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The URBAN SCRIPT

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Chapter One

Playground Crush

"It all began when I saw you on the playground swing.

'How should I confront her, what game should I bring?

I could give her flowers, what idea would be better,

But my stomach is churning, I'll just write a letter.

I took my time and wrote it slow,

Do you like me, I like you, circle Yes or No.

When she gets the letter what will she say?

It must be love that's why I feel this way.'"

"The teacher started teaching and told the class to hush,

But my attention was lost; I was stuck in the zone of a playground crush.

We could watch cartoons on Saturday and videos at noon.

You could probably help me dance; I am so out of tune.

You looked and smiled as the letter returned,

My body shivered, my heart burned.

At nine years old, I was experiencing things I couldn't explain.

I said, 'Lord, hurry the letter up, I'm going insane.'

I opened the letter slowly and with so much ease,

My feelings were, 'Lord, I hope it says, 'Yes', please, please, please.'

You could have circled N, but instead circled Y,

And wrote, 'I'm glad you asked, 'cause I'm sort of shy.'

We left together as the bell ended class,

I couldn't help but to smile, because of disappointments in the past.

You told your girlfriends as we walked down the hall,

We exchanged numbers in case one of us wanted to call.

You had to go to class and I had to leave,

But our hearts would be together if we only believed.

Before you left for home, I said, 'Close your eyes and please don't peek.'

With the courage inside me, I gave you a kiss on your cheek.

You smiled and began to blush,

I knew then we were meant for each other, me and my playground crush."

Wildflower Jewelry

"Once upon a time ...

A couple skipped through a field.

The young man plucked a daisy and intertwined it into a ring,

Speaking to his girlfriend, he said, 'Whatever your wishes, this encircled flower will bring.

As long as we're together our love will linger,

So, I place this ring upon your finger.'

The young lady loved the jewelry with the daisy gem,

To her it symbolized the love and commitment between the both of them.

The ring would support her hand, but what would protect her heart?

The young man knew within an instance a necklace would fit the part.

Intertwining daisy after daisy, a necklace was born,

And around the lady's neck the jewelry was adorned.

He then said, 'When life's pressures tend to bowl you over,

As long as this necklace protects your heart, I'll be over your shoulder.'"

"Now ...

What seemed foolish then, now all makes sense,

The couple that made jewelry from flowers is still together in the present tense.

Even though the jewelry was not real, the meaning behind it was true.

Would you see it the same way if it were to happen to you?"

Chapter Two

* * *

Talent Town, USA

"Welcome to Talent Town, USA;

Where the talent leaves or sometimes stays.

The town is small, but talent is great.

Your talent may develop, but if not, it will succumb to your fate.

As we stroll through town, I will point out talent that you will see,

You tell me, if developed and left how great the person and talent could be.

Not all talent is bad, as it may seem so,

There are teachers, engineers, and others that will point you in the way to go.

Grandparents and parents plant the seeds of initiative for kids and others to go to college,

So their dreams and hopes may flourish in fields of knowledge.

Talent such as this makes the town so superb,

But there is also talent drowned in whiskey and smoked through pipes on the corner of every suburb.

You will not only see the beauty of this town and all its glory,

But also the back roads and alleys of a city's horror story!"

Chocolate Thunder, Whatawanda (What a Wonder)

"In today's lesson, class we will learn about an athlete from Visionville, Alabama;

He's a man with talent and drive, a true 'Phi Slamma Jamma.'

Through Visionville's eyepiece let's examine the specimen under the microscope,

He's Chocolate Thunder, a ball player with dreams, but just couldn't cope.

Resembling our forefathers in the Zulu tribe,

On every court is where he found his vibe.

A genius—huh, not at all,

Instead of pen and paper, he had Gatorade and a ball.

Between every step and dribble, you could hear thunder roll,

His victims lay helpless, leaving his number of victories untold.

It seems like yesterday we were all angels in this Heavenly dream,

But I guess that's all it was—a dream, or so it seemed.

Coaches hungered and thirsted for his basketball knowledge,

But shackled by ignorance, he refused to sign his name to any college.

We all remember his games in high school and how he loved to showboat,

Now he's mocked and ridiculed, they call him Visionville's Goat.

With the same hand he used to score point for point,

He now uses to smoke away his dreams joint by joint.

In alleys and stores you see Thunder with an attitude so mellow,

You may ask, 'What happened to the destiny in store for this fellow?'

This is what we ask and see at the marvels we so wonder,

But somewhere out there he's also in your town, just not Chocolate Thunder!"

Hide n' Seek: A Bible Story

"For years, thirteen young men enjoyed activities that expressed who they were.

Of the activities they participated in, hide and seek seemed to be their favorite.

The strategy of finding one another through noises or footsteps thrilled the young men.

Each would have the task of being a seeker every time they played.

Of the thirteen, one of them was a Master Seeker.

No matter how difficult the hiding spot, he always found the other eleven (one went home early).

The Master Seeker knew his friends' actions and mannerisms; therefore, finding them was a cinch.

One day the Master Seeker closed his eyes while positioned against a tree,

He spoke in a wise, but simple voice.

The Seeker's speech seemed as if it wouldn't stop.

From their hiding places, the eleven became restless and left.

As his friends scattered, the Seeker quoted, 'Ready or not, here I come!'

In total shock, the eleven were amazed their friend found them.

Deeply wounded, he gathered them like a shepherd does his sheep,

He had gone through great measures to find them.

In elation, he said, 'I won!'

One friend asked, 'Why through such great measures?'

He replied, 'Today will be the last time I have to stay,

My Father needs me to come home today,

But I must give this you this advice: Close your eyes and never peek

Learn each other's personality as you play hide and seek.'

Finally he said, 'I'm sorry, I wish I could stay,

But look for me again, I'll return the same way.'

He went to his home beyond the end of the street,

And his friends never stopped playing, their circle grew as they played ... hide and seek."

"Sub" Urban Legend: The Dating Game

"Welcome, to today's broadcast of the Dating Game,

Where the players change, but the game remains the same.

Our lucky bachelor today is the debonair, Joe Blow.

From four women, whom will he choose, we don't know?

Joe, tell us about your first date and how did you meet?"

'Well, Chuck I'd just bought a new car, kept it clean and neat,

But here comes Shelly Mae with straw in her mouth and mud on her feet.

Her mere appearance brought shame and fear,

I didn't know what to expect as she drew near.

She came to my door and asked to ride.

'Are you my date,' I skeptically replied.

Removing the straw, she gave her testimony,

But her fragrance nauseated me, she smelled like a pony.

I'm sorry, I regretted it, and I tried and tried,

So, I gave her my final answer, 'Shelly Mae ... request denied'.

Therefore, Chuck #1 and I didn't exactly work out,

But I thought #2 and I would have something to talk about.

She was beautiful, independent, and always alone,

These characteristics describe my second date, the introvert, Samone.

We would start the date with a slow, romantic song,

But her demeanor and character was totally wrong.

'Maybe it's me,' I shyly laughed,

But Samone's life had taken her on a journey of a less traveled path.

Her bashfulness and timidity stood in our way,

'Another date? ... Not even if she asked to pay!'

Next was #3, smart, beautiful, her name, Stiletto.

She was slightly urban, but had no choice; she had some problems she couldn't let go.

Her conversation was filled with smacking and crunching on spearmint discs,

Then she had the gall to say, 'I hope you know, you paying for this!'

'Don't get me wrong, we had somewhat of a ball,

I even kept her number, but I don't think I'll ever call.'

Nothing could prepare me for the last one, #4.

She left me sitting on edge and yearning for more.

Genesis was her name, a beautiful beginning with a pleasant end.

She approached me in the form of a Heavenly godsend.

She was sophisticated in beauty, her whole being truly redefined.

My Father gave me exactly what I asked for; she was definitely a gift of the God-kind.

Our rendezvous kept us within arm's reach,

We laughed and talked along the white sandy beach.

So Chuck, #4 is my decision, the final choice I've made,

Because together, we experience joy, comfort, and are never afraid.'"

"Well, Genesis here's your date, the debonair, Joe Blow!

Audience, I'm Chuck Eubanks, good night, that's our show!"

What's Your Wool Worth?: The Expository of B.B. Black-Sheep

"My name is B.B. Black-Sheep and I have a successfully-earned B.S. And for years I've been trying to sell my wool, but I always end up in a big mess. The price for gas always fluctuates—round and round, up and down—so I never know what's fuel's worth, But every time I go to fabric stores, I get the run around and can never find out my wool's worth.

I can't believe that of all the sheep that God created, I'm treated like this on this lush green earth. I had no choice in the matter; it was destined for me to have this wool from the day of my birth. For years, I was told where to graze and told where to drink, But white-woolen sheep weren't subjected to this, 'tell me what you think?'

Once, I looked in a mirror and saw these thick, black tufts and thought, 'I'll go to the barber to get a cut, In not noticing the WHITE WOOL ONLY sign, the barber kicked me out the door and I landed on my butt.

I'm glad I know other full, dark-haired sheep; they know how I feel, Trying to market and/or franchise this wool is a tough-to-sale deal. One day I was hungry and decided I'd go to Woolworth's, 'that sounds like a place where a sheep can eat,' But as I sat at the counter, a shake was poured on my head and from under me, someone pulled my seat.

Sick and tired of this disrespect and lifestyle, I decided that I'd go to college to learn of this injustice of misnomers and blunders, Because I don't think white-woolen sheep could bear these burdens and pains that I have to stand up under. My sense of purpose is concrete and why I feel this way is defined, so I'm not just bleating and muttering, Which, unfortunately, is how we sheep are seen—dumb, following livestock, with the inability to talk, just stammering and stuttering.

Now, I do my best to teach other sheep how to fight against this system—lambs, rams, and ewes, Because if they don't find their purpose in this world, they'll find themselves moaning and groaning The Lost Sheep Blues. There's a sheep fable told amongst my people about how a sheep was paid for three bags full of his curly locks, I wish everyday that that story would happen in my life, but until then, I'll just have to wait for when opportunity knocks."

High School Love: Remember Those Days?

* * *

Whispers of the Night

"On a night so beautiful, I could only wish to be with someone like you.

Your beauty has spell-bounded me to a point of speechlessness.

Confused about what to say, whispers of the night comfort me.

Grace and compassion surround you like a glow.

The touch of your hand reassures me that love is in the air.

As I'm mesmerized by the fragrance you wear,

I can only imagine the love we'd share.

The night grows old, but our love burns deeper.

Leaving all cares behind, we express our dearest love with a kiss.

As we go our separate ways, we're comforted by the whispers of the night."

Without You, I'm Lost

"Like a wanderer in the woods, I have no direction, I've gone astray.

'Why?'

Without you, I'm lost.

Your beauty and personality is all I need to escape the dangers of being alone.

Every step you take towards me brightens my path.

Your grace is something I've never experienced.

'Will you stay by my side forever?

To love me, comfort me, and most of all guide me.'

Before you, love to me was a dream,

But after being with you love became a reality.

For this and all you've done, I thank you always."

Too Irresistible To Let Go

"The beauty that befalls you is so great,

When we're together I can't let you go.

Your beautiful eyes and elegant smile makes my love for you all worthwhile.

Holding you like a cuddly teddy bear,

It's hard to let go because of the love we share.

I know there will be more times like this,

But why not let every minute last?

To keep the flames burning and the love stronger,

We end this night with a soft, fervent kiss.

As we passionately free ourselves, I can't stop thinking of you and what we have,

You're a beautiful girl who's too irresistible to let go!"

Blinded by Your Beauty, Guided by Your Love

"The beauty that surrounds you is so radiant it hinders my sight,

But it's the wondrous love we share that guides me on.

Like the sun in the eyes of a graceful bird,

I'm comforted by your every word.

Saying I love you is just a mere utterance,

So I let my actions speak louder than my words.

As the grass grows on this beautiful earth,

Our love shall grow far and beyond any boundary.

To know you is to love and appreciate you,

Therefore, my caring and understanding of you will never be forgotten."

Literature 101: Metaphorically Speaking

* * *

Testimonies of Black Women: Coal, Sugar, & Wood

"Like folktales and fables, testimonies have been passed down many generational lines.

Testimonies, for years have been confined to the walls of the church.

These stories often told what God had done for people.

It's ironic that these stories aren't always passed down from person to person.

Inanimate objects also tell stories that people never hear.

Changing the form of an object is a testimony in itself.

In a closer outlook, observe the presence of coal.

From the deepest, darkest core of the earth comes a blackened mineral.

Yet, if transformed and chiseled properly, this mineral could produce a diamond.

'Who could imagine such a possibility?'

A coveted jewel can be found in the earth's core through coal.

Ingredients in the kitchen, speak just as loud as the earth's core.

Sugar, when tried through heat, produces a candy enjoyed all around the world.

Slowly, the sugar forms into a smooth, brown caramel desired by many.

The sweetener we've come to enjoy has a testimony distinguishing it from any other spice or flavor known to man.

Over this vast land, forests blanket this country from coast to coast.

'What does a forest testify about?'

From its roots deep in the earth, until it becomes beautiful furniture, trees speak loud and clear.

Degraded by having its bark stripped, a tree begins the transformation process.

Dismembered and sculpted, the wood experiences a makeover.

Finally, the blonde wood reaches its maturity as the beautiful desk or table it was meant to be.

The testimonies of these objects explain three things:

Heat, pressure, and degradation bring pain and rebuke, but leaves beauty in its place."

Stained Glass

"A scarlet drop falls on the opaque surface, blemishing what was perfect.

In addition to this occurrence, a gloomy blue breaks all boundaries set.

'How can what was beautiful be destroyed in such a manner?'

The opaque surface has been blanketed with color, which was originally pure.

Hues of the earth: brown, gray, and green finalize the disgust the surface has endured.

With the stroke of a brush, these colors integrate.

An integration of colors forms a distinct picture.

That which was viewed a horrific site has been simplified.

Affront the house the opaque surface was situated.

When the Son shone brightly the spectators awed.

Lit by the stars at night, the surface was rarely seen.

Once a week, the surface was viewed as a spectacle for all.

Fulfilling the artist's purpose, the surface served as a commission for man, woman, boy, and girl.

The art form was finished; a masterpiece was completed in perfect time.

Now the glass' spirit, soul, and body are distinctive and perfectly aligned."

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The URBAN SCRIPT by TIMOTHY S. JONES Copyright © 2012 by Timothy S. Jones. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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