"Believe Me When I Tell You..."

Over the years, I've encountered my fair share of interesting characters. A lot of them happen to have been drunks. Regardless of how inebriated and incoherent they've been, they've always taught me something, be it about what I don't want to become or about who I am and hope to be.

Last Friday night, I had the pleasure of performing at Coltrane's as a part of their talent night. I recited my poem Worlds and managed to receive a very positive response. After the poem, several peeps approached me to offer praise and to dialogue. This is where the "interesting character" of the evening saw his in.

I was talking to a woman who goes by Lady Futura when this drunk approaches me. He was lit, but happy, which is definitely better than the alternative. He told me that he liked what I did, but I hadn't reached my peak or found myself. Further, he instructed me to go places, talk to people, etc. and then proceeded to list all the places he's been (he certainly gauged a lot from just hearing one poem while being heavily sauced).

What really irked me was that he kept repeating himself. Whenever he reached what, seemingly, was the end of his point, he'd say,"Believe me when I tell you. I like what you did, but..." The whole shabangabang would begin anew.

Also, the while time he was talking to me, he kept spitting in my face. It was unintentional, but also mad disgusting. It really served to make things worse.

Unfortunately, it took me about fifteen minutes (no jive) to successfully extricate myself from him, and once I did, I promptly washed my face in the bathroom (we're talking soap in the eyes, the whole nine).

I did think of what he said about reaching my peak and finding myself though. Honestly, I hope that I haven't peaked yet. I'm still very far from where I want to be. As far as finding myself, I really don't think anyone does for very long. People are constantly changing as are the environments around us. I think what's unique about artists is that they chronicle the journey and the struggle. The works they produce serve as documents. In my opinion, that's the best that any of us can hope for or aspire to do.

Blessings