Mark Anthony Thomas is the author of "As I Look" and is currently working on his second book project, "The Poetic Repercussions" – scheduled to be released in 2004. Thomas' works have been featured in many magazines and publications nationally. He was recognized as one of the National Library System's Black History Month- Read-In Authors and Atlanta's NBC 11-Alive named him a "Future Leaders of Tomorrow." Thomas, who has been featured in Time Magazine, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Washington Post, and NPR, currently works in Atlanta as a communications and community relations professional.
He describes why he writes:
I doubt I would be alive today if it wasn't for poetry --- it has played that much of a role in my life. In good and bad times, I've been able to run to poetry and it's been a wonderful part of my life. I'm in the process now of studying it and really understanding the capabilities and potential of my writing and focusing on making sure my next book project will be something successful and valuable to the readers.
Spinning Around
My world is spinning around
and around
and around,
hoping that when it stops,
you will be at the center of my heart,
the equator of my existence...
giving you every molecule of my love,
from pole to pole.
and when you touch me for the first time,
my world will rotate around your light -
for you are the sun,
for which my smile shines
and have the gravitational pull,
to all the thoughts of my mind…
and you spin around my intentions,
each night and day...
and I pray, that when my world stops spinning,
your arms will be opened
- facing my way.
Top of the Page.
Cross Dressing
from the porch of my
suburban home I have watched
hip-hop
once distanced at sight ---
now strolling along the lines
of what defined and confines
white culture security
straddling the likes of
p. diddy, outkast, and jay-z
bedroom walls unfolding scrolls
that deem tupac and notorious b.i.g.
as the icons of the new
allegiance my children
have pledged to ---
right hand on heart /
off my sons and daughters go
cross dressing in the street culture
from head to toe
Top of the Page.
Garbage Outside
my neighbors leave
their garbage outside their
apartment door
and the strings loosen ---
the bag tears,
and the garbage spills
leaking of remains of
domestic violence,
and pouring out all the
words of vain and the
bruises of pain
for all the world
to see, with no shame
shown, but silently
until they remove the
garbage bag
and toss it.
but each time
they open their
apartment door
you smell that same
garbage spilled
on the kitchen
floor
Top of the Page.
Exactly Why
You and i
are a balancing
act
as if we juggle the weight of our
work days with the relaxation
in our after-hours;
you toss me your mixed bags
of day long stresses / i hand
you my thorn filled flowers
/ the equilibrium conceives
but after the decks of cards fall /
and our 5-speeds stall
it all leads to a good night kiss
exhaling after our
culminations hiss /
you collapse in my arms / and I realize why,
exactly why...
Me and you
are a complimentary
two
as if our characters wrestle our traits
with the complexities and
depth of our conversations
i toss you feedback on
what's on your mind / you hand me
critiques of my elaborations
/ then symmetry breathes
but after the bass drums prance /
and our emotions dance
it all leads to fireworks inside
removing the silhouettes
of our pride /
i collapse in your arms / and I realize why,
exactly why
Top of the Page.
Too Different
we're just too, too different!!!
if...
we're two different people,
with two different minds,
and two different goals,
on two different boats,
in two different seas,
going two different ways,
on two different planets,
in two different galaxies,
in two different universes,
under two different gods...
why do I feel we're meant to be?
Top of the Page.
You can visit his personal website at Mark Anthony Thomas... "work and progress."
Table of Contents
Letter to the Author: Mark Anthony Thomas