Life is a bed of roses, with a few thorns for punctures and punctuation

"

"Life must go on, and so it does unabated. 

Whether you actively participate or indolently hibernate, 

the sun will rise and shine, dew drops will fall, birds will fly, 

cattle will graze, and at the end of each day the moon will reflect the rays of the sun. 

Life goes on whether we like it or not.

As my good old buddies Jedi Blue sang in the early 90s in a lovely cover ...Why Worry?

The twists and turns that scare and demotivate so many are not wished for, but one grows to learn that they are to be expected. 

At it's time of delivery, what would the newborn child be without it's cry? 

After his last breath, what would the powerful man be other than peaceful and quiet? 

In between life and death, the starting and final whistles, what would the beautiful game be without firm goal posts and some dribbles, lobs, decisive shots, back passes and robust tackles in-between? 

So go on. Set your goal and follow your dream 

Sometimes you must tread softly, others you'll have to scream

But live your life whether you're seen as friend or foe

And keep on trucking through the desert towards your stream 

There will be sunny days and breezy nights 

There will be grey clouds and ..errrm.. mosquito bites 

There will strangers bearing good tidings and sorrow 

And dearest friends today turn enemies to fight 

But such is life whether you are husband or wife 

Or lonely heart in search of your peculiar strife 

There are fragrant roses in the garden for you 

Go get them but be prepared for the odd prick and knife" 

-Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, MA

My favourite things - KKD

The smiles & laughter of my beloved children, 

the view of vast green fields & scent of freshly-cut grass;

The oven-fresh smell of freshly-baked bread, 

the quirkiness & beauty of hand-made furniture & antique cars;

The delightful mind & hourglass figure of a well read & stylish woman, 

the kind and thoughtful words of persons with class;

Lovers who make vows & make them last, 

the effort & brightness of kids who top their class;

Ladies that cook well with whatever they have at home, 

friendship that is tested but endures and lasts;

Raindrops drumming on and washing my roof, 

birds chirping, melodious music playing, Kojo Antwi singing to a lass;

These are some of my favourites things &, perhaps, to pray, to love, to serve, to dance 

To express oneself well & dress with pizazz!

You may not have given it any serious thought because you have been too busy working to pay the bills, 

engrossed in attending to family or new found love, or just swept away by the tide of 'more important things in life' but your favourite things bring a smile to your face. They must not be placed on the back-burner for they form part of your very existence.

They have a special way of lifting up your spirits and lighting up your life.

They may be pricey or may not cost any money at all. 

They may consume hours on end or may not take away from our most valuable resource of all - TIME. 

But if they were taken away from our existence, this journey called life would not be so pleasurable. 

The simple thought of them warms our hearts. The smell, sight, sound, taste or feel of them make us HAPPY.

So tell me, Earth Angels and Urban Warriors, as the Yuletide beckons and Santa reckons he will bring our favourite things to us in peace and one piece, what are your favourite things?

"Style is how you do. Clothes are what you wear" - Tracee Ellis Ross

"Fashion is fleeting but Style is timeless, my child, OK? 

These words of my dearly beloved father are still clear on my mind today

Unlike words in many people's speeches which come out all wrong 

When thoughts are merely imitated; not clear, profound nor strong

You can be lost among the sheep or lead as the kind shepherd, he said

You can be drowned in the noise of the crowds or stand up and be heard

You can rush to the stores each time a new window is displayed

Or first define who you are and let your personality guide and aid

The trends will come and go but WHO YOU ARE must always show

And if you CHOOSE WITH CARE, your personal style will serve this so

School will teach you to read, write and count, good parents will let you know

The difference between right and wrong, so you may choose the right path to follow:

Even dignified persons can be provocative or mistaken in certain clothing

When there is very little covered it is the testosterone charging and deciding

Not the mind nor heart, for they are momentarily cowered into submission

Whilst those raging below the belt take control and key position

Every boy and girl must be taught before they turn a teen

That many minds are as good as mash when certain images are screened or seen

When the able mind is aroused many a man can be caught

With the imagery of nakedness sparking imaginations of things so hot

Stirring passions and confusion & unwelcome pregnancy in many a home

Then how often we hear the refrain 'I didn't dress like that for a bone'

Pick and choose your words and clothes but remember your image projection

Every garment speaks & FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS A REACTION

"Style is how you do. Clothes are what you wear" - Tracee Ellis Ross

The lovely lady's graceful look whispers DIGNITY and TRADITION

The student's neat and preppy look state MISSION: EDUCATION

The warrior's armour is designed to conjure fear and intimidation

The hustler's low-hung pants say what do you care about my condition

The eager come-hither tarty look screams FOR HIRE: prostitution

The fire service uniform declares their trade and gives PROTECTION

No matter our complexion or station our choice of clothing make a declaration

The threads we wear are an outer manifestation of an inner conviction

There surely must be a time and place for that item that you bought

When you were so excited yet unsure, and all you thought

Was this on my body will drive people craaaaaazy, but forgot

That madness isn't what you seek to project, or is that truly your plot?

There is time to work, worship, study, play and, for some, even be played

And garments for each activity that help our state of mind be conveyed 

So wear whatever you may, with your Personality clearly in mind

Dress as wish to be addressed, and remember the world isn't blind"-KKD

-Excerpt from DAPPER DARKWAH'S DELIGHTS by Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, MA

for my blog launched on 11.11.11