around the world.
This is where you come from. Wake up.
Walk into Oneness.

Walk towards the Dark and into the Light. 

8/13/20 7:59 pm Franklin Park
poetry by Shila Iris ♥

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KWANZAA AFTER DARK: DAY 4

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Reflecting on the days of Kwanzaa…

Kwanzaa After Dark is about reflection.  After you’ve spent the day doing the Afrikan rituals within your community, go home and think about how you, as an individual can change.

We all come from the cradle of civilization.  We all can support Kwanzaa.  Why don’t we?  Think about that.

Thank you for visiting.

Shila Iris,

KWANZAA AFTER DARK: DAY 3

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Habari gani?  This is the question you ask your family, friends, and community at the beginning of each day of Kwanzaa.  In the language kiswahili, it translates to “What’s the news?” 

Your response is simply whatever day of Kwanzaa it is.  So this morning, you responded: “Ujima!”  Tomorrow you respond “Ujamaa!”

DAY 3 – UJIMA:  COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY

*Note:  If the images above appear blurry, please visit my previous post for a clearer view.

Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned,

Shila Iris ♥

P.S. Divide and conquer has been a very useful tactic in taking from people of Afrikan descent.  We can fight this!  Let the circle be unbroken.  Fix yourself, so that we can all be together.  I’m in my healing flow, you know?

KWANZAA AFTER DARK: DAYS 1 & 2

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I love to say kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-lee-yuh). ♥ ♥  It rolls off my tongue very nicely.  So, here I am, Shila Iris, hey ya’ll!!!!  You know I rocks with Kwanzaa on this blog.  Check it out.

DAY 1 – UMOJA: UNITY

DAY 2 – KUJICHAGULIA:  SELF-DETERMINATION

I am Shila Iris.  I should name myself! 🙂

 

UP LATE: All you gotta do is call me

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AL Green – Simply Beautiful

I remember my mother’s love for the music of AL Green.  In fact, she had so much love for this man, she kept a crumbled rose that he had given to her at the Ohio State Fair during the 70s.  I was born in 1984.  She still had that rose wrapped in a plastic bag until the mid-90s!  She had shown up alone, hours early for his concert so that she could get a seat in the front row.  Sitting there, waiting, she didn’t realize that during his soundcheck, he had seen her from behind the curtain.  During the show, he came down off the stage and announced to the crowd that he wanted my mother to have that rose, his leather jacket and scarf for showing such commitment.  I’m sure her ♥ heart ♥ fluttered big time!  What an exciting moment.  I always loved hearing this story.  I too, enjoy AL Green.  I am pleased to share him.

P.S. A rose for Rosemary!  That’s her name.  And as you can imagine, he surely did say, “here’s a rose for Rosemary.” 

I’m up late, listening to these soft words.

Thank you for coming here,

Shila Iris ♥

6 Fantastically Appealing Women 2019

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These days I am very mindful of the things I consume.  I have sensitive eyes, ears, and tastes.  My heart is seeking purity at the highest level.  With an open spirit, I attract great energy and truth.  In my world, this intelligence knows no boundaries.  With each person I come into contact with, I find a positive vibration, even in the darkest of hearts and even when it’s hard to see from behind the masks that we all wear.  I find the duality in all things.  There are lessons to be learned.  Everyone is a teacher.  Allow the light into your life!

Meditate (to think, to ponder, to fix attention) on this powerful feminine persuasion…


United States Representative Ilhan Omar

Activist Tamika Mallory 

Academic Kaouthar Darmoni 

Spiritual Scholar Kamil Oshundara 

Entrepreneur Dawn Dickson 

Gender Activist & Author Samina Ali 

Stay tuned… I have my eyes fixed on 6 wonderfully appealing men as well.

Thank you for visiting.

I am Shila (shy-lah) Iris

Creation Myth: Egyptian Goddess Bastet

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If you could morph into a Kemetic Goddess, which one would empower you?
Embracing the allegory of my Ancestors…

Transform into Bastet

Bastet, also known as Bast, was an ancient Egyptian goddess who originally had the role of protecting the Pharaohs. The inhabitants of the lower Nile depicted Bastet as a savage, lion-headed deity. After 1000 BCE, the Egyptians altered her image to the body of a woman and the head of a cat. Along with her change in appearance, she was also transformed into a peaceful and approachable deity. Instead of Bastet protecting Pharaohs, she was now a nurturer and protector of all households. Families soon began to invite cats inside their homes, thinking that they brought with them the spirit of Bastet. They worshiped these cats because they also hunted mice, snakes, and other pests that ruined their crops and their perishable goods. Bastet’s role as a goddess was further altered when she acquired the trait of fertility. Women would purchase pendants with Bastet and multiple kittens to enhance their fertility.1

Statues and depictions of Bastet vary. She transforms from a beast with a female lion’s head, to a woman with the head of a cat, to a regular black cat with kittens who sometimes held a rattle. Some thought the rattle was actually a musical instrument called a sistrum. Because of this, Bastet was also associated with music and dance. Soon after the sistrum was added to Bastet’s image, the Egyptians used the instrument at festivals where they would worship Bastet. Then, Bastet was depicted wearing a decorative dress, carrying the sistrum in her right hand and a shield in her left, with a bag over her arm.2

 

The Egyptians had an explanation for why she was transformed from a savage beast to a fertility and music goddess. Bastet was the daughter of Ra, the sun god who was vengeful. From him she got her aggressiveness. Her mother is unknown, but the Egyptians suspect that Ra sent young Bastet to Nubia as a lioness in isolation. There she was able to let out her rage, and then wander back to Egypt as a docile cat. Later an unknown king proclaimed that Bastet was his mother. Egyptian women then believed worshiping her would provide them with many children, as house cats would typically have up to twelve kittens; and one of her sons became king. Experts believe that the baby rattle was mistakenly interpreted as a sistrum, which led to her being known as a music and dance goddess… this is just one story, do your own research.  

Adapting with the times, enjoying my undomesticated, domesticated life.
Peace and blessings to you.

Shila Iris

After the Solstice…

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“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain…”

-Shila Iris w/ Bob Marley

Everything I Need

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I’d love to have you join me next Saturday for a unique Wine Tasting!  Everyone is welcome!
Dress in your Afrikan garb so we can take some fine family pictures.  If you don’t have any, please, come as you are.  Peace and Joy!

Purchase tickets here or pay at the door.

Shila Iris aka Honey

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Throwback Tonight: Happy Kwanzaa!

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Tonight we dance!

The symbols of a culture, a heritage of humanity, mean a lot.  When they begin to disappear, be very concerned.  So, the moral of the story is:  wear your color, wear your art, wear your culture to remind you of where we been and we’re going.  Don’t give up.  Sankofa!

Besides, color is so dope!

I stay woke,
Shila Iris aka Honey

!

Mood: Jesse Boykins III

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If you don’t know him, you should.  Try him. I did, and I am very pleased…


Birthday:  February 20, 1985 (Age 32)

1.Jesse Boykins III & MeLo-X:  Black Orpheus…
 “I played her heart strings…”

chase Jesse with Eric… “Met her at Howard, lived in the Towers, same floor that I was, which did allow us, to sit and talk for hours, in between dealings, and all this unveiling, clearly there was feelings…”

2. Eric Roberson:  A Tale of Two

Eric’s Birthday:  September 25, 1976 (Age 40)

chase Eric with Raheem…  “I’m so proud, to have a lady, a Queen who wears a crown…”

3. Raheem DeVaughn:  You

Raheem’s Birthday:  May 5, 1975 (Age 42)

Raheem with Bilal…  “I wish I was drug free, sometimes…”  

4. Bilal:  Sometimes

Bilal’s Birthday:  August 23, 1979 (Age 37)

and Bilal with Musiq…  “You’re my baby, my lover, my lady.  All night, you make me,
want you, it drives me crazy.  I feel, like you, were made just for me baby…”

5. Musiq: So Beautiful

Musiq’s Birthday:  September 16, 1977 (Age 39)

and then, with your last glass of wine before bed… “You won’t regret it no, no
Young girls they don’t forget it, love is their whole happiness, yeah, yeah, yeah…”

6.  Otis Redding:  Try a Little Tendeness

Otis’ Birthday:  September 9, 1941 (deceased at Age 26)

Jesse. Eric. Raheem. Bilal. Musiq.  In that order.  Otis. ♥

Peace and joy,

You got me…  I am Shila  (pronounced Shy-lah)

The Orijin Store – Amazing African Accessories

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Look closely at this bag.  Now scream!  This is absolutely beautiful.  For a person like me, who loves African and African-inspired fashion, I feel like I hit a gold mine.  Sistas and brothas, you must indulge in this greatness.

Today is Friday, and perhaps you have some extra cash, or disposable income left, and want to reward yourself for a goal that you accomplished.  Well, this is the way to do it! Check out the Orijin Store!  I am all about African fashion and this company hit the nail on the head with this line of amazing accessories.

Ori j i nal Design, Culturally Inspired.  Visit Orijins website to see the full collection of bags, glasses, and signature clothing.  Given my beliefs in living the Nguzo Saba 365, this is a purchase I can be proud of because it’s for us, by us.  You can share in this greatness too, if you’re ready.  Sure, break the rules!  🙂

I will be getting one of these amazing bags.  Based on my experiences with leather, the price is really good – $169.  I think you should go for it.  I love, love, love it.  No pressure, though, you don’t have to love it.  Just give it some time.  I’m sure you will.

Shot out to Orijin for supporting my art on Instagram.  Much love.  Peace.

You can find them on IG @orijinculture and I am @kushqueendom

I’m sending signals to your mental, so we can connect… see you soon, 

Shila Iris 

Now & Then I Lose My Way, but I’ll Always Come Back to You

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A NEW HORIZON IS SLOWLY COMING INTO VIEW. Finding solace tonight, I closed my eyes to meditate and this memory came to mind. The year was 1995, and I remember hearing the needle drop onto the vinyl. I knew something good was about to happen. My mother put us to bed, and she and my father convened for their after hours date at the dining room table. They would eat a late dinner, smoke something green, and try to work out their differences. This was their ritual. We children, tucked away in our beds, would drift into Atlantis. The guitar at the beginning always made me feel warm and at peace, like good music does. I soon fell asleep to the sound of my parents muffled voices and the Isley Brothers. These memories are priceless. For a long time, my mom and dad were in love and really good friends. It was beautiful back then, and so simple. They had to divorce after 19 years because of my fathers drug habit, but after he kicked it, they became cool again. I always thought I’d have a friendship like theirs, because in everything there is good. So, with this memory, my tears dry up, and my night fades to black. Peace.

Can I go on my way without you
Oh, how can I know?
If I go on my way without you
Oh, where would I go?
Set sail with me
Misty lady, set my spirit free
New love to find
And though I leave another behind
I’ll always (Come back to you)
She’s my lady, now and ever
Oh, how do I know?
Can we go all the way together
Oh let it be so
So we’ll say our last goodbye
And we’ll make it this time
Hey ho set sail with me
To a paradise out beyond the sea
Say yeah if you wanna go
I’ll always…
Bonus:
Goodnight or good morning!
All love is real,
i am Shila Iris

My Introduction to the Wu-Tang Clan

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black-history_feb-17_copyright-shila-iris-2017The year was 1997, and online music was no where to be found. Most of the world experienced solid, art-based hip-hop through Rap City, Video Vibrations or through either the Vibe, Source, Right On! or Word Up! magazines. My older brother was a hip-hop nut! He introduced our family to this raunchy, fun, yet highly political style of beat-based poetry. When I saw my first Wu-Tang video, Triumph, I was so intoxicated that I wanted to be a rapper. The intensity of the lyrics made my heart percolate! The fast-paced imagery tugged at my youth, urging me to be free. The 10 men I saw on the screen were raw and oddly intellectual.

They seemed to be well-read, open, and real. They were from another world, far away from where I was from. The beats were right up my alley. I was intrigued. The music of Wu-Tang has taught me that we can’t sanitize Black life, making it appear to be easy, and we cannot not alter our stories to please others. Life is what it is. Give it to them raw. I feel blessed to have seen them perform live. It was a fun experience. I also saw the solo performances of Ghostface Killah, and last year I saw GZA perform in Akron, Ohio. RZA had a book talk at the public library, where he shared parts of his personal life story, talked about the business side of Wu-Tang and explained his book, The Tao of Wu. These men are such heart throbs! Their ability to be honest makes them all the more attractive. Whenever Wu-Tang is in town, I will be there, no doubt. The Clan is an ultimate example of the Nguzo Saba aka 7 Principles of Kwanzaa. If you ever see me in the gym, nearly falling off the elliptical, it’s because I’m listening to Triumph, and I have gotten so lifted, that I’m in another world! Be careful when you listen to the Wu. Peace.

Thank you for reading,

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ShiLA IRiS

My Introduction to Imhotep

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black-history_feb-16_copyright-shila-iris-2017A few years ago when one of my good friends was a med student, he changed his online alias to Imhotep. I didn’t inquire about it, but in my heart, I acknowledged the change. Then, I realized that instead of taking the Hippocratic oath that students of medicine are required to recite, perhaps he decided to invoke the spirit of the true Father of Medicine. If you’d like to know about him, I encourage you to research the greatness of Imhotep, the world’s first physician, who laid the foundation for the healing arts. I’ll say this: we are forever connected to the past and to our ancestors, each and every one of us. We value their traditions because it makes us stronger. We stand on their graves and ask for guidance and offer our devotion. Imhotep, I honor You, for I am You. My heart told me to dig deeper, and I found jewels, gold, stories, hidden colors. I went above and beyond mainstream education, to find out who I really am, and now I know my worth. I value history. In this age of information, we can uncover truths faster than ever before. This is necessary, because being Black is tough. This is not rhetoric, it really is. That double consciousness that W.E.B. DuBois taught, that invisible man that Ralph Ellison described, is a part of our everyday realities. It can be exhausting, and it can drive you crazy. But, I learned, through a Master Teacher, not to give up, and settle, and make excuses for my ignorance. I need to be healed. We need healing. My ancestors look over me. I swear by Imhotep. That is my oath. Peace.

Thank you for reading,

Shila Iris

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